kimo1965

Richard, the white car is in a million pieces, basically in labeled storage containers in the garage right now....sort of discouraging at the moment, but I will really get moving on it this winter. Send me a regular email address and I will send you some pics of ole blue when it was being painted! Blake...post some more pics!! We have all been watching your project! Looks great so far!! Jim

rbwamsley

We got the front end suspension all finished up and have moved on to the rear. We currently have the entire rear suspension and drivetrain pulled out. Its a slow process of cleaning all the parts and painting them, but it will be worth it in the end. I don't have any pics of the cleaning and painting process, but here are some with the suspension back on the ground.

rbwamsley

We were looking at the body mounts this weekend and the rubber bushings look pretty bad. How hard is it to replace these without removing the body from the frame? Is it as easy as removing the bolt sliding out the old bushing and sliding the new one in?

Thanks,
Blake

Mike Geary

Did you buy the kits from Doc Rebuild? They are superb, and come with an excellent installation diagram.

If you need any of those midget hex head sheet metal screws, shoot me a PM. I've got a bunch left over. You won't find these at ACE hardware.

66L72

probably one of the best things you can do.
I used LL engine compartment harness on my restoration. they are dead nuts correct, easy to install and everything worked fine.

good luck

rbwamsley

We did buy the Doc Rebuild kit, however we decided to go with the full Vintage Air setup, so we will not be using it.

Also, now this is definitely not a budget rebuild anymore. My Dad just informed me that he thought about and did not think he would be happy with a avg. 350 in it, so he is having a 427 built with 500 - 525hp. Hello rat motor!!!

Blake

Viking427

..and this my dear fellow is called "project creep", and officially the time dad begins hiding the receipts from mom

rbwamsley

I think you hit the nail on the head with that statement.

I also, found out that it was not that he could not afford to do what he wanted, it was just that at first he did not want to spend that much money on it.

I think he is surprised that he is enjoying doing the rebuild as much as he is. Most of the car moding we have done over the past 10 years has been on my toys (93 Cobra & 03 Cobra), which is quiet a difference experience than working on and old car (less electronics and tons more room). I can now say for sure that I definitely enjoy working on older cars more.


Blake

1Sweet66

Great project you got going there!

Working side by side with your dad is something you'll always remember and doing it on a Corvette makes it all that much better.

I'm with everyone else. Keep those pictures coming! Can't wait to see that big block slide into thr engine bay. Keep up the great work, keep us posted and don't be afraid to ask questions along the way. Also make sure that you keep copies of pics documenting all the hard work you have done. People love seeing that at car shows. Tells the story of all your hard work.

It will not be that long off to when you two start taking trophys home with that ride!

Johnny 66

I think batteries for small block coupes with Air Conditioning are also on the driver's side.

rbwamsley

We finally have another.

Rear done, minus hooking up the brake lines. Which way does the sway bar go? Is it supposed to bend up and hug the body or down away from it?


The Rat Moter You can see the little mouse behind it




Test fit of the wheels
17x7 & 17x8






My buddy's Camaro that let me try his wheels.


That is all for now, hopefully we will be dropping the new motor in sometime in November.

shft22

Man I love it, another one that got caught with the "while I'm out it syndrome". I started the same way, problem with the engine, ended with
New Engine, radiator, transmission, rear end, complete suspension and brakes rebuild, and a bunch more.......One thing is had lots of fun doing it and the car is much better and reliable now...

One thing you may want to consider is a Dewitt radiator with electric fans, keeping that motor cool is not going to be an easy task.....

shemp

Man that car is going to be sweet, but can I ask why you are using it
as a storage counter. That scares me looking at it.

Shemp

rbwamsley

We have been talking about it. As you may have read before, the car is originally a big block car, so the radiator is for a big block. Also, the radiator is fairly easy to change, so it is something that we change later on if needed.

The paint is not in good condition at all. My Dad is a Snap-on Tool dealer and about 25 years ago he did a tool trade for a paint job. Anyways the guy did a half @ssed job, and the paint is bubbling around the stinger and the there are cracks where the fender flares were created. Oh yeah, also we took it to Home Depot one time and when we came back outside there was a lumber cart in the side of it. Not to say we dont care about it, but a couple of boxes on the car is not going to hurt anything.

A paint job will be coming once we enjoy the car for a little bit after getting the motor put back in.

Blake

Blk63Vette

Hello

Looks good its coming along nicely..I neeed to find time to do that too....Hmmm

Vogie

No offense meant, but your dad kinda' resembles Jerry Springer in a couple of those shots. Good luck with the project.

67's

Blake,

Thanks for the updates, keep them comming........Dewitts IS Having a sale right now.

rbwamsley

Hahahah. I will have to tell him that. He gets more "you look like Alan Jackson" than anything.

Kerrmudgeon

Hell of a place to put your laundry.
'''''''''''''''''''''''''''

wow

Did I miss something or is that a zz454 instead of the small block 350 you mentioned you were going to use? Sweet...