7/8/2009: The new transmission arrived, see it on the Transmission Page. I have also decided to install Hawk HPS Ferro-Carbon brake pads. Conveniently enough they also make pads for the style of calipers I've installed at the rear.
I guess you could say I'm starting at the ground and working my way up. The first goal is to get a complete rolling chassis done. The progress has been slow, but at least progress is being made. Once the chassis is done I'll build the engine and obtain the transmission I intend to use and install those in the chassis. Then I will move on to the body work.
The rear axle housing has been cleaned and painted. I have not had a chance to build the internals of the axle but I have installed the rear disc brake set up I have purchased. The install went smoothly. I've painted all the parts that were not plated. The disc brake set up consists of GM parts aside from the mounting brackets. The particular kit I bought came with ready-made parking brake cables which will make that part of the install a snap. I'll provide more photos of the rear end build when I get the internals installed. For now, here is a photo of the brakes I've installed.
Before the axle housing was painted, I had the tubes fully welded to the center section and I had some of the bracket welds redone. We also added a few extra welds to the brackets to keep them more securely attached to the housing. Nothing wrong with a little extra insurance!
I've decided to replace the Carrera shocks seen in the photos with QA1 Stocker Star aluminum body 12-way adjustable rear shocks to compliment the QA1 coilovers I plan to install in the front. The Carreras are great shocks, they just don't provide any adjustment. I'll make use of them again on the coupe.
Since funds are slim I've been working on some parts I may not need right away but that don't cost a lot to rebuild. Here is a photo of the driveshaft. I've had it rebalanced and I've installed a new transmission yoke and Spicer u-joints. The shaft has been polished, the cast ends have been painted to look like bare cast steel and I've added the part number stencil and the part identification stripes that are correct for a '65 Chevelle driveshaft. I then sprayed it all in semi-gloss clear to keep corrosion at bay.
Update! I will be building the rear axle soon. The parts have arrived. What we have here are a 4-series Eaton positraction differential with carbon fiber clutches, Superior axles, Richmond 4.11 gears and a full set of Timken bearings, seals and shims.
More parts! I've gone on a buying spree and I've also cleaned and painted almost everything I'll need for the chassis build. Here you can see the 1-1/8-inch front sway bar, the 1-inch rear sway bar, the cleaned up and painted front and rear brake rotors, the rear Hotchkis lowering springs and rear spring air bag system, QA1 rear Stocker Star adjustable shocks, cleaned up and painted front disc backing plates and caliper brackets, the AGR quick ratio (12:1, 2.5 turns lock-to-lock) Resto power steering gear box and the cleaned up and painted spindles, steering knuckles, tie rods, center link, pitman arm, upper front a-arm cross shafts and idler arm. I can't wait to begin piecing things together! Missing thus far are the front QA1 coil-overs as they are currently on back order.
The axle has been mostly completed. I still need to add the brackets and brake lines but the hard part is done. Looks nice!
