Discussion Forum - Northstar Chevelle Club

Members Login
Username 
 
Password 
    Remember Me  
NCC Forum Home Page -> NCC - General Discussion -> My beginning of Summer mishap
Post Info TOPIC: My beginning of Summer mishap
69SSConv


Active Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 444
Date:
My beginning of Summer mishap
Permalink  
 

All, 

Now that it is over, I thought I would let the cat out of the bag.  Had a mishap in April, that embodies the 2020 year we have all been having.  Upgraded some control arms and brakes on the 69 and took for test drive.  Combination of not being aligned yet, loose sand, etc. I ended up in the ditch. 6 months later it is now back in driving order.  Ended up with complete new paint job, because of metal and paint damage on every quarter panel.  Didn't say anything before now to anyone other than Stan, but letting the cat out of the bag now, as it came home this week from Straight Line Customs returning it to better than original condition.  Here are a few photos.  Including link from Straight Line website.

https://www.facebook.com/Straight.Line.Customs/posts/3826077887436883



-- Edited by 69SSConv on Saturday 24th of October 2020 08:25:49 AM

Attachments
__________________

Loren B. - Princeton, MN

1969 Chevelle SS Convertible, Bright Torch Red, 396, 200-4R, 12 bolt 3.73 Posi

1969 Chevrolet C20, Orange/White, 350, 4-spd, 4.11

1980 Camaro, RS, Impulse Blue, 350, 200-4R, 3.73 Posi

1967 Chevelle Malibu 2-DR Hardtop.  In process
BLyke


1K+ Club

Status: Offline
Posts: 1339
Date:
Permalink  
 

Sorry to hear about that, glad that its fixed (Just in time for winter?!)

__________________

Bruce L. - Lakeville MN

1971 Malibu Convert

 
Jon H


1K+ Club

Status: Offline
Posts: 1260
Date:
Permalink  
 

You have a lot of time energy into the car, I am glad the damage wasn't worse, you are alright and the car is back on the road.

__________________

 

'69 Convertible,  Lemans Blue, 454, 200 4R, 12 Bolt. 

Jon H.  Lino Lakes
69SSConv


Active Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 444
Date:
Permalink  
 

Thank you.  When it happened, I couldn't talk about it for weeks.  Biggest issue is the "why" and how it happened was unanswered for a long time.  Only drove it 1 mile this year.



-- Edited by 69SSConv on Sunday 25th of October 2020 07:21:27 AM



-- Edited by 69SSConv on Sunday 25th of October 2020 07:23:04 AM

__________________

Loren B. - Princeton, MN

1969 Chevelle SS Convertible, Bright Torch Red, 396, 200-4R, 12 bolt 3.73 Posi

1969 Chevrolet C20, Orange/White, 350, 4-spd, 4.11

1980 Camaro, RS, Impulse Blue, 350, 200-4R, 3.73 Posi

1967 Chevelle Malibu 2-DR Hardtop.  In process
Derek69SS


Founding Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 2787
Date:
Permalink  
 

Sorry to hear about that.
Do you need any help with the suspension to solve whatever caused it?

__________________

Derek Kiefer - Mantorville, MN

69 Malibu Pro-Touring stroker LS1-383/T56 - 69 SS396-325/3spd project
69SSConv


Active Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 444
Date:
Permalink  
 

Thanks Derek,  I believe the issue was multi-part. Upgraded to QA1 upper and Lowers, coil overs, and installed bigger Wilwood brakes up front.  #1 had not aligned yet (initial test drive), and still had same spacers in as stock control arms (camber off considerably).  #2 was (caster off a bit I am sure as well).  #3 had in 2nd gear and after hard acceleration (tires spinning), when I let off, decelerated quickly and hit loose sand, which immediately sent me sideways.  Lastly the quick ratio steering gear, according to Straight Line is not smooth, and limiting my turning radius.

Alignment issues corrected, and not sure what to do on the steering gear.  It is 2-3 year old steering gear, and not sure if I should move away from quick ratio or not.  Haven't driven it yet, and at this point not sure if will get to before spring.

 

 



-- Edited by 69SSConv on Sunday 25th of October 2020 09:10:52 AM



-- Edited by 69SSConv on Sunday 25th of October 2020 09:28:41 AM

__________________

Loren B. - Princeton, MN

1969 Chevelle SS Convertible, Bright Torch Red, 396, 200-4R, 12 bolt 3.73 Posi

1969 Chevrolet C20, Orange/White, 350, 4-spd, 4.11

1980 Camaro, RS, Impulse Blue, 350, 200-4R, 3.73 Posi

1967 Chevelle Malibu 2-DR Hardtop.  In process
Derek69SS


Founding Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 2787
Date:
Permalink  
 

What steering gear and pump are you using?

If it is "not smooth" when trying to steer fast, but works fine when steering slow, I would suspect a pump flow rate problem rather than the gearbox. There's a flow control fitting that can be drilled out a bit to get more fluid volume. A friend of mine just went through this on a 67 GTO with an old style pump that couldn't keep up to his fast ratio box. Drilling the orifice from .120 to .150 fixed all his steering problems.

__________________

Derek Kiefer - Mantorville, MN

69 Malibu Pro-Touring stroker LS1-383/T56 - 69 SS396-325/3spd project
69SSConv


Active Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 444
Date:
Permalink  
 

Steering gear is a Lares, pump is a stock pump.  Agree it is smooth when at slower steering.  You may have pinpointed the problem regarding the steering gear, or actually the pump.  I will put that on the winter checklist.  Thanks again Derek



__________________

Loren B. - Princeton, MN

1969 Chevelle SS Convertible, Bright Torch Red, 396, 200-4R, 12 bolt 3.73 Posi

1969 Chevrolet C20, Orange/White, 350, 4-spd, 4.11

1980 Camaro, RS, Impulse Blue, 350, 200-4R, 3.73 Posi

1967 Chevelle Malibu 2-DR Hardtop.  In process
Page 1 of 1  sorted by
 
Quick Reply

Please log in to post quick replies.
NCC Forum Home Page -> NCC - General Discussion -> My beginning of Summer mishap
Chatbox
Please log in to join the chat!