73 Before & After
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,084
Likes: 14
From: Airdrie Alberta
It almost makes me wish I pulled my body off and restored frame up.
..almost, but I don't know if I could afford the divorce attorney
..almost, but I don't know if I could afford the divorce attorney
Its the way to go if you really want to do a thorough job rebuilding and refinishing everything. With these cars being 30+ years old and through many owners & driving conditions many of the components are toast. I wanted to start from scratch and replace all the wear items and items like fuel/brake lines that are just a PIA to get at with the body on.
I think it taxes my wifes patience at times but I think she is happy being able to open the garage door and know where I am. Also I keep promising to take her for summer drives with the T-tops off in her halter top
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,084
Likes: 14
From: Airdrie Alberta
Its Alive!!
Must be the season for people getting thier rides started.
Fired right up, didn't leak a drop, no exhaust leaks...very happy camper.sounds pretty healthy with the headers, XE268 cam and Magnaflows!. Only screwup was I dropped the distributer in the standard chevy way so I may have toasted the tach cable
..then I realized the corvette way of shifting the plug leads over by 1 to get a better angle on the cable....crap, hope I didn't fry the tach gear in the dist. 
Sorry no video at this time, son has the camera.
Now I really have the bug to drive it!
Must be the season for people getting thier rides started.
Fired right up, didn't leak a drop, no exhaust leaks...very happy camper.sounds pretty healthy with the headers, XE268 cam and Magnaflows!. Only screwup was I dropped the distributer in the standard chevy way so I may have toasted the tach cable
..then I realized the corvette way of shifting the plug leads over by 1 to get a better angle on the cable....crap, hope I didn't fry the tach gear in the dist. Sorry no video at this time, son has the camera.
Now I really have the bug to drive it!
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 7,615
Likes: 142
From: Lake Simcoe..... Back in Black baby!!!
Toronto Events Coordinator
Its Alive!!
Must be the season for people getting thier rides started.
Fired right up, didn't leak a drop, no exhaust leaks...very happy camper.sounds pretty healthy with the headers, XE268 cam and Magnaflows!. Only screwup was I dropped the distributer in the standard chevy way so I may have toasted the tach cable ..then I realized the corvette way of shifting the plug leads over by 1 to get a better angle on the cable....crap, hope I didn't fry the tach gear in the dist.
Sorry no video at this time, son has the camera.
Now I really have the bug to drive it!
Must be the season for people getting thier rides started.
Fired right up, didn't leak a drop, no exhaust leaks...very happy camper.sounds pretty healthy with the headers, XE268 cam and Magnaflows!. Only screwup was I dropped the distributer in the standard chevy way so I may have toasted the tach cable
..then I realized the corvette way of shifting the plug leads over by 1 to get a better angle on the cable....crap, hope I didn't fry the tach gear in the dist. Sorry no video at this time, son has the camera.
Now I really have the bug to drive it!
Can you post a few more "finished" product pics?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,084
Likes: 14
From: Airdrie Alberta
some more before & after photos.
Right after pulling the body off and i'm thinking have I bitten off a bit too much?
This looks a bit better!
I ordered most of my parts from Corvette Central on the start to finish plan...The online ordering was TOO easy and I had to ban myself from the pc at times. The heavier parts like brake rotors and steering parts I purchased locally.
Some of the parts purchased were Stainless brake& fuel lines, 2.5" Exhaust with Magnaflow mufflers, rebuild kits/gasket sets for trans, steering box, rear end, Energy Suspension poly bushings, VP&B 460lb front springs, Front & Rear Addco sway bars, KYB Gas shocks, new Rotors, BFG TA 255-60-15 tires and tons of other bits and pieces
Day before drop and Body on checklist is taped to windshield...check all fasteners, bolt placement for crossmember, parking brake pully etc...good thing I did because they were in wrong.
It is sure nice working on this stuff with the body off. I had to replace the header reinforcement due to rust...piece of cake in this position
Actuators were in good shape so I just replaced dust boots. I found the repo seals were not as heavy gauge as OEM so I left the originals in until they fail..
pretty grungy under here...ran well but things are getting tired like clutch and suspension pieces
Revitalized!, anxious to see what this mouse motor will do
Damm! I think I found Ms Belvedere!!
Amazing what some elbow grease and a sandblaster will do
This is what a damp west coast climate will do (Vancouver)
Now I'm going to be afraid of driving it in the rain!
I haven't shown any body/interior pics as that will be next winters restoration project....now its time to enjoy the fruit of my effors and gette some Vette waves in for the Summer!
Right after pulling the body off and i'm thinking have I bitten off a bit too much?
This looks a bit better!
I ordered most of my parts from Corvette Central on the start to finish plan...The online ordering was TOO easy and I had to ban myself from the pc at times. The heavier parts like brake rotors and steering parts I purchased locally.
Some of the parts purchased were Stainless brake& fuel lines, 2.5" Exhaust with Magnaflow mufflers, rebuild kits/gasket sets for trans, steering box, rear end, Energy Suspension poly bushings, VP&B 460lb front springs, Front & Rear Addco sway bars, KYB Gas shocks, new Rotors, BFG TA 255-60-15 tires and tons of other bits and pieces
Day before drop and Body on checklist is taped to windshield...check all fasteners, bolt placement for crossmember, parking brake pully etc...good thing I did because they were in wrong.
It is sure nice working on this stuff with the body off. I had to replace the header reinforcement due to rust...piece of cake in this position
Actuators were in good shape so I just replaced dust boots. I found the repo seals were not as heavy gauge as OEM so I left the originals in until they fail..
pretty grungy under here...ran well but things are getting tired like clutch and suspension pieces
Revitalized!, anxious to see what this mouse motor will do
Damm! I think I found Ms Belvedere!!
Amazing what some elbow grease and a sandblaster will do
This is what a damp west coast climate will do (Vancouver)
Now I'm going to be afraid of driving it in the rain!
I haven't shown any body/interior pics as that will be next winters restoration project....now its time to enjoy the fruit of my effors and gette some Vette waves in for the Summer!
Last edited by hwcoop; Mar 24, 2008 at 09:37 PM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,084
Likes: 14
From: Airdrie Alberta
Unbelievable work I can't wait to get to that stage; one day at a time
Howard
