Ok, here is the deal.

About to start on a small restoration on my 77 and need some input.

I recently posted that I got my hands on this 77 and it was sitting for a while. After doing some homework sometime in its life the L48 was changed to a bored out L82.

Engine and tranny run very well but look old and some rust on the chrome parts. Liquids have not been changed in a while.

I ordered a complete new interior. Carpets, insulation, sound insulations, dash, seats, pretty much everything inside. Even some gauges.

Car also needs paint which I am planning on just painting for now and later on in the future maybe do a frame off and put it in a rotisserie to have it painted correctly.

So here is my question, do I start on the engine tranny or the interior? I think painting should be last or should I take out everything from inside and then get it painted. As stupid as it may sound not really sure were to sink my budget first?

This is not going to be a fast thing and she will be sitting in my Garage for a while so I have no hurry but really want to start the right way and not hate myself for starting on one section when the other was more important.

 

I would start on the engine, paint, then interior honestly.

 

First of all, if all they did was bore the block out (rebuild) without putting in a l82 crank, pistons... all you have is a bored out l48. All the work you are talking about is not a mini restoration. I would do all the mechanical stuff first, then strip the interior, paint and reassemble. If later you plan to do body off it doesn’t make much sense to paint the car now. Also Corvettes don't like rotisseries. They could crack.

Danny

 

I see no need to do anything with engine/trans if they are running good. You can spend some time cleaning and painting part to make it look better, but I would only go through parts that really need it. Get the fluids changed no matter what.

Not sure what your interior looks like but you can spend a week getting all that stuff put together.

What about Brakes/suspension? How does the stuff look, make sure its safe before driving it.

I would suggest paint being last, its gonna cost quite a bit. I would drive it while you can until you start your frame-off in the future. Unless the paint is just absolutley horrible, then I don't see a need to paint twice.

Sean

 

Its had two owners in its life. The previous owner actually dumped the L48 and replaced it with an L82.

In regards to interior and paint they are both in terrible shape. Its seems as if the paint and interior have not been touched since 77. Outside paint if very faded and sun burn. Inside seat have rips, door panels are all beat up and carpet is horrible.

Suspension and brakes are great. I actually shot a video of it a few days back but since I haven't been on in a while not sure if the Forum Police will allow me to post it as back in the old days they did not like seeing race videos on local streets.

But anyway, My wife shot a video of me coming down the block and this 77 eat the road in speed, torque, sound, suspension and braking. Yes, I even did a few donuts and it was incredible. Steering was near perfect and did not throw itself to any side. No smoke, no shakes all this with (I know you guys will be pist) liquids that have been in there for about three years.

I know I should, do the basic tune up first the regular liquid, plugs and all that stuff.

But, interior and outside paint are horrible and engine looks like if someone decided to sit on it and use it as a toilet. Valve covers have all the chrome pitting, headers look terrible just the engine alone looks like once they installed it in 82 they never bothered cleaning it.

On the bright side the bird cage and all exhaust actually the entire car does not have a single amount of rust.

I will post some pictures later on tonight so you can all see.

 

Sounds as though the mecahnicals are all functional so I'd change the fluids and leave them alone for a bit. Were it me, I'd want my car on the road at least til the end of driving season (although I see you are in Miami) so I'd leave the mechanicals and paint and fix the interior and come back to the rest. Brakes?? My order would be interior, paint, then engine dress up - again assuming drivetrain is functional. You can always keep the hood closed at cruise ins until you are ready to open it!

Sounds like you have a job ahead of you, enjoy it!

 

Work in small increments keeping the car drivable between jobs. It's a lot nicer to work on one you can drive than one up on blocks. My advice is to do engine/drive train work first and get the car safely drivable. Paint next. Interior last after paint.

Been there, done that.

 

Nothing worse than having a nice new interior with overspray on it. Paint first then interior, IMO.

 

Suspension, brakes, engine/tranny work get done with the frame (if you pull the body off). Sequence of work should be: frame/mechanicals, body work, paint, glass, interior. They are done in that order so you don't mess up what is already done. You can do them in any order....it's just more trouble and time.

 

Get an engine supply catalog (Summit, Jeg's etc.) and choose a dress up kit from one. Decide if you will paint the block orange, blue or black. Unless you have the headers Jet-Hot coated (or similar) or replace them they will look bad again real soon... your call. Acquire all these bits, and a nice name brand engine gasket set along with a transmission input and output seal. And some fresh motor and trans mounts. Choose a 3 day weekend, yank the ugly lump and have an engine dress up party in the garage. Power wash the empty hole and touch paint up as required, do a lube and tune while you're in there... then you're sure it will run and not leak all over the place while you sort the cosmetics. It's only a "car" if it runs... until then it's a "project"!

 

Thanks for all the input. That is why this forum rocks.

I was going for the interior first then engine and finish it with paint last but the tally comes up like this

3 votes for Engine, Paint and last Interior
1 vote Engine, Interior, Paint
1 Vote Interior, Paint and last engine.

I guess all the interior parts will be put to the side and will work on engine at least enough for it not to look so ugly then paint and interior last. I will have to swallow a happy pill every time I get into this.