New Project, 79
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 956
Likes: 86
From: McDonough Georgia
New Project, 79
Well, I couldn't help myself. I've been going to a lot of shows lately and picked up a few trophies.
Been running with a little group of guys and, um, well, you know. Talk turns to cars and what so and so has in their back yard.
Seems like this one was bought from a used Chevy dealer 20 or so years ago.
The dream was to build a race car; the reality was, it sat for the next 20 years or so.
So, someone told someone, who told someone else, who ran into this other guy, who knows this other dude who has a corvette who seems to like building them.
Just out of curiosity mind you, I decided to follow up on this one. And lo and behold, out in the middle of nowhere, tucked away under a pile of "stuff", was this 79 with a 454 stuffed into it.
I checked it out and talked to the fellow who had the dream (and a whole yard full of other "projects") and a deal was struck.
Car is now in my garage with the interior and windshield stripped out. Birdcage is rust free and solid, frame, engine and tranny all solid.
Believe it or not, with a battery and oil the engine fired right up. I didn't run it long, just wanted to see if it would, and it does. In fact, you can put it in gear and move the car.
The wife was initially giving me the "look" until I explained that we HAD to have "his" and "hers". Now she agrees
Anyway, more on this as I get it figured out.
Been running with a little group of guys and, um, well, you know. Talk turns to cars and what so and so has in their back yard.
Seems like this one was bought from a used Chevy dealer 20 or so years ago.
The dream was to build a race car; the reality was, it sat for the next 20 years or so.
So, someone told someone, who told someone else, who ran into this other guy, who knows this other dude who has a corvette who seems to like building them.
Just out of curiosity mind you, I decided to follow up on this one. And lo and behold, out in the middle of nowhere, tucked away under a pile of "stuff", was this 79 with a 454 stuffed into it.
I checked it out and talked to the fellow who had the dream (and a whole yard full of other "projects") and a deal was struck.
Car is now in my garage with the interior and windshield stripped out. Birdcage is rust free and solid, frame, engine and tranny all solid.
Believe it or not, with a battery and oil the engine fired right up. I didn't run it long, just wanted to see if it would, and it does. In fact, you can put it in gear and move the car.
The wife was initially giving me the "look" until I explained that we HAD to have "his" and "hers". Now she agrees
Anyway, more on this as I get it figured out.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,503
Likes: 33
From: McGrady NC
St. Jude Donor '15-'16
Same here. I can barely get mine to ride in my 80 much less drive one of her own. I was going to semi-restore my 77 for her if she wanted it. Now I'll just do what I want with it. Like I need another project... Enjoy your new toy!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 956
Likes: 86
From: McDonough Georgia
Actually, I'm not sure my wife agreed so much as my grand daughter.
Come to find out my 12 yr old seems to think this new one is going to be hers. I find out that grandma and her have been plotting this one out.
My gd asked if this one would take about three years to complete like the last one. I said "probably". And she replied "perfect, I'll have my learners permit by then!"
The 454 is actually a 454SS from 1990. So it is a Mark IV and only 230 hp stock. But it has enough torque to pull a freight train!
Came out of a Silverado
It looks good though, and doesn't blow or leak oil. Come to find out it was pulled from a newer truck that was wrecked in the back. So the motor has few miles on it.
It has just been sitting for about 20 years. With a few mods, I should be good for about 540 horsepower.
If I remember correctly, this motor has depressed pistons and only 7:1 or so CR. So at the very least I want to get domed pistons and performer RPM heads.
I'm open to suggestions, recommedations, etc.
Come to find out my 12 yr old seems to think this new one is going to be hers. I find out that grandma and her have been plotting this one out.
My gd asked if this one would take about three years to complete like the last one. I said "probably". And she replied "perfect, I'll have my learners permit by then!"
The 454 is actually a 454SS from 1990. So it is a Mark IV and only 230 hp stock. But it has enough torque to pull a freight train!
Came out of a Silverado
It looks good though, and doesn't blow or leak oil. Come to find out it was pulled from a newer truck that was wrecked in the back. So the motor has few miles on it.
It has just been sitting for about 20 years. With a few mods, I should be good for about 540 horsepower.
If I remember correctly, this motor has depressed pistons and only 7:1 or so CR. So at the very least I want to get domed pistons and performer RPM heads.
I'm open to suggestions, recommedations, etc.
