Making progress '69 frame off
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Joined: Dec 2008
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From: Frisco TX
Making progress '69 frame off
Just installed the fresh 3:70 rear end with all new hardware and spicer solid u-joints. Rebuilt trailing arms with new E brake hardware as well. Rear end is just about done. Still need to install front steering gear and plumb the PS.
Motor is patiently waiting
The body shopuld be meeting the frame in the next couple weeks.Next time I will buy a car already completed
Ed
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Looks great 
Brings back fond memories of the frame off I did on my 65. One frame off a lifetime. It's alot of work. When I bought my 68 it was done. You do get a great sense of satisfaction when it's finished. A little paranoid when you first start driving it though.
Brings back fond memories of the frame off I did on my 65. One frame off a lifetime. It's alot of work. When I bought my 68 it was done. You do get a great sense of satisfaction when it's finished. A little paranoid when you first start driving it though.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
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From: North Easton Mass
Looks great. I was at that point last summer and now I'm working on the remaining 1,000 small projects left to finish the big project. It's so nice to be able to get at everything easily without the body on.
Did you use the VB&P SmartStrut bracket on the rear suspension or the original?
Rick B.
Did you use the VB&P SmartStrut bracket on the rear suspension or the original?
Rick B.
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From: Frisco TX
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From: Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin
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Joined: Dec 2008
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From: Frisco TX
Looks great. I was at that point last summer and now I'm working on the remaining 1,000 small projects left to finish the big project. It's so nice to be able to get at everything easily without the body on.
Did you use the VB&P SmartStrut bracket on the rear suspension or the original?
Rick B.
Did you use the VB&P SmartStrut bracket on the rear suspension or the original?
Rick B.
You are right about easy access without the body - only problem is the tempation to rebuild everything while its easily accessable
What started as a simple brakes and suspension overhaul has turned into a full restoration.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
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From: North Easton Mass
I am using the SmartStrut bracket - I have the complete Perf Plus kit incl the dual mount front monospring.
You are right about easy access without the body - only problem is the tempation to rebuild everything while its easily accessable
What started as a simple brakes and suspension overhaul has turned into a full restoration.
You are right about easy access without the body - only problem is the tempation to rebuild everything while its easily accessable
What started as a simple brakes and suspension overhaul has turned into a full restoration.
I understand completely about the temptation to rebuild everything 'while I'm at it.' My project started out as an engine swap - banged on the frame and found a few holes- found a few more holes - 2 years later the body is back on a replacement frame. Of course the brake lines and all bushings needed to be replaced 'while I'm at it'.
It is nice to be able to crawl under the car and look up at either new or clean, painted parts though.
Rick B.
Last edited by 72LS1Vette; May 20, 2009 at 10:25 PM. Reason: spelling
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Miami FL
I think you might want to reverse your "SmartStrut bracket" so that the cam bolt head are on the rear. This way you can more easily spot check them from the rear of the car if they have moved after an alignment (if you chalk mark them). Otherwise you are going to have to look from under the car just infront of the rear wheels backwards at the differential.
Looks like a fun & rewarding project.
Looks like a fun & rewarding project.
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From: Frisco TX
I saw the cam bolts on your bracket and I couldn't tell from the pics if you were re-using the stock bracket or not. One of those jobs I ended up doing twice because the package didn't include instructions as to which hardware to use, and I didn't fully understand the mechanics of the SmartStrut.
I understand completely about the temptation to rebuild everything 'while I'm at it.' My project started out as an engine swap - banged on the frame and found a few holes- found a few more holes - 2 years later the body is back on a replacement frame. Of course the brake lines and all bushings needed to be replaced 'while I'm at it'.
It is nice to be able to crawl under the car and look up at either new or clean, painted parts though.
Rick B.
I understand completely about the temptation to rebuild everything 'while I'm at it.' My project started out as an engine swap - banged on the frame and found a few holes- found a few more holes - 2 years later the body is back on a replacement frame. Of course the brake lines and all bushings needed to be replaced 'while I'm at it'.
It is nice to be able to crawl under the car and look up at either new or clean, painted parts though.
Rick B.
Similar situation here - frame rust was much worse than anticipated - once the body was pulled the full carnage was revealed
This is a replacement chassis - I bought it with the PerfPlus kit already installed. It looks like they used the stock cams along with the VBP bracket. Talked to VBP tech line and they confirmed the stock cams work fine with their setup.
Rear end was a 3:08 so it had to come out - I had my original 3:70 rebuilt. I then decided to disassemble everything to ensure it was properly assembled and torqued to specs. I had the trailing arms rebuilt as well.
I am taking it slow and steady - too deep into it at this point to rush and cut corners.
I'll post more photos when I get the front end done,
Ed
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Joined: Dec 2008
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From: Frisco TX
I think you might want to reverse your "SmartStrut bracket" so that the cam bolt head are on the rear. This way you can more easily spot check them from the rear of the car if they have moved after an alignment (if you chalk mark them). Otherwise you are going to have to look from under the car just infront of the rear wheels backwards at the differential.
Looks like a fun & rewarding project.
Looks like a fun & rewarding project.
thats a good pt - the bracket only mounts one way as the mounting bolts are offset but the cam hardware can be reversed
