I got the block all stripped down and ready to send to the machine shop, but what good is building an engine if it doesn't have a car to go in?

The car needs to be entirely rebuilt. I'm not going original, so all that is out. So what do I do? I'm planning on taking it right down to the frame to get that sanded and painted, but where should I start?

Not everything needs to be replaced, but the car has to be build with some mild performance in mind. The interior is a 7 outta 10, exterior about a 3 outta 10 (found Bubba's bondo). The suspension, front and back, are crap. Frame looks only like surface rust.

I know there's a billion of you who've done this, where did you start?

 

You stated down to the frame and that would indicate that you are going to lift of the body. I would set the engine aside for a moment and start the disassembly. You have the engine out making the engine compartment a good place to start. Continue on until the body is loose and you can roll out the frame. Keep track of all the small parts. You could bag them and attach them when possible to the part.

Once the frame is out you’re at the next stage of disassembly. Follow some of the threads that have provided step by step. Stinger 12 is well documented and currently a live thread. Continue with this thread and others will add advice an opinions on you progress and methods.

The reason I would suggest setting the engine aside; is that you may change your direction as you continue with the rest of the car. Save the engine for when you have a completed rolling chassie.

 

You'll have more knowledge of what you want when the rest is finish. That is, if you want power, and how much, or originality

 

I think a great addition to have is a assembly manual. I keep mine in a binder and the pages in plastic page covers (don't want dirty greasy pages).

 

Ya I bought the AIM a long time ago to do minor work, and it has been very useful. Especially when the words, "what the hell is that part?" come out of your mouth.

I've been using this person's restoration (forum member) page as a guide to really what I'll be doing.
http://www.corvette-restoration.com/
My only problem is I don't have a garage to keep parts dry. Lastly, I'm not sure as how long we'll be living in this house, and it would be a true PITA to move this car when its 100% disassembled. Guess I'm gonna have to take the risk eh?

You guys are right about the engine though. I can't tell you how many times I've changed my mind in the past year about its build. It'll be send to the machine shop to get tested and cleaned, along with the crank and rods. Then I can just pack that away.

So should I really start with a body off? It honestly needs it, but is my lack of space going to kill this project?

 

Seems there's gonna be alotta $ spent on '75 full paint, frame off & motor overhaul etc.

Seems that large $ might be better spent on a model with greater intrinsic value.

However, if the owner is fully-satisfied with a '75 and intends to keep for long time ... then by all means do it right.

 

Owner is fully satisfied with his '75

You're right though Jackson, if I could care less about this car, I would definitely sink money elsewhere. But the sentimental value is through the roof, especially with the wife. I don't ever plan to sell it.

Besides, if everyone keeps junking their rubber bumpers in search of more valuable bumper C-3s, maybe these will increase in value

I'll just keep telling myself that.

Any ideas on really where I should start Jackson? You always give some good input.

 

Id buy abunch of those plastic tubs(wally world) take pics of everything you can and put it in the box with those parts or even a video of the take apart process . that way when it comes time to re-do something out come the pic and maybe even a viedo!!!! the parts you dont re-use also will be eaiser to sell on E-Bay. do to the way you would be storing them. My Vett is A 75 if you put in a new stereo and dont want the original Dash piece I would be intrested in it mine has been cut.Vader vette is what I go buy on the forum.

 

I definitely plan on replacing the stereo, but I probably won't be getting to the interior for a looooong time. I was planning on keeping the dash since its in great condition as most of the interior is. Do you need the radio now?

 

i'm a not big $$$. what seems to work for me is fix stuff by priority and keep it on the road. the more i can drive and enjoy my car as in the process "fix it up", the better i feel about putting money into it. a drawn out restoration on my budget would cause a loss of interest and get the car sold.

 

Are you allowed to have a "tent" in the backyard?
One of these portable garages would put a temporary roof over your project
JU

http://www.portablesheltershops.com/...FQ66PAodLXTXYQ

 

It seems you don't have much if any decent place to do this job ... a job that'll probably take a long time ... and it seems there's more than possibility of an address change.

Every so often you'll hear of someone who lucks up on someone's abandoned/distressed/moving sale vette project ... gosh if this car is that close y'all's hearts .... mmm, I just dunno?

Maybe ... for the time being ... this project should be scaled back to "fix what's necessary"?

-edit- I was about to answer much earlier when I was called away ... but I answered as soon as I got back to it & then read some others had already done so ... I think jonfor and I may be on same page.

 

With what I have read

You could be taking a great risk If the car drives why not enjoy it as you collect parts and various items that you will need for the frame off. The moor prepared you are the better of chance that it will be completed in a reasonable time. Only you can measure that.

I have loaded up closets before with many new parts until my wife insist I get started. I have a couple of reasons for that method. 1st money; less inpact on the budget, 2nd patients; I have none and like to complete things at a faster pace.

 

I would wait on a body-off until you have a place to store parts. You will be suprised at how much space you need to store all of the things that you will take off doing a body-off restoration. For example - 4 wheels and tires, engine, transmission, brakes, frame, gas tank - all take up room and not all can be stored inside a house. If you have even a 1-car garage the project is do-able but you have to be creative about how you store things. Right now I have a rolling chassis with engine and trans mounted, body, original engine and trans and other parts housed in a 1-car garage. It's a PITA to work in there but it can be done.



Rick B.

 

This all being said, there are many ways you could go about it. Take a control arm off, clean it, paint it, install new bushings then reinstall it on the car. This way, when you have the space to do a body off, you have already done a lot of work on the suspension parts - they just need to be removed from the frame and set aside until the frame gets painted. I agree about the space part - you should see how many parts are in my room right now...its crazy. All you have to do is promise yourself that one day, when you have the space, you will separate the body from the frame. Do parts one at a time, reinstall them back on the car, and then when you have the space, take the body off. You can do it, it just takes time and effort

Jeremy Smith

 

Hey Jeremy, I've read thru your entire post. I do have alot of space in a very dry basement, plus I like the idea of putting everything in rubber boxes.

Like I said, the engine is completely out and torn down, so fixing a part and putting it back on is kind of a waste. Besides, the ENTIRE car really needs fixing.

I do have a nice "southern" garage, you know, a carport. Its just not enclosed. But I figured I could easily place a tarp over the frame while its not being worked on.

As for the body, I have a double-wide driveway, so I can set it on the other side with a car cover over it.

I would hate to have to wait 3 years to start on this car. I would like to be driving it in three years.

 

That's good to hear. I say go for it then...after you put lots of effort into it, you are't going to want to sell it even if you do have to move in the near future. I had a neighbor complain about my chassis in the driveway, and I had 2 weeks to get it out of the driveway before I got fined by the city. My neigbors are idiots - I can't wait till this thing is done and I rub it in their faces. On the other side of my house, I have a neighbor who thinks what I am doing is cool and is very supportive - he is an old guy. What you should do if you put the body in the driveway is cover it with a bolue tarp and make sure noone sees what it is - I know its hard to do, but that way you won't get fined buy the city for having a "dilapitated vehicle" in the driveway. I was so pissed when I got a message in my mailbox regarding my chassis, I couldn't beleive what I was reading. I decided to get to work on the chassis and I started to tear it apart, as you can see in my other thread. Like I said, go for it. All those ads you see in the paper of people losing interest are most of the time not because they have no space, it is because they didn't know what they were getting themselves into. Expect the worst, but hope for the best - that's is the way I see it. Once you put about a month's worth of time into it, you won't want to sell it. Good luck with the project and, if you do decide to tear it apart (I say go for it), post pics as you go...we'd all like to see the progress you are making

PS: I think the reason why I got reported was because most of my neighbors hate me and my family - they already had a grudge against us from previous incidents. Lesson learned - be nice to your neighbors, no matter how much you actually hate them

Jeremy

 

Yep, I think I am gonna go for it, when it warms up a little! Sucks that you have crappy neighbors, mine bug me all the time to see the car. I've had a handful of offers from people who wanna help. So I definitely have a supportive community.

I probably won't start a thread because it will be a very, very slow process. Before every little fix, I have to be dead sure I know what I'm doing, so I'll be doing alot of research. I might post an update every now and then, but my progress depends on too many factors (time, money, knowledge, etc.).

Now I gotta build myself that body dolly that you have there. How much did your body weigh by the way?

 

I'm not to sure how much it weighed...not much though. Invite five friends over and you will be able to muscle it off of the frame no problem. Add yourself in and 3 people per side on the body should do it. I have some plans for a dolly that kaiserbud made - its much easier to build than mine...it also looks like he used a lot less wood. I don't really have the plans for mine anymore...I was stupid and tossed them away after it was done. They are extremely detailed plans for the one kaiserbud made...PM me your email address and I'll send them to you tonight. If you plan on stripping all the paint off the body, I recommend you paint the dolly with some cheap outdoor paint like I did - it will prevent the wood from swelling/rotting over time (whenever you wash the body with water from a hose). You could just use pressure treated wood fromk the hardware store and won't have to paint it, but it costs way more. Send me a PM and I can help you out - its the least I can do

 

Actually I got plans for the dolly from some forum members website (http://www.corvette-restoration.com/body_removal.htm) which seems to be the one everyone is sending around. Is this the same on eyou're talking about? (scroll 3/4 of hte way down the page)