It is now at TG's Performance getting the 402 big block bolted in.
This is our 1968 Chevelle Malibu - It took 6 months to find it. I
looked at Chevelle's from Palmdale to San Diego and even considered
driving to Fresno to look at one. They were nothing but rusty shells
for $2500.00 - I found this one on
OldCarLocator.com for
$3500.00 I went down to see it and it appeared to be in perfect
shape for restoration. The doors opened and closed but the windows
we're off the track. The body had no visible rust and the floor pans
and trunk had no rust at all. It had a crate GM 350 and turbo 350
trans, the rear end was a 10 bolt.It ran but it had issues. I
removed the points, installed an electronic ignition but that didn't
help. I took it to a local shop and they said that it would probably
need to have the heads done. So I called around and found
TG'SPerformance.com in
Lawndale. I took the motor to them and they found out that the block
was cracked and both of the heads we're no good. This left me with
no motor. As luck would have it they needed some work on their
website
www.tgsperformance.com and I needed a motor. I worked out a deal
for a 396 big block that they had laying around already machined
.030 over and a steel crank. They built me a nice 402 big block in
exchange for me doing their website. I had a turbo 400 laying around
so I took it to
Steve Sharp to get rebuilt. I found a 12 bolt online and had it
rebuilt by
Southbay truck and 4x4 in Hawthorne. They installed new
3:73 gears and a new posi. The body work, paint and frame off was
done at Carrillos Garage in Hawthorne. They removed all the rust
found under the paint, unbolted the frame so I could get it powder
coated at Baycities Powder
coating. I got a deal from
UMI
Performance on boxed rear lower trailing arms and adjustable
uppers, they might not be the same quality as Hotchkis but hotchkis
didn't offer a deal. It now has all new interior installed rebuilt 12
bolt posi, rebuilt turbo 400 with shift kit, 2500 stall converter,
rebuilt 402 big block, forged dome 10:1 pistons, h beam rods,
clevite bearings and big hydraulic cam with a 590 lift. It should
have a little over 400 hp. Next up - Stainless fuel tank,
aluminum driveshaft, MSD Ignition,mini hi torque starter, optima
battery, hotchkis sway bars, 2" drop spindals and other stuff.