'78 Pace Car
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
'78 Pace Car
Hello. I am new to the fourm and wanted to get some advice. I just inherited my father-in-law's '78 Pace Car. It has been sitting outside for the better part of 20 years and needs a lot of work. He had the stock L82 replaced with a supercharged engine from Larson Engineering sometime in '79 or '80. I just found out that both engine blocks are cracked. I want to get it running again and have it as a weekend driver just for sentimental reasons. Anyone have any ideas on where to find a good, reasonable 350 crate engine or know any good engine shops in Dallas, East Texas, or Shreveport, LA?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 5,236
Likes: 898
From: Myrtle Beach SC
You've got some pretty active NCRS chapters in Texas and those guys know their stuff as well as where do to get stuff...good luck. I'm plowing through a 56k mile Pace Car that has been mechanically neglected and sat out so share the dillema you fact except I've got a motor that works.
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Thanks guys. I look forward to bouncing some ideas off you in the future. Here is a link to photos the "before" pictures.
http://picasaweb.google.com/desull77/Corvette
http://picasaweb.google.com/desull77/Corvette
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
If you just want something 'servicable' and are looking to minimize the cost, do a search on the web for "auto engine rebuilt" and investigate some of the other rebuild suppliers (Jasper, etc.). Those are just 'production-similar' rebuilds [hp/torque likely a bit less than stock], but you can paint the block the correct color to make it look nearly stock. GM crate engines are fine...don't know if quality, power, reliability, and/or cost is your primary factor for your purchase.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 7,032
Likes: 2
From: Newburgh NY
Greetings, and welcome.
You may have already done so or plan to but as the car has sat for so long outdoors you would probably want to get it up on a lift and make sure that the frame is solid (no rust).
Also, before dropping a new motor in, assuming the frame is good, I would start going through the steering, brakes, and electronics to make sure before you put the hammer down with that new engine that the car is safe.
Again, you probably considered these, but just wanted to mention it to be sure. Good luck with your project.
You may have already done so or plan to but as the car has sat for so long outdoors you would probably want to get it up on a lift and make sure that the frame is solid (no rust).
Also, before dropping a new motor in, assuming the frame is good, I would start going through the steering, brakes, and electronics to make sure before you put the hammer down with that new engine that the car is safe.
Again, you probably considered these, but just wanted to mention it to be sure. Good luck with your project.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
Greetings, and welcome.
You may have already done so or plan to but as the car has sat for so long outdoors you would probably want to get it up on a lift and make sure that the frame is solid (no rust).
Also, before dropping a new motor in, assuming the frame is good, I would start going through the steering, brakes, and electronics to make sure before you put the hammer down with that new engine that the car is safe.
You may have already done so or plan to but as the car has sat for so long outdoors you would probably want to get it up on a lift and make sure that the frame is solid (no rust).
Also, before dropping a new motor in, assuming the frame is good, I would start going through the steering, brakes, and electronics to make sure before you put the hammer down with that new engine that the car is safe.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,720
Likes: 12
From: Chattanooga TN
sounds like the basic crate 350 will suit your needs. If you have some mechanical aptitude you could do a fuel injection conversion since you have to take it out anyway. You could buy a TBI 350 from a 87-99 truck or van and a harness and a few other parts and have a reliable inexpensive driver engine.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 183
Likes: 0
From: Corpus Christi TX
from the pics you posted i couldnt see where the block was cracked at cause the pictures just showed a rusted block that with the right touches could be back in workin order soon. but i agree with the others getting in on a lift and checkin the frame is probably the first thing i would do no sense in tryin to rebuild when your frame is fallin apart
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,458
Likes: 1
From: Collinsville MS
St. Jude Donor '08
I agree with the others after looking at your pics, looks like that girl has been sitting out in the cold for awhile. Check the stuff the others mentioned and pull your interior pillow moldings from around the windshield and check for rust. You can get into a whole bunch of $$ if you have to replace all that. That looks a lot like mine did when I picked it up. But she's almost all new now.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,483
Likes: 1
From: Bay Area CA
Hello. I am new to the fourm and wanted to get some advice. I just inherited my father-in-law's '78 Pace Car. It has been sitting outside for the better part of 20 years and needs a lot of work. He had the stock L82 replaced with a supercharged engine from Larson Engineering sometime in '79 or '80. I just found out that both engine blocks are cracked. I want to get it running again and have it as a weekend driver just for sentimental reasons. Anyone have any ideas on where to find a good, reasonable 350 crate engine or know any good engine shops in Dallas, East Texas, or Shreveport, LA?
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Thanks guys. I got to spend some time looking over the car this weekend. I think i underestimated the amount of work that it is going to take. At this point I am not sure what I am going to do.
How can i found its value in current condition, in case I try to sale it. Any ideas?
How can i found its value in current condition, in case I try to sale it. Any ideas?
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Selling in its present condition will net you very little for the car. Your best bet would be to get it to a running status. There is some work required, but all of it would "pay" you nicely for the work you put into it. If you don't have good auto maintenance skills and you don't want to refurbish it for yourself, they you probably should sell "as is". You can price it at $9500, but I doubt that you could sell it for much more than $6000 in its present state.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,389
Likes: 9
From: Seabrook Texas
St. Jude Donor '05
Being that it is a Pace Car, that will help you but if the frame and bircage is shot then it does not matter what it is. If it is a solid frame and birdcage then it is still going to cost you$$ to get it running. As some have said a minimum is suspension, steering, brakes and obviously a motor. My concern is if you did do all that you now have a PAce Car with out a matching #'s motor wich then will drop the value of the car.
I think you are in a no-win situation unfortunately. You may want to consider parting the car out if you want to get some $$.
With all that said if it is sentimental and the frame and birdcage are not rotted. Then keep it as a Pace Car put a sweet motor in it and mod it as much as you want and not worry about the value of the car and enjoy it.
Good luck, it looks like you have your work cut out for you!
(PS if you decide to part the car out and the t-tops are M-1131's let me know, I might take them off your hands).
I think you are in a no-win situation unfortunately. You may want to consider parting the car out if you want to get some $$.
With all that said if it is sentimental and the frame and birdcage are not rotted. Then keep it as a Pace Car put a sweet motor in it and mod it as much as you want and not worry about the value of the car and enjoy it.
Good luck, it looks like you have your work cut out for you!
(PS if you decide to part the car out and the t-tops are M-1131's let me know, I might take them off your hands).
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,389
Likes: 9
From: Seabrook Texas
St. Jude Donor '05
Thanks guys. I got to spend some time looking over the car this weekend. I think i underestimated the amount of work that it is going to take. At this point I am not sure what I am going to do.
How can i found its value in current condition, in case I try to sale it. Any ideas?
How can i found its value in current condition, in case I try to sale it. Any ideas?
Selling in its present condition will net you very little for the car. Your best bet would be to get it to a running status. There is some work required, but all of it would "pay" you nicely for the work you put into it. If you don't have good auto maintenance skills and you don't want to refurbish it for yourself, they you probably should sell "as is". You can price it at $9500, but I doubt that you could sell it for much more than $6000 in its present state.
I would guess in the $2000 to $3000 range.
I think $6000 would be fair for a matching #'s Pace Car that would still need alot of TLC?
Once again it is only my $.02 good luck with whatever you decide.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,740
Likes: 3
From: Aurora Ontario
I would look into it a bit more. I'm not sure which is more interesting, the Larson engine or the car.
I would check the frame as suggested. Keep all the parts including the cracked block...if its the original.
If you decide to restore it do the Larson Engine. Mothball the original.
The frame might be okay. The car looks pretty staight. Hard to tell from your pictures. How does everything line up? How is the the spacing around the doors? Any evidence of saging?
Jim
I would check the frame as suggested. Keep all the parts including the cracked block...if its the original.
If you decide to restore it do the Larson Engine. Mothball the original.
The frame might be okay. The car looks pretty staight. Hard to tell from your pictures. How does everything line up? How is the the spacing around the doors? Any evidence of saging?
Jim
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
The frame is solid. The doors swing and lock and perfectly. I found out that the original block is long gone. If i keep it i am going to gut it and start over. I thinking about a fuel injection setup since i want a driver and not a hot rod. Any ideas?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,720
Likes: 12
From: Chattanooga TN
Last edited by markdtn; May 14, 2008 at 12:29 PM.
