Hi,
I just bought a 78 t-top. I want to do a full body off restoration on this car, but I may have to do this in phases due to time and cost constraints. I am thinking of stripping the car, take care of some frame rust as the first step.

I would appreciate some expert advice on how to sensibly phase out this massive (the largest that I have ever done) project.

Thanks
~R

Here are some pictures.

 

Welcome, you have come to the right place

Depending on how bad the frame rust is, you might not be able to put off the "frame off" portion till later. If you plan to do a frame-off, it will be tough to do it in phases in my opinion. You will likely find new, unexpected problems as you tear apart the car, and if you are like me you will fix or upgrade things while it's apart that you originally had not planned on. I went all out into a frame off on my '69 about 18 months ago. I am maybe half-way done. It takes a lot of time and really should not be rushed if you want to do it right. Stripping/painting should be the last step after the chassis issues are all fixed (at least that's how I am doing it).

Good luck with your new project

p.s. Post up some more pics of the problem areas and you will get get plenty of advice.

 

Once you pull the body off you are going to want to replace/refurbish everything on the chassis. Some items, like brake and fuel lines, are much easier to replace while the body is off. You may as well replace or rebuild the trailing arms, front suspension, steering box, steering components, etc. so you don't have to do it again. You will of course want to repair, rustproof the frame inside and out and paint everything. In the end you will have an essentially new and probably improved chassis to set the body onto.

While the body is off you can rustproof and paint the rocker channels and any other metal pieces underneath the car, and generally paint and detail the underside.

You will need space to store everything while you are working on the chassis and body. I have managed to squeeze the body, chassis, 2 engines, 2 transmissions and various things like wheels and drivetrain parts into a single car garage, but it ain't easy.

Try to plan the restoration as a series of projects so that you can estimate the parts and materials needed. The costs mount up quickly, especially if there are expensive suprises. As an example, last week I removed the differential and found that one of the side yolks just slides out. I may be looking at a diff rebuild that I hadn't planned on that could run over $1K.

I'm not trying to scare you off of the project. You will learn a tremendous amount and even have fun from time to time. There's nothing more satisfying than wrestling with a rusty bolt for a half hour and finally seeing it loosen.



Rick B.

 

First I would make a list of all the stuff you want to rebuild/replace, purchase all the pieces, get estimates on stuff you'll "farm out", then have plenty of extra money set aside before you start. Good luck...

 

Good luck on your project. I have an L82 79 4 speed that came with new paint and interior when I bought it 5 years ago and have since replaced the transmission and clutch and had the rear end gone through. The work does take time but you know what you've got when you are done.

My 59 came as a roller with the body just sitting on the frame so it will be a big job (in my book anyway).

BTW 72 LS1, that side yoke likely just slides out because the snap ring came off the stub axle inside the differential case. IMO, I would definitely remove the snap ring from the case (might get it with a magnet as I have done before). If that is all that's wrong you might get by easy on that issue. All that snap ring does is keep that stub axle and side yoke from sliding out.....and if it's on the car the trailing arm will prevent it from sliding out so it seems to be somewhat of a non issue.

 

Plan on owning a NEW 78' vette for $30,000 + is that what you had in mind ? I'ts going to cost you a bundle unless, you paint & do everything yourself......regardless parts are a small fortune......
i admire your interest in such a large, time & money adventure......good luck with whatever you chose to do.......!

 

Lot of good advice in here. I started my body off in July, got ti all apart and about to start putting it all back together.
First thing you need is a PLAN. What do you want the car to be?
Do you NEED to do a body off? Just wanna spend a lot off $$ and time?
Do a serious analysis of what you have, what needs fixing.
Rust is a prime driver, rust in the birdcage, rocker channels, body mount pockets, fuel and brake lines.
If its an original 78, suspension and brakes will need to be done.
Make a plan, take and post pics
Welcome to the forum

 

I agree 100% ...I am getting my '69 from paint tomorrow and over the past several months I have been reviewing the parts inventory. Here is what I ended up doing...I look at how good the paint turned out and find it real difficult to put an old, less than perfect, part back on the car. Not cheap but I have replaced just about everything except the interior door panels...these don't look bad at all. Plan on spending some major cabbage but have fun doing it.

 

I like the look of that car


Good luck

 

The above is good advise. You will almost definitely have more money into the 78 L48 then it will worth to anyone but you when your done. Before you jumping in make a plan!!! What do you want when your done and what it will take to get there.

Good luck with your endeavour

 

Thanks to everyone who answered.
Extremely encouraging!!!

 

My Adivce: Don't start the frame off yet. Drive the car next spring and summer and make of list of what she actually needs. Do those first before tearing her down for a frame off restoration.

Personally, based on your pics, I don't see that she actually needs a frame off.

 

The diff wasn't making any unusual noises when we drove the car this summer so I'm guessing that there isn't anything seriously wrong. I'm going to pull the cover off this weekend and have a look inside. When the car is reassembled the diff is going to be powered by a healthy LS1 instead of the base 200HP engine so I want to make sure it's in good shape.



Rick B.

 

Post some pics of your frame "rust issues". If they are serious, you should not be driving the car, as it is not safe. Many knowledgeable folks here on the forum can help you to assess the damage. If the rust issues are not serious, then I agree with Easy Mike on driving the car while you make up your mind on what you want to do with it. The car looks like a decent driver, so I would leave stripping and painting off my list for a while.

Good luck!

 

Good idea 71rdster,
I will post some pictures of the frame this weekend and see if people think it needs frame off restoration.

The car came from a coastal town and had been sitting for over 2 years.

I see quite some rust on the frame, but not sure if it is serious enough to do a frame-off rebuild.

~R

 

I have a '78....my only question is why? Doing a frame off on that vintage of car is whole lot messier than on say a '67. Vacuum hoses, tons more elcectrical, etc. It is amazing what you can do frame on. A guy I work with bought his '78 at the same time I bought mine. He felt the only way to get it done was frame off. I restored mine in place. Our goals were the same, not BG gold, but a good show car that can be driven. That was 5 years ago. His is still in pieces and he has never drivne it a day. I have driven mine 10k miles and won a number of trophies and have had great fun. I have offered him $5k bucks for his in pieces a number of times and he still refuses. I figure another year or so and he will be ready. I work hard and fast, and I believe I could have it done in 6 months......