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Sharp eyes Jim. It is the overdrive relay. The factory installed overdrive relay is located on the radiator side panel and for good reason as the relay is noisy when it's contacts open and close when the governor switches it, I hear it clicking. Chev mounted it far enough away from the passengers that it would not be heard or noticed. When I sourced the parts to make my overdrive system I found a wiring harness with the correct plugs. I believe it is out of a pick-up truck as they apparently have their relay mounted on the firewall. I mounted mine using the same bolt that holds the ballast resistor in place. The source of power for the overdrive is taken from the line side of the ballast resistor so this was a good location to mount the relay. I was able to install the entire overdrive system without drilling any new holes and this would not have been the case if I mounted the relay to its correct radiator side panel, new hole would have to have drilled... Al
Ah, thanks for explaining, Al. That's a nice installation. It looks factory yet I couldn't remember ever seeing such a relay on any other '57.
I have a set of front HD springs. You can buy them if you want to change the height back to HD. Now, I would say that the HD springs do cause a harsher ride.
I'm on the hunt for a set of HD 61 front coil springs. The coil wire diameter is said to be 0.625" with 9.5 coils. Someone apparently cut the coils on the ones on my car to lower it - what were they thinking? Please let me know if you have something available.
Thanks
Al Hewitt
206-714-1420 ahewitt253@msn.com
Good news, Al, the hood does NOT have to be removed.
Disconnect the hood support brace, stand the hood straight up, and you'll have plenty of clearance for the steering box.
I suggest you also remove the LH exhaust manifold to gain extra maneuvering room.
Jim
The steering box is out and in the repair shop. I was unable to get it out of the car - working alone - without removing the hood. Looks like the steering box had some play in it probably causing some of the slop. Other things that could contribute to poor steering was the lowering of the car by cutting the springs - unbelievable what someone would do. Knowing how the geometry is affected by cut springs it seems to me if someone wants to lower a car dropped spindles are preferred. As mentioned earlier I like stock height cars but somewhere in this cars past it was lowered. Buying a used car is like adopting a child, its history is sometimes unknown.
I've removed all of the suspension; A frames top and bottom, knuckles and spindles, looking for warn out parts, I see nothing of the sort. With new springs, new seals in the A frames, an overhauled steering system and correct geometry I'm hoping for a better driving car. Here is what it looks like with the front undercarriage removed and the parts on the bench... Al
To complete this thread;
With a rebuilt steering box, new standard springs and new seals, here is what it looks like today. It is a different car in terms of steering without slop in the steering box. I also like the stance as it is close to stock height today... Al
To complete this thread;
With a rebuilt steering box, new standard springs and new seals, here is what it looks like today. It is a different car in terms of steering without slop in the steering box. I also like the stance as it is close to stock height today... Al
That is truly Corvette perfection. Red/Red/Red/Dog Dish/Fuelie/with Hardtop.....it really doesn't get any better than that - beautiful car
Thanks for the kind words, the car has become a better driver. I was looking forward to showing it this summer but that appears to be in question with the virus... Al
Looks better at stock height. However I really like the black car if I had the choice.
I assume you mean my black 57 car. It is pretty special to me and would be the last thing to leave my garage if I started to sell my cars. It was featured in Chevy High Performance in Feb.2020. Here is the link to it; https://www.hotrod.com/articles/1957...mageId=1047426
or google;
alhewitt57chevy.
Again I'm not trying to switch cars as this is a Corvette site but it is looking like a virtual car show season the summer.
Thanks... Al
