Andy's Auto

I have manifolds on my 70 with 2.5 inch midpipes bent by me. They connect to Super 40 Flowmasters and then to a set of $96 dollar Flowmaster mandrel tail pipes. I use repop oval Chevelle tips. It sounds good for stock faithfull 70 LS5 rebuild. It will burn the tires and bark second gear. But it is a little bland. On my 81 Malibu, I went a different route. I went with cookie cutter Hooker Super Comp big tube headers, and wacked off the collectors. Bent up a couple of 3 inch mids, and threw on a pair of 3" 40s. Flowmaster Mandrels out back with a pair of bazzooka tips. With a classic 468 12.5:1 compression engine with a huge cam will make some noise. You don't see too many 10 second street cars in traffic, the noise will make you look. I keep her at my shop and am not allowed to start it before 8 am. I do believe that I am losing some top end with my current setup, but it already hits 136 in the quarter with the old setup. I am good, but the sound is incredible.

I used the same kit on a 1979 Malibu with a 406 SB. The only issue you will have is making new ac hoses. The compressor is on the wrong side. When I test/tuned the car at the track, I routinely shifted the car at 7,000 and never had an issue with the serpentine. It is a nice kit, and if you got the time, the aluminum brackets polish up very nicely. Here is a fun fact. With GM 4.30s in the rear and my 26/10.5 Mickey Thompson ETs, shifting at 7k, 12.30@112. Customer ghettos it out with 26's, 14.2@106. Love the Ghetto Boys. Andy

How about this one. I want to say it is Sikkens, but the paint is about two months old.

It looks excacly like my 70. How do the later models differ? Andy

Ditto, the Corvex moldings are pretty much the worst as far as after install quality. My worth memory was folding up my oroginals while my car was at paint so they fit in the trash. They were better than the repos turned out. Andy

My favorite cancelled item was the headlight washer system. Too many what could have beens. Andy

Ed here is a funny story. 1993 Super Chevy Sunday at Moroso in West Palm. A guy rolls up with a rollback 3500 Chevy with a triple green fiber optic SS454 on it's back. Older guy with lots of South Carolina drawl to him. There were a few things I distincly remember about him. He said he was kicked out of some Monte club for a fistfight. I would guess he was in his late 60's. He was pissed because our SS took first place over his completely original unrestored car. He left spinning the tires of the rollback on his way out after the awards were given out. And his name was Hap Hargrove. The thing that got me was the fiber optics. We had never seen it and he made such a big deal over it. I might try to get aold of my bud to see if he still has pictures of it. It is funny how some things just stick in your mind.

What type of sideview mirror would a 70 SS have? Does it have to be remote? Is it chrome or bullet style? Andy

what would be a correct air filter housing for a 70 SS454? I have seen open element and dual snorkel, but what is correct? Andy

I looked at Ausleys repop morror at the Chevy Show a few weeks ago. It is a nice piece. But Roger Ausley counln't tell me if it was correct for my Monte. IMHO, Roger has become a Monte hater Years ago he would bring repop everything that was Monte specific. Bumper strips, emblems, weatherstrip, etc. This year I was only able to score whatever a Chevelle shared. A few gauges, a fuel sender, rearview mirror, stuff like that. As much of my hard earned I spend on my hot rod, eBay shipping still hurts Andy

I just got my front clip off so I can do up the firewall and cowl. WHOO HOO, completely rust free I decided to hit up Danny at Muscle Express in Jupiter to get a set of repop plastic Chevelle units. I'll let you know how well they fit. It sounds like an easy fit, but we will see how consistent the tooling is. If all it is is minor trimming, I am in. My a/c box showed so I went ahead and ordered a new evap, drier, expansion, and POA valve. I guess I will need to open that virgin case of R12 I havec been hording for 8 years Andy

My 70 Ghetto Carlo is missing the inner fenders, but the metal extenders are still there. Some say the Carlos are different than the Chevelle units, others say the extenders are the difference. Before I blow a couple of hundred on repops, will the Chevelle pieces work? I see where Tamraz has what they call the right parts. But that would be an extra $75 shipping where the Chevelle parts are avail local. Andy

Vibrations can be tough to diagnose but there are a few ways to get a better idea of where the source is. For starters, when does the car vibrate? If the car gets a little touchy on acceletation but smooths out when you let off the gas, your vibration is most likely in the drive shaft. If the vibration is speed specific, tires, rims, and or bent axles might be the culprit. Is the vibation in the wheel or the seat of your pants? Pinion seals are easily replaced without touching the crush collar. The key is lookig at the seal surface on the yoke. If it is grooved it will need relacement. It is amazing what a piece of rubber can do to a piece of cast iron after thirty or so odd years. Andy