'67 Nova Project: Final Assembly - Front End, Rear End & Wheels (April 6, 2013)

This is a "Fun Day!" Finally installing parts for the last time!

This is our pile of the major components - engine, trans, rear end, front end and the exhaust system. Today we will be getting her back to "roller" status.

Side note/tip: Notice the furniture dollies. Got these at Lowes for about $20 each. They are rated for 900 lbs !!!!! Since they are wood, it is easy to add blocks etc. with drywall screws for supporting different stuff (engines, rear ends etc). Very handy for storing big heavy items since you can move them around easily.

Here is the front end going on. I used a nylon strap and the engine hoist to get it into position.

During mock up I discovered some of the holes in the frame rails on the car had been drilled out larger due to alignment issues with the previous subframe. I drilled all of them out to accept 1/2" hardware. Here I am using grade 8 socket head cap screws (read that allen head bolts).

Installing the down tubes. DSE offers a shim kit for the firewall which I bought. Didn't need to use any! They took them back with no question (and I bought them 9 months earlier!).

Here you can see the head of the Polishing Dept. working on the SS hardware for the down tubes.

#2 Tip: McMaster-Carr is a great place to shop for stainless hardware! (and TONS of other cool stuff)

Polished bolts

Front Clip install complete.

On to the Rear End. First in is the sway bar, much easier to install before everything else is in the way!

Next up, upper and lower links.

Now just a matter of lowering the body down to the rear end.

Lower links on.

Now the uppers.

And the Panhard bar.

Coil overs installed.

Torquing the sway bar mount bolts. All of the link hardware will get torqued once the car is on the ground with everything else installed, which will be a while....