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(Tommy)>> You're watching Powernation!
[ Music ] [ engines revving ]
(KATIE)>> WELCOME TO POWERNATION BUILDS. SO, YOU'VE HEARD OF A BARN FIND. WELL, YOU CHEVY FANS WE'VE GOT A GOLDEN NUGGET FOR YOU TODAY. HERE'S DETROIT MUSCLE.
(TOMMY)>> WHEN WE FOUND OUR CHEVELLE IT HAD BEEN SITTING IN A BARN FOR A COUPLE OF DECADES. SO, THE FIRST THING WE DID WAS WASH IT OFF. AFTER A GOOD BATH SHE TOOK A TRIP TO THE BLASTER, WHICH WAS FOLLOWED BY A NEW FLOOR. WHILE THE BODY WAS OFF, WE UPGRADED OUR SUSPENSION. THEN MATED THE FRAME TO THE BODY FOR SOME MORE SHEET METAL WORK. [ Music ] THE CAR HAD SOME QUARTER PANEL ISSUES IN THE USUAL SPOTS, RIGHT BEHIND THE REAR WHEELS. THERE YOU GO. WE'VE GOT OUR QUARTERS ON THAT WE GOT FROM AUTO METAL DIRECT. IT WASN'T TOO BAD AND IT'S STARTING TO LOOK LIKE A CAR AGAIN.
(MARC)>> BUT WE'VE STILL GOT A FEW THINGS WE NEED TO ADDRESS, AND THAT'S WHERE THIS COMES IN. WE GOT A PAIR OF BRAND NEW FENDERS FROM AMD. THEY'RE MADE FROM OEM STEEL AND COME WITH ALL THE FACTORY MOUNTING POINTS. WELL, WE NEED TO GET THE REST OF THIS FRONT END BOLTED ON SO WE CAN MOVE ON TO THE NEXT STEP.
(TOMMY)>> NOW BEFORE WE CUT THAT OLD QUARTER OFF, WE WENT AHEAD AND LINED UP OUR DOOR SO THAT WE'D HAVE A REFERENCE POINT ON HOW TO LINE UP THIS NEW QUARTER. NOW THIS GAP ISN'T WHAT I'D CALL STREET ROD NICE, BUT IT'S FAR BETTER THAN SOME OF THOSE OEM'S THAT I'VE SEEN OUT THERE. NOW THE NEXT STEP THAT WE'RE GONNA BE DOING IS INSTALLING ALL THAT AMD SHEET METAL ON THE FRONT OF THIS CAR, AND WE'VE GOT TO GET IT LINED UP AS WELL.
(MARC)>> WE'LL TOSS IN A NEW SET OF BUSHINGS AND START WITH THE RADIATOR SUPPORT. WITH THAT ON, THE NEW FENDERS CAN COME INTO PLACE. [ Music ] LIKE TOMMY SAID EARLIER, WE MOUNTED THE DOORS BEFORE WE CUT THE QUARTERS OFF. SO, ALL THE BODY LINES ARE GOOD FROM THE FRONT OF THE DOOR BACK, WHICH MEANS WE CAN USE THE LEADING EDGE OF THE DOOR HERE TO ADJUST OUR FENDERS. NOW YOU MIGHT SAY THIS PAINT STICK RIGHT HERE IS INDUSTRY STANDARD FOR THE THICKNESS OF A GAP ON BODY LINES. SO, WE'RE GONNA USE THIS TO FIGURE OUT WHERE WE NEED TO PUT OUR FENDER. ALL RIGHT, AS WE STICK THIS PAINT STICK IN HERE YOU CAN SEE HERE THAT THE GAP'S WAY TOO WIDE UP HERE. THEN AS WE GO DOWN AND SEE IT GETS TIGHTER AND TIGHTER UNTIL WE FINALLY GET DOWN HERE WHERE IT'S JUST ABOUT RIGHT, BUT THEN IT TIGHTENS UP TOO TIGHT DOWN HERE. SO THE TOP OF THE FENDER NEEDS TO COME BACK AND THE BOTTOM OF THE FENDER NEEDS TO GO FORWARD, BUT ANOTHER THING TO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION IS WHERE IT LIES HERE IN LINE WITH THE DOOR. IT'S ACTUALLY STICKING OUT A LITTLE BIT HERE, BUT THE FENDER STICKING OUT JUST A LITTLE BIT ISN'T REALLY A MAIN CONCERN OF OURS. IF THIS WAS A REALLY NICE SHOW CAR OR SOMETHING WE WERE GONNA TRY TO WIN AN AWARD WITH, WE MIGHT WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WAS NICE AND FLAT, BUT ACTUALLY A LOT OF THESE CARS CAME FROM THE FACTORY WITH THE FENDER STICKING OUT A LITTLE BIT OR THE DOOR IN A LITTLE BIT TO CUT DOWN ON WIND NOISE AND TO ALLOW THAT DOOR TO GO BEHIND THE FENDER WHEN IT OPENS, BUT WE ARE GONNA MAKE SURE THAT WE GET THIS GAP JUST RIGHT, BUT THERE'S A FEW THINGS TO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION WHEN DOING THAT. YOU SEE THAT THE GAP'S TOO BIG HERE. YOU MAY THINK YOU NEED TO JUST PUSH THE FENDER BACK AT THE TOP, BUT BECAUSE THIS IS ONE PIECE OF METAL WHAT HAPPENS HERE IS GONNA EFFECT WHAT HAPPENS ELSEWHERE, LIKE AT THE BOTTOM WHERE WE SAID THE GAP WAS TOO TIGHT. SO, THE BEST WAY TO REMEDY THIS IS TO MAKE SURE ALL THE BOLTS ARE LOOSE AND THEN ROTATE THE ENTIRE FENDER. ONE GOOD WAY TO DO THAT IS GET A BUDDY UP FRONT AND WATCH THE GAPS WHILE HE GIVES IT A WIGGLE. HELP ME OUT TOM. [ Music ] A LITTLE BIT, JUST STRAIGHT BACK, DOWN A LITTLE, PERFECT! AND NOW WE'VE GOT A PRETTY EVEN GAP THROUGHOUT MOST OF THE DOOR HERE, BUT NOW THAT WE'VE GOT IT THERE WE SEE THAT WE'VE GOT A NEW PROBLEM WHERE THE FENDER IS LOWER THAN THE DOOR. SO, WE'RE GONNA HAVE TO SHIM THAT FENDER UP.
(TOMMY)>> THIS IS A PRETTY SIMPLE CONCEPT. JUST LOOSEN THE MOUNTING BOLT ENOUGH TO ENABLE SOME SHIMS TO SLIDE INTO PLACE. THEN CHECK YOUR ALIGNMENT.
(MARC)>> A LOT BETTER. [ ratchet clicking ] [ Music ]
(TOMMY)>> NOW WE'RE IN PRETTY GOOD SHAPE EXCEPT FOR WE NEED TO SLIDE THE HOOD FORWARD JUST A LITTLE BIT. THE OVERHANG HERE IS A LITTLE BIT EXCESSIVE. WE'LL LOOSEN THESE BOLTS THAT HOLD THE HOOD TO ALLOW US TO SLIDE THIS SIDE FORWARD. THEN TIGHTEN THEM DOWN AND CHECK IT. YEP, THAT SHOULD DO IT.
(KATIE)>> COMING UP, NOW THAT WE'VE HAD A BLAST WITH THE CHEVELLE WHAT'S UP NEXT?
(TOMMY)>> AFTER HOURS AND HOURS OF BLOCK SANDING AND BODY WORK WE FINALLY GET TO SPRAY ON SOME COLOR. YOU EXCITED? [ Music ] THE FIRST THING WE'RE SPRAYING IS A COAT OF SEALER. THIS IS PPG'S DP 50 EPOXY PRIMER THAT'S REDUCED DOWN TO SPRAY AS A SEALER. NOW YOU CAN DO TWO COATS, BUT ONE IS PLENTY FOR US. THIS WILL GIVE US A SOLID FOUNDATION AND A UNIFORM COLORED CANVAS TO SPRAY ON OUR BASE COAT, AND SINCE THERE'S SOME OF THESE PANELS THAT HAVE RAW STEEL SHOWING WE NEED A TIE COAT TO GIVE THE BASE COAT SOMETHING TO ADHERE TO. [ spray gun hissing ]
(MARC)>> WHILE TOMMY'S SPRAYING THAT BOW TIE BLUE, I FIGURED I'D SHOW YOU GUYS A LITTLE BOW TIE HORSEPOWER. THIS IS A SNEAK PEAK AT THE ENGINE THAT'S GONNA BE GOING INTO OUR CHEVELLE. IT MAY BE A SMALL BLOCK CHEVY BUT IT'S NOT YOUR RUN OF THE MILL ENGINE. THIS THING IS A 406 CUBIC INCH SMALL BLOCK WITH A DART BLOCK AND AN EAGLE ROTATING ASSEMBLY. IT'S GOT AFR 220cc ELIMINATOR HEADS, BRINGING THE COMPRESSION RATIO TO NINE TO ONE, BUT UP TOP IS WHERE THIS THING REALLY STARTS TO WORK WITH A QFT 850 CFM CARB WITH AN FONEA PRO CHARGER. THE GUYS DOWN IN ENGINE POWER PUT THIS THING ON THE ENGINE DYNO AND IT MADE A WHOPPING 993 HORSEPOWER AT 15 POUNDS OF BOOST. NOW THAT'S WITH 93 OCTANE PUMP GAS WITH A LITTLE BIT OF RACE GAS ADDED TO IT.
(TOMMY)>> CHECK OUT THAT COLOR! THIS IS A CUSTOM MIX THAT OUR FRIENDS AT SINGLE SOURCE HOOKED US UP WITH, AND WE'RE CALLING IT "BOW TIE BLUE". WE'RE GONNA ADD OUR THINNER AND A SMALL AMOUNT OF ACTIVATOR, AND THEN WE'LL JUST STIR IT UP. YOU WANT TO MIX THIS STUFF REALLY WELL AND THEN POUR IT INTO A GUN. BEFORE YOU GET TOO CARRIED AWAY MAKE SURE TO TACK OFF THE SURFACES TO BE PAINTED. DON'T FORGET TO PULL YOUR TAPE BACK. THIS FIRST COAT DOESN'T HAVE TO COVER EVERY NOOK AND CRANNY. YOU'RE JUST LOOKING FOR ONE NICE UNIFORM APPLICATION. WE'RE GONNA PUT THREE COATS OF BASE ON HERE AND THAT'LL DO IT. [ spray gun hissing ]
(TOMMY)>> WE'VE GOT OUR BASE COAT SPRAYED ON AND NOW WE'RE GONNA HAVE TO DO A LITTLE BIT OF MASKING CAUSE WE DON'T WANT TO CLEAR COAT THE DOOR JAMBS, BUT WE ARE GONNA BE CLEAR COATING THE TOP OF THE FIREWALL, THE FIREWALL, AND THE BELLY BECAUSE WE'RE GONNA BE MARRYING THE CAR TO THE CHASSIS. WE'RE GETTING CLOSER. WE'RE GONNA PUT ON A COUPLE OF COATS OF CLEAR. WE'RE STARTING ON THE TOP FOR NO PARTICULAR REASON, GETTING THE FIREWALL AND THE COWL FIRST. LIKE THE BASE, YOU'RE LOOKING FOR A NICE, EVEN COAT. ALL ABOUT THAT BOTTOM NOW. [ spray gun hissing ]
(TOMMY)>> OH YEAH! NOW THERE'S SOME PAINTERS THAT SAY THAT YOU DON'T REALLY NEED FRESH AIR BUT I'M HERE TO TELL YOU WHENEVER YOU'RE PAINTING SOMETHING LIKE THIS, THIS IS ALMOST A MUST. PAY ATTENTION TO HOW THIS STUFF'S GONNA BLOW BACK INTO MY FACE. [ spray gun hissing ]
(TOMMY)>> NOT ONLY IS THIS SAFER, BUT IT HELPS KEEP YOU A LOT CLEANER.
(NARRATOR)>> MEANWHILE BACK AT THE SHOP.
(MARC)>> WE ASSEMBLED OUR CHASSIS A WHILE BACK, AND THOUGH WE HAD THE BODY ON IT FOR SOME OF THAT METAL REPAIR IT'S FINALLY GOING BACK ON, THIS TIME FOR GOOD.
(TOMMY)>> I HAVE TO SAY I KIND OF DIG THAT COLOR.
(MARC)>> I LIKE IT. I THINK WE NEED TO GET SOME PLASTIC ON THIS BEFORE WE GET THIS THING ON THE CHASSIS. THAT WAY WE DON'T GET ANY OVERSPRAY ON THAT NICE CLEAR.
(TOMMY)>> YEAH THAT'S A GOOD IDEA. I'M GONNA GO AHEAD AND GET IN THE BOOTH AND TRIM OUT ALL THE OTHER PIECES. THAT WAY WE CAN ASSEMBLE THE CAR AND GET THE OUTSIDE OF THIS THING SPRAYED.
(MARC)>> OKAY, IT'S NOT GONNA DO ITSELF. ♪ [ electronic music ] ♪ [ mechanical humming ] ♪ [ electronic music ] ♪ [ spray gun hissing ] ♪ [ electronic music ] ♪
(MARC)>> THERE'S A LOT OF LABOR THAT GOES INTO BUILDING AN OLD CAR LIKE OUR CHEVELLE AND GETTING THE COLOR ON IS A VERY SPECIAL MOMENT FOR US.
(KATIE)>> NOW IT'S A LONG PROCESS FROM SHEET METAL, TO SUSPENSION, INTERIOR, TO PAINT, BUT WHAT ABOUT POWER?
(TOMMY)>> NOW WE'VE BEEN DOING A WHOLE BUNCH OF WORK HERE UNDER THE HOOD, AND I HAVE TO SAY WE'VE JUST ABOUT GOT IT BUTTONED UP.
(MARC)>> WE'RE SICK OF WORKING HERE. I MEAN WE'VE BEEN ON THIS FOR A WHILE, AND BESIDES WE'VE GOT A COUPLE OF MAJOR SYSTEMS THAT STILL NEED TO BE INSTALLED. WE'VE GOT TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE'RE GONNA GET A BUNCH OF FUEL FROM THE BACK OF THE CAR UP HERE TO FEED THIS 1,000 HORSEPOWER BEAST. THEN WE'VE GOT TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE'RE GONNA GET ALL OF THAT EXHAUST OUT THE BACK CAUSE WE'RE NOT PLANNING ON RUNNING OPEN HEADERS. WE DECIDED TO GO WITH THIS HYDRAMAT FROM HOLLEY. THIS THING ACTUALLY ACTS AS A FUEL RESERVOIR, AND I KNOW THAT SOUNDS ODD, BUT WHAT IT DOES IS IT WICKS UP ALL THE FUEL THAT'S IN THE TANK AND ALLOWS IT TO BE SENT THROUGH THIS PORT HERE. IT ALSO ACTS AS YOUR 100 MICRON PREFILTER. NOW THESE THINGS ARE GREAT ESPECIALLY IF YOUR VEHICLE DOES ANY HARD CORNERING, ACCELERATING, OR STOPPING. THESE ARE AVAILABLE IN A BUNCH OF DIFFERENT SIZES AND CONFIGURATIONS DEPENDING ON YOUR APPLICATION. ANOTHER COOL THING, IT DOESN'T MATTER, ANY PART OF THIS THING IS TOUCHING FUEL IT'S GONNA MAKE IT TO THAT PORT. YOU GUYS MIGHT HAVE NOTICED WE'VE HAD A BIG CHANGE AROUND HERE, WHICH IS OUR NEW TWO POST LIFT FROM DANMAR. IT'S GOT A 10,000 POUND CAPACITY AND THE DESIGN MAKES IT A LOT EASIER FOR US TO GET IN AND OUT OF THE CAR WHILE IT'S ON THE LIFT. WE GOT OURS AT GES USA DOT COM. NOW I WENT AHEAD AND PUT THE TANK IN PLACE, AND THE REASON FOR THAT IS WE NEED TO FIGURE OUT WHERE WE'RE GONNA BE ABLE TO PUT THESE DASH-10 BULKHEAD FITTINGS IN ORDER TO FEED THOSE BIG LINES. NOW THIS TANK IS REALLY TIGHT TO THE FLOOR HERE ALL THE WAY ACROSS. SO, IT LOOKS LIKE WE'RE NOT GONNA BE ABLE TO PUT THEM IN THE TOP. WE NEED TO FIND A SOLUTION. WELL NOW WE KNOW WE CAN'T PUT THESE BULKHEAD FITTINGS HERE IN THE TOP. THERE'S JUST NOT ENOUGH ROOM. SO, WE COULD NOTCH IT OUT, DROP THE TOP OF THE TANK DOWN A LITTLE BIT TO MAKE ROOM, OR WE COULD JUST POP THEM IN THE SIDE OF THE TANK HERE BUT I DON'T REALLY WANT TO DO THAT. SO, WHAT I THINK I'M GONNA DO IS I'M JUST GONNA CUT IT OUT AT ABOUT A 45 DEGREE ANGLE HERE ON THIS EDGE, AND THAT'LL LEAVE US PLENTY OF ROOM. ANOTHER THING TOO, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE DON'T INTERFERE WITH OUR REGULAR SENDING UNIT HERE. EVEN THOUGH WE'RE NOT GONNA USE THE FEED AND RETURN, WE'RE ACTUALLY GONNA USE THE SENDER ITSELF. THAT WAY OUR FUEL GAUGE WORKS. [ saw buzzing ]
(MARC)>> ONCE WE GET THE BIG PIECE CUT OUT, WE'LL GO BACK AND STRAIGHTEN IT UP A LITTLE BIT. ALL RIGHT, WE'VE GOT OUR TANK READY HERE. IT'S ALL CLEANED UP AND WE'RE GETTING READY TO START ASSEMBLING THIS STUFF. I WENT AHEAD AND MADE THIS PIECE HERE, AND THIS IS GONNA PATCH THAT HOLE. IT'S GOT SOME REINFORCEMENTS ON THE BACK HERE BECAUSE ONCE WE GET THAT WELDED IN, WE'RE ACTUALLY GONNA TAKE THIS PLATE HERE THAT'S GOT OUR BULKHEADS ATTACHED TO IT AND THAT IS WHAT'S GONNA SEAL THE HOLE THERE, AND THAT WAY YOU CAN SERVICE IT IF YOU EVER NEED TO PULL THIS OUT, OR GET THE HYDRAMAT OUT FOR WHATEVER REASON, BUT WE CAN'T FIT THE HYDRAMAT IN THAT HOLE. IT'S GOT TO GO IN THIS BIGGER HOLE. SO, WE NEED TO GET THIS OUT, GET THE HYDRAMAT IN.
(TOMMY)>> I'VE BEEN BUSY UP HERE DOING A LITTLE BIT OF PLUMBING ON THIS HAIR DRYER. OL' MARC, WELL HE'S CUT A BIG HOLE IN THAT TANK AND ABOUT READY TO SLAP IN THAT HYDRAMAT. Y'ALL GO CHECK HIM OUT. [ Music ]
(MARC)>> THIS HYDRAMAT NEEDS TO BE ROLLED UP REALLY TIGHTLY SO THAT WE CAN FIT IT INTO THE TANK. [ Music ] IT TAKES A LITTLE FINESSE TO GET IT INSERTED, BUT ONCE IT'S IN YOU CAN UNROLL IT AND LAY IT OUT FLAT. [ Music ] WELL, WE'VE GOT THESE LITTLE MAGNETS THAT WE'RE GONNA STICK INSIDE THE TANK, AND THOSE ARE GONNA HOLD THAT HYDRAMAT DOWN TO THE FLOOR OF THE TANK. [ Music ] NOW WE'RE AT A POINT WHERE WE CAN GET OUR PLATE BURNED IN TO SEAL OUR TANK BACK UP. WITH IT WELDED IN, OUR OUTER PLATE CAN BE ATTACHED AS WELL. THIS IS GOING TO GET SCREWED IN INSTEAD OF WELDED SO THAT IF NEEDED IT CAN BE REMOVED TO SERVICE THE INTERIOR OF THE TANK. [ drill humming ]
(MARC)>> NOW WE CAN ATTACH THE OTHER FITTING ONTO THE PICKUP HOSE, WHICH IS ALREADY MARRIED TO THE HYDRAMAT. WE'LL ATTACH THAT FITTING ON ONE OF OUR BULKHEADS, WHICH WILL BE THE FEED. WITH A HOMEMADE GASKET ATTACHED, WE'LL CINCH IT DOWN AND MOVE ON. WELL, WE'VE GOT OUR SENDING UNIT READY TO GO IN THE TANK. YOU CAN SEE HERE THAT WE CUT AND PINCHED OFF OUR FEED AND RETURN LINES BECAUSE WE DON'T NEED THEM ANYMORE AND WE DON'T WANT THEM TO LEAK. WE JUST NEED TO GET THIS IN THE TANK AND THEN WE CAN GET THE TANK IN THE CAR.
(TOMMY)>> WELL WE GOT OUR TANK MOUNTED UP BACK HERE IN THE BACK AND NOW IT'S TIME TO MOUNT UP OUR FUEL PUMP. NOW THERE'S A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT YOU WANT TO KEEP IN MIND WHENEVER YOU'RE DOING SOMETHING LIKE THIS. WHEREVER YOU PICK MAKE SURE IT'S A SOLID LOCATION, MEANING THAT YOU'VE GOT A SOLID FOUNDATION TO ATTACH IT TO. WE'RE GONNA MOUNT OURS RIGHT HERE ON THE SIDE OF THE FRAME. WE'RE GONNA HAVE TO MAKE A LITTLE BIT OF A BRACKET TO USE THESE REAR TWO BOLTS, BUT THAT'S NO BIG DEAL. ANOTHER THING, WHEREVER YOU MOUNT THIS, WELL YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE TO KEEP IT OUT OF HARMS WAY. NOW THIS COULD POSSIBLY GET A FEW ROCKS AND THAT KIND OF THING THROWN AT IT. SO WE'LL PROBABLY END UP MAKING A COVER FOR IT. WITH US RUNNING THAT BOOSTED APPLICATION WE NEED A PRETTY SERIOUS PUMP. SO, WE'RE GOING WITH THIS HOLLEY VRONE SETUP. IT'LL PUMP 170 GALLONS PER HOUR, AND IT ALSO WILL PUMP AT 130 PSI CONSTANTLY. NOW ANOTHER THING YOU WANT TO KEEP IN MIND WHENEVER YOU'RE MOUNTING YOUR PUMP IS YOU DON'T WANT TO MOUNT IT ANY HIGHER THAN THE TANK. EITHER GO THE SAME OR ACTUALLY BELOW, AND IT'S ALSO A GOOD IDEA TO MOUNT IT AS CLOSE TO THE TANK AS POSSIBLE. THAT WAY YOU DON'T RUN INTO ANY KIND OF STARVATION PROBLEMS WHEN THIS THING TURNS ON AND TRIES TO SUCK THE FUEL OUT OF THE TANK.
(KATIE)>> UP NEXT IS THE FINAL WRAP ON OUR BARN FIND CHEVELLE. SO, STRAP IN FRIENDS, IT'S CRUISE TIME!
(MARC)>> HEY EVERYBODY, WELCOME BACK. TOMMY'S JUST WRAPPING UP ON THE FUEL SYSTEM AND WE'RE GETTING READY TO MOVE ONTO THE EXHAUST. WHAT WE'RE GONNA USE IS THIS COMPLETE SYSTEM THAT WE GOT FROM HOOKER BLACKHEART. THIS KIT'S CONSTRUCTED OF MANDREL BENT 304 STAINLESS STEEL. IT'S GOT A MERGEDX CROSSOVER AND IT'S GOT HOOKER'S STAINLESS STEEL TIG WELDED MUFFLERS THAT HAVE THAT NICE THROATY SOUND ON ACCELERATION BUT GIVE YOU THAT QUIET IDLE. THIS KIT COMES WITH ALL THE HARDWARE NECESSARY FOR INSTALLATION AND FITS WITH MOST SUSPENSION SYSTEMS. NOW THIS KIT IS ACTUALLY MADE FOR LS SWAPPED ABODIES, AND SINCE WE'VE GOT A SMALL BLOCK CHEVY WE MAY NEED TO MAKE SOME ADJUSTMENTS. THAT'S OKAY, WE'RE JUST GONNA START IN THE BACK AND ADJUST IN THE FRONT IF NECESSARY. [ mechanical humming ]
(TOMMY)>> WELL I GOT THE FACTORY HANGERS INSTALLED, WELL THE ONES THAT CAME ALONG IN THE KIT. NOW IT'S TIME TO HANG SOME PIPE. THIS IS A THREEINCH SYSTEM, WHICH IS GONNA BE PLENTY BIG ENOUGH FOR OUR 1,000 HORSEPOWER SMALL BLOCK. THE MUFFLERS FIT IN THE SAME PLACE AS THE FACTORY. SO, WE GET TO KEEP THE CLEAN LOOK WE WANT AND AVOID MODIFYING ANYTHING. [ Music ] WELL, WE'RE READY TO CONNECT OUR HEADERS TO OUR EXHAUST PIPES AND WE'VE GOT THIS STAINLESS STEEL COLLECTOR HERE THAT WE'RE GONNA USE. NOW WE'RE GONNA HAVE TO MODIFY THIS PIPE JUST A LITTLE BIT. WE'RE GONNA HAVE TO SHORTEN IT UP. THIS IS PRETTY MUCH PAR FOR THE COURSE, BUT WE'RE GONNA SET OUR COLLECTOR IN PLACE AND GIVE IT AN EYEBALL KIND OF FIGURING. I'M GONNA CUT THAT PIPE OFF ABOUT RIGHT THERE. THAT WAY WE CAN TURN THIS PIPE UP AND DO A LITTLE MORE MEASURING LATER. [ saw humming ]
(TOMMY)>> WELL LET'S SEE HOW CLOSE WE GOT. PUT A COUPLE OF THESE ARP BOLTS IN THERE. WELL, I BELIEVE IF WE WELD THAT UP THAT'LL WORK JUST FINE. WE'LL USE A TIG WELDER TO KEEP THINGS NICE AND CLEAN AND GET THESE BUTTONED UP TO FINISH UP THE EXHAUST. WHAT DO YOU THINK?
(MARC)>> EXHAUST SYSTEM LOOKS GOOD MAN. I LIKE THE WELDS. GUESS WE CAN GO HOME NOW, I'M TIRED.
(TOMMY)>> I'M EXHAUSTED.
(MARC)>> WE DECIDED SINCE WE WERE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD TO COME OUT HERE TO THE WOODS NEAR THE NORTH CAROLINATENNESSEE STATE LINE ON US 129.
(TOMMY)>> BETTER KNOWN AS "THE TAIL OF THE DRAGON". NOW THAT'S 318 TURNS IN 11 MILES, AND WITH OUR OLD CHEVELLE, YOU KNOW WE UPGRADED THE BRAKES, THE SUSPENSION, AND ALL THAT GOOD STUFF, AND US BEING THIS CLOSE WE HAD TO COME CHECK IT OUT.
(MARC)>> THE DRIVE FROM GATLINBURG TO DEAL'S GAP, NORTH CAROLINA, WAS NO JOKE BECAUSE TO GET HERE WE WENT DOWN THE DRAGON ITSELF. IT'S SUPER POPULAR WITH THE MOTORCYCLE AND SPORTS CAR CROWDS, AND FOR GOOD REASON. THIS STRETCH OF US 129 IS NESTLED IN THE SMOKEY MOUNTAINS, WHICH IS A BEAUTIFUL AREA TO VISIT. IT'S A HECK OF A COMBINATION, THE GREAT OUTDOORS AND SOME SWEET RIDES. SO, WE FIGURED THIS WOULD BE A GREAT PLACE TO BREAK IN OUR '72 CHEVELLE. SHE'S COME A LONG WAY FROM THAT BARN WE FOUND HER IN A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO. SO WHY DON'T WE HOP IN AND TAKE HER DOWN THE DRAGON! THIS IS A NICE PLACE. I'LL DEFINITELY BE BACK HERE. [ Music ]
(TOMMY)>> SO MARC, WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE TWISTY TURNIES HERE?
(MARC)>> I THINK IT'S GREAT. YOU WOULDN'T THINK A CHEVELLE WOULD BE ABLE HANDLE STUFF LIKE THIS, BUT IT DOES SURPRISINGLY WELL.
(TOMMY)>> YEAH, I KNOW, SITTING ON THIS SIDE, TURNING ON THE WHEEL, IT'S ALMOST EFFORTLESS, REALLY AND TRUTHFULLY. THE CAR TAKES WHAT YOU WANT, GOOD RIDING, GOOD DRIVING, IT'S GOT PLENTY OF POWER.
(MARC)>> JUST MAKE SURE YOU HAVE PLENTY OF GAS.
(TOMMY)>> YEAH, THERE'S NOT REALLY THAT MANY GAS STATIONS EITHER OUT HERE. SO TOP IT OFF BEFORE YOU GET HERE IS PROBABLY A GOOD IDEA. [ Music ] [ engine revving ] [ Music ] [ engine revving ]
(MARC)>> YEAH, THE THING ABOUT A CAR LIKE THIS. IT IS PLENTY CAPABLE OF GOING OUT. IF YOU WANT TO TAKE IT TO THE DRAG STRIP YOU COULD, OR GO OUT AND HAMMER BETWEEN STOP LIGHTS, BUT I THINK OUT HERE IS WHERE IT REALLY SHINES BECAUSE IT IS SUCH A GREAT CRUISER. YOU CAN JUST CRUISE AROUND AND JUST KEEP IT LOW THROTTLE AND TAKE THE CURVES, OR YOU CAN HAMMER IT HARD IF YOU WANT, IT'LL TAKE IT.
(TOMMY)>> WELL I SURE HOPE YOU GUYS ENJOYED THE CHEVELLE BUILD BECAUSE I KNOW I DID. NOW THIS THING TURNED OUT PRETTY NICE AND BEING ABLE TO COME OUT HERE ON A STRETCH OF ROAD LIKE THIS AND PUT IT THROUGH ITS PACES, WELL IT'S A WHOLE LOT OF FUN.
(MARC)>> THAT'S RIGHT, THIS CAR IS GORGEOUS. TOMMY DID A GREAT JOB ON THE PAINT. THE WHOLE BUILD WAS GREAT TOP TO BOTTOM, AND NOT ONLY DOES IT LOOK GOOD BUT IT HANDLES JUST AS WELL OUT HERE. IT WAS A BLAST. EVEN THOUGH I WAS IN THE PASSENGER'S SEAT THE WHOLE TIME, IT WAS STILL A LOT OF FUN.
(TOMMY)>> WELL I GUESS IT'S TIME FOR US TO HEAD BACK TO THE SHOP. SEE YOU GUYS LATER. [ engine revving ]
(KATIE)>> WHAT A GREAT PIECE OF MUSCLE. THE GUYS TOOK IT FROM A CRITTER HOME TO ONE COOL CRUISER. NOW REMEMBER YOU CAN ALWAYS CATCH ALL OF OUR OTHER GREAT PROJECTS RIGHT HERE ON POWERNATION BUILDS.
Show Full Transcript
[ Music ] [ engines revving ]
(KATIE)>> WELCOME TO POWERNATION BUILDS. SO, YOU'VE HEARD OF A BARN FIND. WELL, YOU CHEVY FANS WE'VE GOT A GOLDEN NUGGET FOR YOU TODAY. HERE'S DETROIT MUSCLE.
(TOMMY)>> WHEN WE FOUND OUR CHEVELLE IT HAD BEEN SITTING IN A BARN FOR A COUPLE OF DECADES. SO, THE FIRST THING WE DID WAS WASH IT OFF. AFTER A GOOD BATH SHE TOOK A TRIP TO THE BLASTER, WHICH WAS FOLLOWED BY A NEW FLOOR. WHILE THE BODY WAS OFF, WE UPGRADED OUR SUSPENSION. THEN MATED THE FRAME TO THE BODY FOR SOME MORE SHEET METAL WORK. [ Music ] THE CAR HAD SOME QUARTER PANEL ISSUES IN THE USUAL SPOTS, RIGHT BEHIND THE REAR WHEELS. THERE YOU GO. WE'VE GOT OUR QUARTERS ON THAT WE GOT FROM AUTO METAL DIRECT. IT WASN'T TOO BAD AND IT'S STARTING TO LOOK LIKE A CAR AGAIN.
(MARC)>> BUT WE'VE STILL GOT A FEW THINGS WE NEED TO ADDRESS, AND THAT'S WHERE THIS COMES IN. WE GOT A PAIR OF BRAND NEW FENDERS FROM AMD. THEY'RE MADE FROM OEM STEEL AND COME WITH ALL THE FACTORY MOUNTING POINTS. WELL, WE NEED TO GET THE REST OF THIS FRONT END BOLTED ON SO WE CAN MOVE ON TO THE NEXT STEP.
(TOMMY)>> NOW BEFORE WE CUT THAT OLD QUARTER OFF, WE WENT AHEAD AND LINED UP OUR DOOR SO THAT WE'D HAVE A REFERENCE POINT ON HOW TO LINE UP THIS NEW QUARTER. NOW THIS GAP ISN'T WHAT I'D CALL STREET ROD NICE, BUT IT'S FAR BETTER THAN SOME OF THOSE OEM'S THAT I'VE SEEN OUT THERE. NOW THE NEXT STEP THAT WE'RE GONNA BE DOING IS INSTALLING ALL THAT AMD SHEET METAL ON THE FRONT OF THIS CAR, AND WE'VE GOT TO GET IT LINED UP AS WELL.
(MARC)>> WE'LL TOSS IN A NEW SET OF BUSHINGS AND START WITH THE RADIATOR SUPPORT. WITH THAT ON, THE NEW FENDERS CAN COME INTO PLACE. [ Music ] LIKE TOMMY SAID EARLIER, WE MOUNTED THE DOORS BEFORE WE CUT THE QUARTERS OFF. SO, ALL THE BODY LINES ARE GOOD FROM THE FRONT OF THE DOOR BACK, WHICH MEANS WE CAN USE THE LEADING EDGE OF THE DOOR HERE TO ADJUST OUR FENDERS. NOW YOU MIGHT SAY THIS PAINT STICK RIGHT HERE IS INDUSTRY STANDARD FOR THE THICKNESS OF A GAP ON BODY LINES. SO, WE'RE GONNA USE THIS TO FIGURE OUT WHERE WE NEED TO PUT OUR FENDER. ALL RIGHT, AS WE STICK THIS PAINT STICK IN HERE YOU CAN SEE HERE THAT THE GAP'S WAY TOO WIDE UP HERE. THEN AS WE GO DOWN AND SEE IT GETS TIGHTER AND TIGHTER UNTIL WE FINALLY GET DOWN HERE WHERE IT'S JUST ABOUT RIGHT, BUT THEN IT TIGHTENS UP TOO TIGHT DOWN HERE. SO THE TOP OF THE FENDER NEEDS TO COME BACK AND THE BOTTOM OF THE FENDER NEEDS TO GO FORWARD, BUT ANOTHER THING TO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION IS WHERE IT LIES HERE IN LINE WITH THE DOOR. IT'S ACTUALLY STICKING OUT A LITTLE BIT HERE, BUT THE FENDER STICKING OUT JUST A LITTLE BIT ISN'T REALLY A MAIN CONCERN OF OURS. IF THIS WAS A REALLY NICE SHOW CAR OR SOMETHING WE WERE GONNA TRY TO WIN AN AWARD WITH, WE MIGHT WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WAS NICE AND FLAT, BUT ACTUALLY A LOT OF THESE CARS CAME FROM THE FACTORY WITH THE FENDER STICKING OUT A LITTLE BIT OR THE DOOR IN A LITTLE BIT TO CUT DOWN ON WIND NOISE AND TO ALLOW THAT DOOR TO GO BEHIND THE FENDER WHEN IT OPENS, BUT WE ARE GONNA MAKE SURE THAT WE GET THIS GAP JUST RIGHT, BUT THERE'S A FEW THINGS TO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION WHEN DOING THAT. YOU SEE THAT THE GAP'S TOO BIG HERE. YOU MAY THINK YOU NEED TO JUST PUSH THE FENDER BACK AT THE TOP, BUT BECAUSE THIS IS ONE PIECE OF METAL WHAT HAPPENS HERE IS GONNA EFFECT WHAT HAPPENS ELSEWHERE, LIKE AT THE BOTTOM WHERE WE SAID THE GAP WAS TOO TIGHT. SO, THE BEST WAY TO REMEDY THIS IS TO MAKE SURE ALL THE BOLTS ARE LOOSE AND THEN ROTATE THE ENTIRE FENDER. ONE GOOD WAY TO DO THAT IS GET A BUDDY UP FRONT AND WATCH THE GAPS WHILE HE GIVES IT A WIGGLE. HELP ME OUT TOM. [ Music ] A LITTLE BIT, JUST STRAIGHT BACK, DOWN A LITTLE, PERFECT! AND NOW WE'VE GOT A PRETTY EVEN GAP THROUGHOUT MOST OF THE DOOR HERE, BUT NOW THAT WE'VE GOT IT THERE WE SEE THAT WE'VE GOT A NEW PROBLEM WHERE THE FENDER IS LOWER THAN THE DOOR. SO, WE'RE GONNA HAVE TO SHIM THAT FENDER UP.
(TOMMY)>> THIS IS A PRETTY SIMPLE CONCEPT. JUST LOOSEN THE MOUNTING BOLT ENOUGH TO ENABLE SOME SHIMS TO SLIDE INTO PLACE. THEN CHECK YOUR ALIGNMENT.
(MARC)>> A LOT BETTER. [ ratchet clicking ] [ Music ]
(TOMMY)>> NOW WE'RE IN PRETTY GOOD SHAPE EXCEPT FOR WE NEED TO SLIDE THE HOOD FORWARD JUST A LITTLE BIT. THE OVERHANG HERE IS A LITTLE BIT EXCESSIVE. WE'LL LOOSEN THESE BOLTS THAT HOLD THE HOOD TO ALLOW US TO SLIDE THIS SIDE FORWARD. THEN TIGHTEN THEM DOWN AND CHECK IT. YEP, THAT SHOULD DO IT.
(KATIE)>> COMING UP, NOW THAT WE'VE HAD A BLAST WITH THE CHEVELLE WHAT'S UP NEXT?
(TOMMY)>> AFTER HOURS AND HOURS OF BLOCK SANDING AND BODY WORK WE FINALLY GET TO SPRAY ON SOME COLOR. YOU EXCITED? [ Music ] THE FIRST THING WE'RE SPRAYING IS A COAT OF SEALER. THIS IS PPG'S DP 50 EPOXY PRIMER THAT'S REDUCED DOWN TO SPRAY AS A SEALER. NOW YOU CAN DO TWO COATS, BUT ONE IS PLENTY FOR US. THIS WILL GIVE US A SOLID FOUNDATION AND A UNIFORM COLORED CANVAS TO SPRAY ON OUR BASE COAT, AND SINCE THERE'S SOME OF THESE PANELS THAT HAVE RAW STEEL SHOWING WE NEED A TIE COAT TO GIVE THE BASE COAT SOMETHING TO ADHERE TO. [ spray gun hissing ]
(MARC)>> WHILE TOMMY'S SPRAYING THAT BOW TIE BLUE, I FIGURED I'D SHOW YOU GUYS A LITTLE BOW TIE HORSEPOWER. THIS IS A SNEAK PEAK AT THE ENGINE THAT'S GONNA BE GOING INTO OUR CHEVELLE. IT MAY BE A SMALL BLOCK CHEVY BUT IT'S NOT YOUR RUN OF THE MILL ENGINE. THIS THING IS A 406 CUBIC INCH SMALL BLOCK WITH A DART BLOCK AND AN EAGLE ROTATING ASSEMBLY. IT'S GOT AFR 220cc ELIMINATOR HEADS, BRINGING THE COMPRESSION RATIO TO NINE TO ONE, BUT UP TOP IS WHERE THIS THING REALLY STARTS TO WORK WITH A QFT 850 CFM CARB WITH AN FONEA PRO CHARGER. THE GUYS DOWN IN ENGINE POWER PUT THIS THING ON THE ENGINE DYNO AND IT MADE A WHOPPING 993 HORSEPOWER AT 15 POUNDS OF BOOST. NOW THAT'S WITH 93 OCTANE PUMP GAS WITH A LITTLE BIT OF RACE GAS ADDED TO IT.
(TOMMY)>> CHECK OUT THAT COLOR! THIS IS A CUSTOM MIX THAT OUR FRIENDS AT SINGLE SOURCE HOOKED US UP WITH, AND WE'RE CALLING IT "BOW TIE BLUE". WE'RE GONNA ADD OUR THINNER AND A SMALL AMOUNT OF ACTIVATOR, AND THEN WE'LL JUST STIR IT UP. YOU WANT TO MIX THIS STUFF REALLY WELL AND THEN POUR IT INTO A GUN. BEFORE YOU GET TOO CARRIED AWAY MAKE SURE TO TACK OFF THE SURFACES TO BE PAINTED. DON'T FORGET TO PULL YOUR TAPE BACK. THIS FIRST COAT DOESN'T HAVE TO COVER EVERY NOOK AND CRANNY. YOU'RE JUST LOOKING FOR ONE NICE UNIFORM APPLICATION. WE'RE GONNA PUT THREE COATS OF BASE ON HERE AND THAT'LL DO IT. [ spray gun hissing ]
(TOMMY)>> WE'VE GOT OUR BASE COAT SPRAYED ON AND NOW WE'RE GONNA HAVE TO DO A LITTLE BIT OF MASKING CAUSE WE DON'T WANT TO CLEAR COAT THE DOOR JAMBS, BUT WE ARE GONNA BE CLEAR COATING THE TOP OF THE FIREWALL, THE FIREWALL, AND THE BELLY BECAUSE WE'RE GONNA BE MARRYING THE CAR TO THE CHASSIS. WE'RE GETTING CLOSER. WE'RE GONNA PUT ON A COUPLE OF COATS OF CLEAR. WE'RE STARTING ON THE TOP FOR NO PARTICULAR REASON, GETTING THE FIREWALL AND THE COWL FIRST. LIKE THE BASE, YOU'RE LOOKING FOR A NICE, EVEN COAT. ALL ABOUT THAT BOTTOM NOW. [ spray gun hissing ]
(TOMMY)>> OH YEAH! NOW THERE'S SOME PAINTERS THAT SAY THAT YOU DON'T REALLY NEED FRESH AIR BUT I'M HERE TO TELL YOU WHENEVER YOU'RE PAINTING SOMETHING LIKE THIS, THIS IS ALMOST A MUST. PAY ATTENTION TO HOW THIS STUFF'S GONNA BLOW BACK INTO MY FACE. [ spray gun hissing ]
(TOMMY)>> NOT ONLY IS THIS SAFER, BUT IT HELPS KEEP YOU A LOT CLEANER.
(NARRATOR)>> MEANWHILE BACK AT THE SHOP.
(MARC)>> WE ASSEMBLED OUR CHASSIS A WHILE BACK, AND THOUGH WE HAD THE BODY ON IT FOR SOME OF THAT METAL REPAIR IT'S FINALLY GOING BACK ON, THIS TIME FOR GOOD.
(TOMMY)>> I HAVE TO SAY I KIND OF DIG THAT COLOR.
(MARC)>> I LIKE IT. I THINK WE NEED TO GET SOME PLASTIC ON THIS BEFORE WE GET THIS THING ON THE CHASSIS. THAT WAY WE DON'T GET ANY OVERSPRAY ON THAT NICE CLEAR.
(TOMMY)>> YEAH THAT'S A GOOD IDEA. I'M GONNA GO AHEAD AND GET IN THE BOOTH AND TRIM OUT ALL THE OTHER PIECES. THAT WAY WE CAN ASSEMBLE THE CAR AND GET THE OUTSIDE OF THIS THING SPRAYED.
(MARC)>> OKAY, IT'S NOT GONNA DO ITSELF. ♪ [ electronic music ] ♪ [ mechanical humming ] ♪ [ electronic music ] ♪ [ spray gun hissing ] ♪ [ electronic music ] ♪
(MARC)>> THERE'S A LOT OF LABOR THAT GOES INTO BUILDING AN OLD CAR LIKE OUR CHEVELLE AND GETTING THE COLOR ON IS A VERY SPECIAL MOMENT FOR US.
(KATIE)>> NOW IT'S A LONG PROCESS FROM SHEET METAL, TO SUSPENSION, INTERIOR, TO PAINT, BUT WHAT ABOUT POWER?
(TOMMY)>> NOW WE'VE BEEN DOING A WHOLE BUNCH OF WORK HERE UNDER THE HOOD, AND I HAVE TO SAY WE'VE JUST ABOUT GOT IT BUTTONED UP.
(MARC)>> WE'RE SICK OF WORKING HERE. I MEAN WE'VE BEEN ON THIS FOR A WHILE, AND BESIDES WE'VE GOT A COUPLE OF MAJOR SYSTEMS THAT STILL NEED TO BE INSTALLED. WE'VE GOT TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE'RE GONNA GET A BUNCH OF FUEL FROM THE BACK OF THE CAR UP HERE TO FEED THIS 1,000 HORSEPOWER BEAST. THEN WE'VE GOT TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE'RE GONNA GET ALL OF THAT EXHAUST OUT THE BACK CAUSE WE'RE NOT PLANNING ON RUNNING OPEN HEADERS. WE DECIDED TO GO WITH THIS HYDRAMAT FROM HOLLEY. THIS THING ACTUALLY ACTS AS A FUEL RESERVOIR, AND I KNOW THAT SOUNDS ODD, BUT WHAT IT DOES IS IT WICKS UP ALL THE FUEL THAT'S IN THE TANK AND ALLOWS IT TO BE SENT THROUGH THIS PORT HERE. IT ALSO ACTS AS YOUR 100 MICRON PREFILTER. NOW THESE THINGS ARE GREAT ESPECIALLY IF YOUR VEHICLE DOES ANY HARD CORNERING, ACCELERATING, OR STOPPING. THESE ARE AVAILABLE IN A BUNCH OF DIFFERENT SIZES AND CONFIGURATIONS DEPENDING ON YOUR APPLICATION. ANOTHER COOL THING, IT DOESN'T MATTER, ANY PART OF THIS THING IS TOUCHING FUEL IT'S GONNA MAKE IT TO THAT PORT. YOU GUYS MIGHT HAVE NOTICED WE'VE HAD A BIG CHANGE AROUND HERE, WHICH IS OUR NEW TWO POST LIFT FROM DANMAR. IT'S GOT A 10,000 POUND CAPACITY AND THE DESIGN MAKES IT A LOT EASIER FOR US TO GET IN AND OUT OF THE CAR WHILE IT'S ON THE LIFT. WE GOT OURS AT GES USA DOT COM. NOW I WENT AHEAD AND PUT THE TANK IN PLACE, AND THE REASON FOR THAT IS WE NEED TO FIGURE OUT WHERE WE'RE GONNA BE ABLE TO PUT THESE DASH-10 BULKHEAD FITTINGS IN ORDER TO FEED THOSE BIG LINES. NOW THIS TANK IS REALLY TIGHT TO THE FLOOR HERE ALL THE WAY ACROSS. SO, IT LOOKS LIKE WE'RE NOT GONNA BE ABLE TO PUT THEM IN THE TOP. WE NEED TO FIND A SOLUTION. WELL NOW WE KNOW WE CAN'T PUT THESE BULKHEAD FITTINGS HERE IN THE TOP. THERE'S JUST NOT ENOUGH ROOM. SO, WE COULD NOTCH IT OUT, DROP THE TOP OF THE TANK DOWN A LITTLE BIT TO MAKE ROOM, OR WE COULD JUST POP THEM IN THE SIDE OF THE TANK HERE BUT I DON'T REALLY WANT TO DO THAT. SO, WHAT I THINK I'M GONNA DO IS I'M JUST GONNA CUT IT OUT AT ABOUT A 45 DEGREE ANGLE HERE ON THIS EDGE, AND THAT'LL LEAVE US PLENTY OF ROOM. ANOTHER THING TOO, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE DON'T INTERFERE WITH OUR REGULAR SENDING UNIT HERE. EVEN THOUGH WE'RE NOT GONNA USE THE FEED AND RETURN, WE'RE ACTUALLY GONNA USE THE SENDER ITSELF. THAT WAY OUR FUEL GAUGE WORKS. [ saw buzzing ]
(MARC)>> ONCE WE GET THE BIG PIECE CUT OUT, WE'LL GO BACK AND STRAIGHTEN IT UP A LITTLE BIT. ALL RIGHT, WE'VE GOT OUR TANK READY HERE. IT'S ALL CLEANED UP AND WE'RE GETTING READY TO START ASSEMBLING THIS STUFF. I WENT AHEAD AND MADE THIS PIECE HERE, AND THIS IS GONNA PATCH THAT HOLE. IT'S GOT SOME REINFORCEMENTS ON THE BACK HERE BECAUSE ONCE WE GET THAT WELDED IN, WE'RE ACTUALLY GONNA TAKE THIS PLATE HERE THAT'S GOT OUR BULKHEADS ATTACHED TO IT AND THAT IS WHAT'S GONNA SEAL THE HOLE THERE, AND THAT WAY YOU CAN SERVICE IT IF YOU EVER NEED TO PULL THIS OUT, OR GET THE HYDRAMAT OUT FOR WHATEVER REASON, BUT WE CAN'T FIT THE HYDRAMAT IN THAT HOLE. IT'S GOT TO GO IN THIS BIGGER HOLE. SO, WE NEED TO GET THIS OUT, GET THE HYDRAMAT IN.
(TOMMY)>> I'VE BEEN BUSY UP HERE DOING A LITTLE BIT OF PLUMBING ON THIS HAIR DRYER. OL' MARC, WELL HE'S CUT A BIG HOLE IN THAT TANK AND ABOUT READY TO SLAP IN THAT HYDRAMAT. Y'ALL GO CHECK HIM OUT. [ Music ]
(MARC)>> THIS HYDRAMAT NEEDS TO BE ROLLED UP REALLY TIGHTLY SO THAT WE CAN FIT IT INTO THE TANK. [ Music ] IT TAKES A LITTLE FINESSE TO GET IT INSERTED, BUT ONCE IT'S IN YOU CAN UNROLL IT AND LAY IT OUT FLAT. [ Music ] WELL, WE'VE GOT THESE LITTLE MAGNETS THAT WE'RE GONNA STICK INSIDE THE TANK, AND THOSE ARE GONNA HOLD THAT HYDRAMAT DOWN TO THE FLOOR OF THE TANK. [ Music ] NOW WE'RE AT A POINT WHERE WE CAN GET OUR PLATE BURNED IN TO SEAL OUR TANK BACK UP. WITH IT WELDED IN, OUR OUTER PLATE CAN BE ATTACHED AS WELL. THIS IS GOING TO GET SCREWED IN INSTEAD OF WELDED SO THAT IF NEEDED IT CAN BE REMOVED TO SERVICE THE INTERIOR OF THE TANK. [ drill humming ]
(MARC)>> NOW WE CAN ATTACH THE OTHER FITTING ONTO THE PICKUP HOSE, WHICH IS ALREADY MARRIED TO THE HYDRAMAT. WE'LL ATTACH THAT FITTING ON ONE OF OUR BULKHEADS, WHICH WILL BE THE FEED. WITH A HOMEMADE GASKET ATTACHED, WE'LL CINCH IT DOWN AND MOVE ON. WELL, WE'VE GOT OUR SENDING UNIT READY TO GO IN THE TANK. YOU CAN SEE HERE THAT WE CUT AND PINCHED OFF OUR FEED AND RETURN LINES BECAUSE WE DON'T NEED THEM ANYMORE AND WE DON'T WANT THEM TO LEAK. WE JUST NEED TO GET THIS IN THE TANK AND THEN WE CAN GET THE TANK IN THE CAR.
(TOMMY)>> WELL WE GOT OUR TANK MOUNTED UP BACK HERE IN THE BACK AND NOW IT'S TIME TO MOUNT UP OUR FUEL PUMP. NOW THERE'S A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT YOU WANT TO KEEP IN MIND WHENEVER YOU'RE DOING SOMETHING LIKE THIS. WHEREVER YOU PICK MAKE SURE IT'S A SOLID LOCATION, MEANING THAT YOU'VE GOT A SOLID FOUNDATION TO ATTACH IT TO. WE'RE GONNA MOUNT OURS RIGHT HERE ON THE SIDE OF THE FRAME. WE'RE GONNA HAVE TO MAKE A LITTLE BIT OF A BRACKET TO USE THESE REAR TWO BOLTS, BUT THAT'S NO BIG DEAL. ANOTHER THING, WHEREVER YOU MOUNT THIS, WELL YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE TO KEEP IT OUT OF HARMS WAY. NOW THIS COULD POSSIBLY GET A FEW ROCKS AND THAT KIND OF THING THROWN AT IT. SO WE'LL PROBABLY END UP MAKING A COVER FOR IT. WITH US RUNNING THAT BOOSTED APPLICATION WE NEED A PRETTY SERIOUS PUMP. SO, WE'RE GOING WITH THIS HOLLEY VRONE SETUP. IT'LL PUMP 170 GALLONS PER HOUR, AND IT ALSO WILL PUMP AT 130 PSI CONSTANTLY. NOW ANOTHER THING YOU WANT TO KEEP IN MIND WHENEVER YOU'RE MOUNTING YOUR PUMP IS YOU DON'T WANT TO MOUNT IT ANY HIGHER THAN THE TANK. EITHER GO THE SAME OR ACTUALLY BELOW, AND IT'S ALSO A GOOD IDEA TO MOUNT IT AS CLOSE TO THE TANK AS POSSIBLE. THAT WAY YOU DON'T RUN INTO ANY KIND OF STARVATION PROBLEMS WHEN THIS THING TURNS ON AND TRIES TO SUCK THE FUEL OUT OF THE TANK.
(KATIE)>> UP NEXT IS THE FINAL WRAP ON OUR BARN FIND CHEVELLE. SO, STRAP IN FRIENDS, IT'S CRUISE TIME!
(MARC)>> HEY EVERYBODY, WELCOME BACK. TOMMY'S JUST WRAPPING UP ON THE FUEL SYSTEM AND WE'RE GETTING READY TO MOVE ONTO THE EXHAUST. WHAT WE'RE GONNA USE IS THIS COMPLETE SYSTEM THAT WE GOT FROM HOOKER BLACKHEART. THIS KIT'S CONSTRUCTED OF MANDREL BENT 304 STAINLESS STEEL. IT'S GOT A MERGEDX CROSSOVER AND IT'S GOT HOOKER'S STAINLESS STEEL TIG WELDED MUFFLERS THAT HAVE THAT NICE THROATY SOUND ON ACCELERATION BUT GIVE YOU THAT QUIET IDLE. THIS KIT COMES WITH ALL THE HARDWARE NECESSARY FOR INSTALLATION AND FITS WITH MOST SUSPENSION SYSTEMS. NOW THIS KIT IS ACTUALLY MADE FOR LS SWAPPED ABODIES, AND SINCE WE'VE GOT A SMALL BLOCK CHEVY WE MAY NEED TO MAKE SOME ADJUSTMENTS. THAT'S OKAY, WE'RE JUST GONNA START IN THE BACK AND ADJUST IN THE FRONT IF NECESSARY. [ mechanical humming ]
(TOMMY)>> WELL I GOT THE FACTORY HANGERS INSTALLED, WELL THE ONES THAT CAME ALONG IN THE KIT. NOW IT'S TIME TO HANG SOME PIPE. THIS IS A THREEINCH SYSTEM, WHICH IS GONNA BE PLENTY BIG ENOUGH FOR OUR 1,000 HORSEPOWER SMALL BLOCK. THE MUFFLERS FIT IN THE SAME PLACE AS THE FACTORY. SO, WE GET TO KEEP THE CLEAN LOOK WE WANT AND AVOID MODIFYING ANYTHING. [ Music ] WELL, WE'RE READY TO CONNECT OUR HEADERS TO OUR EXHAUST PIPES AND WE'VE GOT THIS STAINLESS STEEL COLLECTOR HERE THAT WE'RE GONNA USE. NOW WE'RE GONNA HAVE TO MODIFY THIS PIPE JUST A LITTLE BIT. WE'RE GONNA HAVE TO SHORTEN IT UP. THIS IS PRETTY MUCH PAR FOR THE COURSE, BUT WE'RE GONNA SET OUR COLLECTOR IN PLACE AND GIVE IT AN EYEBALL KIND OF FIGURING. I'M GONNA CUT THAT PIPE OFF ABOUT RIGHT THERE. THAT WAY WE CAN TURN THIS PIPE UP AND DO A LITTLE MORE MEASURING LATER. [ saw humming ]
(TOMMY)>> WELL LET'S SEE HOW CLOSE WE GOT. PUT A COUPLE OF THESE ARP BOLTS IN THERE. WELL, I BELIEVE IF WE WELD THAT UP THAT'LL WORK JUST FINE. WE'LL USE A TIG WELDER TO KEEP THINGS NICE AND CLEAN AND GET THESE BUTTONED UP TO FINISH UP THE EXHAUST. WHAT DO YOU THINK?
(MARC)>> EXHAUST SYSTEM LOOKS GOOD MAN. I LIKE THE WELDS. GUESS WE CAN GO HOME NOW, I'M TIRED.
(TOMMY)>> I'M EXHAUSTED.
(MARC)>> WE DECIDED SINCE WE WERE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD TO COME OUT HERE TO THE WOODS NEAR THE NORTH CAROLINATENNESSEE STATE LINE ON US 129.
(TOMMY)>> BETTER KNOWN AS "THE TAIL OF THE DRAGON". NOW THAT'S 318 TURNS IN 11 MILES, AND WITH OUR OLD CHEVELLE, YOU KNOW WE UPGRADED THE BRAKES, THE SUSPENSION, AND ALL THAT GOOD STUFF, AND US BEING THIS CLOSE WE HAD TO COME CHECK IT OUT.
(MARC)>> THE DRIVE FROM GATLINBURG TO DEAL'S GAP, NORTH CAROLINA, WAS NO JOKE BECAUSE TO GET HERE WE WENT DOWN THE DRAGON ITSELF. IT'S SUPER POPULAR WITH THE MOTORCYCLE AND SPORTS CAR CROWDS, AND FOR GOOD REASON. THIS STRETCH OF US 129 IS NESTLED IN THE SMOKEY MOUNTAINS, WHICH IS A BEAUTIFUL AREA TO VISIT. IT'S A HECK OF A COMBINATION, THE GREAT OUTDOORS AND SOME SWEET RIDES. SO, WE FIGURED THIS WOULD BE A GREAT PLACE TO BREAK IN OUR '72 CHEVELLE. SHE'S COME A LONG WAY FROM THAT BARN WE FOUND HER IN A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO. SO WHY DON'T WE HOP IN AND TAKE HER DOWN THE DRAGON! THIS IS A NICE PLACE. I'LL DEFINITELY BE BACK HERE. [ Music ]
(TOMMY)>> SO MARC, WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE TWISTY TURNIES HERE?
(MARC)>> I THINK IT'S GREAT. YOU WOULDN'T THINK A CHEVELLE WOULD BE ABLE HANDLE STUFF LIKE THIS, BUT IT DOES SURPRISINGLY WELL.
(TOMMY)>> YEAH, I KNOW, SITTING ON THIS SIDE, TURNING ON THE WHEEL, IT'S ALMOST EFFORTLESS, REALLY AND TRUTHFULLY. THE CAR TAKES WHAT YOU WANT, GOOD RIDING, GOOD DRIVING, IT'S GOT PLENTY OF POWER.
(MARC)>> JUST MAKE SURE YOU HAVE PLENTY OF GAS.
(TOMMY)>> YEAH, THERE'S NOT REALLY THAT MANY GAS STATIONS EITHER OUT HERE. SO TOP IT OFF BEFORE YOU GET HERE IS PROBABLY A GOOD IDEA. [ Music ] [ engine revving ] [ Music ] [ engine revving ]
(MARC)>> YEAH, THE THING ABOUT A CAR LIKE THIS. IT IS PLENTY CAPABLE OF GOING OUT. IF YOU WANT TO TAKE IT TO THE DRAG STRIP YOU COULD, OR GO OUT AND HAMMER BETWEEN STOP LIGHTS, BUT I THINK OUT HERE IS WHERE IT REALLY SHINES BECAUSE IT IS SUCH A GREAT CRUISER. YOU CAN JUST CRUISE AROUND AND JUST KEEP IT LOW THROTTLE AND TAKE THE CURVES, OR YOU CAN HAMMER IT HARD IF YOU WANT, IT'LL TAKE IT.
(TOMMY)>> WELL I SURE HOPE YOU GUYS ENJOYED THE CHEVELLE BUILD BECAUSE I KNOW I DID. NOW THIS THING TURNED OUT PRETTY NICE AND BEING ABLE TO COME OUT HERE ON A STRETCH OF ROAD LIKE THIS AND PUT IT THROUGH ITS PACES, WELL IT'S A WHOLE LOT OF FUN.
(MARC)>> THAT'S RIGHT, THIS CAR IS GORGEOUS. TOMMY DID A GREAT JOB ON THE PAINT. THE WHOLE BUILD WAS GREAT TOP TO BOTTOM, AND NOT ONLY DOES IT LOOK GOOD BUT IT HANDLES JUST AS WELL OUT HERE. IT WAS A BLAST. EVEN THOUGH I WAS IN THE PASSENGER'S SEAT THE WHOLE TIME, IT WAS STILL A LOT OF FUN.
(TOMMY)>> WELL I GUESS IT'S TIME FOR US TO HEAD BACK TO THE SHOP. SEE YOU GUYS LATER. [ engine revving ]
(KATIE)>> WHAT A GREAT PIECE OF MUSCLE. THE GUYS TOOK IT FROM A CRITTER HOME TO ONE COOL CRUISER. NOW REMEMBER YOU CAN ALWAYS CATCH ALL OF OUR OTHER GREAT PROJECTS RIGHT HERE ON POWERNATION BUILDS.
