Vehicle Specs
The 64 Chevelle four door is very simple. A big forklift
GE series motor(out of an 8000 lb Drexel forklift) with dual fields bussed for parallel operation coupled directly to the
original 2 speed Powerglide. The Powerglide has a manual valve body, roller bearing governor support, roller bearing tail
housing, no torque converter and a Hurst ratchet shifter. Two reverse frictions were removed to decrease rotating mass. The
first time out the high drum clutch hub shattered and was replaced with a lightened steel hub.
At this time, the Powerglide has a 1.82
low gear and the rear has a 3.36 gear. Soon this will change to a 1.76 low gear and a 2.56 posi rear. Also installing, Eldebroch
adjustable control arms(to set my Pinion angle) with spherical bushings on frame and Poly on housing, Jegs lower tubular
control arms with spherical bushings on frame and steel bushings on housing.
Tires are 235/75/R15 on rear and 205/75/R14 on front.(White
Walls for that Original look) Summit Drag shocks front and rear.
Control is accomplished by using the
automatic function of the Powerglide, a low voltage circuit(12V), a high voltage circuit (Can be 24V or 48V) and switching
between the two with contactors controlled by the original gas pedal. Once on the high voltage circuit I can switch to another
higher voltage circuit with a small shifter by the Ratchet shifter.
The low voltage circuit consists of two Orbital Blue Tops
in Parallel. When staging waiting for the last yellow, I hold the brake and the two Orbitals supply 800 amps to get the
motor turning and ready for the High Voltage Circuit switch.
The High and Higher Voltage circuits consists of six Horizon
12D2000's in series, tapped at 24V and 48V. The Chevelle launches with 1600 battery amps at 48V. I tried this using
just Orbitals and they seemed to gas a little when I applied the 1600 amps so I had to find a bigger battery or use two strings
of Orbitals so I went with the Horizon 12D2000. Not totally convinced of them yet, they have their problems, but I am invested
in them and am going to use them and see what they have.
Cabling is four 4/0 from front to rear,
gauges are two 1000 amp analogue amp meters in parallel and a Fluke Voltmeter. There is also a Field Weakening circuit operated
by a push button on the dash with its own ampmeter. Working on getting the interior completely original. Not sure of the Weight