I got the motor and transmission out of the car today...what a joyous day it is...ran all the numbers on the motor and trans and found that the motor is a 402 cast in Tonawanda on 3 Jun 71 and is an LS-3 motor...the trans per the numbers is an M21 Muncie 4 speed....IF i got the numbers correct....so I made out like a bandit on the purchase of this car...

 Well, now it is time to get that motor out of the 69 Velle....here is the before picture...

 Minus the Carb and fan w/ fan clutch....

 I have been wondering what lies under those valve covers...and YES my DREAM has come TRUE!

 The heads have been worked, meaning a valve job, upgraded valve springs, roller rockers...what all this means is this is NOT a stock 396 with 325 horses...we are talking more in the neighborhood of the 400 HP range...there are many other things that lead me to believe this as well but we will know once I get it on the street....

 Minus the water pump (which is bad and will be replaced), A/C compressor and lines, also disconnected the steering column and power steering lines...and every single wire, clamp, hose that is mating this motor to the chassis...

 What you can't see is that I disconnected the clutch pedals, gear shifter inside the car, dropped the driveshaft, took off the transmission mounts and brace, disconnected the exhaust pipes from the headers and the most painful job of all...took the motor mounts loose...I have 2 bolts left and we will yank this out of the car tomorrow....YIPPEE!!!

 The Cherry is ready to be PICKED!

Here is a shot of the drive shaft and the old (damaged) radiator support...

Well, we are moving right along now on the Velle...we have paint on the Dash, Fire Wall, Cowl, Front W/S and Door Hinges...also a coat of Semi-Gloss Black on the inner Fender Wells, Radiator Support, Hood Hinges... here are the pictures...

 Driver's Door...Griffin and I also applied sound proofing which also has the ability to reduce the heat from the outside as well as the motor and transmission...

 Sorry, but I already cover the dash to ensure that it was not scratched or chipped...

 The door hinges and you can also see the sound proofing on the floor...

 Even put it on the roof...man that was a pain the you know where to get cleaned and prepped...also slapped some POR-15 on it to ensure no mo rust!!!

 Here is the inside firewall so you can see the new digs...

 Man, I love that paint color...can't wait to drive IT!

 Prepping new parts for paint.  The hood, deck lid, both doors and fenders, and wheel wells and valence panel.

 Door and Deck Lid

 The rest of the car is making progress as well.  I installed the new Bilstein Shocks on the front and prepped the firewall for paint...this should happen this week Lord willing...

 Right quarter panel is shaping up nicely.  I more wipe and sand and it will be ready for paint.

 The driver's side quarter is really close as well...

 Here are the new parts in the paint booth getting the final stages of prep completed

 This is Mikal a fine young man and good painter...

 Here is the first panel with color on it...and I actually got to paint this myself....it will be hidden for the most part...LOL

 Deck Lid

 Hood

 Valence Panel

Driver's Door

I can't believe my eyes...what a gorgeous color!