Mechanical Restoration Help Needed
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 111
Likes: 2
Mechanical Restoration Help Needed
Mechanical Restoration Help Needed
Hey guys I have a 71 convertible with just over 100,000 miles on it the car is all original with the original paint in good condition. I want to get the engine, transmission, suspension, steering all the mechanical parts restored. I am looking to get done right but not looking for a concourse style restoration can anyone here give me some companies that do this? I am in the Midwest.
Thanks
Mike
Hey guys I have a 71 convertible with just over 100,000 miles on it the car is all original with the original paint in good condition. I want to get the engine, transmission, suspension, steering all the mechanical parts restored. I am looking to get done right but not looking for a concourse style restoration can anyone here give me some companies that do this? I am in the Midwest.
Thanks
Mike
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,729
Likes: 267
From: Austin Texas
Corvette of the Year Winner 2017
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
Done right, or half *** .... your choice?
I hope you have a big wallett if you are not gonna do this yourself.
your asking for a restoration minus the paint.
Usually the best method is a piece at a time,
unless your gonna tear down the whole car for a year or 2.
plan on pulling motor and tranny, send them out for rebuild.
then do all the suspension & Brakes while your motor and tranny are being worked on.
Seriously half the fun, and satisfaction of owning a vintage car like these is doing the work yourself,
it is not rocket sceince, and you can get all the guidance you need right here. good luck .... 69VETT
I hope you have a big wallett if you are not gonna do this yourself.
your asking for a restoration minus the paint.
Usually the best method is a piece at a time,
unless your gonna tear down the whole car for a year or 2.
plan on pulling motor and tranny, send them out for rebuild.
then do all the suspension & Brakes while your motor and tranny are being worked on.
Seriously half the fun, and satisfaction of owning a vintage car like these is doing the work yourself,
it is not rocket sceince, and you can get all the guidance you need right here. good luck .... 69VETT
Last edited by 69Vett; Jul 24, 2009 at 11:55 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,877
Likes: 13
From: Doha
St. Jude Donor '08
I just did a very similar restoration for my '71 coupe. I did the engine, transmission, steering, suspension, brakes, interior, A/C, and all of the electricals, it took me around 8 months and countless hours of labor (I was alone doing almost everything), the results were well worth all the sweat, tears, and blood.
You need to organize your job very well, otherwise you'll find yourself drowning with many uncompleted jobs and a lot of frustrations, I used to give myself a weekly tasks which I shoud complete in a whole weekend.
Just a couple of pictures for your inspiration, my engine bay before and after (well, still not fully completed yet) :
Before :
After :
You need to organize your job very well, otherwise you'll find yourself drowning with many uncompleted jobs and a lot of frustrations, I used to give myself a weekly tasks which I shoud complete in a whole weekend.
Just a couple of pictures for your inspiration, my engine bay before and after (well, still not fully completed yet) :
Before :
After :
Last edited by HamadUP; Jul 25, 2009 at 06:20 AM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 111
Likes: 2
Guys let me give you a little more information this is my Father in Laws car and I have three young kids that take up all of my time I would love to take on this project on but I don’t have any time at all so that is not an option. We are looking to get this car to a shop this fall and hope it is ready in the spring. I am looking to get the mechanical items on this car restored and try not to hurt the value maybe one day one of my sons and I can restore it top to bottom. Keep in mind this is a 350 engine car not a big block.
Thanks
Thanks
Drifting
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,480
Likes: 2
From: Circleville Ohio
Vader Vette
Guys let me give you a little more information this is my Father in Laws car and I have three young kids that take up all of my time I would love to take on this project on but I don’t have any time at all so that is not an option. We are looking to get this car to a shop this fall and hope it is ready in the spring. I am looking to get the mechanical items on this car restored and try not to hurt the value maybe one day one of my sons and I can restore it top to bottom. Keep in mind this is a 350 engine car not a big block.
Thanks
Thanks
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
The only way to accomplish what you want is to pull the engine and rebuild it and all of the mechanical devices attached to it (tranny, P/S pump, water pump, alternator, etc.). If you merely replace those items with rebuilt components, the car will no longer retain its 'originality'. Now, the only two ways I know to get that done are to do it yourself or have a good restoration shop do it. The first option is very time consuming, but doesn't cost a lot; the second option costs a LOT of money and usually takes a LOT of time. Any other repair shop [that you could afford] will just want to replace components, not rebuild them.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
I thought of a third alternative which you may [or may not] be able to pull off. If you take the engine and transmission to local rebuild shops and specify that all external pieces are to remain original, as well as all undamaged/reusable internal components, that may get them done properly. Then, perhaps you can parcel-out the other items to 'specialists' who are active on this Forum. They are very good at doing that work properly while using the original hardware; and they may be more affordable than some high-dollar restoration service. Good luck in coming up with a plan that works for you. It would be a real tragedy to lose all of the originality of that car to some general repair folks who don't really care about that type of thing.
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Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,270
Likes: 4,362
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi KT,
If I may, I'll suggest you contact some of the Missouri chapters of the NCRS. They may be able to suggest some shops for you.
Kansas City..... Gary Martin, 816-524-3751
St. Louis.... John Foster, 636-530-9812.
Give them a try.
Regards,
Alan
Here's a couple of pictures of my 71 to help encourage you.
If I may, I'll suggest you contact some of the Missouri chapters of the NCRS. They may be able to suggest some shops for you.
Kansas City..... Gary Martin, 816-524-3751
St. Louis.... John Foster, 636-530-9812.
Give them a try.
Regards,
Alan
Here's a couple of pictures of my 71 to help encourage you.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
Likes: 11
From: North Easton Mass
Another alternative if you aren't interested in a NCRS level or restoration at the moment is to remove the engine and trans and store them. Put in a crate engine and new trans, do similar things for the steering box and anything else you want to refurbish quickly. You will have the car back on the road quicker and it will probably cost a lot less $ than having everything rebuilt at this time. You will still have to have the suspension rebuilt but that is relatively easy and quick.
When the kids are older and can do useful things like moving heavy differentials around you can make the restoration a family project. I'd probably never see my sons if they didn't come over to work on the Vette with me on weekends.
Rick B.
When the kids are older and can do useful things like moving heavy differentials around you can make the restoration a family project. I'd probably never see my sons if they didn't come over to work on the Vette with me on weekends.
Rick B.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,871
Likes: 6
From: Sault Ste. Marie Ontario
Hi KT,
If I may, I'll suggest you contact some of the Missouri chapters of the NCRS. They may be able to suggest some shops for you.
Kansas City..... Gary Martin, 816-524-3751
St. Louis.... John Foster, 636-530-9812.
Give them a try.
Regards,
Alan
Here's a couple of pictures of my 71 to help encourage you.
If I may, I'll suggest you contact some of the Missouri chapters of the NCRS. They may be able to suggest some shops for you.
Kansas City..... Gary Martin, 816-524-3751
St. Louis.... John Foster, 636-530-9812.
Give them a try.
Regards,
Alan
Here's a couple of pictures of my 71 to help encourage you.
Nice car!
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,270
Likes: 4,362
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi Rick,
I didn't mean to suggest that he do a NCRS type restoration. I was offering some contacts in his locale that might make 'shop' suggestions, which is what Mike asked originally.
Regards,
Alan
I didn't mean to suggest that he do a NCRS type restoration. I was offering some contacts in his locale that might make 'shop' suggestions, which is what Mike asked originally.
Regards,
Alan
Racer
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 319
Likes: 0
From: Topeka Kansas
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14,’18
I just did a very similar restoration for my '71 coupe. I did the engine, transmission, steering, suspension, brakes, interior, A/C, and all of the electricals, it took me around 8 months and countless hours of labor (I was alone doing almost everything), the results were well worth all the sweat, tears, and blood.
You need to organize your job very well, otherwise you'll find yourself drowning with many uncompleted jobs and a lot of frustrations, I used to give myself a weekly tasks which I shoud complete in a whole weekend.
Just a couple of pictures for your inspiration, my engine bay before and after (well, still not fully completed yet) :
Before :
After :
You need to organize your job very well, otherwise you'll find yourself drowning with many uncompleted jobs and a lot of frustrations, I used to give myself a weekly tasks which I shoud complete in a whole weekend.
Just a couple of pictures for your inspiration, my engine bay before and after (well, still not fully completed yet) :
Before :
After :
Mike
