How To

1965 Chevelle How To Section: We gathered the information below from all over the internet. Have some good tips to share? Please submit on our contact form. thx!

What is the best penetrating oil?

Short Answer: Liquid Wrench. See test results below. Heat is best, try to apply heat to the nut if you can.

Long Answer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUEob2oAKVs

Best way to remove broken body bolts located in the firewall?

Heat them up very hot, cherry red, then throw the cold water to them, will shrink them, then put the penetrating oil to them and remove.

Jerry Showers JR Maroney I just got them red hot, poured cold water on them and I heard a pop. Then they backed out easy. One didn’t pop the first time so I had to do it again.

(Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/groups/1247079482046446/permalink/2692050284216018/)

How to install Rubber filler pieces between body and rear bumper:

Finally got to install the rubber filler pieces on the 65, not without some fiasco. When I took the old ones off I couldn't understand why they slapped on so much glue to hold them in place. After looking at pictures of rear sections of other 65's without the rubber on, I noticed the extension pieces from the tail panels were cut off, probably because of rot. So the first step was to weld on newly made extensions. Not fun but thanks to Thomas Rightler for driving up an hour and a half to help me and weld in place. And thanks to Bill Rose for driving down an hour to visit and help. So JR asked me to post a few pics and steps.

First I put the center piece on, had to trim it as it does crunch when I test fitted the bumper. I used the same plastic pins you use for door weather strip ends. Then I clamped the end pieces in place to fit and trim if needed.

While clamped I used a Dremel and drilled the holes to size of the Staples I made with 18gauge floral wire. Inserted the Staples and held the down tight with mini vise grips, then bent them underneath. Haven't put bumper back on yet, hopefully tonight. Here are some pics:

Make the shifter handle throws about 40% shorter

Rich Cummings Page 7-14 of the 65 Chassis Service Manual, Maintenance and Adjustments section, look at the NOTE at the end of the section about adjusting the shifter control rods. Basically on the 1-2 and 3-4 rods, drop the rods into the lower holes on the levers on the transmission. Immediately it has much shorter throws. Reverse remains a long throw, but whoever powershifts into reverse?

Fuel Gauge not working correctly?

Chevrolet used two different fuel tank sending units in 1965. You need to know the ohms of the old sending unit to select the correct new sending unit. If your fuel gauge is reading like you are showing in the picture on a full tank of gas you need the other manufactured sending unit in the fuel tank. Without the knowing the ohms you have a 50/50 chance of getting the right sending unit.

@Richard Recupero There were to my knowledge different sending units, unfortunately I don't remember which part number would be correct. For me I had the correct sending unit but had a 1964 fuel gauge, they are not compatible. I put a correct 65 gas gauge and now it reads correctly.

It looks like 64 takes 30 ohm snd 65 takes 90 ohm.

How to Repair an Automatic Floor Console?

Some Options: (Original post: https://www.facebook.com/jrmaroney/posts/1004077246695703:6)

1. Plastic Reproduction

2. powder coated chrome

3. spray on chrome system

4. Professionally Restored - Performance Plating in Olathe, KS - The originals CAN be replated and turn out quite well. I had both of mine restored with very good results (as good as original). The keys are that you need to start with a good original and pick the right shop. One that is deeply pitted and heavily pitted will not turn out well. And you must work with a plating company that really knows potmetal and how to restore it. I had both of mine done by Performance Plating in Olathe, KS. It took them a year to get each of them done so it is best to plan ahead and don't expect quick miracles. The process takes multiple unplating, polishing, rebuild and plating steps. It is not quick, it is not easy, it is not inexpensive but these guys are the best I've ever found and had it ready when they said it would be ready. I used to go to the Chevelle regional in Olathe each year. I would drop it off one year and pick it up the next. I had to remind the a few times during the year but they had them done on time. http://www.macswebs.com/richl79/65tudorwagon/interiorpass.jpg

5. Let us know !!!!

Did GM use round rivets on the VIN plate?

It appears that GM use the standard brown rivet on all the early built 1965 vehicles up until January 1965.Then started using the rosette rivet in January 1965. So if you have a 1965 GM vehicle that was built in 1964 and has round rivets it is correct.
As a side note the fed Law did not require the use of Rosette rivets Intel 1970,Even though car manufacturers were using them well before that.

Reference: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1558332497721757/permalink/2662725530615776/

What is the biggest tire and wheel you can put on the back of a stock 65 Chevelle?

First, the base and SS size tires:
Base car tire size: 185/75R14
SS car tire sizes: 195/75R14 205/75R14

Ok, so how big can you go? This is really a loaded question because it depends a lot on the setup of your car.
Check out these references:
Here's a tool that shows you if the tire will hit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Ib9DXD2sBo
Here's a good article for all Chevelles: https://www.hotrod.com/articles/pit-stop-max-wheel-tire-sizes-early-chevelle/
Chevelles.com's forum has some good points: https://www.chevelles.com/threads/widest-tires-for-stock-65-malibu-ss-w-65-ar-torq-thrust-rim.363608/

Facebook discussion: https://www.facebook.com/jrmaroney/posts/1085550455215048:5