Some updates:

Vacuum problems- I had a problem with the headlight vacuum system. When I would start the car, both headlights would pop up and stay there. I put new relays in as when I did some tests with a mighty vac, they turned up with some issues, so order a couple new ones. I have all new components, new headlight switch , hoses, valves, filters etc.

Still won't work. I trace it down to my new headlight switch doesn't hold any vacuum. Tear things apart, rebuild the switch a couple times and finally get it to seal.

So now they still pop up on start up, but then go right back down and all seems to work otherwise. I'm leaving well enough alone for now.

The moral of the story, is test your new components before you install them!!! Don't think, just because they are new they will work.

I have changed my mind and will be switching to C5 Sports Seats instead of the C5 Standard seats. The Sports Seats will work better with the Shark Bar and Shoulder harness. So I will be converting my seats to Sports Seats. Have new skins and padding on order and that should be next weekends project. I never knew it, but both the Sport and Standard seats use the same frame.

Here is a shot of the Shark Bar with the standard Seats. I do have bezels that can work in the Standard Seats to allow the belts to go through the backs and will sell the Standard Seat skins and bezels after I get the Sports Seats.


The Shark Bar really has to be final mounted after the convertible top is on, but at least I can get everything fit up now.



Here are two shot of the quick release lap belts. They are all mounted up and ready for the shoulder belts. I did have to take apart one buckle and reverse it so that both large buckles (driver and passenger) would be on the center side of the car and also so the latch lever would be towards the floor. Took some studying and dis assembly to get it reversed.






So I need to do the deck lid and then the seat skin swap next. After that I think I will start with the bumpers.

Random Photo....

 

I am remarkably impressed with your progress.

Are you planning on retaining the hard top and refurbishing that as well?

You have a gift.

 

I do have the vinyl covered hard top and at some point I will clean that up and get it in shape, but that is probably a next winters project. My soft top is still in progress as I didn't get it finished while the car was at paint like I planned. I will probably finish the soft top once the rest of car is complete.

Here is my convertible top rust repair thread.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...-question.html

 

Looking good, you are building a nice setup there.


Riggs.

 

 

My seat skins have not arrived yet, so I decided to tackle the front bumpers and grills, a few nights work plus about 10 hours today getting things lined up and looks OK. I did reuse all the brackets, even the broken ones that look like a lost cause. I stripped, welded and bent back into shape. That is probably why the fitting took so long as I had to figure out what the right angles were.


So this was a picture taken by the guy I bought the car from 4-1/2 years ago:



one I took during dis-assembly:



and now as of tonight:





To tired tonight to even think of whats next, just glad another thing checked off the old mental list of things to finish.

 

hey Rob this ride looks like a black diamond hand formed from piece of coal.it takes a guy with alot of passion to do what you have done..still cant wait to see complete with hood.did you decide which hood you will use?looks GREAT!

 

I still have to get the L88 hood back from the painter. He may drop it here as he takes trips in the area for parts. I'll go get it in a few weeks if he doesn't. It's about a 200 mile round trip so not rushing to get it.

I plan on putting the L88 hood on and trying it for awhile to see if I like it. So that will be my first choice at this time.

 

years ago at carlisle I saw a hood on 69. short hood with a 67 stinger molded on super nice job black with silver stinger must have been custom

 

did you have any problems in the #2 or #3 mounts if so could I see pics of what you did? thank you.

 

My #2 and #3 mounts were fine. The #4 body mounts were not great so I replaced those, but I was very lucky to have minimal birdcage rust issues, certainly nothing that was enough for me to have to replace the mount sections. I did remove the surface rust where I found it and treated those areas with POR 15, but again that was very minimal. The windshield frame had a few holes. I replaced one corner and cut out and welded in a couple small patches in the other.

 

subscribed in. Your vette is awesome. Nice work.

Mike

 

Tonight I installed the rear valance with the exhaust bezels. It didn't go to bad. I'm glad I spent time fitting it before paint as like others have discovered for some reason it was short, so had to extended it, as I recall about a 1/4" on each end. That is not easy because of the curves for the 1/2 round bezels used on a 69.

I should be able to get the rear bumpers on this week and hopefully by the weekend my seat skins will be here so I can get those finished up.

 

Great job! That is an incredible amount of work!

 

Car looks great Rob, I can't wait to get mine done. About your seats, is the drivers seat power? If so did you have to cut the floor for clearance? And...whats the shark bar for?

Rob

 

Rob,

I'm bolting the seats direct to the floor, no sliders no power etc. I can't imagine ever wanting to drive closer to the wheel than all the way back, so figured why add the height and issues with sliders or motors.








The Shark Bar are for racing style shoulder harnesses. I was going to cut and install bezels like the below picture, but decided to use Sports Seats instead that already have an opening in them the belts can go through. They use the same frame, just different skins and foam. My new seat skins should be here in the next few days.

This is what Gordonm did with his seats and you can see the Shark Bar there also.

 

Rear bumpers on, one more thing checked off. I found one NOS bumper (at least I think it was NOS as it had a GM sticker on the inside) on Craig's list and had one old one re-chromed.

It took some work to get the old bumper to fit up, the new one went on fairly easily, but I think it may be a newer GM repo not an NOS as I thought.

 

looking really nice, black 69's always look good to me.

 

 

I am so friggen jealous of you Rob!