The Archivist

Hi All! Having finished a partial frame off for new body bushings (1970 Monte), new front end OEM style and engine bay painting were replacing the existing 454 with a new ZZ502 and a beefed up r4/700, The new ZZ502 deluxe crate option comes with a GM HEI distributor. The previous setup had an 6a MSD box ignition system and dist/coil. Some of the wires in the engine bay I need some help identifying and how to convert to the HEI system. This is the first hurdle: Note the pictures with the five wires, 12awg purple that did go to the starter, a white fabric cloth like style wire 16awg that had been crimp tied into the MSD box wiring, the remaining 16awg Orange (was cut no connection and taped off) and the purple/black 20awg wire with the black connector went nowhere as well and was also taped off and a 18awg purple/black wire that was also cut off and taped. The TCS relay we removed as it also had its wire harness going nowhere just hanging loose. Note: The loose brown wire on the firewall is the tach wire and 12 awg red went to the carb. Thanks for any input.

See this link. As on our Monte's the TCS is mounted on the plastic gutter. Mine is dry rotted. Can the relay just be fastened to the firewall on the Monte? Why did they fasten it to such a flimsy location or was there a ground contact concern? One shot shows a firewall "factory mount" this is assuming its original though and Im not 100% I see they make a new gutter but none come with holes and look different anyways. Im fine mounting to the firewall especially if that was occasionally done http://chevynova.org/1970TCSRelay.html

Im happy with the current high and Im good with staying stock but these now on the car gotta go, to rusty pitted. Does any one offer a stock OEM style replacement that you can remove the ball joint easily and put in a moog/proforged? I just ordered the proforged rebuild front end kit with drag link and idler etc. So now it down to control arms. I see OEM replacements form Goodmark, RESTOPARTS, AUTO METAL DIRECT, DORMAN. All with cheapie ball joints it appears.

Good to know! What brand aftermarket stamped arms did you go with? Im reading that people are iffy about the ball joints the yare using RESTOPARTS OEM replacements and the SUMMIT tubular performance series as neither use MOOG ball joints that are better engineered and can save you from failure

This https://www.opgi.com/chassis-suspension/steering-components/control-arms-front3/control-arm-64-72-a-body-front-upper-complete-ch26896.html Vs this https://www.opgi.com/chassis-suspension/suspension-components/tubular-control-arms5/control-arms-tubular-1964-72-a-body-lower-pp04902.html

Great Im going with proforged then. Im also looking at the RESTOPARTS replacement style OEM controls arms/upper lowers with ball/bushings installed and the OPGI tubular performance series. Im really inclined to go with the OPGI as its cheaper and they claim they will increase the precision of the front end handling. Any thoughts of OEM controls vs OPGI Tubular performance series for A body 68-72 Monte/Chevelle/Camino?

I should add the car has the OPGI OEM style rear sway bar, new bushings on the ears of the 12 bolt 373 pumpkin and boxed lower OPGI control arms and UMI uppers. New rear springs, rubber grommet above them and HD shocks.

We finished the OPGI bushing kit install with extra two biscuit bushings on our 70 SS 454 conversion, my GOD what a PITA, but nothing spun on us😀😀😀! We want to tackle the front end while the plastic fender wells are off. So the old control arms are rusty/bushings are dried out etc. What brand part models do you guys recommend, should we stay stock OEM with OEM style parts like Moog. RESTOPARTS or Dorman/Summit control arms with the ball joints and bushings already installed. Or go with new tubular? Where planning on replacing the tie rods/drag link etc. The brakes are new and have new calipers and lines. Were okay using the old springs (not sure if they are original or not) as the level is nice as is. Any specific brands or models you all might suggest (part numbers from Summit)? Tubular or stock? Budget is a concern some but not a deal breaker. We don't race the car its not a daily driver but good steering and performance is a plus. Ive always felt the steering was a little loose with play and not tight. I guess a gear box redo would be an option but I prefer not.

Thank you all this helps! Ordering the set now!

In blue would you say these circled were the problem ones? Im planning since I have the bumper off to just get the back two done now.

Dtret = did you put Penetrant oil ahead of time and let it sit for a week? Or heat the bolts up?

Are they all accessible from underside or will I need to remove the plastic front wheel wells like in the 70 Chevelle mount video above in order to access the middle two around the firewall??

Sounds like very good advice.

Copy that and thank you. Did you have any of the bolts break? Which ones are the problem ones, that could require cutting into the metal?

I see so the difference is the OPGI busing dont have GM numbers on them? Im not concerned about the numbers as much as OPGI Resto parts bushings are just the right size as the inline brand.

https://www.opgi.com/chassis-suspension/bushings-mounts/body-mount-bushing-kit/bushing-kit-body-1970-72-monte-carlo-whardware-sb614k.html?gclid=Cj0KCQiAy579BRCPARIsAB6QoIYsDQB32vgk2VjPguAgeXXOZYH0CGtN1NiyLqRJQgSKnpAvVvAeWPoaAsCVEALw_wcB This kit are the bushings accurate? It does come with everything you need or so it appears.

Dtret thank you I will order this set. Were would you recommend to get the bolts washers etc? Im just concerned about having to cut into the metal. Ae the mount the locations the same as the 70 Chevelle?

Im not interested in this kit but are the locations shown in the video of the bushing going to be similar for the 70 Monte A body frame?

Hi! I have my rear bumper off and while I do I see the two rear mounts, I was thinking I should replace them while I have the bumper off. Who makes the most accurate rubber bushing kit with all the parts needed if you wish to replace all of them up to the radiator? Can you replace just the back 2 by the rear bumper and then do the others at a later date? I have read the after replacing them all some things like the doors can be out of alignment and you need to tape or shim with rubber between the doors to avoid paint damage. Im planning on heating then spraying the bolts with a lube for a few days to penetrate the bolt. Thanks for any advice Ive heard horror stories on this job. --------------------------------------------- This is the kit Ive seen, is it complete and is it OEM size and stock? Ive heard they may not be accurate to the originals? https://www.opgi.com/chassis-suspension/bushings-mounts/body-mount-bushing-kit/bushing-kit-body-1970-72-monte-carlo-whardware-sb614k.html?gclid=Cj0KCQiAy579BRCPARIsAB6QoIYsDQB32vgk2VjPguAgeXXOZYH0CGtN1NiyLqRJQgSKnpAvVvAeWPoaAsCVEALw_wcB

Sounds great, thank you! How can I reach you?

Rest up my friend and thank you for looking.

Yes grey whoops Im sorry. So I need to find this style mating connector https://www.opgi.com/chevelle/28190/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwgOzdBRDlARIsAJ6_HNm_1zTeYmuyODau8JyyyYz0SXlDzh33GgLg_arzTNtSNfTFmsxpjKgaAnayEALw_wcB Any ideas the make, model or brand? Anyways this is a huge help thank you. This weekends project to finalize this conversion.

We just wrapped up the conversion (see pictures). Still two loose ends to sort out but overall things went pretty smoothly (no rust on interior floor pan at all, the new shifter works great and is very smooth) installing the refurbished buckets, new console, under mat, ACC carpet and Fisher sill plates. We were able to keep the steering column (cut the shifter collar painted and modified it) due to the back drive mechanism that evidently moves the console cars collar via linkage on 1969-GM console optioned cars of that era. Two issues remain, the console decal does not match the shifter cover Burlwwood, so we are looking for the right matching decal for the front of the console the one that came is way off. Second and most important, the new wiring harness coming from the console has a three wire mating plug (orange, white, brown wires) we cannot locate a mating connection where this would connect. Last spring we rewired and re-wrapped much of the harness and redid the gauges, so we do not recall there being a mating connector for the center console lights but we may not have noticed one hiding. Was there one for console optioned cars? Or do we have to splice in a mating connector? Thanks for any input.

Copy that, I was just figuring in what LS5 had said... "You can leave your speedo in and use all the linkage from the column shift column BUT it wont work for your 700R4 tranny. You will need to get a floor shift steering column, thats not on your list. You can hook up the linkage and still tie in the line cable to the PRNDL1 from the collar on the column, but the Shiftworks Plate that goes on the console will shift differently from that of the indicator on the speedo. The gear select is set up for 350/400 tranny shifting and will match up but not with a 700r4."