Tuna Joe

A few of you might remember my intro a couple of months ago regarding my 1971 454 LS5 coupe. I'm a dentist and I traded dental work for the car.
The supposed history is that the original owner passed away around 1979 and the wife stored the car in the garage till she passed and then the children sold it around 2012 on Ebay. My patient/friend purchased the car and had it shipped out to So Cal where it sat for 4 years. He never started the car and claims the car hasn't been run since 1979.

So I picked up the car and brought it home, where I then drained the old gas ( besides being old, it had water from the tank drain being plugged), removed the plugs and misted the cylinders with Marvel's and WD 40 over the course of a week.
The carb was somewhat corroded and the fuel filter was filthy so I replaced it.
I also replaced the plugs and poured new gas in the tank along with a new battery.

I had a buddy come over to assist me and we were able to get her fired up!

My buddy said the carb needed to be rebuilt and things tuned up so I purchased a rebuilt Quadrajet from Ecklers (advertised as a period correct carb specifically for a 1971 454 4 speed) well the carb was slightly different but after a few mods to connect the linkage, we were able to install it and then fire her up again.
It ran perfect!
After a quick blast up the street and back, I went to park it by backing in and noticed things were "binding" almost like the emergency brake was on.

Fast forward a month or 2 and I finally get around to jacking the car up and taking a look around.

Tuna Joe

Oops, hit the post button too soon.

The 2 pics of the car that are dirty are prior to me picking it up.
The last pic is after I washed it.

Tuna Joe

Here are a few overall pics

Tuna Joe

Here are a few of the interior. The original owner cut out the dash for a CB radio.

Tuna Joe

So once under the car, I think I see why it's binding/seizing up when it rolls.
The differential cover/ case is cracked. Also, the piece that allows the leaf springs to connect is sheared off.
lastly, the torsion bar? is bent.

Tuna Joe

I'm assuming the differential cover is available? Any advice on where to purchase? and how big of a job? Seems tough with out a lift to get the car up off the ground.
Also, what about the hole in the fiberglass? is that a separate part that can be replaced?
Looking for any and all advice.
I'm not looking to do a major restore, would just like to have a fun driver.
The car is far from perfect, and I question if the mileage is 33, xxxx or 133, xxxx.
It appears the car has been crunched up front.

Alan 71

Hi TJ,
The car looks like a nice one!!!
There are differential covers available from various vendors.
Replacing it requires that the rear spring be removed.
While the spring's off you can replace the bent strut rod.
The damage to the battery compartment might have been cause by a half-shaft u-joint. The joint that's in the photo looks like it's been in place a LONG time though, so ? on the cause.
There are often sections of the bottom of the rear compartments available on the bay.
Good Luck ! A 71 454 4-speed NICE!
Regards,
Alan

Tuna Joe

Thank you Alan.
It's really nice from about 20' away, lol
Viewing up close....well, lets just say she won't win any awards!
I'm thrilled to have it though.
I suppose if I'm going to go to all the trouble of fixing things, any thing else you recommend replacing while I'm in there?
Obviously I'll replace the shocks, the U joints, and the fiberglass box that is broken.

jr9170

Joe any engine pics you can post ?

jnb5101

That rear strut rod was bent intentionally to adjust camber, probably in connection to the cracked diff cover.
Member Allc3Forme has some items in the parts for sale section that are right up your alley.
How many root canals did this guy need????

Tuna Joe

Sure.
Anything in particular you want me to shoot a pic of?

Tuna Joe

Ha! He needed 2 of everything!

havesometo

Nice looking ride. Here's the link to Allc3Forme.

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...grade-kit.html

ENCSDOUG

Is the color of the car Steel Cities Gray? Not many left in SCG.

Zoomin

Those diff replacements aren't too bad for a mechanic to do. Round up the parts and see if you can find a guy that needs some X-rays, a couple cavities filled, and throw in a cleaning if he does a good job.

BTW, the cracked diff cover probably happened because someone tightened those spring bolts while the wheels were still off the ground.

62corvette

Nice looking car, Joe. I bought a 70 from the original owner who parked it in 1980 when he hit a railroad crossing too hard and one end of the rear spring broke and both of the ears on the differential rear cover broke off. You will have to lower the crossmember in order to change out the rear cover (or drill holes in the body to access from above--I recommend the former). Getting the crossmember off can be a pain, but is very doable. Love the steel cities gray, btw!

RMVette

Nice looking car! I do have a question...what does the toggle switch and rotary switch control that is shown in the picture under the dash? Previous owner mounted them beside the wiper door and headlight override switches. Just curious...

Good luck!

bazza77

how cool that you can trade your labour to get your car fixed !

that glass work doesn't look to bad ,the diff will have to come out to put a new cover on it anyway so it will be accessible for a repair job.

I agree with everybody , a great car to fix up and go cruising in .

I have to ask , What is that thing on the back deck ?

cv67

ha remember when those window stickers were in
ck and make sure your brake calipers arent dragging
Do the basics and enjoy!

Tuna Joe

Here you go...
When I received the car, the oil fill cap was missing, the air cleaner wing nut was missing, and I removed the original braided plug wires and replaced them with some cheap new plug wires