59 Catalina

idrivejunk · October 20, 2017, 08:33:35 PM

Added 9 more big pics to show progress. :arrow

http://chevroldsmobuiac.blogspot.com/2017/10/catalina-repairs-l-qtr-part-1.html?m=1

kb426 · October 20, 2017, 09:20:55 PM

I sure like that better than those rust holes.

idrivejunk · October 20, 2017, 09:27:57 PM

This side sure is a mess above the seam, ain't it? I may end up taking all that lead off. Leaving final trimming at the seam until all straightening is done.

idrivejunk · October 23, 2017, 10:42:32 PM

I am now all up off in the dadgum trunk floor, chopping away. Today I bolted a couple sticks of pallet wood to holes out past the tail lights, they go to the floor like table legs for support. Working towards fitment of the new pans and cleaning up tank braces, etc, along with planning new body mounts and giving thought to the new EFI tank. I chopped out the latch brace and fuel neck housing for access. In conclusion of tonight's post, I must say... Pontiac. Chop. Chop Pontiac. Those are favorite words.

58 Yeoman · October 24, 2017, 08:36:28 AM

Dammit, Matt...you work fast!

https://tinyurl.com/y8qmtuuu

idrivejunk · October 24, 2017, 09:12:39 PM

Quote from: "58 Yeoman"Dammit, Matt...you work fast!

https://tinyurl.com/y8qmtuuu

I gotta be quicker than flash rust!

Wow, that thing is cherry! It needs the tri power from this car

Interesting pics, thanks for showing me that.

Almost half of today was spent going over construction ideas, planning of mechanical things, and general build and repair options. A couple of potential modifications surfaced, as did a few details. Probably custom made gas tank, 335 wide rubber out back, 700R4, and 1 x 2" tubing for all new floor bracing throughout, that follows the chassis and locates the pans a bit higher. Existing floor braces will be tossed and the axle hump will be completely different. Looks like I may not even use the trunk pans but they are disappointing anyway. I peeled away all the old pan and laid them in there before I realized I needed to stop and call a meeting of minds. The other two minds are headed to Vegas with the 67 F100 for SEMA soon, but I may have the 389 and a core trans mocked up before that. And so forth. Staying on the "do it right, once" path requires some far thinking.

That all was a lot to digest. I did some patching and plugging rust holes in an unrelated area to use up the rest of the day and allow thoughts to soak in. Plenty of that to go around while we all get our ducks in a row. Speaking of lining things up, I heard about some incoming projects... Model A for new frame and Coyote, Karmann Ghia hot rod from scratch, 70 Chevelle body work and paint, square Bronco with fiberglass tub.

kb426 · October 24, 2017, 09:49:13 PM

Those rust worms should be real fat and healthy as much as they had to eat. Why can't they eat themselves to death?

idrivejunk · October 24, 2017, 10:15:07 PM

Quote from: "kb426"Those rust worms should be real fat and healthy as much as they had to eat. Why can't they eat themselves to death?

It's a vicious life cycle. Before they go to bed they look in a mirror then barf, then they are hungry and not quite dead the next day. How does the story go... "In the Catalina, they gathered for the feast. They stabbed it with their steely knives but they could not kill the beast"?

UGLY OLDS · October 25, 2017, 12:01:02 PM

That all was a lot to digest. I did some patching and plugging rust holes in an unrelated area to use up the rest of the day and allow thoughts to soak in. Plenty of that to go around while we all get our ducks in a row. Speaking of lining things up, I heard about some incoming projects...

QuoteModel A for new frame and Coyote

,

O Boy- O Boy ....More Idea's...

Bob...

idrivejunk · October 25, 2017, 10:51:14 PM

We shoehorned one into a 41 Ford truck a couple years ago, that was practice

Speaking of ideas... junior rodder, yours truly, is attempting to position the old 389 and mock up trans loosely, where the Butler chunk plus now a 4L80E will go. So I can be free to make floors. While Gary and Mike go to Vegas. I am gonna need an incubator to hatch ideas that fast!

Right now the engine is in place with my anvil and some wood blocks holding it up and a wrong trans hanging off it. Unfortunately I don't have headers or oil pan, and the frame was ordered for an LS engine so the rack and it's position might not be right for fit. Valve covers are into the firewall with the balancer just behind the rack. Big boy rodding stuff to me! I am excited but as far as skills this is like getting a circus elephant to stand on one ear.

idrivejunk · October 26, 2017, 01:53:09 PM

Tail wagging, engine and trans are in position (on stands) and tubing for floor braces is on hand. 14 gauge though. Hmm.

rumrumm · October 26, 2017, 02:09:20 PM

The 4L80E is a much bigger transmission than a TH400 or 700R4 so I would be hesitant to fab up the floors with a smaller tranny in position. Can you get a core 4L80E tranny from a salvage yard to use as a mock up?

UGLY OLDS · October 26, 2017, 04:00:27 PM

Quote from: "rumrumm"The 4L80E is a much bigger transmission than a TH400 or 700R4 so I would be hesitant to fab up the floors with a smaller tranny in position.
QuoteCan you get a core 4L80E tranny from a salvage yard to use as a mock up?

Or ...See if you can borrow an empty case & tailhousing from your local trans shop...Make sure you get a rear mount to locate the case in the correct place ...

Bob...

idrivejunk · October 26, 2017, 07:53:11 PM

Quote from: "rumrumm"The 4L80E is a much bigger transmission than a TH400 or 700R4 so I would be hesitant to fab up the floors with a smaller tranny in position. Can you get a core 4L80E tranny from a salvage yard to use as a mock up?

Point taken and previously considered. Unfortunately I have no such luxury. But, I can leave the tunnel and firewall be for now. I got sufficient info from the mock up to proceed, and it will be a week and a half before I can even complain more about not having stuff. I had intended to put up a fuss but realize the thing to do is stay quiet and build something nobody can argue with.

idrivejunk · October 26, 2017, 08:15:52 PM

Quote from: "UGLY OLDS"
Quote from: "rumrumm"The 4L80E is a much bigger transmission than a TH400 or 700R4 so I would be hesitant to fab up the floors with a smaller tranny in position.
QuoteCan you get a core 4L80E tranny from a salvage yard to use as a mock up?

Or ...See if you can borrow an empty case & tailhousing from your local trans shop...Make sure you get a rear mount to locate the case in the correct place ...

Bob...

Trouble is, Bob, that the BOP bolt pattern is not on the back of this block, its on the bell piece of the trans. Best we could do with what we had was hang a 700R by one bolt. There is a BOP TH350 in the house and I have a 74 400 block I could tote up there... but why? If they think I can do this with that, I must be able to. Thats the way my life works, I try to exist on what other people think I ought to be able to. If I do so without complaint, I'll be allowed to continue.

Given sufficient time, I usually comply.

I scribbled some marks on stuff and sat the engine / trans aside then sat the body on unibody clamps and lowered the chassis. Ready to chop out everything horizontal and then some. From stem to stern, the floor will end up an inch or so higher than it was.

You guys know I can fix and patch stuff. The measuring skills I brought from crash fixing, you've never really seen. I am confident but can imagine how that excuse for engine placement is weak in your eyes. It was in mine too. Hopefully I just won't get into too much more trouble.

Thank you two for speaking up, your experienced eyes are my trapeze net.