New Video of my 1980 Malibu Big Block

[speedkills80]

Tire and wheel size!!!

Fronts: 235 60 R 15 15 X 7

Rear: 245 60 R 15 15 X 7

It's a factory offset rim 4 1/2" I believe, and they fit great with the 12 bolt rear end too!

 

[speedkills80]

You could use Hooker 2241s with the big block and regular clutch. I have that set up in my 78 Bu. One of the tubes requires slight modification to clear the Z bar.

That was kind of my point about headers not fitting. You can always use headers if you cut, re-weld, or beat on them.
I didn't want to have to do that, plus they didn't put headers on factory malibus!! And that was the idea behind this build was to make it appear as factory as possible.

 

[Blake442]

Does anyone have any suggestions on upper and lower A frame bushings? I don't have a problem going with a stock replacement. I just don't want to get an aftermarket brand and have them be red or blue. I'd like to find a set that would offer some more stability but still have the stock appearence in a stock A frame. Any thoughts?

I can't think of any companies off hand, but lots of them also offer their poly-urethane bushings in black instead of just red or blue.

I'm the type of person who doesn't mind the stock ride, so I just bought all new stock rubber bushings for my car.
A lot cheaper since I was able to just go down the road to my local CarQuest and they gave me a deal since I was constantly in there...

 

[speedkills80]

I'm sure that is what I will most likely do is go buy stock replacements. I'm not worried about cornering at 90 MPH. I just want a little stiffer ride then what I have now, while still keeping it looking stock. Thanks for your input!

 

[speedkills80]

Blake, did you buy the whole set for uppers and lowers and both sides? Do you recall what they charged you for them? Thanks!

 

[Blake442]

Blake, did you buy the whole set for uppers and lowers and both sides? Do you recall what they charged you for them? Thanks!

I bought everything... upper and lower bushings and ball joints for both sides.
Didn't come in a complete "set", just each piece off their shelf.
This was back in '05, so due to time and certain "recreational activities", I don't remember how much I paid... :lol:
I do know they were giving me their employee price because I was in there so much and spending a lot of $$...

 

[khan0165]

holy mumbo-jumbo! it's just as clean underneath as the outside! Thanks for that shot!
... this is seriously the nicest Malibu I've ever seen. I love everything about it, everything from the "stock appearance" theme, to the small detail touches.

I noticed how quiet it is inside. What kind of insulation did you use? Any special tricks?

 

[speedkills80]

Actually I haven't put the insulation in yet. I have new carpet and headliner to go in, and when I do that I am going to recover the front seats and put down some floor and maybe some firewall and door insulation. It's been cold and windy out the last couple of days so I haven't had it out again. I would like to get a video from inside while driving and a shot of it coming down the street too. Thanks for the compliments though! 8)

 

[speedkills80]

I just remembered the name of that insulation. It's called Dynamat. I was going to pick some up soon, (after we quit getting snow here) :evil: at the local swap meet. A friend of mine uses it too and swears by it. He used to get it from where he worked putting new interiors into airplanes! If it's good for them it must be good for me!!

 

[khan0165]

I think anyone who's used Dynamat swears by it. I've heard nothing but good things... except on the price...
... but it's surely a "you get what you pay for" scenerio.

I looked into cheaper options, like the stick-on pipe insulation from HomeDepot... but up here, getting 20packs of those costs almost as much as a Dynamat kit. And there's also bubble wrap stuff... but that's just stupid.