Hi, long time no post.
So since I didn't have enough projects and wrecked my 74 malibu crew cab, I stumbled into a 70 malibu that after test driving with my wife she actually pushed me to buy (completely weird experience).
I had known of this car since grade school, when while my dad was picking up a repaired irrigation engine, I could just see the rear end in a rarely opened garage. It was on flat wide tires with likely Cragers or Keystones (my memory is a bit fuzzy). So fast forward to 2 years ago when I had posted a crusty 67 Chevelle ss 396 for sale on face book, stating I wished I could afford it. Shortly after I received a PM from my mom's cousin stating that they were selling a Chevelle. Long story short my wife told me we should buy it since it wasn’t a project like I normally end up with.
So about the car. It is a ’70 Chevelle Malibu in Black Cherry with some incorrectly painted D88 stripes. The car was built out of 2 cars in the late 70s. The owner wrecked his L48/M-20 malibu and swapped the rest into, what I can access as a base Chevelle. When I bought it, it had a mild recently rebuilt 350 and a M-21 that had been swapped in long ago (I think the numbers said “69 Camaro) in place of what would have been a M-20 and a 12 bolt with 4.11s Posi in place of the 3.31s. It is a bucket seat, no console car. Manual brakes and power steering.
The plan from the beginning was a fun family cruiser, room for kids and be reliable and reasonably safe. AC (which is currently doesn’t have), brakes, and fun to drive but not a race car. Early on I planned on cloning it to look like a “Malibu 400” which isn’t really a thing (but they have a web page). Basically in 70 GM decided that it would allow the 330 hp LS-3 in any Chevy A Body (Chevelle, wagon, El Camino). So basically, it was a “396” in a SS, a “400” in non-SS cars and in reality, a 402 in all configurations.
The drivetrain was the first change. The M-21 close ratio wasn’t as great as one would think and the 4.11s were a pain on the highway even with 255/70-15s. So I rebuilt my old 80 Camaro iron case Super T-10 with a 2.64 first gear that I broke drag racing before going to a braked 400. The gears and carrier were changed to a 3.55 posi. This made it much more street friendly but the sbc was pretty Meh.
Next I added a RCA mini input into the stock AM radio. This allows the AM to still work but I can play my phone or other AUX though the radio. It is mono still but works plenty good with 2 new high ohm speakes. I need to redo it so the jack is external to the radio because currently it is in the radio dial plate and has fell into the radio.
The next change was the motor. I had a very worn 79 454 that I received for free and originally put in the 74 malibu. It is a flattop pistons and when swapping into the 70 I added 215 heads with 92cc chambers, GM steel shim .022 gaskets for about 9.8 to 1, Erson E120721 .542*/.542* - 228*/235* - Lobe 110* cam, Harland Sharp 1.7 roller rockers, 3/8 push rods, ¾’ cheater valve covers, GMPP (Edelbrock Performer RPM Qjet), 454 marine Q-jet with mods to the cap jet, air bleeds etc, Hooker Comp headers, 2.5 exhaust wth dynomax turbos. All painted orange. Though it has a ring ridge big enough to tear off your fingernail, it doesn’t smoke, use oil and actually runs ok.
This summer the steps are:
-AC, Vintage air with a A6 to Sanden adapter to use the stock BBC compressor Bracket
-Disk front brakes, Looking at a Master Power Brakes with a manual master
-Line Lock, I have to do line work anyway for the disks, so it is time
-UMI lower control arm relocation brackets (I get a mild hop depending on tank level)
-Driveshaft loop, it will go to the track someday so just as well
-New tires, current 225/70-15 & 255/70-15s are from 2006 so I am getting new tires and going 275/60-15s
Eventually I will save enough to build a budget 496. I already have a gen VI 454 and a 4.25 stroke crank. The plan is stock rod length short block with 18-20 cc forged pistons, 265 AFRs, XR294HR cam, good oil pan, performer rpm q-jet and likely the same 750 marine carb. Something that runs hard to 5500 or so. Nothing crazy.
Then likely a TKX 5 speed.
So since I didn't have enough projects and wrecked my 74 malibu crew cab, I stumbled into a 70 malibu that after test driving with my wife she actually pushed me to buy (completely weird experience).
I had known of this car since grade school, when while my dad was picking up a repaired irrigation engine, I could just see the rear end in a rarely opened garage. It was on flat wide tires with likely Cragers or Keystones (my memory is a bit fuzzy). So fast forward to 2 years ago when I had posted a crusty 67 Chevelle ss 396 for sale on face book, stating I wished I could afford it. Shortly after I received a PM from my mom's cousin stating that they were selling a Chevelle. Long story short my wife told me we should buy it since it wasn’t a project like I normally end up with.
So about the car. It is a ’70 Chevelle Malibu in Black Cherry with some incorrectly painted D88 stripes. The car was built out of 2 cars in the late 70s. The owner wrecked his L48/M-20 malibu and swapped the rest into, what I can access as a base Chevelle. When I bought it, it had a mild recently rebuilt 350 and a M-21 that had been swapped in long ago (I think the numbers said “69 Camaro) in place of what would have been a M-20 and a 12 bolt with 4.11s Posi in place of the 3.31s. It is a bucket seat, no console car. Manual brakes and power steering.
The plan from the beginning was a fun family cruiser, room for kids and be reliable and reasonably safe. AC (which is currently doesn’t have), brakes, and fun to drive but not a race car. Early on I planned on cloning it to look like a “Malibu 400” which isn’t really a thing (but they have a web page). Basically in 70 GM decided that it would allow the 330 hp LS-3 in any Chevy A Body (Chevelle, wagon, El Camino). So basically, it was a “396” in a SS, a “400” in non-SS cars and in reality, a 402 in all configurations.
The drivetrain was the first change. The M-21 close ratio wasn’t as great as one would think and the 4.11s were a pain on the highway even with 255/70-15s. So I rebuilt my old 80 Camaro iron case Super T-10 with a 2.64 first gear that I broke drag racing before going to a braked 400. The gears and carrier were changed to a 3.55 posi. This made it much more street friendly but the sbc was pretty Meh.
Next I added a RCA mini input into the stock AM radio. This allows the AM to still work but I can play my phone or other AUX though the radio. It is mono still but works plenty good with 2 new high ohm speakes. I need to redo it so the jack is external to the radio because currently it is in the radio dial plate and has fell into the radio.
The next change was the motor. I had a very worn 79 454 that I received for free and originally put in the 74 malibu. It is a flattop pistons and when swapping into the 70 I added 215 heads with 92cc chambers, GM steel shim .022 gaskets for about 9.8 to 1, Erson E120721 .542*/.542* - 228*/235* - Lobe 110* cam, Harland Sharp 1.7 roller rockers, 3/8 push rods, ¾’ cheater valve covers, GMPP (Edelbrock Performer RPM Qjet), 454 marine Q-jet with mods to the cap jet, air bleeds etc, Hooker Comp headers, 2.5 exhaust wth dynomax turbos. All painted orange. Though it has a ring ridge big enough to tear off your fingernail, it doesn’t smoke, use oil and actually runs ok.
This summer the steps are:
-AC, Vintage air with a A6 to Sanden adapter to use the stock BBC compressor Bracket
-Disk front brakes, Looking at a Master Power Brakes with a manual master
-Line Lock, I have to do line work anyway for the disks, so it is time
-UMI lower control arm relocation brackets (I get a mild hop depending on tank level)
-Driveshaft loop, it will go to the track someday so just as well
-New tires, current 225/70-15 & 255/70-15s are from 2006 so I am getting new tires and going 275/60-15s
Eventually I will save enough to build a budget 496. I already have a gen VI 454 and a 4.25 stroke crank. The plan is stock rod length short block with 18-20 cc forged pistons, 265 AFRs, XR294HR cam, good oil pan, performer rpm q-jet and likely the same 750 marine carb. Something that runs hard to 5500 or so. Nothing crazy.
Then likely a TKX 5 speed.
