A father and son combo worked wonders to awaken a sleeping Chevrolet Chevelle. The vehicle rewarded them with a smoke show for their efforts.

To many, there are few more rewarding things in life than getting an old barn find car running and driving after years hidden from the world. Being able to achieve this as a father and son team only elevates this accomplishment even further.

YouTube channel AutoTechNick is living this exact dream; a skilled mechanic choosing to take on an abandoned 1972 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu with his son Trevor. Having purchased the muscle car from a family farm, where the machine had been sitting outside for well over two decades, they looked to get it running and on the road.

Abandoned Chevelle Nearly 100% Original, But Needs A Lot Of Work

Nick opened his latest video by running through the journey he and Trevor had embarked on to that point since buying the 1972 Chevrolet Chevelle muscle car. The car had been owned by one family since it was built. The previous owner’s grandfather bought it brand-new back in 1972, and it was then passed down to his son and grandson over the years.

Unfortunately, the beautiful Chevelle was parked outside in 1999 and left to rot. The vehicle had been well-used throughout its life, having covered 147,880 miles. However, its V8 motor had been rebuilt at around 100,000 miles, according to the previous keeper. Other than a couple of minor interior alterations, the Chevelle was pretty much the original specimen it was when it was built 50 years ago.

Featuring a 350 ci V8, which is mated to a four-speed manual transmission, Nick paid $3,800 for the machine. He was able to get the car running with a bit of work, though the gearbox was unable to select a gear. The brakes were also shot, so he and Trevor decided to tackle this job first.

Engine Specs

Source: (GM Heritage)

Trevor first got the car jacked up and removed the rear wheels. The services of a sledgehammer had to be employed on the passenger side rim as it refused to loosen, though it eventually relented. Nick then cleaned the wheel well with compressed air, so the duo could bleed the braking system.

Chevelle Braking System Badly Compromised By Air Leak

Trevor first pumped the brake pedal to see how it behaved. There was very little resistance as it went straight to the floor, and it refused to return to its original position. This proved that the drum braking system likely had air in it, meaning it couldn’t function correctly.

As fluids don’t compress, but normal air does, any time the latter gets into the hydraulically-controlled system, the required level of pressure the brake cylinder needs to push the brake pad onto the drum isn’t possible. Nick ensured the brake master cylinder already had brake fluid, confirming that it wasn’t a lack of it causing the issue.

Using the bleed nipple located on the rear of each of the Chevelle’s brakes, Nick got Trevor to press and depress the brake pedal to flush the system. As the duo worked through each unit, air bubbles were visible in the pipes.

The pedal got better as they finished off the rear and moved to the front of the car. By the time they had bled the entire system, the brake pedal was providing the correct amount of resistance, meaning the hydraulic fluid could now create the pressure needed to engage the brakes.

Chevelle’s Transmission Problem Caused By Simple Oversight

Main Work Completed On 1972 Chevrolet Chevelle To Get It Driving

• A full brake system flush to rid the unit of air
• All vital fluids were replaced, and key engine additives were added to ensure the motor lasted the distance
• The Interior undergoes full cleaning to improve air quality
• Headlights connection bodged to the battery due to a non-functioning fusebox

With the brakes now working decently, Nick turned his attention to the malfunctioning transmission. He soon admitted that he had made an oversight, one that had kept him up all night thinking about it. He realized that while he had previously checked the transmission fluid levels, he hadn’t done so when the Chevelle’s engine was fired.

While the levels looked fine when it was off, Nick found they were barely registering on the dipstick when the engine was running. To resolve the issue, he simply needed to top up the fluid. With the vehicle also suffering an oil leak due to a cracked main rear seal, they also filled the engine with an additive that essentially blocks the leak temporarily.

Nick also taught Trevor to ensure he filled the engine with a special zinc additive, which is crucial for any motor featuring a hydraulic flat-tipped lifter. The additive mixes with the oil and prevents metal-on-metal wear within the component. With the Chevelle’s vitals now topped up, Nick found that the transmission was now functioning as it should. The engine fired up without much trouble, albeit a little smoky.

Abandoned Chevelle Nearly 100% Original, But Needs A Lot Of Work

Nick opened his latest video by running through the journey he and Trevor had embarked on to that point since buying the 1972 Chevrolet Chevelle muscle car. The car had been owned by one family since it was built. The previous owner’s grandfather bought it brand-new back in 1972, and it was then passed down to his son and grandson over the years.

Unfortunately, the beautiful Chevelle was parked outside in 1999 and left to rot. The vehicle had been well-used throughout its life, having covered 147,880 miles. However, its V8 motor had been rebuilt at around 100,000 miles, according to the previous keeper. Other than a couple of minor interior alterations, the Chevelle was pretty much the original specimen it was when it was built 50 years ago.

Featuring a 350 ci V8, which is mated to a four-speed manual transmission, Nick paid $3,800 for the machine. He was able to get the car running with a bit of work, though the gearbox was unable to select a gear. The brakes were also shot, so he and Trevor decided to tackle this job first.

Engine Specs

Source: (GM Heritage)

Trevor first got the car jacked up and removed the rear wheels. The services of a sledgehammer had to be employed on the passenger side rim as it refused to loosen, though it eventually relented. Nick then cleaned the wheel well with compressed air, so the duo could bleed the braking system.

Chevelle Braking System Badly Compromised By Air Leak

Trevor first pumped the brake pedal to see how it behaved. There was very little resistance as it went straight to the floor, and it refused to return to its original position. This proved that the drum braking system likely had air in it, meaning it couldn’t function correctly.

As fluids don’t compress, but normal air does, any time the latter gets into the hydraulically-controlled system, the required level of pressure the brake cylinder needs to push the brake pad onto the drum isn’t possible. Nick ensured the brake master cylinder already had brake fluid, confirming that it wasn’t a lack of it causing the issue.

Using the bleed nipple located on the rear of each of the Chevelle’s brakes, Nick got Trevor to press and depress the brake pedal to flush the system. As the duo worked through each unit, air bubbles were visible in the pipes.

The pedal got better as they finished off the rear and moved to the front of the car. By the time they had bled the entire system, the brake pedal was providing the correct amount of resistance, meaning the hydraulic fluid could now create the pressure needed to engage the brakes.

Chevelle’s Transmission Problem Caused By Simple Oversight

Main Work Completed On 1972 Chevrolet Chevelle To Get It Driving

• A full brake system flush to rid the unit of air
• All vital fluids were replaced, and key engine additives were added to ensure the motor lasted the distance
• The Interior undergoes full cleaning to improve air quality
• Headlights connection bodged to the battery due to a non-functioning fusebox

With the brakes now working decently, Nick turned his attention to the malfunctioning transmission. He soon admitted that he had made an oversight, one that had kept him up all night thinking about it. He realized that while he had previously checked the transmission fluid levels, he hadn’t done so when the Chevelle’s engine was fired.

While the levels looked fine when it was off, Nick found they were barely registering on the dipstick when the engine was running. To resolve the issue, he simply needed to top up the fluid. With the vehicle also suffering an oil leak due to a cracked main rear seal, they also filled the engine with an additive that essentially blocks the leak temporarily.

Nick also taught Trevor to ensure he filled the engine with a special zinc additive, which is crucial for any motor featuring a hydraulic flat-tipped lifter. The additive mixes with the oil and prevents metal-on-metal wear within the component. With the Chevelle’s vitals now topped up, Nick found that the transmission was now functioning as it should. The engine fired up without much trouble, albeit a little smoky.