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Hello all. My name is Bill. I am in the Marine Corps. My current project is a 1973 Monte Carlo. Where is the forum for current projects? Can you post pics of current projects? I am currently deployed with the 31st MEU. I return early next year. This will be a tribute car to the fallen Marines of Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Monte is completely stock. It came with a 454, 400 turbo, dual exhaust, 4 barrel carb, front disc rear drum brakes, front and rear sway bars, and 10 bolt posi rear.

I plan to replace the 454 and 400 turbo with a 598 and tremec 6 speed. The 598 should be close to 1200 hp and 1100 lbs/ft torque.

I want to black out the opera windows, shave the doors, flush mount the glass, and paint the car red with gold eagle globe and anchors on the doors and deck lid. The outer rear quarter skins need replaced as do both rear floor pans and the trunk pan. It will get 18x12 rear wheels and 18x10's in the front.

Any info on where to get parts or how to do the body work will be greatly appreciated.

Bill  Sobers   USMC  

Welcome Bill and thanks for your service. The Monte sounds like it will be a beast, good luck with it. You can start a gallery and post pic's as you go.  
Jim
70 El Camino
461 solid, m20,
pics in readers rides

+1  
Horsepower sells Engines and torque wins races.

thats gunna be sweet and an ass load of work. i hope you have a big budget and lots of knowledge. I didnt think they made big blocks with ten bolts? Hope you plan on tying the frame together with all that torque of that big block. Thanks for the service.  

Sounds like a tunerkiller.lol Thanks for the service Bill  

Welcome aboard Marine, another thanks for your service. Good luck with your build.  

Thanks for all the support.

I started the Monte right before I deployed. It is completely gutted. I need to remove the engine, trans, all glass, and both bumpers before I media blast it. Once that is done, I will know exactly what needs done body wise.

I will be doing the Monte in Stages. First is body and paint. Not sure how much that will be if I do most of the work myself. There is a hobby shop on base where I can do a lot of the work, time permitting. I have quotes around $4500 if I send it to a shop.

After the body and paint are done, I will do the rear end. It will be getting a ford 9 inch with trutrac posi and 35 spline axles with 3.73 gears.

Then comes wheels and tires. I will have 18x10 front and 18x14 rear.

Next will be upgrading the brakes and suspension. I will probably start tying the frame together at this stage.

Lastly the 598 and tremec 6 speed.

I am doing it this way so that it will remain drivable once the body and paint are done. The 454 and 400 turbo run great, so they will be re-installed until the new engine and trans are ready to be bolted in.

Thanks again for all the support.

Bill  Sobers   USMC  

Great plan. Its funnier to drive them while the work is being done instead of parking it for a couple years.  

+1,good luck  

That sounds great and welcome to the site!  I salute and thank you for your continued service to our country.  Have you thought about welding in a roll cage?  It will help tremendously with structural support especially with that much hp and torque.  I love the fact you're building a tribute car for the USMC.  I'm currently building a tribute car for my family.  If you have time, check it out by clicking on the link below.

Mike
CPL, USA
1993-2001  
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http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3801172

Thanks for the support, Mike. Yes, it will be getting a roll cage after the mini tubs and floor pans are installed.

The Nova is looking great. Sorry, to hear about your folks.

Bill  

Thanks Bill, I appreciate the sentiment.  Keep us posted with pics as you go, I'm sure we all would love to see and hear your progress.  
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http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3801172

+1  

Progress pics would be nice  

+1  
Horsepower sells Engines and torque wins races.