72LS1Vette Project making Progress
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
Likes: 11
From: North Easton Mass
72LS1Vette Project making Progress - Update 11/17/09
I haven't posted many pics of the project for a while because there wasn't much to show. Most of the Summer was spent sandblasting, cleaning, etc. - all the jobs we love to do in the hot humid weather. We made enough progress this weekend that the chassis is starting to look like something that might go under a car again so I thought I'd post some pics of the evolution for those who might not have seen the previous threads.
Starting with the body removal, this is what was underneath:
Picked up a solid 73 frame:
Spent way too much time sandblasting:
Coated everything with RustBullet:
Took a week vacation at Labor Day and got the frame painted:
And this weekend finally put on parts that have been in my basement for 2 years (long story):
Next weekend we're planning on rigging up a jig for the rear trailing arms so that we can put the wheels on and cleaning/painting the LS1. Hope to get the engine mounted the weekend after next.
Rick B.
Starting with the body removal, this is what was underneath:
Picked up a solid 73 frame:
Spent way too much time sandblasting:
Coated everything with RustBullet:
Took a week vacation at Labor Day and got the frame painted:
And this weekend finally put on parts that have been in my basement for 2 years (long story):
Next weekend we're planning on rigging up a jig for the rear trailing arms so that we can put the wheels on and cleaning/painting the LS1. Hope to get the engine mounted the weekend after next.
Rick B.
Last edited by 72LS1Vette; Nov 17, 2009 at 06:17 PM. Reason: update status
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Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
Likes: 11
From: North Easton Mass
Paul,
It took me long enough, didn't it? It's been almost a year since I bought the frame from you. I probably would have made quicker progress if last winter hadn't been so cold.
The frame looked like new after blasting. Ironically the only parts of the frame that had any pitting at all were the areas that had been sprayed with undercoating!
I'll be in touch when I get the body back onto the frame. I'm probably going to buy a 2nd shifter console plate in case I have to modify the console for the 6-speed shifter.
Thanks again for coming to the rescue with the frame.
Rick B.
It took me long enough, didn't it? It's been almost a year since I bought the frame from you. I probably would have made quicker progress if last winter hadn't been so cold.
The frame looked like new after blasting. Ironically the only parts of the frame that had any pitting at all were the areas that had been sprayed with undercoating!
I'll be in touch when I get the body back onto the frame. I'm probably going to buy a 2nd shifter console plate in case I have to modify the console for the 6-speed shifter.
Thanks again for coming to the rescue with the frame.
Rick B.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
Likes: 11
From: North Easton Mass
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 1,612
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix Arizona
WOW- a job well done!!! It's sad to see the old cars rust away back there..... I see that you are south of Boston- I was born in MA and lived down in Duxbury from 1977-1987......
Keep up the good work!
Bob
Keep up the good work!
Bob
It looks awesome Rick! 
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
Likes: 11
From: North Easton Mass
Someone else with a similar setup had a metal shield around the components to keep rocks, etc away. I like that idea and I'm going to make a shield from hardware cloth or thin sheet metal. BTW, the location I chose won't work if you want to keep your spare tire in place. I decided to delete the spare so I have plenty of room for the fuel system and any crazy exhaust system ideas that may come up.
Rick B.