Thread: Upstate NY gearhead in training

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joined yesterday. great forum already learned some stuff. I am from Livingston county in NY. I can hear the drags every Wed-Sun from Leicester National Dragway. Silverlake Drive-in in Perry NY has cruise nite every thursday, supercruise once a month draws about 200 cars.
I bought a 66 chevelle malibu in 1985 and have been pissing around with it ever since. I am on engine #4...a 454cid from a 1974 Caprice Classic. Removed the stock drum brakes up front and put a HO Racing front suspension in. (1978 Firebird spindles/disc brakes) and then Hotchkiss rear control arms etc. sits nice with a 2" drop up front, 1" drop in back.
Last year it went under the knife and got new quarters/deck etc and is in flat black primer. does it qualify as a rat rod? probably not but it is a driver not a trailer queen!
No chrome exists in the engine compartment - but I did put VintageAir AC in. (original car had 327cid w/AC)
I still have a long way to go but it is fun!

Welcome, I would never call it a rat rod. I like where you're headed with the project. Sometimes it takes years to accomplish a good ride (ask a lot of the builders here, they'll tell ya). Keep coming back because there are a lot of old threads that have answers to some of your questions to get the job done.

Hi....Welcome to the club! I live in Greece, NY. I'm sure you will find hours of enjoyment here. A lot of very smart and experienced rodders here. Talk to ya soon.

If you're ever in the Rochester area on a Tuesday night, Rick's Prime Rib on Buffalo Road has one of the best cruises on the west side. Usually get between 250-300 cars. Look me up!

Pat

Greetings friend!

I'm still a newbie here, but this is the place for answers, quotations and really funny barbs!

But never forget, these folks will help all of us. Especially old chebies!

By the way, how did your vintage air work? I've installed mine, but will not get it running until the rest of the rig is running

Hopefully soon!

jmcadoo, Welcome to CHR! Sounds like you have a nice project going, definitely no ratrod. How about some photos, we love pictures especially at our age with eye sight being on the downside.

Pat?? When does it stop snowing in Rochester??? Early June or July??? Or does it never really stop, just takes little breaks.

Hey folks, thanks for the warm welcome. I will provide pics soon. It is in the shop now getting some necessary tuning etc that I just don't have any time for right now. It is nice to have a place where I can get some very much appreciated help.
I had my daughters graduation dinner at Rick's Prime Rib on Buffalo road had no idea there was a cruise night there. Once I get the heat issue taken care of(I think I am on the right track) and I get my chrome back on, I will be there! Probably next year though.
I also heard about a nice cruise at the Log Cabin in Webster? true, worth a drive? You folks should come out to supercruise in Perry and enjoy the festivities and mayber even stay for a movie! Great family attmosphere.

The Vintage Air works perfect! If I had some weather strips on the car, I would keep very cool. I put it in so my wife would ride in the car. She is spoiled. I had to do some fabrication as I have a '74 454cid in a '66 car. difference was the engine had right side AC and the car originally had left side AC. The only thing I don't like is the cheesey cheap plastic pcs. that came with the install kit. I would have preferred stamped metal to go with the original look.

Mr. McAdoo....I don't know what year you had your daughter's graduation party at Rick's, but they used to be on the corner of Howard and Buffalo Rd. They moved the restaurant a few years ago into the old Dowd Post which is located on Buffalo Rd., west of Mt. read Blvd. They are under new management. There are 2 huge parking lots and a large field in back of the building that could hold at least 400 cars. They have food tents set up and a DJ. Definitely worth the drive!!!!!

By the way the Log Cabin is in Macedon not Webster. Hope to meet you some day.

Pat