Marks71

Just ordered my Bilstein shocks through Jegs at $279. I confirmed the Bilstein part numbers as being correct as Joe pointed out. Apparently there are 8 sets left at this price, which if anyone is shopping, is about $100 less than anyone else is selling them for. Thank you, Blackhawk

Welcome, that’s a heck of a good starter point. Plus it’s a big block. Looks like you have the factory radio too. Interior looks good, and I’d bet that drivers door panel is somewhere with the car. If it’s not a Flint built car I’d bet there’s a build sheet somewhere also. The first and easiest place to look is under that back seat which you’ll probably be pulling anyway during your cleanup. Good luck

Welcome Steve to the club. It looks like you have some real gems there. I’m totally computer illiterate but it’s easy to send photos. My wife and granddaughter will occasionally give a hand.You’ll have it down in no time. This club has some amazingly knowledgeable members, some will definitely put a smile on your face. Sorry to hear of your struggle. You seem to have a positive attitude, which definitely has to help towards treatment. Please keep us updated on your progress. Looking forward to seeing more posts from you.

If the other project wasn’t a big block Monte with similar options as yours, then I think it’s a crap shoot to get it right. There are so many variables what with spring heights and rates. The adjustable spacers may be a bandaid fix for height but what about ride and handling? I’m hoping Some of the other members chime in on this. What were the 2” drop coils originally for?

Not familiar with that pump but does it predominantly pull or push fuel.

I wonder if they sent the wrong coils? Maybe for a small block? Worth checking into. What info did they require when ordering?

I had posted a response about removing your old shocks and then seeing how it sits with your existing coils. How did that work? Or were the coils already removed at that time?

Brant, just curious, how did the car run when you bought it and what’s it doing now? What’s determining that the motor is shot? Smoking, loss of power, fouling plugs, overheating, water in the oil? It seems you may take a bigger hit on the car than the cost of repairing. You stated you had 3 first gens in the past (40 or so years ago) and now as an elder, possibly for nostalgia, you’ve got another. You joined the club and now a wrench was thrown into your plans. If you re going to sell with future plans to get another then I wouldn’t. As Dennis said, not sure of your financials, so maybe it’s easy for me to say. Please elaborate more on why the motor is shot. Your Monte looks too nice to throw in the towel. At 68 I had about a 40 year span between my first 71 and my current 71. Good luck with whatever you decide.

Congratulations Cory to you and your father on finding that good looking Monte. You came to the right place for any information you may need.

Welcome, beautiful car. The Assembly and the Fisher Body manuals are the way to go. They are dedicated to a specific year. All the others try to cover too many years in one book. I also have the GM Chassis Service manual. Admittedly it covers other Chevrolets of that same year.

It’s funny you mentioned the lack of paint on the trim. Before reading your post the first thing I did was zoom in on the trim to check for paint. The trim on my black vinyl top does not have paint. I assume that it was either stripped because of flaking paint, or replaced. I’m also assuming that replacement molding probably came unpainted. In your situation it makes sense why the factory left it unpainted.

Less than 1 season? That’s bad. Were you able to recoup your money through a warranty?

They sure do. Their color coat automotive interior paint works well. They also make a mild solvent based wax and grease remover for prep, which is extremely important because of all the silicone based spray and wipe protectants used on interiors. Silicone is a painters worst nightmare.

KYB has been around for just over 100 years, so they must be doing something right. They make a good shock. Had them on my 78 3/4 ton Chevy truck and they lasted many years. The consensus is the Bilsteins are better. But they’re twice as much money, and depending on your budget, and with the other modifications you are doing, the $$ rack up quickly, so I get where you’re coming from.

Willie, I went through my build sheet for my 71, and as Glen said, there’s nothing that addresses the s/b holders for the console.i just assumed that at least on the 71s, they all had them. My first 71 that I bought in 74 had them. As for the chrome trim, I’m sure it was necessary to keep the mounting screws from pulling through the somewhat soft material the cups were made of over time.

Welcome to the club Kevin. I see yours has the gauge package and tach. Is it by chance an SS? There is plenty of help here for any questions or problems you may have.

Our more expensive summer blend is about a month or so away.

Didn’t they offer it on the SS Chevelles? Automatics only.

We’re back to about $5.40 for regular again. The only breaks we get are our backs.

Not sure how the other states calculate license fees, but here in California where they always have their hand in your pocket, they base them on purchase price. 62k would cost about $6200 in sales tax plus $650-$700 in annual registration fees.

I remembered them as tabs and not cups. They were on a 68 Impala I had. I had forgot about them until I saw the photo of the interior of a 72 Monte that was for sale and really want to get some to keep the rear seatbelts organized, at least the buckle portion.

Learned something new today. Looks like something that’s feasible in a home shop for small parts. Thanks for the info.

Doing more research and now I’m really intrigued with this. Is this something you did or did you have a company do it? I’m familiar with powder coating, but on metal. How do they get it to work on plastic? I’d appreciate it if you could walk me through the process. Thank you

Thanks for the info, the finish looked great. When I googled it I got a spray protectant for plastic trim that could be purchased from Walmart which I knew couldn’t be what you did.

is that decimal in the right spot for the taxes?