Engine Compartment Clean-up (Advise Needed)
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 241
Likes: 0
From: Aubrey TX
Engine Compartment Clean-up (Advise Needed)
Hi,
My son and I are restoring a '73 and have done a frame off restoration. We just lowered the body and mounted it and now are looking at the next project on hand, the engine compartment since we still have the engine out.
We have pressure washed the entire underside of the body and engine compartment before the body was lowered. He wants to smooth out the firewall and surrounding compartment surfaces to provide a more finished look. I know that some of you prefer originality in a restoration but this car is not a show quality car and it will never be.
My question is what can be used to provide a more finished look to the engine compartment fiberglass? Should we coat with resin and sand smooth or is there a filler compound that would provide better results?
You 're input is appreciated
Ted
My son and I are restoring a '73 and have done a frame off restoration. We just lowered the body and mounted it and now are looking at the next project on hand, the engine compartment since we still have the engine out.
We have pressure washed the entire underside of the body and engine compartment before the body was lowered. He wants to smooth out the firewall and surrounding compartment surfaces to provide a more finished look. I know that some of you prefer originality in a restoration but this car is not a show quality car and it will never be.
My question is what can be used to provide a more finished look to the engine compartment fiberglass? Should we coat with resin and sand smooth or is there a filler compound that would provide better results?
You 're input is appreciated
Ted
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 4,135
Likes: 1
why not just paint it like everyone here does? do a post ''lets see your engine compts'' and get some ideas one guy here has all yellow w. black paint splattered .. looks cool,,,mines just g m black can you post a photo so i understand what you wann glass up under there???
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,891
Likes: 2
From: Baltimore MD
Originally Posted by 73C3
Hi,
My son and I are restoring a '73 and have done a frame off restoration. We just lowered the body and mounted it and now are looking at the next project on hand, the engine compartment since we still have the engine out.
We have pressure washed the entire underside of the body and engine compartment before the body was lowered. He wants to smooth out the firewall and surrounding compartment surfaces to provide a more finished look. I know that some of you prefer originality in a restoration but this car is not a show quality car and it will never be.
My question is what can be used to provide a more finished look to the engine compartment fiberglass? Should we coat with resin and sand smooth or is there a filler compound that would provide better results?
You 're input is appreciated
Ted
My son and I are restoring a '73 and have done a frame off restoration. We just lowered the body and mounted it and now are looking at the next project on hand, the engine compartment since we still have the engine out.
We have pressure washed the entire underside of the body and engine compartment before the body was lowered. He wants to smooth out the firewall and surrounding compartment surfaces to provide a more finished look. I know that some of you prefer originality in a restoration but this car is not a show quality car and it will never be.
My question is what can be used to provide a more finished look to the engine compartment fiberglass? Should we coat with resin and sand smooth or is there a filler compound that would provide better results?
You 're input is appreciated
Ted
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
Likes: 263
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
this is what we did and don't forget insulation and new hoses
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 241
Likes: 0
From: Aubrey TX
Yes, we are doing a heck of alot of work but the car was in really rough shape, Bubba fixed everything, and I mean everything and what he did not fix, his brother Junior fixed. 
It's my son's first car and he wants to do a custom interior and dash out of fiberglass. He loves this car and has worked very hard on the frame off. The reason I say it will never be a show car is that is not going to be original as it came from GM and is not numbers matching.
I guess he wants the engine compartment to be slick, as in a steel car. The firewall is somewhat rough. Not sure what to use to make it slick thus the question.
By the way, cool engine Vette70. This will give us some inspiration!!
Ted
It's my son's first car and he wants to do a custom interior and dash out of fiberglass. He loves this car and has worked very hard on the frame off. The reason I say it will never be a show car is that is not going to be original as it came from GM and is not numbers matching.
I guess he wants the engine compartment to be slick, as in a steel car. The firewall is somewhat rough. Not sure what to use to make it slick thus the question.
By the way, cool engine Vette70. This will give us some inspiration!!
Ted
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 20,979
Likes: 384
From: South of giving a damn
St. Jude Donor '11, '17
Even though a car is not original or whatever, there are still lots of people that will appreciate your hard work for what it is. A NCRS car is nice, but I really enjoy looking at custom rigs too. GM did not design the perfect Vette and everyone is free to take their shot at it. Do it in any way that pleases you & then show it off. Others will appreciate looking at your efforts.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,434
Likes: 0
St. Jude Donor '07
My car was originally equiped with air. My dad made a fiberglass panel and then we put bondo glass over it to smooth it out. I still need to clean up the hood latches and the top of the fire wall.
This is my engine after I cleaned my vlave covers and made bolts that actually fit.
This is my engine after I cleaned my vlave covers and made bolts that actually fit.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,891
Likes: 2
From: Baltimore MD
I don't belong to NCRS - The National Council of Corvette Clubs (NCCC) allows for "Custom" cars to be judged. So that's where my 1981 will be cause by the time I am done she will have a bit of 76 through 81 in or on her. For example I really don't care much for the 1981 tail and back up lights - the Bright trimmed rings last used in 79 look a heck of a lot better - so that's what I am using.
