my 76 ray

Did you get your calipers figured out?

stinger12

Not yet, I haven't had a chance to enlarge to hole on one of the calipers. I'll do that sometime this week.

I am having a hard time deciding what to do with the sidepipes which I want to buy. The car was in a previous accident it looks like and I think it was hit from the side. The reason I say this is because I cut out the dent where it was hit and replaced it with new metal. The old metal must have been stretched the entire length of the rail. It isn't noticeable by the naked eye, but if you put a flat level against it you can see it. I didn't want to cut out the entire side rail just to fix the dent, so I just cut out the area where it was actually hit. I didn't think it was worth the risk of ruining the entire frame just to make it look that much better. So, basically the mounting holes where the sidepipes are supposed to fit into are little off. Here is a picture of what I am talking about. It's really hard to see but the middle mounting hole for the sidepipes is about 3/16'' inward.



It looks pretty darn straight. The only problem is the car must have been hit in the lower part of the frame rail, which stretched the entire side inward. I cut out only the area where it was hit. Thus, the rest of the frame rail was still stretched a tiny bit inward. I blended in the new piece of metal to flow with the rest of the siderail. There are 3 mounting points for the sidepipes. The first and last mounting points are okay, bu8t the middle mounting point is inward about 3/16''. You can only notice it if you put a level up to it. The frame dimensions are all dead on. What should I do about these sidepipe mounts?

I don't have the money to buy the side pipes right now, so I'll have to check the fit of them after this goes to powdercoat. Do you think I need the middle mounting point for the sidepipes? Please reply, I need to get this figured out asap. Thanks.

stinger12

bump

rajsid

Your work is impressive and your car is looking good.
Can you tell me which website did you find your project car?
I am looking for a project car.

stinger12

http://www.edsprojectcars.com/

stinger12

I was having a real hard time figuring out whether I wanted to powdercoat the chassis flat black or mirror black. I had some gloss black spray paint in my cabinet and thought to myself "this will decide once and for all which color I want it." I sprayed the entire frame (its getting sandblasted off anyways) and have decided to go mirror black. All that is left is measuring the frame for the last time sometime tomorrow and then its off to the powdercoaters. I have decided I am going to scrap the side pipe idea and just go with a custom dual exhaust (I'll be welding it up).

stinger12

Alright here is the update. I got some parts back from the powdercoater last week. I rebuilt my power steering control valve with new parts from paragon. I installed my new crossmember bushings from van steel. I also rebuilt my right lower control arm which I bought from a member on this forum...I deleted all my private messages and forgot the forum member's name (sorry). Either way, I highly recommend him (I'll find out his user name for you guys)...the transaction went smoothly without a glitch. The differential case also came back from the powdercoaters, looks awesome. Installed two u-joints for the half shafts...greaseless of course. I can't wait to take the frame to the powdercoaters this week...very exciting.

stinger12

Okay guys, I found out the forum member's username who sold me the control arm...it is 77-L48. I forgot his name yesterday when I posted. He is a great guy to deal with and I highly recommend him...his price was great to. I also learned that although ebay has lots of used parts, most forum members offer them for much cheaper than on ebay...way cheaper. Check here first before you spend your cash on ebay, just a tip.

rosslato

yer doing a freaking awesome job and when u get done yer vette is gonna be freaking awesosme. if u lived nearby it would be my pleasure to help u put all them beautiful powdercoated parts back on yer vette.

stinger12

Lol, I am smiling right now...I am just too darn happy. I love it when people compliment me on my work, especially from those who are restoring vettes just like I am. Now I can't decide whether I should powdercoat or paint my frame with epoxy paint. I've been prepping everything myself before I take it to him, so its been a lot of work. I'm just really worried about some parts not fitting because of some of my welding on the frame and then I'll have to ruin the powdercoat finish to fix something. I don't know...what do you guys think I should do? If I paint it with epoxy, that means I have to do a hell of a lot more work myself. If I go with powdercoating, all I have to do is take it to the powdercoaters (I won't have to pay anything because of the deal my father is making with him). But If I ever have to repair the frame, I don't think I'll ever retrouch it up to look the same as it did before. Any opinions?

rosslato

i'd go for the powdercoat. if in the future u have to redo something just touch it up w/paint, most likely it won't show n nobody will know but u unless u go blabbing to everybody

stinger12

Alright, then powdercoat it is. I need to get a trailer from a friend. Will keep you posted.

rosslato

u should do more of yer suspension parts in the same yellow u did yer calipers in, the contrast looks fantastic n really stands out.

stingraymaniac

looks great!
thats gonna be a sweet ride when you are finished

wacked

markdtn

Wow! You really jumped in with both feet. Very nice work.

stinger12

I was worried that the chassis would look too much like a bumble bee in the end, so I didn't put too many accents on it lol. I am now starting to think maybe I should coat some more stuff yellow...maybe my two coil springs for the front? Now there's an idea. The only problem is I bought them from Van Steel and they are already powdercoated gloss black...I'd hate to ruin that finish on them. Any other ideas guys

stinger12

My dad helped me measure the frame for the last time today. It is finally done and ready for coating

FRSTR90

You better stop doing such a great job!! I am starting to feel sorry for the haters that put you down from the beginning!

Fonz69

I took pics of my numbers like that also and I would think it would be good evidence, plus you have all the pics of you working on the car before and after

I to am doing my first vette rebuild I am 28 but have played with high power boats since and funny you should mention a 69 camaro

I had a numbers match 69 396 SS camaro I brought home 5 years ago and sold it about a year ago all apart for $15k I found my 69 vette ragtop in NJ this spring and my Dad had one like it back in the day so I thought it would be a more sentimental project to work on.

I am going to be putting my suspension together hopfully this weekend if the parts show up, I had to cut off and replace the right A-arm tower on the frame and replace the diff. mount that was tore off too.

These vette's are so much fun to drive I cant wait to get mine back together

Good luck on the rest of you project, it looks awesome so far