Hi All! so this is my first attempt at a frame off restoration. Of course this project didn't start out as a frame off resto, I've had this car since I was 20. I just wanted to get her road worthy and fix things as I went along. She had had been parked for about 10 years. I finally got it running last year but it wasn't running very good. The front oil seal was slinging oil so I started with that, which means you have to take off exhaust, starter, distributor cap, motor mounts, then jack up motor just to get the oil pan off. I then decided I was this far in I might as well go ahead and rebuild motor. I already had a new Painless wiring harness so I thought I can do this now that motor was out. Then thought well I already had body bushings so I might as well go ahead and take body off so now here I am! The rear body mount brace i had to remove that's the part I'm waiting on now. I cant mount the back Rotisserie until I cut out and weld in trunk patch and braces back in. Cars are not my full time job so working nights and weekends when I have a hour or two. this is what have gotten done in the past couple years. seems year one or any other body parts place takes forever to get parts. Sure gad I am not in a hurry!

 

Front oil seal turns into a frame off resto…. Might as well
Looks like you have a 455 also? What year motor?
Nice job, definite labor of love.

 

MAW = might as well. You used this in your original post and you really know what it is. You look to be doing a great job. Keep us posted.

 

Frame looks great.
Painted or powder coated?

 

Looks like a great project, keep the updates coming! Those MAWs can be hard on the pocket book!

I have a '57 VW, older restoration/customization but still roadworthy. Picked up a narrowed beam, disc brake setup and a few other goodies...debated installing them but quickly realized that this would lead to a complete tear down and repaint of the car...so the new parts are still collecting dust on the shelf! Maybe...just maybe...once my '70 is back together :-D

 

Not a 455 although i wish it was. its a 350

 

Frame and suspension parts are powder coated.

 

Nice job, looks like you have a pretty solid body with minimal rot.

 

Great job- keep at it- just remember one bite at a time is how you eat a whale. Don't get overwhelmed...

 

I hope you bagged up all the parts you removed and labeled the bags with a Sharpie marker. You will thank yourself later when starting to reassemble the car. I used heavy duty freezer Zip Lock bags, mostly the quart size but the snack size bags are good for smaller parts. If you didn't "tag-n-bag" everything, you might want to do this now while your memory is still fresh. Do you have the PIM or assembly manual? This is a must-have resource for a serious project like yours. Best of luck!
Rodney

 

I do have both Fisher Body manuals. and have a bin full of zip lock bags marked. I'm getting old so my memory not that reliable !

 

I have to get a better welder. I know the investment will pay off in the long run same as with a good Rotisserie.

 

So just a update. Now hoping for a day or two to work on it.
rear body brace too rusty to mount rotisserie


reason for the new Trunk pan

still have to remove some more sheet metal for the complete Trunk pan

New trunk Pan from the Parts Place its listed as a 70-72 Chevelle from AMD

a little rot repair needed


test fit the pan to make sure all the body bolts would line up

 

It looks like you were originally planning to just replace this rear brace (not sure what the correct name is) - the part with the rear body mount caged nuts that you've removed here. Obviously you've opted for the full trunk pan replacement but did you find a replacement piece for that cross member on it's own?

 

My first plan was to just replace the rear body brace but I was never able to find one for a 72. I think someone in a previous thread I read in here said that one from a 69-72 Chevelle would work. Located that part, it looked the same so I ordered it from year one, of course now they don't know when it will be available from overseas. AKA Japan. Then after attempting to refabricate/customize the rear body brace and cleaning up all the rust it was more Swiss cheese I didn't want to deal with and found the complete trunk pan.

 

Amazing how these "little" MAWs explode beyond expectations! Looks like you're on the right track though.

I've got a solid section from another car so it sounds like using that to patch mine is the best option for me.

 

Looks very familiar.
My rear brace was rotted out as well.
I ended up welding a piece of angle iron to the rear brace so I could mount it to the rotisserie.
Then I flipped the car over and let it sit on saw horses so I could detach the rotisserie and replace the brace.
I

 

Powder Coated ... I opted for the Gloss finish