My new project
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Northfield MN
My new project
Hi guys, I'm new to the forum. Well it only took 2 months but I finally found the perfect project for me.
It is a 1978 L82 4 speed. I bought it from a guy who rebuilt the engine. He put in a new cam and changed the compression ratio to 10:1 because he intended to race it. The engine sounds great even though it idles at around 1100 rpm. After letting it sit for twelve years he decided to sell it.
We picked it up on monday and 147 miles home without a problem. 2 miles away from home we almost missed a turn and did a slightly harder stop than before. All of a sudden we hear 2 loud bumps followed by the sound of a chain dragging. We get out to check and the vette is sitting a foot away from the suburban we were towing it with. The rear tow strap had snapped and the car launched over the 2x4's that we nailed down. Then it bounced over the 9 inch tall front lip on the trailer. I can't believe that I almost lost my car before I had it in the garage. The only damage I have found is that one exhaust pipe is slightly bent. We were pretty lucky.
More pics to follow
It is a 1978 L82 4 speed. I bought it from a guy who rebuilt the engine. He put in a new cam and changed the compression ratio to 10:1 because he intended to race it. The engine sounds great even though it idles at around 1100 rpm. After letting it sit for twelve years he decided to sell it.
We picked it up on monday and 147 miles home without a problem. 2 miles away from home we almost missed a turn and did a slightly harder stop than before. All of a sudden we hear 2 loud bumps followed by the sound of a chain dragging. We get out to check and the vette is sitting a foot away from the suburban we were towing it with. The rear tow strap had snapped and the car launched over the 2x4's that we nailed down. Then it bounced over the 9 inch tall front lip on the trailer. I can't believe that I almost lost my car before I had it in the garage. The only damage I have found is that one exhaust pipe is slightly bent. We were pretty lucky.
More pics to follow
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Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,876
Likes: 1
From: Jersey Shore Exit 98
close call. car looks good, not crazy about the wheels. w/the big cam 1100 idle is normal any lower and the engine will rock & roll like an old washing machine. good luck w/the project keep us posted & keeping updating the pic's 
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Northfield MN
Thanks for the tip. He did start it up before we bought it. It had 10 year old gas sitting in the tank and after a new battery, it started beautifully. Having the idle at 1100 just barely keeps it from shaking the whole car while it sits but it is so smooth when you accelerate. He did tell me that it was because of the short cam but I do not fully understand why.
The interior basically doesn't exist but the engine bay 99% complete so any suggestions on where to start or what not to do would be much appreciated, thanks Joe
The interior basically doesn't exist but the engine bay 99% complete so any suggestions on where to start or what not to do would be much appreciated, thanks Joe
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,301
Likes: 4,391
From: Westminster Maryland
I think the first thing to do is to assess just what you have. Then work on what you need to do to make it dependable and safe to drive. I wouldn't worry too much about cosmetics at this point. I'd start a list on a long sheet of paper of parts you're going to need.
Could be a whole lot of fun!
Regards,
Alan
Could be a whole lot of fun!
Regards,
Alan
Racer
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 433
Likes: 0
From: Show me a cold beer and I will show you a happy man Maryland
Like when the strap breaks and then gets wraped around the rear axle.... Lsat time I ever used straps. Good luck with the vette and keep pics commin!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 2,231
Likes: 7
From: Fort Pierce Florida
PLAN WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO DO TO THE CAR BEFORE TURNING A SINGLE WRENCH!! Decide on what exactly you want to use the car for, how you want it to ride, what level of performance you want, and what you want the car to look like when you're done. Otherwise you could spend thousands of $$$'s and hundreds of hours and still not have exactly what you want. Your car is in the perfect condition to do whatever you'd like to it. It may never be this way again!
Take it from someone who's been there......a couple times
Take it from someone who's been there......a couple times
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Northfield MN
Thanks for the advice, I can't wait to turn this into an over-powered daily driver. the last owner wanted to race it so he tuned the engine pretty nicely.
Unfortunately, I already have a stupid question. I was putting the air cleaner on yesterday and it did not seem to fit right. I got out my assembly line manual to see if I was missing a part but it did not have any real good pictures. So my question is: Should there be any sort of spacer/bracket/gasket between the air cleaner and carb? The air cleaner already seems to sit a little high for the hood, but I don't actually have the hood on so I am not sure.
Unfortunately, I already have a stupid question. I was putting the air cleaner on yesterday and it did not seem to fit right. I got out my assembly line manual to see if I was missing a part but it did not have any real good pictures. So my question is: Should there be any sort of spacer/bracket/gasket between the air cleaner and carb? The air cleaner already seems to sit a little high for the hood, but I don't actually have the hood on so I am not sure.