View Full Version : 1969 Chevelle "SS496"
We're thrashing away on a SEMA bound 1969 Chevelle ragtop called the SS496. It's a clone 396 car, originally a small-block, bench seat cruiser. We're reconstructing the car with a stroker 454 to create a 496 big block. Underhood, the car is going to look like a stock 396 - orange block, v-belts, etc., but it should make quite a bit more power! Add to that a hidden nitrous system, and it should go low 11s all day.
We've installed a complete Global West suspension system and Baer Brakes to make it stop.
Once again, Ben Hermance created the outstanding visual. It's an original GM Butternut Yellow with a white gut.
http://www.v8tv.net/SS496HeaderPic.jpg
You can follow the build and all the video features and blogs here (http://v8tvshow.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=15&Itemid=71). We just finished the quarter panel install, now we're slingin' mud. Engine build comes soon.
No matter how soon you start, time seems to slip by quickly on these things!
- KO
Another vert for SEMA. I'm seeing a trend here. :D
Looks cool, Kevin. I like the color/wheel combo.
Keep us posted. The SEMA thrash updates you made last year were great. :thumbsup:
Steve Chryssos
08-01-2007, 06:34 AM
I LOVE 68/69 convertibles!! Thanks for building one.
Some update features...
http://v8tvshow.com/content/blogcategory/15/71/
And some recent blogs:
http://v8tvshow.com/content/blogcategory/56/90/
Less than 60 days to SEMA... :willy:
ProdigyCustoms
08-24-2007, 01:30 PM
Convertibles are just cool, and make great show pieces. Watched the build features. Awesome job as usual.
The SEMA countdown is in full swing... here's the daily video blog update page on the SS496 Chevelle... we're posting clips just about every night from now until SEMA, and then from the show as well. If we're still standing!
http://v8tvshow.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=56&Itemid=90
- Kevin Oeste
Here's today's update - prepping inside the fenders...
http://v8tvshow.com/content/view/375/90/
Garage Dog 65
09-21-2007, 10:08 AM
Kelle is looking thrilled with her scotchbrite task Kev ! Ok, maybe not ....
Thought you'd get to her with that romantic see the moon comment - but your timing might have been off just a bit there bud. Guess it's difficult for a girl to appreciate the romance of the situation when she's knee deep in sanding dust while scotchbrite destroys her manicure. A++ for the effort !
Tic Tock.... Good Luck !
Jim
Yeah, she's real happy about that. Scotchbriting (new verb) is not fun for anyone... moonlight and candles or not!
Today's update / rant...
The chassis is nearly complete save for fuel and brake lines... and a rant on the super cheap paint stories popular in enthusiast magazines...
http://www.v8tvshow.com/forum/index.php?topic=46.0
- KO
Here's the latest:
http://www.v8tvshow.com/forum/index.php?topic=46.0
Sealin' the seams... gettin' ready for some COLOR!
That's always a turning point, but then you have to be Extra careful around the car. Not so easy when you're tired...
http://www.v8tvshow.com/forum/index.php?topic=46.msg109#msg109
More tomorrow!
- KO
It's finally changing color! Today's update - spraying the jambs!
http://www.v8tvshow.com/forum/index.....msg122#msg122
Gettin' closer!
- KO
Slowdown
09-27-2007, 12:29 PM
A nice change of pace for a convertible.
TravisB
09-27-2007, 08:36 PM
the links dont work for me but I am gald someone else is feeling the deadline to LOL
Hey Travis... some of the links get shortened on this board. You guys really know the SEMA routine! How's the Camaro coming? Still at The Recovery Room?
Here's the latest:
Last night: Firewall and dash turned black with PPG DP90. We're going to try to mate the body back to the frame tonight!
http://www.v8tvshow.com/forum/index.php?topic=46.msg138#msg138
TravisB
09-28-2007, 10:18 AM
Hey Travis... some of the links get shortened on this board. You guys really know the SEMA routine! How's the Camaro coming? Still at The Recovery Room?
Here's the latest:
Last night: Firewall and dash turned black with PPG DP90. We're going to try to mate the body back to the frame tonight!
http://www.v8tvshow.com/forum/index.php?topic=46.msg138#msg138
yes still at the recovery room......im glad to its been a nice break for us. Shop is getting cleaned and projects moved around and getting in line ha ha. Car looks great keep it up...:thumbsup:
Thanks Travis!
Here's another update - fixing / polishing anodized aluminum trim...
http://www.v8tvshow.com/forum/index.php?topic=46.msg139#msg139
The body's off the jig, and the Schutz is flying! I think we're all getting a little weird off the fumes..
http://www.v8tvshow.com/forum/index.php?topic=46.msg142#msg142
- KO
Here's another update - the body's back on the frame, and we're off to the body panel alignment races!
http://www.v8tvshow.com/forum/index.php?topic=46.msg143#msg143
- KO
Roger Poirier
10-01-2007, 05:31 PM
Kevin,
Is this a customers car that you are building? If so, how many cars a year do you do? Next your going to tell me that country wife of yours helps out.... :unibrow:
Between the V8TV and restomods I'm going to have mark you up another notch. :thumbsup:
R.P.
Hey Roger -
It is owned by a private party, and we only do 1 complete car a year. We do small parts and installs on various other cars, as well as cover other builds, but only one big one in-house.
And yes, Kelle does ALOT of the work on the cars!
Sunday's update (a little late) -
Front sheetmetal install and aligning the panels. Here's a tip - when assembling a car on a jig or fixture, be prepared to realign the sheetmetal on the car because the original frame flexes more than the jig.
http://www.v8tvshow.com/forum/index.php?topic=46.msg144#msg144
Monday's update:
Remounting the hood and the pre-cut Dynamat... and there's a giveaway contest and a SEMA "gathering" invitiation buried in this update. As a 'thank you' those who watch these clips, we're giving away some cool swag and inviting everyone who'll be in Las Vegas to come hang out with us on Thursday, 11/1/2007. Details in the video!
http://www.v8tvshow.com/forum/index.php?topic=46.msg145#msg145
Today's update - more panel alignment.. Kelle lays Dynamat, the top frame goes in (way to easily... expect more on this!) - and the final wetsanding starts! More to come...
http://www.v8tvshow.com/forum/index.php?topic=46.msg159#msg159
- KO
Tonight's update - 23 days to go, and Kelle is having rough time wetsanding...
http://www.v8tvshow.com/forum/index.php?topic=46.msg175#msg175
COYBILT
10-05-2007, 02:41 AM
looks good guys Im looking forward to seeing this car at sema.
Hey Pontiac - so are we! Now we just have to finish it!
Latest update - windshield is in, more trim work, and spraying the white bottom 1/3d of the body!
http://www.v8tvshow.com/forum/index.php?topic=46.msg190#new
DHARROD
10-05-2007, 10:14 AM
Just curious what badging your putting on the car - did you get special SS 496 emblems made up (int/ext). Since your putting the malibu trim to achieve the two tone wasn't sure if you were going to put a Malibu int door emblem, ones with just the SS, a custom one, or none at all. I have a buddy that will have a "496" as well and do not know of any one that makes a SS 496front/rear emblems along with the interior door - and dash plaque - figured you guys may be doing something custom ...
We've got a custom trick for the fender badges, and we'll probably have nose / tail badges made after SEMA when there's more time. We'll post the fender badges when we get 'em. I also know a source to make some 496 badges - if I can find it, Ill post that one, too.
- KO
Musclerodz
10-05-2007, 02:33 PM
We've got a custom trick for the fender badges, and we'll probably have nose / tail badges made after SEMA when there's more time. We'll post the fender badges when we get 'em. I also know a source to make some 496 badges - if I can find it, Ill post that one, too.
- KOSomebody on Team Chevelle was asking about 496 badges.
Mike
COYBILT
10-06-2007, 04:38 AM
could that guy make the GTO badges? they are the ones on my fenders?
instead of saying GTO on top and 6.5 liter bottom
I need 7.5 liter on the bottom part of it.
The final masking before the trip to the paint booth...
http://www.v8tvshow.com/forum/index.php?topic=46.msg237#msg237
After many months of sanding, taping, sanding, masking, priming... the SS496 is finally in color! John shot the car over the weekend, and thanks to a local shop for letting us into thier killer Blow Therm downdraft booth, we have a car that came out of the booth with nearly zero dust particles and a new-style "factory" orange peel level. Of course, we're going to cut and buff this one to flatness, (is that a word?), but it looks good already. What a relief. Here's the clip from spray-day...
http://www.v8tvshow.com/forum/index.php?topic=46.msg239#msg239
could that guy make the GTO badges? they are the ones on my fenders?
instead of saying GTO on top and 6.5 liter bottom
I need 7.5 liter on the bottom part of it.
I'm not sure... he's kinda doing me a favor using company tools, if you know what I mean. I'll ask, though!
The car is back from the paint booth, and now the wetsanding process begins again. The finish was really nice right out of the booth - probably fine for a production car or repaired car after a wreck. Clean paint, slight "orange peel" texture, pretty nice. We're started wetsanding the car with 1500 grit and will cut it again with 2000 before running the buffer over the car. The more you sand it, the easier the buff, and more reflective the finish. It also makes for a lack of fingerprints. Take that, CSI!
http://www.v8tvshow.com/forum/index.php?topic=46.msg266#msg266
SS496 Motor Build part 1 - some assembly, flowbench testing, a look at the heads, and then we had the wrong head bolts...
http://v8tvshow.com/content/view/415/43/
Friday's update - measuring the right pushrod length, milling the intake to fit... the details take time. It's coming together nicely, however.
http://www.v8tvshow.com/forum/index.php?topic=46.msg294#msg294
The moment we've all been waiting for... (one of them, anyway...) the SS496 engine is ALIVE! The dyno sessions at Fast Times went well. We ended up with a smooth idling (750 RPM) street 496 Stroker making 550 HP at 5500 RPM and 572 ft. lbs. @ 4400. The torque is above 500 from 4000 to 5700 in the pulls. Here's the video from the dyno session:
http://www.v8tvshow.com/forum/index.php?topic=46.msg304#new
camcojb
10-14-2007, 03:39 PM
congrats Kevin, that's awesome.
Jody
Thanks Jody! Should be a fun car to drive... when we finish it! :_paranoid
Meanwhile, back at the shop...
Kelle's going full throttle on reassembling the Chevelle. There are lots of little pieces to go together... tonight, we popped in the fuel tank, the convertible top mechanism, rear bumper, hydroboost unit on firewall... there's still a long way to go. We should be dropping the motor in tomorrow, and wiring on Thursday!
http://www.v8tvshow.com/forum/index.php?topic=46.msg320#new
COYBILT
10-16-2007, 05:05 PM
It is really coming together Kevin, Im impressed with how fast the car is going together. looking forward to sema and taking a look at it.
DHARROD
10-16-2007, 07:38 PM
I put this in the V8 forum but believe you may be checking this one more often .
In the last blog you mentioned a door handle issue ...not 100% sure on the exact issue -------if it is not opening when unlocked and the rod is sliding off the lever pad ----- or two, once you lock it; it won't unlock and thus won't open (rod doesn't allow enough return of the lever) my advise is......
... if you have the originals you'll find that using an original rod/spring is helpful .. but even more key is the retainer. If you look at the original GM retainers they are slightly thicker than the ones made more recently. The lack of thickness adds just enough wiggle that it can cause you problems in addtion to the push rod length/bend angle. And ... I'd really check the door you think is working - fix it now. I did my dads 69 Chevelle and the drivers side acted up at Good Guys 06 and just yesterday, a year later, the passenger side had the same thing happen.. I thought because it seemed to work it would stay working. I now have two new handles (chrome part) with old rods and retainers.
COYBILT
10-16-2007, 07:57 PM
I know we had this same problem on a 1971 elcamino SS454
We ended up using the original pushrod off the handle.
This is interesting, because we also had problems with the Royal Sport Camaro. The funny part with the Chevelle is that we took the handles off, painted the car, and put them back on... and they didn't work. Same stuff all the way around. Then we tried mixing and matching new and old rods, handles, pushbuttons... it's a mess. We'll address it in an upcoming blog.
Last night we started the engine detail, and while we were working on that, John was touching-up the panel that goes behind the bumper when he got dive-bombed by a moth... he was not a very happy camper.
http://www.v8tvshow.com/forum/index.php?topic=46.msg327#msg327
Tonight we sprayed the motor in a PPG "Poppy Red", which is the same color GM used on Chevy engines back in the day. You can obviously tell it has aluminum heads and a big intake, but it still retains the original vibe. We also modified our rear wiring harness for the Digi-Tails LED taillights. More to come!
http://www.v8tvshow.com/forum/index.php?topic=46.msg339#msg339
Big progress yesterday night... the engine is in, trans in, and the wheels arrived... these V40 straight spoke rollers from Vintage Wheel Works are going to look killer on this car!
http://www.v8tvshow.com/forum/index.php?topic=46.msg349#msg349
awr68
10-19-2007, 10:34 AM
Looking great! Just watched a bunch of the vids...great info there and I love the down to earth feel...it's truely like we are right there with you guys! Can't wait to see it at SEMA!!
Garage Dog 65
10-19-2007, 10:59 AM
...it's truely like we are right there with you guys!!!
Well, except for the bugs, lack of sleep, little food, swollen fingers, sanding dust, hygiene, short tempers, fast food diets - yeah, other then that.....
Coming down the home stretch and looking great !!!! Thanks for letting us ride shot-gun !
awr68
10-19-2007, 11:14 AM
You do have a point! ;)
What I meant was that I like the non-studio feel of there daily vids...and honestly showing what the SEMA thrash is all about. You loose alot of that with most TV shows...thanks Kevin for keeping it real!! :thumbsup:
jwillia2
10-19-2007, 11:23 AM
I like how you are perserving the orginal look of the motor. thats awsome... I have lots of respect for GM engineers and their designs... except for the suspensions and wheels 35 years ago!
DHARROD
10-19-2007, 06:48 PM
Latest blog you mentioned the intake and hood clearance. I'm sure you probably don't need to much help .. but I'll offer what I've done amongst 4 other 69 Chevelles. If you already planned to ditch the stock air cleaner look; I'm sure you'll be using the drop base air cleaner which will gain you some clearance. I also used thinner K&N filter then went ahead with the K&N lid as well, just to ensure there was enough breathing going on (you don't get that original chrome lid vibe - but your looking for clearance and an engine needs air).
As for knowing if an intake will or won't clear without putting on the hood and trying to peak under as you close the hood .... An Edelbrock Performer 3.0 or an Air GAP RPM will fit with under a stock 69 hood with a the typical leading carbs (you can get all Edelbrock heights from their website). I often compare a given intake's front/rear measurements with these to know how much I'm pushing the limit. The difference in your intake and those could be what you have to overcome.
There is one thing you can do with the stock hood that is fairly quick .. the bolt from the air-cleaner almost lines up with the lip that holds the hood insulation (rear). You can actually neatly trim that and get some helpful clearance - just a little more paint and work on the affected area. My whole lip is trimmed.
That's a good tip to use the Edelbrock site as a guide... I'll see what's what. We're thinking about doing some major surgery on this manifold after SEMA - welding up the runners and machining the carb pad down. It's alot of work, but Scavo wants to do the work, and we'd like to show how it's done.
Thanks for the info!
- KO
Looking great! Just watched a bunch of the vids...great info there and I love the down to earth feel...it's truely like we are right there with you guys! Can't wait to see it at SEMA!!
Thanks! I wish you were here... we'd put a wrench in your hand! :thumbsup:
Well, except for the bugs, lack of sleep, little food, swollen fingers, sanding dust, hygiene, short tempers, fast food diets - yeah, other then that.....
Coming down the home stretch and looking great !!!! Thanks for letting us ride shot-gun !
Hey GD! Yeah, all those things you mention apply... there is such a thing as the SEMA diet plan... I think it's mostly stress induced. We try to keep the hygiene up and the bugs down. Although it looks like we're doing neither very well. Soon we'll have this thing on the road - who knows, maybe you can go shotgun for real!
- KO
You do have a point! ;)
What I meant was that I like the non-studio feel of there daily vids...and honestly showing what the SEMA thrash is all about. You loose alot of that with most TV shows...thanks Kevin for keeping it real!! :thumbsup:
It's a real car, with real issues and real victories. I think that the whole scene benefits from knowing what it really takes to do this stuff, so that when someone goes to build their own, they don't have a distorted view. Sometimes it ain't pretty; but that all figures into the big payoff when it's finished. Thanks again for your support!
- KO
OK, down to the wire... er, wiring! (That was bad...) The AAW harness went in smoothly, but Kelle didn't dig being stuck under the dash again!
http://www.v8tvshow.com/forum/index.php?topic=46.msg364#new
It's starting to look more like a finished car... the front trim items are in and all fit well, and we installed the 9007 headlights from MuscleRodz... very cool stuff.
http://www.v8tvshow.com/forum/index.php?topic=46.msg365#msg365
Roger Poirier
10-22-2007, 04:36 PM
You are killing me. I need finished pics of the car. I'm going crazy....:willy:
I know after SEMA. In the mean time I get to keep checking in on your wife through V8TV. As you know I'm in love.....:yes:
R.P.
P.S. Looking forward to seeing the end project. :thumbsup:
Thanks Roger, I think... :_paranoid
You'll see the car when it's finished, which it isn't quite yet... we'd love to see it completed, too!
Here's the wiring for the headlight relays and how they all work. There isn't that much wiring to do on this car, and it's almost finished!
http://www.v8tvshow.com/forum/index.php?topic=46.msg369#msg369
In this installment, Kelle make progress on the interior, John mounted the side trim on the car, Kevin added more details to the engine, and we honor Gene Kranz, a great American and inspiration to us all.
http://www.v8tvshow.com/forum/index.php?topic=46.msg372#msg372
Time to hang the pipes... the SS496 will be running a Magnaflow stainless setup, and here we see the beginnings of the install. Kelle also has some interesting ideas involving child labor and sharp objects... We're going to try to finish this car tonight, and load it and hit the road Thursday AM for Vegas. We're 1 day behind on the videos, I'll try to get caught up tomorrow, but it's going to be a stretch...
http://www.v8tvshow.com/forum/index.php?topic=46.msg378#msg378
Down to the last 36 hours before we load the car for the SEMA show, and we have yet to fire it... it's going to be a long 36 hours! (Actually, we're supposed to load the car today at noon, but the video is a day behind... )
http://www.v8tvshow.com/forum/index.php?topic=46.msg379#msg379
It's getting late, but the SS496 Chevelle has come alive! After adding all the Royal Purple fluids and double checking the whole works, the big 496 stroker motor rumbled to life! It sounds wicked through the Hooker headers and Magnaflow pipes, and we can't wait to take this thing for a rip down the strip! We've got 1 day left to bleed the brakes, finish some wiring, and install the rest of the interior. The thrash continues!
http://www.v8tvshow.com/forum/index.php?topic=46.msg382#msg382
Our goal was to complete the SS496 for the 2007 SEMA show in Las Vegas, NV beginning in the last week of October. Well, we're happy to say that the SS496 is locked and loaded in the trailer ready to make the trip. Today we finished tons of little details, and we finally have a running, driving, stopping, honest-to-goodness car. It's looking fantastic, and we're excited to bring it out! We'd like to extend a huge THANKS to everyone who helped in this project in any way. We couldn't have done it without you. We're not finished with the car yet, though... Stay tuned to V8TVshow.com for more coverage on the SS496 at the track and on the street! Also, we're bringing you all the coolest cars from the SEMA show all week!
http://www.v8tvshow.com/forum/index.php?topic=46.msg383#msg383
awr68
10-25-2007, 11:53 PM
Huge congrats...I know it was a ton of work!! See ya soon!! :thumbsup: :hail:
Hey thanks! OK, we're 1/2 way to Vegas and stopped for the night in a hotel outside of Denver... no video update tonight, but we'll post something tomorrow. Very tired. Must sleep.
camcojb
10-26-2007, 11:01 PM
congrats Kevin. We'll see you next week.
Jody
Sorry for being a little behind on the updates... we've been doing this from the road with no time and no sleep. Here's the road trip highlights...
http://www.v8tvshow.com/forum/index.php?topic=46.msg391#msg391
It's been a long process, but here's the result... the SS496 at SEMA!
http://www.v8tvshow.com/forum/index.php?topic=46.msg392#msg392
camcojb
11-02-2007, 09:36 PM
Kevin,
saw the car today. That thing is AWESOME! Congrats.
Jody
We've been trying to return to "normal life" after the SEMA show, but we'll have the Chevelle back in the shop to finish off the details tonight. We have several little things like the electric fan setup, the ragtop, etc., and we're looking forward to getting this project wrapped up. Stay tuned - more video to come!
Here's the latest - the install of the SPAL dual electric fans, and then a stream-of-consciousness editorial praising the ARP catalog...
http://www.v8tvshow.com/forum/index.php?topic=46.msg504#msg504
http://www.v8tvshow.com/forum/index.php?topic=46.msg505#msg505
More to come!
- KO
We're still working on the 1969 Chevelle SS496 project, and we're at the part of the project where you keep finding little details to take care of. Like a small power steering leak, and a funky dash ground that allowed us to dim the high beams by turning the headlight switch knob! That was a weird one. Anyway, the last major project is the convertible top install and then we should be ready to road test the car.
http://v8tvshow.com/content/view/494/43/
OK, we're aware it's been several months on the SS496, but we're getting ready to post the wrap-up shortly. The car has been going through final tuning and detail sorting-out... you know, the kinds of things you fix only after driving it around a while. Here's a snapshot of what's to come!
http://www.v8tvshow.com/images/stories/69_Chevelle/DSCN0757as.jpg
awr68
09-02-2008, 07:29 PM
Nice shot! I saw the car at SEMA and really liked it! Great job Kev and crew!! :thumbsup:
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