Discussion Forum - Northstar Chevelle Club

Cat's out of the bag now...

We need to, somehow, get 30 years younger to finish all the "things" we have started.

1980's and electric heat... been there. Had a split entry with a wood stove in the lower level to keep the cost under $300/month. Owned 10 acres with woods at the back. Plenty of dead falls and standing but a LOT of work to harvest the fuel.

Nice! Are you going to paint it yellow & black, or the original green?

I haven't verified, but I think the dark green on the body was not original.
Is dark maroon underneath.
Need to check Fisher body tag.
It is in a bag somewhere.

I always wanted a red and black one.
I never liked the Crocus yellow.
I am mellowing with age though.
I used to call it baby s**t yellow.

Frame to be modified is on trailer, crossmember is going out for chemical stripping.
Need to haul to Colorado for stub frame and modifications.

Karl

more ambition than brains wrote:

I always wanted a red and black one.

---

 With Cortez Silver highlights somewhere, to commemorate the donor...

Those are the colors, however, Bel Air trim and colors reversed.
If I am going red/black, hood must be red.

 

Karl

This is why Mitch was talking about Cortez Silver.

ITZHIZZ is the LT-4 model, manual 6-speed, other is LT-1 automatic, both anniversary cars, Run, Drive complete units.

Bought the LT-4 two years ago, LT-1 this spring

Insured too many drivers this summer to include those for testing purposes..

All summer fleet in storage now, Comprehensive coverage only.

Hopefully I can scrounge enough other parts and not cut them up.

In the hunt for 1996 LT-4 engine package.

May have one located in Michigan, passed on one in Georgia.

I have time.

Then I can just re-sell the Anniversary cars.

Karl

 

-- Edited by more ambition than brains on Friday 1st of January 2021 09:17:34 PM

Thanks Chris,
I understand the LT1-4 motors with the Optispark were far from being drama free.
Thinking I am at least 12-18 months out on dealing with that issue.
I WILL consult with you when the time is a little closer.
THANK YOU for your comments!

I am pretty committed to the 1996 LT-4 set up with whatever modifications will make the original design less troublesome.
Quite frankly the idea of the one year only 1996 LT-4 in a 40 year earlier (1956) shell seems kind of neat.

I know the LS series motors are amazing and the newer version LT-4 is crazy powerful.
I already have Big blocks in some other cars, so they don't hold any great sway for me on this project.
Cosmetically the Grand Sport treatment with the red on the intake is the big "hook" for me.
The Silver Anniversary edition LT-4 is really fun to drive.
Resolve Optispark issue, switch to electric water pump or whatever.

My 2007 Trailblazer SS has an all aluminum 6.0.
The Blue 2010 Camaro SS has the 6.2.

The good news is it can be set up for small block and there are multiple conversion options out there if I give up on the early LT-4.
Just want to try something different.
At my age I will not be playing tag with Derek on a road course, or even the drag strip.
Hope to try and come up with a unique, fun, great handling 1956 that is different than the most common upgrades.

This "thinking out loud" is far cheaper than the actual project will be and time well spent.
When Jim and I were doing the CLA Building I apologized to the contractor for my anal review of all plans.
The Architect was not experienced in Automotive uses.
The General Contractor smiling said "it is a lot cheaper to move walls on paper"

I had been doing plans on Bar napkins since I was old enough to drink.
Fortunately we got the outcome we hoped for.
His company continues to do all our upgrades and modifications to CLA building, expansion in Burnsville and the Farmington Building.

Thanks to all of you for being my sounding boards. (consultants)

Karl

ROAD TRIP!!!!!!

Took Seamless frame and one regular frame to fort Collins Colorado.
Will be having custom stub frame and mounts for Corvette drivetrain/suspension conversion.

Pictures show jigs and equipment he uses.
He has a 1956 Nomad of his own he is also doing.
His fussy factor is similar to John Delke.

Name of company is Classic Edge Designs.
Lazlo, is owner, he is trying to wind down business and move to Montana.

He has done over 100 of the front stub frame fabrications.
Seems to do very nice work.

Buffy (dash picture) is my Road Trip buddy.
Roger and I snuck out there Monday, back Wednesday afternoon.

Fun trip, really nice guy.
Looking forward to outcome.

These pictures are of the 1956 Nomad my Frame fabricator is building.

A level of detail that is AMAZING!

John D. should approve of the color combo.

Are these bc/cc paints of the original Sierra Gold and India Ivory ? The Ivory appears to have a hint of pearl in it, unless it's just the lighting.

 

Front frame stub us built, Corvette crossmember fitted and welded in place.

Small block motor mounts fabricated, fitted and installed.

No major progress here except I did sell the LT-4 Vette.
I learned what I needed to know by driving it.

Mounts in subframe are for traditional small block, if I move far beyond that configuration, there are multiple conversion mounts available.
ITZHIZZ was too nice, complete and unmolested to carve up.

When I bought the green 1995 Vette it gave me everything needed for the suspension conversion. (at far lower cost)
I will review drivetrain options AFTER all suspension and steering is mocked up.
Pretty sure that will be at least another year from now considering my other irons in the fire.

Still have the other 1996 Vette to verify assembly. That one is complete, runs, drives, has salvage title.

Don't really know why on the branded title, but for my purposes it is all I really need. Now I have only six (6) cars for the Shoebox project instead of seven.

Current priorities:

Get modified shoe box frame back from builder. (Sometime in July or early August) Strip balance of suspension from green Vette.

My 2005 Silverado is awaiting oil pump and O-ring, and install 2 rear flares. Couple of weeks out. Then that one is done, wheels are reconditioned, new Michelins mounted and on truck.
Procure Metal dumpster, cut up at least three (3) Suburbans.
Still want to get 4:10 rear end under Biskwik.
Also rear spare differential (3:73) for Scot's Malibu is being freshened.

That other, colder, icy season is only 4 months away. (sorry)

Still plan on selling 2wd, white, dry, no rust Suburban this summer. Couple of detail items remaining prior to listing.
The three of us have a lot to do.

-- Edited by more ambition than brains on Tuesday 29th of June 2021 09:09:51 PM

Getting serious again.
Moved Donor shell out of stall, placed on Stands.

Now drop rear suspension and harvest other stuff i think i will need.

Then shell will get planted on old snowmobile trailer, covered and set outside.

Any word from the builder when it might be that your frame is done ?

There's a black '55 150 Handyman wagon I see at a lot of local cruise-ins that has that same C4 conversion chassis by the same builder.
I talked to him about it a little a couple weeks ago, and he really loves it. :)

I'll get his contact info next time I see him.

More pictures of load.
Can get a lot done if not too worried about scratches.
Cable puller 101, plus skates.

Cable pullers to coach in place.

Used engine hoist on front, skate center rear, blocked up middle when in place.

THE BONEYARD

-- Edited by more ambition than brains on Monday 19th of July 2021 10:07:38 AM

Good to see it's coming together..

Going to be exciting !!
Which place is going to powder coat the frame ?
The Nomad paint colors are backward from what I usually see. I have seriously considered those colors for the '38, with the white on the roof and extending down the trunk.

Those mouse nests really stink, when they start burning. I found 1 hidden in the cabin floor pan, when I was welding in Andrews trunk floor. NASTY.

Wow, nice car. Dave, Centerline owner, had me order a 1 piece floor for his Nomad and a cargo floor without the spare tire well. I ordered a sedan tank for it and the filler neck will still be behind the tail light.

He and his son:

Cleared all old hardware, installed replacement mounts for C-4 suspension front and rear.

Modified, fitted and installed front C-4 crossmember.

Now back in my court for assembly of suspension an everything else.

I am beyond pleased with the outcome. Have to love the welds.

I can only weld if there is a grinder nearby to "dress" my miserable effort.

His son is the welder.

I may have my sandblaster give it a shot, so i can dust some epoxy or something on it, it is too pretty to stare at the rust.

Karl

Very Nice!

OK, now committed on engine.
Purchased a 30,000 mile 1996 LT-4 drop in package from a wrecked Vette.
Car was pristine, damage to left rear.

Have been watching for possible engines since I sold the other 1996 Anniversary LT-4.
Trying to find a low enough mileage unit so it dos not have to be "refreshed"
Hopefully this is the one.

Should arrive in a couple of weeks from Ohio.
Now, l need a Chevy bolt pattern 200R4 core to either get built locally or use as core for exchange.
Going with Overdrive automatic, I can shift Biskwik if I have the urge.

Pretty sure my Tranny Shop buddy Duane can loan me a bare core for mocking up and fitting drivetrain and suspension.
Most major decisions are made now on Engine, transmission, differential, steering and suspension for this 56.

Fuel system, brake system will evolve as I move forward.
My Frame builder in Colorado can fill in a lot of knowledge voids on best choices.

Busy prepping Treasure Chest for the next season.
Ron will be working on the Blue Elky, Scot on his G-body, I will split time between Blue Elky, "1956LT4" chassis and some Suburban projects.

Onward and upward!
Karl

What is this "should arrive" stuff. You're not going to fetch it ?
I will have your trailer back later this week...   Locker is empty, just need to get the last load out and on the shop floor.
You're not limited to the Chev bell pattern. Many of the BOP/Cad 200's are dual pattern with Chev too. Both of mine are dual pattern. The one in the '38 is out of an '86 Cadillac.