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New Guy w/ fixxer upper!

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Old May 11, 2005 | 06:56 PM
  #1  
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Default New Guy w/ fixxer upper!

Hello. This site was recommended by the folks at Team Camaro. I bought a '76 coupe while on leave last summer and it's been in storage ever since. (I've been TDY) Anyway, going home to get it this weekend and pretty darn excited about getting to work on it. It needs a lot, but still a good baseline to start from. It runs fairly decent, but kinda stumbles on the low end. Judging by what it takes to keep it between the white lines, I've got some steering, shock, or maybe body bushing issues? It's a little scary. With the exception of the door panels, the interior is ragged. I have a brown seat, and a black seat. Neither were bolted to the floor when I got it. The center guage cluster is destroyed by someone who apparantly really wanted that cassette tape deck. The swing arms (I think that's what they're called) in the back seem to be rusted from the inside. So much so that they have more of an oval cross section than rectangular. Big Bonus - the T-Tops don't leak and the headlights work! (most of the time)

Since I'm new to corvettes, I'm hoping you guys can give me a little guidance as I tackle the project. Thanks in advance! Hopefully, I can get it at least close to looking like some of yours. I've been browsing, and I'm impressed! I'm just wondering if my credit is good enough for me to keep up!

I uploaded pics to my profile and my gallery, but some of them are still pending approval, I guess?
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Old May 11, 2005 | 07:04 PM
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A new yellow vette. Have fun with you new toy. You have found the best corvette site on the web. Looking forward to seeing your new pics when they get approved. You can also try using www.photobucket.com for uploading pics.
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Old May 11, 2005 | 07:44 PM
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Welcome aboard! This is definitely a learning experience, but it is fun. Good luck and ask lots of questions.
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Old May 11, 2005 | 08:52 PM
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Sounds like you've got a full plate. A full front and rear suspension rebuild with new trailing arms is coming your way soon. If your TAs are that rusted I would also check the frame and bird cage closely before going too far. People here are always ready to help but you can also get lots of good info from corvettefaq.com and by searching the archives here. I hope that card has a nice high limit on it
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Old May 11, 2005 | 08:58 PM
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welcome to the forum and good luck with your project.
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Old May 11, 2005 | 09:17 PM
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Welcome to the insanity!

Good Luck w/the new money pit!

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Old May 11, 2005 | 09:20 PM
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Originally Posted by ACECO
Welcome to the insanity!

Good Luck w/the new money pit!


I could not say it any better.
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Old May 11, 2005 | 11:54 PM
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welcome and eat that elephant one bite at a time.....drive it in the summer and fix it in the winter, don't get that screwed up....
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Old May 12, 2005 | 12:19 AM
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welcome! you've found the right place!

Just a tip on that steerability issue about keeping it between the white lines: It might not be caused entirely by the front end. If the bushings are worn on those rusted trailing arms in the rear, that can cause your car to change lanes too. I almost found out the hard way but Van Steel "steered" me in the right direction.
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Old May 12, 2005 | 06:23 AM
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Thanks for the replies. I guess the suspension ought to be first on the agenda. I've read a few stories here, sounds like fun! I didn't think about the trailing arms being a potential culprit for my handling. The body does shift hard from side to side when making turns. At first, it made me want to overcorrect which made the problem worse when it shifted even harder to the other side - WHEW!

I'm leaving tomorrow to pick it up. I'll have plenty more questions when I get back!
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Old May 12, 2005 | 06:32 AM
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Originally Posted by gearpig
Thanks for the replies. I guess the suspension ought to be first on the agenda. I've read a few stories here, sounds like fun! I didn't think about the trailing arms being a potential culprit for my handling. The body does shift hard from side to side when making turns. At first, it made me want to overcorrect which made the problem worse when it shifted even harder to the other side - WHEW!

I'm leaving tomorrow to pick it up. I'll have plenty more questions when I get back!
We’ll be waiting right hear for your return.
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Old May 12, 2005 | 10:00 PM
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Welcome. It sounds as if you are going to have a lot of projects to work on and keep busy. I found that there is somebody here that has already done whatever project I was working on, and had good insight to what to do. That gave me a lot of insight into what to expect. You can probably expect the same, and get a lot of information real quick on this forum.

Good luck on getting all your projects done.

kdf
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Old May 12, 2005 | 11:12 PM
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Welcome.

One more yellow Vette!

Soon we will outnumber all the red ones!!!!!! (sinister laugh)

Pete
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Old May 12, 2005 | 11:17 PM
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Let us know when you are ready to start ordering parts. We carry everything you will need for that car. military personal get additional discounts above the already great forum discounts!!

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