New to me 68 Chevelle Malibu

J_Corr

Active Member
Mar 27, 2012
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Welp as some know, my father passed away back in Nov. His estate is a complete mess and while trying to get all his affairs in order, we had a "third party" come in and completely fuck up everything. Long story short, the estate will most likely end up bankrupt now.

Buuuuut, prior to that I did get everything important to me, inclusive of this future money pit of a project. Besides it being yellow with a vinyl top, I know nothing more. Knowing how much he paid, there is no way it is a numbers matching 327 Malibu.

Overall condition is decent for a restoration project. All area's which are of usual concern are solid. No holes but some bubbling starting in the door jambs and on the drivers side rear quarter where I know there is a good chunk on bondo. Interior is quite decent less a rip in the rear bench.

Engine is a 350 with a 350 tubro tranny. It turns over, but doesn't start. Prior to storing, all fluids were changes and stabilizer was added. The electrical is a fucking mess. Will need new wiring throughout the entire car. Painless should be a life safer there. Also will need a complete brake system overhaul. Needless to say it should be a fun project when I finally decide what I wanna do with it and find a decent place to work on it.

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J_Corr

Active Member
Mar 27, 2012
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Thanks man, been a complete ball of stress since this. A hole pile of shady shit has come out of the wood work.

Once the estate is completely settled, I will start working on this. I still think it is going to need a few $k to get on the road. I know nothing about carbed car's so will prob have my local mechanic take at look at it. Don't wanna dump to much into it as I wanna do an LS swap with a 4L80E. (T56 is to rich for my blood). Will also have to overhaul the brake system and workout a few bugs in the electrical. Knowing my father, there will be a bunch more hidden gems.

But a few weekends of detailing should be it to come up decent and will be a lawn piece for a while.
 

Huck

BIIIIG SQRBDY GUY
Jan 27, 2011
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Yeah I would get it detailed up real nice, have a look under it and try to at least encapsulate any rust, and just get it driving. Rebuild the carb, straighten out the wiring, redo the brakes and enjoy it for a bit.

I've had big plans for my c10 but the family came along at the same time so the only thing I've done is rebuild the brakes and do a tune up. It's fun to drive old cars as they are sometimes. It really takes you back

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Tiki

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Jan 23, 2011
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Get it running, lower it and put some nice wheels on, and just drive it.
 
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Dubyagee

Dork
Jan 23, 2011
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Shocks, brakes, fluids and tires. Drive it.

Best way to learn the cars personality to see where you want to go with it.
 

a-fuso

GMC Owner
Mar 28, 2012
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Looks like a nice start. My grandfather has a '68 El Camino SS396 this same yellow with a black lower stripe. His is all original paint and interior still, but front fenders have little rust holes in the bottoms, common on daily driver's of that age. They are fun cars and handle really nice actually.
 

barrrf

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Apr 17, 2012
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If you have questions, I can help. Or i'll give you $600 for it :troll:
 

barrrf

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Im on the "carbs blow" train. Holleys are the easiest to tune. Edlebrock/quadrajunk not so much but run better after tune.
 

J_Corr

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Mar 27, 2012
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Well the estate came with several carbs and parts. My father used to fuck with everything so I know for sure it will need a little TLC.

Getting it running would be nice. Would stop the itch from droppin in an LS.
 

J_Corr

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Mar 27, 2012
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And just cuz. If money wasn't an option, I would do this but 18's all around and 3" lower:

11386573_669229429875189_1549693689_n.jpg


11377517_711106002369238_1253869961_n.jpg
 

barrrf

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Apr 17, 2012
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3" static is too low on these. Scrapes header pipes on all the things.
 

J_Corr

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Mar 27, 2012
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Well this is what I plan on getting as I assume most of these parts will be in need of a refresh anyways. It is UMI's stage IV kit. Comes with a 2" Drop.

abf409a_LRG.jpg
 

Huck

BIIIIG SQRBDY GUY
Jan 27, 2011
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That'd be sweet, leave the body/interior mostly alone. Drop it, get it running and enjoy it

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barrrf

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Apr 17, 2012
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Well thats a $3900 suspension kit. And UMI is the shit.

Reread your first post. Painless is NOT the way to go here. Way over priced and definitely not painless. I learned this on the Chevelles.com forum and proved it by helping a buddy with his '71. American AutoWire makes an "Auto Update" kit for $600 plus the special crimper tool if you dont already have one. Thats the way to go. Or if you want a slightly more custom route but much higher quality check out Ron Francis Wiring kits.
 
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J_Corr

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Been surfing that forum since I got the car. Lots of info but everyone's opinion seems to contradict the next persons.

I used to be an electrician and built several 1000+ wire, wire harnesses for industrial automated lines. Tweeking one of these shouldn't be much different.

Time will tell. Overall clean finish is my goal.
 
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barrrf

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Apr 17, 2012
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Id ignore anything on Chevelles.com when it comes to suspension unless the post are by Rami@UMI. The thing with painless is youre paying for the name. The AAW classic update kit is nice because it comes with a bulkhead connector and the wire lengths are spot on. Not that modifying a harness is a big deal but imo if youre paying that much for a harness then Id expect it to be right. The Ron Francis kit needs a bit of cutting but the fuse box/relay bank is tits.
 
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