Chevelle project update

[Andy69]

Left rear wheel molding looks like it's sticking out.

It is. Ran out of trim screws plus there weren’t enough holes. Just need to break out the drill the next time I have the wheel off.

 

[Andy69]

Progress pics. I like the stance.

 

[kmakar]

Aggressive enough, but not overboard. Tasteful.

 

[Andy69]

More progress today. Also figured out where the leaks are coming from. Need to replace the pressure hose on the PS and maybe the radiator. It’s leaking but I’m hoping I can find a good radiator shop to repair it.

 

[Chevelle_Nut]

More progress today. Also figured out where the leaks are coming from. Need to replace the pressure hose on the PS and maybe the radiator. It’s leaking but I’m hoping I can find a good radiator shop to repair it.

Good luck finding a radiator shop, they seem to be going away.

 

[Andy69]

Good luck finding a radiator shop, they seem to be going away.

Got a couple of good references from a local guy who knows things.

 

[Nashville Cat]

Got a couple of good references from a local guy who knows things.

Bar's Leaks works well
I had a Camry radiator leak, put in a can of this and it went for years

 

[kmakar]

Don't use that unless it's an emergency and you don't have a choice. Seen too many times it's done more damage than good.

 

[Nashville Cat]

Don't use that unless it's an emergency and you don't have a choice. Seen too many times it's done more damage than good.

I've heard nothing but good about it. I think GM used to put it in new vehicles.
It will only seal a drip up to .004". It will not stop things up.

 

[kmakar]

I've heard nothing but good about it. I think GM used to put it in new vehicles.
It will only seal a drip up to .004". It will not stop things up.

That may be, but any potential leaks would be covered up. It's only meant as a stop gap until you can fix the problem, but getting it back out of the system is a pain.

 

[Andy69]

That may be, but any potential leaks would be covered up. It's only meant as a stop gap until you can fix the problem, but getting it back out of the system is a pain.

Yeah, I did that with this car, then thought everything was fine, then got bit in the ass on a trip. Took 3 days to get a replacement in, all the while the manager of the restaurant where I stopped the car was looking at it sideways the whole time, even though he had agreed to let me park the car there until I fixed it.

 

[Andy69]

Also took a video of it running, but the sound cuts out at the best time. Probably some stupid Apple engineer trying to be clever.

 

[Andy69]

Dang it. More setbacks. I figured this was going to be a problem given how long this stuff has sat around waiting for me to finish the car. Got a bad alternator now on top of the hole in the radiator and the power steering hose I needed to replace. It’s a Powermaster 48114. Bought it on close out at Summit in Georgia about 10 years ago. I originally bought it to resell but kept it after figuring it would work with some mods. Puts out power just fine but squeals. Traced it to the brushes and the commutator I think. Not really worth fixing when they are $160 new from Speedway.

 

[Andy69]

Ordered a new alternator. The Powermaster I have was not intended for this car but I made it work, including fabricating a bracket, swapping the pulley, and altering the wiring harness, so I got the same one. It's a 140A.

Also giving some thought to stripes. I left the Malibu side mouldings off and I'm not going to paint the lower part silver. I was kicking around using Beamont SD side stripes, but I think shat I'll do instead is use a black stripe and mimic the Malibu side mouldings. It will be understated and I think it will look good.

 

[kmakar]

Tape the stripe in place first and live with it for a week and see if you like it. This way you can either make corrections, like it as it is, or delete it.

 

[Pete 67]

Looking good, Andy. All that body work you did paid off.

I love the parchment seats.

 

[Chevelle_Nut]

I did 70-72 stripes on a 69, did not like it that much but once it was done, it was done.

 

[Derek69SS]

69 SS side stripes look great on a Malibu.
I'd do white though, to match the Parchment interior.

 

[Andy69]

Ok, now I'm just pissed.

Not only can I not get the brakes bled (still bone dry at the back and no pedal pressure at all, and no fluid movement out of the MC after an hour of working with the pedal and the vacuum pump), but I've got an electrical gremlin. The interior fan was running without the key on, and nothing works when I turn the key. FUCK! FUCKFUCKFUCKFUCK. I have to step away from it for a while or I'm going to carve my initials in it with a grinder and set it on fire. Time to order the parts for the 7 and get that back on the road.

 

[kmakar]

Almost pissed myself on that one, but I feel your pain. My wife said you sounded just like me when I lose it. Well, at least we're in good company.

Take a breath and go back to it with a clear head. Diagnose and start with simple and work your way forward.