78 monza 2+2

[bigbro36]

Hello, I am new to this site but have found a lot of useful information since then. I have a 1978 monza that I purchased about 8 years ago after a divorce. I guess I wanted to relive my youth again.I have been involved with motorsports of one kind or another since i was about 10. If it burned fossil fuels I was excited. Anyway I bought a chevy monza cause I wanted something different, not a camaro, chevelle, nova, you get the idea. I located this monza in pa. made the deal, picked it up and proceeded to take it apart. I installed a 6 point cage, subframe connectors and located a new fiberglass cowl bolt on hood in canada. I went to Bob Gumm and picked up the spacers I needed, hit the local junk yards and found s10 axles and spindles. So I did the 5 lug conversion. I replaced all tie rods, ball joints, rotors,calipers brake hoses, shocks and so on. The front end has been completed. the rear was a 7.5 with 3.73 gears and a posi unt so I installed new bearings and seals and a t/a rear cover hoping for the best. I installed boxed trailing arms that have steel and brass bushing.Thats where it just sat inside for the past 6 years. Life keeps going with or without your input. Recently I decided it was time to get back at it. The car had a 350 in it when i purchased it but it was only a 2 bolt. I wanted a 4 bolt. So I found a 4 bolt standard bore block and sent it out to my local speed shop for the usual machining. I had it bored, honed, line bored,decked and so on. I bought a rotating assembly with forged flat top pistons.The bottom end is together waiting on the aluminum heads. I have sent out the chassis to a local body shop to be painted. Rust wise this car didnt have a whole lot. I needed to weld in some patch panels in the floor and under hood by the left shock tower but besides that its good. I hadnt taken a lot of pics during this process but here are a few. Oh and thanks Clyde. I have some new door pins with his help.

monza3.jpg

monza1.jpg

monza4.jpg

monza6.jpg

[Brian]

Welcome aboard.

Looking forward to seeing it completed.

[bigbro36]

Well I recieved my heads this weekend so I was able to get some work done on the motor. It has been hot outside. Anyway the heads are on and the motor is just about ready. Just need a convertor and a trans pan. Progress is being made, here are a few pics...

motor1.jpg

motor2.jpg

[bigbro36]

Just visited the body shop and it is almost time for paint. The owners son loves the monza so he has been on the car fixing any little issue he finds. The motor and trans are waiting to go back in as soon as the car is painted. Getting a little excited at this point since its all about putting it back together instead of taking things apart. The engine bay is painted as well as the door jams. A little more sanding, reassembling and paint and Im ready to go. Here are a few pics...

monza 014.jpg

monza 012.jpg

monza 011.jpg

monza 013.jpg

monza 015.jpg

[Fastmax32168]

I like that color. I have discovered that its always easier to get motivated to work on the car for some reason after the paint is applied.
Roy

[bigbro36]

Isnt that the truth max. That mirage your building looks absolutely beautiful by the way. That will be one sweet ride when your done...

[bigbro36]

Afew more....

monza 0016.jpg

monza 0018.jpg

monza 0019.jpg

monza 0017.jpg

[ironwillsv8vega]

Sweet looking paint work......

[bill1978v8]

looking good!

[bigbro36]

Picked up the monza from the body shop today and tucked it away in my garage. Now comes the fun part of assembly with nice clean parts. Here are a few pics...

monza 023.jpg

monza 021.jpg

monza 022.jpg

monza 024.jpg

[Brian]

Looks great! I wish I was even as remotely close to being at the stage you're at.

I'm still trying to just get to one working car out of the two that I have. Never mind all the body work and such that will come later.

[Wizeguyrc]

Paint looks great! Stand out project.

[gerbsinmd]

Man thats awesome!

[monzajer]

OMG! that puppy is GORGEOUS!

Great looking color. Almost looks like it's moving just sitting there.

VEEEEERRRRY NICE!

Gives me new incentive.

Keep the pix comin'.

cheers, jer

[bigbro36]

So I had 2 days off this week(poor me) so I started the motor install. Why didnt I remember so may things about the install. Put the motor and trans in then realised that the headers wont fit with the motor in place. No biggy just lift it out again, fit the headers and reinstall. Bolt it all down again and remember that even a mini starter wont go in with the headers installed so out again. So after the third time its all in. The swaybars,k frame,driveshaft, torque arm,emergency brake all installed. Still lots to do but here are some pics...

monza 020.jpg

monza 021.jpg

monza 022.jpg