Im moving from San Antonio to Melbourne FL on the Atlantic coast in October. I just wanted to see if anyone was near or around the area or at least knew of a good C3 mechanic close.
thanks

 

good luck with the move

 

The guy my Dad took my 'Vette to was pretty darn good. It'll be about a 60 mile trip for you though. He lives near Orlando, a straight shot across 192.

 

Can't help you with a tech choice, but Melbourne is a really nice city.......the last time I went the was in the fall of 2008.

 

2-3 guys on my contact list that know vettes really well...

we all retarred now, so our advice comes at a high price....

but seriously, email/PM me if you need help, and I can pass on the email and maybe they can help....

 

Thats not a bad drive for someone who knows what they are doing. I recently had a crate engine installed and trying to get the timing/carb set up properly has been a bear. Lars has really helped me out a lot but Im more of a driver not mechanic so someone that knows exactly what to look/listen/feel for and then how to correct it would be great. When I got the engine from the installed (A Jasper 430hp/500 ft-lb 454) The timing was set up to their conservative specs, 4* initial timing with the vacuum advance unhooked. Lars told me to set it up like normal with 36* at the standard 2500ish rpms and let the initial fall where it may. When I did that now the initial timing is 25*. Seems a little high to me. Distributer is a Dragonfire HEI with the MR Gasket gold springs installed. With the vacuum advance hooked up I get right at 34* at idle 52* at 3000 rpms. Lars told me that if it wasnt knocking, idle was good, and it didnt kick back on the starter that it was not going to hurt anything. On to the carb. Out of the box speed demon 750VS (th400 trans) It had the customary passing gear stumble so Lars suggested going to a 35 shooter. Helped immensely. Some more playing around with the secondary springs should perfect it. Overall it runs really good now with his help. In fact it will lay 2 black marks down from a 30 mph roll and bark the tires coming out of passing gear on the highway but idle still isnt perfect and Im positive there is some more power a better response to be had. I just need a good carb/distributer person that knows BB chevys to finish it off. If you could get me the name of the Orlando shop Id be most appreciative. I cant wait to roll the thing off of the trailer (Im not driving it 1200 miles in the summer without AC) and cruise Cocoa Beach with the top down.

 

I'll call my Dad and get his name and number for you. He's the guy that built my trans and did the roller cam swap.

 

i live a bit south of you (hollywood/ft lauderdale). if you are traveling (probably somewhere around the same drive time), there are a couple of great places in the ft lauderdale area. if you strike out, PM me and i'll get you the information on places down my way.

 

I've been working a few when we go down for the winter season but within a 20 mile radius of Ft. Myers.

 

Good luck with the move----GREAT part of the state

Always a lot of car/Vette related events going on, much more than where we live (about 150 miles south of Melbourne). I'm sure any of the locals at the car shows would be happy to point you in the right direction.

 

Enjoy the move to Melbourne! Look up Space Coast Vettes, the local corvette club (www.spacecoastvettes.com). There is a corvette specialist in Melbourne, but I can't speak to his capabilities or reputation; the club's website lists e-mail links to the club's board members who could tell you about any local talent. They also host a great October event, "Vettes on the Avenue" in downtown Melbourne. Good luck!