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Starting my restoration today. Not a bad days work. I can't remember who posted pics of how they lifted their body, but thanks. The only thing I found so far I don't like is rust in the hinge pillar supports. I already posted a question about removing them. Plans are LS3 stroked to 415, 4L65e, C4 front and rear. l will build my frame closely resembling the Corvette Correction chassis. I have a Dana 36 but will probably switch to the 44. Anyone have input on using the D36 with around 580 hp? Now the 3 year task of finishing.
I'm way deep in another project right now but I'm waiting on parts so today I decided to tackle my accessory mount. I had everything fitting very nicely before Plating. I even called and asked how much I should allow for Plating to add. When I got it back nothing would come close to fitting not one part. When they plated they added about .035" to everything. Two pieces put together with an extra .035" on each face caused some figment issues. I certainly didn't account for .070" of Plating. I had to remachine several places and grind in a few places where it's unseen. But I finally got it so Kwkenuf here it is finished except some belt alignment on the pulleys. Yeah I know I coulda bought this but what can I say. They don't offer the mount in chrome only the accessories I wanted everything chromed.
Hey I am doing the same project, (61 frame off), but I might be a bit ahead, of course I am a year into it. I have the chasis complete. One question, is your body dollie backwards? Looks like the same plans I built, but I put it on the other way. I have since added a rear frame support like the front of mine. Just wondered. Keep posting I love the references.
Glad you started a build. You should post a picture of the GTO so people know this is not your first rodeo. Do you plan to add wider rear quarters? If not, you will be pressed to get much more than a 255 under the rear. As far as the Dana 36, I would upgrade if you plan to push it hard. If you want to come by and look at my Corvette Correction chassis before I put the body on, give me a call (901) 861-2789 (home). Good luck with your build.
Looks like a great project, thanks for posting. I'm guessing you will need some body work on that fender. That's where they always crack and read the archives about the fender support bars from the 58s that Corvette Central et al sell, that will stiffen up the fender.
Looks like a great project, thanks for posting. I'm guessing you will need some body work on that fender. That's where they always crack and read the archives about the fender support bars from the 58s that Corvette Central et al sell, that will stiffen up the fender.
What color paint are you thinking about?
I did that before I even started, broke the fender that is . Gray with sliver coves.
Last edited by Robert61; 10-14-2016 at 03:39 PM.
Reason: Add text
Glad you started a build. You should post a picture of the GTO so people know this is not your first rodeo. Do you plan to add wider rear quarters? If not, you will be pressed to get much more than a 255 under the rear. As far as the Dana 36, I would upgrade if you plan to push it hard. If you want to come by and look at my Corvette Correction chassis before I put the body on, give me a call (901) 861-2789 (home). Good luck with your build.
Ricky
I want to put at least 275s under it. Right now I'm planning on changing the bottom bow on the top so I can mini tub it. I really hate to cut good quarters off. If I have to I will. Some one already tried the wide tire thing and rubbed holes on both sides where the wheel well comes in for the soft top.
Last edited by Robert61; 10-20-2016 at 04:16 PM.
Reason: Change
Your frame is looking great. I will be replacing my door pillar braces (both are rusted out down low). The braces should be here Wednesday. Unfortunately, the "outside" part of the rocker braces are also rusted and need to be replaced. My bet is the inside rocker brace is also shot - I plan to evaluate this weekend - don't know why I didn't focus on that 20 years ago!
Did you strip your body or buy it that way? If you striped it, what did you use? We chemically stripped all the paint off the 58 about 20 years ago and then primed and painted - but I plan to take it back to the glass this rebuild.
I posted about the hinge pillar supports earlier. Today I noticed the rocker supports are eaten away. So more work there. Let me know how you get the pillar supports out if you do them before me.
The body was stripped like that when I bought it. Looks like they did it with a da sander. It is pretty slick. I'm scared of chemical stripping. I'm going to seek out C Bernhardts, Carols62, advise he blasted his.
I did a trial fitting of the frame today. I'm pretty satisfied with it. I've got to trim around the upper control arm area and then check it a closer. Maybe another week of fabricating parts and welding. I hope, but you know how it goes when you say how long it's gonna take. I would be nowhere near that far along without your help.
The body was stripped like that when I bought it. Looks like they did it with a da sander. It is pretty slick. I'm scared of chemical stripping. I'm going to seek out C Bernhardts, Carols62, advise he blasted his.
My advice would be to try it out on the underside before tackling the outside. I live next to a river and the sand I used came from the river bank, very, very fine, almost like powder, with a lot of soft mica. I have a canister blaster and I set it for around 40psi with the sand valve wide open. Even then you have to be very careful and keep the blaster moving. I only used the blaster in places that were hard to reach with a sander, mostly underneath.
I have a Dana 44 in my '59, 620 HP at the flywheel, 325/50R15 Mickey Thompson drag radials, and it seems to be holding up well so far.
Hello Charie, thanks for chiming in. I've looked at your Carols62 page so many times I'm surprised it hasn't faded. Initially I was going to modify the original frame based off of what you did. Then I decided it would be just as easy to start the whole thing from scratch. I looked at every picture I could find and that was going to be my plans. Rick Ott was kind enough to let me come look his over very closely.
I am amazed at the skill set In one person that is required to do all of the different techniques you did during both of your builds, fabrication,paint and body, mold making, mechanical. You don't often find all of that in one person.
I bought the C4 suspension that encluded a D36 and thought that would be all I needed. I have a 94 Vette with an automatic. I figured it's been in there 23 years it's good enough for what I'm going to do. Then I decided I didn't want to worry about the rear end all of the time and since you can't change you mind after the chassis is done I bought a D44.
I did a trial fitting of the frame this weekend. I need to tweak the radiator support a little then I'm moving on to mounting the rear end. I want to use coil overs instead of the mono leaf springs as well.
In an effort to go to wide receiver tires I am going to make a new bottom bow for the top. It currently moves in about an inch and a quarter just off of the hinge. I'm going to try that straight instead and it will give that much more room for rubber. The only time the top will be up is traveling or getting caught in the rain.
If you have any input please don't hesitate I'm all ears.
Three weeks later. I thought I would be finished with the frame 2 weeks ago. But then I thought I could build it in 2 weeks. I've got a couple of things to weld on tomorrow then I will start deburring the welds and prepping for powder coat. Hopefully it will be there next week. If not the week after Thanksgiving.
10-13-2016, 11:27 AM
Day one 61 restoration
