Nate's Aussie Belair Build

18htan

Well Known Member
Supporting Member 2
Well after reading through a heap of build ups, I thought I would join the fun :D

Although my photos may not be as detailed, and I am not dropping any where the sort of coin a few of you are...

Thought I would share my progress, my ups and downs, my stuff ups and my change of direction.

I bought the big girl in Sydney, this is me driving it home after it was shipped down
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Once I got home
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It didn't really fit in my apartment carpark too well.
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Then I drove it 3 hours to my brothers farm, so I could store it and then start working on it in the bush.

It gathering plenty of dust... Note the chooks for authentic country feel.
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Nuts

Well Known Member
Supporting Member 10
Great looking car !!!! She should bring you may years of fun and pleasure. Keep us up to day on your progress, with lots of pictures.

Bill
 

18htan

Well Known Member
Supporting Member 2
Started to pull the front end apart to replace the tired 350 and powerglide, with a LS1 and 4L60E

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The exhaust wouldn't play ball...
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petepedlar

Well Known Member
Supporting Member 3
That's a good solid looking car........... you will like the disc brakes for sure.

Dave
 

18htan

Well Known Member
Supporting Member 2
Out with the 350 and glide...

Note the high tech engine crane we use in Australia

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18htan

Well Known Member
Supporting Member 2
Got an LS1 and 4L60E out of a Holden VZ Ute with 40,000km...

One of these:
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Making some engine mount adapter plates
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They pushed the engine back so we could use the standard Chev mounts
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petepedlar

Well Known Member
Supporting Member 3
................... great install....... but now for the wiring :roll

I'm glad I'm not doing it, the car would probably never drive again if I was doing it !!!

Dave
 

18htan

Well Known Member
Supporting Member 2
Just after I had the LS1 all fitted in and running...

I changed my bloody mind.

I love the LS1's... It sounded nice, but just didn't sound right in the BelAir. So pulled it straight back out.

That ment straight back to the drawing board.

Decided to go back down the old school path.... Still a little shakey on which path to follow. A small block will bolt straight back in with zero issues.

So while I am unsure what to do on that front... I made sure the shed would be warm, and started stripping it back to get blasted

Winter in the shed... No worries!
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k9hotrodder409

Well Known Member
Supporting Member 15
Great pictures !!:clap Been there Done that !!! Any old Chevrolet farm truck near you ? If so, one could be harboring a "W" :? Best of luck on your build and keep those pictures coming.

:crazy:cheers
 

18htan

Well Known Member
Supporting Member 2
Great pictures !!:clap Been there Done that !!! Any old Chevrolet farm truck near you ? If so, one could be harboring a "W" :? Best of luck on your build and keep those pictures coming.

:crazy:cheers

Hmmmm

:?

Very interesting.... What sort of truck and year should I be looking out for, if I was looking out for one?

:coffee:
 

LMBRJQ 60

Well Known Member
Supporting Member 4
Looking cool Nate:cheers
I had one over here in NZ quite a few years back but it was not as rust free as yours, still got a couple of dashes for it as well
Steve
 

DonSSDD

Well Known Member
Supporting Member 2
Get Dave/petepedlar to find you one and put a stamp on it. W's started in 58 with the 348, 409 was late 61 and you may find them until the late 60's in yrucks, cars were early 65.

Great pics.

Don
 

18htan

Well Known Member
Supporting Member 2
Hey Don...

Would need a few stamps I am guessing.

Its pretty hard finding 409's over in here.

I would love to go down the big block path, but a cranky 383 bolts straight in.
 

18htan

Well Known Member
Supporting Member 2
The big girl got hauled from my brothers farm the 3 hours back to Melbourne so I could spend some quality time puller her apart.


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18htan

Well Known Member
Supporting Member 2
I put it in a storage unit not far from home. I don't have the room to at home to strip it back.

Quite handy that I work for the storage company, so it didn't cost a thing :cool:

The pull down starts again...
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Pulling the head liner out
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18htan

Well Known Member
Supporting Member 2
Moved the Chev back to my brothers farm. He has more room and a hoist.

Of course on the day it pissed with rain, so the old man and I got creative with the shrink wrap...

Rained for most of the 3 hour haul and she was bone dry when we unwrapped her.

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18htan

Well Known Member
Supporting Member 2
Got the floor pan all sorted.

Its very solid, and in great condition after 47 years! :clap

Gave it a once over with the wire wheel on the angle grinder

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I used KBS and was really impressed with it. Was very easy to work with and the end result was great.

Although the it looks all weird with the light reflecting off it.

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18htan

Well Known Member
Supporting Member 2
Split the old girl in half...

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47 years of dirt and grease.

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Spent a day grinding and scrubbing before getting stuck into the underbody with KBS Rustseal...

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Its glossy at the moment, still have another coat to go, which is a saturn.
 
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