1970 Monte Carlo, Frame Off Restoration, Factory 400 Small Block

Offered for sale in this auction is a 1970 Monte Carlo that I've owned since about 1992 or 1993.   Vehicle received a Frame-Off restoration that was completed in December 1997.   All of the disassembly/assembly work was done by myself. but a professional did the body work and paint.   Vehicle is an original. factory 400 small block - Chevy made about 16 thousand with this engine option and this was the only first generation Monte offered with this option.   Factory. it was a 2 bbl carb - that is long gone.   Here are the particulars:

Engine:  Original 400 small block. has original numbers matching block.   Original crank (turned 30/30) and rods.   Bored 30 over. now a 406.   When I re-assembled this engine. all bearing clearances were checked. ring gaps checked and set.   Pistons put compression somewhere around 10:1.   Fel pro gaskets used throughout. all new seals installed.   Engine might have about 3000 miles on it now.   There is a remote solenoid installed to prevent heat sink issues. it's tucked behind the battery and wires are well concealed.   The distributor is an HEI with MSD ignition module.   The distributor cap is a Crossfire cap - this arranges all the wires for each bank to give a more organized look at the distributor.   Wires are Taylor. and neatly organized too.   Runs 60-80 psig oil pressure cold. idles hot at 25 psig. runs at cruise 50 psig.   New radiator also installed during restoration. holds 180 F all day long.

Heads:  Dart Iron Eagle 215 cc heads. roller tip rockers.   NO porting or gasket matching.   Heads were drilled per the Dart instructions for steam holes needed for the 400.   I have the original heads in storage and they can be put in the trunk or picked up with the car.   Edelbrock valve covers.   Hardened pushrods.

Intake/Carb - K&N Air Filter. billet air filter cover.   Holley 770 Avenger Carb. Edelbrock Victor Jr. Intake.

Cam - Comp Cams xtreme energy 274 camshaft.   230/236 @ 0. 050 duration. 490/490 Valve lift.   The 1. 6 rockers raise this to 0. 523.   Cam was installed straight up and broken in properly.

Exhaust:  Headers to true duals. 2-1/4" throughout.   Flowmaster mufflers. exhaust tips are correct SS tips exiting at the stock location.   Exhaust really barks. but not overbearing while cruising along.

Transmission - TH350 Automatic. I believe to be the original.   Transmission was rebuilt in mid 90's. probably has about 5K miles on it.   Has a shift kit. firm shifts if going easy on the gas pedal. but if you're on it the shifts are violent and the tires will let you know!  There is a deep pan on it. The converter is a little loose. could probably use a looser converter.   I don't have any specs. on the converter. as it was given to me to use and he didn't know much about it either.

Rear - 12 bolt. original axles.   Has Auburn posi carrier and 3. 73 gears.   Set up by a local speed shop.

Body - Everything was stripped down to bare metal.   New quarters installed. new trunk drop offs. outer wheel wells from a Chevelle were modified to fit and installed. the piece below the rear window was replaced with new. patch panels installed in the lower front fenders. new floor front floor pans on drivers and passengers side. trunk is original (but stripped and painted with correct splatter paint).   Vinyl top was replaced. original trim for vinyl top except the corner pieces. which were reproductions.   The body trim along the bottom and wheel well covers were all replaced with new.   Any other pieces of trim were either new or rechromed.   Door handles were new. mirror was new.   The original trim is around windshield. rear window. doors.   Window felts were replaced with new.   Front bumper was a rechromed piece bought at a show. fit isn't perfect but you have to be looking pretty close to notice.   Rear bumper is the original that I had rechromed and fits perfectly.   The front headlight buckets were rechromed. and the small bars inside the front turn signals were also rechromed.   Color is the original color for the body.   Weather strips for doors and trunk were replaced with new.

Interior - Restored in original Light Saddle.   New seat covers front buckets and back seat - professionally installed.   Front seats also received new foam.   New headliner professionally installed.   All other interior pieces were cleaned and dyed the correct color.   New door window cranks. new inside door handle releases. new armrest covers. new ash trays. new shifter "glass" - the one the shows where the shifter is located.   The steering wheel is an aftermarket. I believe I still have the original 1970 wheel but is isn't perfect which is why it was replaced.   Map light mirror. although the glass could use replaced in this mirror.   The seat backs were repainted and the chrome strip replaced.   Gauges are Autometer - Monster Tach at front of console on custom made mount that didn't drill into console.   Oil pressure and temperature mounted under dash - these are mechanical gauges NOT electric.   Carpet was replaced with new. and carpeted floor mats with the Monte Carlo insignia were installed.   The package tray was also replaced with new. and has some flush mounted 6x9 speakers installed.   The radio is a Custom Autosound. to fit in the dash without hacking. The radio doesn't work well and the cassette player doesn't seem to function either.   AC is disconnected. most pieces are off the car. I may still have the compressor and hoses (not sure. you can have them if you want). Heat works just fine.

Wheels & tires: 15x7 Ralley Wheels.   I media blasted these wheels. painted them the correct argent and then a clearcoat.   Insides were painted black.   They have reproduction trim rings and OEM GM Derby Caps.   Tires are BF Goodrich - rears will both need replaced within the next year or so.   The spare rim/tire was not restored. and the spare doesn't hold air for more than a few weeks.   I have the original bumper jack and jack cover. but they aren't in the vehicle because I would never use them again on these bumpers.

Frame and suspension:  Once the engine/trans were out and front clip removed. the body was removed from the frame.   Every part of the rolling frame was removed. media blasted. and painted with POR 15.   New bushings were put in the A arms. new poly bushings in the rear control arms.   New springs all around.   All brake. fuel and transmission lines were replaced with Stainless Steel tubing with correct bends and color coded ends.   With power disc brakes up front. car stops as it should.   All other suspension components were cleaned. inspected and replaced if needed.   These components were also painted in correct colors as needed.   The body to frame bushings were replaced new at the time of restoration. and there were a few mount locations at the cab fronts that were repaired due to rust.   Rear shocks are Competition Engineering adjustable set to 50/50.   Fronts are Competition Engineering 70/30.   Shocks were chosen for weight transfer. front does lift up some when you accelerate.

Imperfections; there are a few.   In the interest of full disclosure there are a few issues to point out.   The windshield wipers don't work - the motor works. but the linkage likes to fall off where it mounts to the wiper motor.   Since I don't ever drive it in the rain. I never took the time to fix it.   The wood trim on the center console is starting to peel up and could stand replacement.   There a few scratches on the rear window. near the top. that do not in any way affect visibility.   The transmission oil pan weeps a little over time. I tried to regasket and it still leaked so I gave up and live with the small leak.   The exhaust is pretty close to the body. so it hits sometimes when going over a bad bump - or if there are people in the rear seat along for the ride.   There are 3 or 4 paint chip spots that I've had to fill over time.   I would have to point them out to somebody to be seen.   The heater motor makes a squealing noise when first turned on.   The AC is gone.  I sat down with a screwdriver in my back pocket and poked a hole in the drivers seat. you have to look closely to see it and a good repair shop could probably fix it.  Fuel tank is from a 72. but I still have the 70 tank - the 70 leaked around the filler when there was enough fuel in the tank.   The hood insulation was replaced at the time of restoration. but is starting to sag and could stand to be replaced or removed.

I don't need to sell this car. it just doesn't get much use any more.   I have a file folder 2" thick with receipts pertaining to this car. including the remnants of the original build sheet.   If this were a Chevelle with this much attention to detail and in this condition it would be a $40K car - but it's not a Chevelle - it is a Monte Carlo and you won't see too many of these around. I have a variety of misc. parts that can go with the car too if the buyer wants (original valve covers. spare front rotors. nbsp;misc. trim) since I wouldn't be needing that stuff any more.

Before restoration and the engine rebuild. this car ran 13. 59 @ 101 mph on some worn out rear sticky tires.   With traction. I suspect it would run high 12's now but have too much invested to take it down a drag strip any more.

I have a video clip taken today with the vehicle running in the driveway that I can send to anybody that is interested.

I'm probably forgetting more. just ask if you have questions.   No warranty. sold as is and where is.   I will gladly give the winning bidder my phone number and email address when the transaction is done in case there are any questions about the vehicle later.

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