hey guys,

i just joined the forum yesterday and Im excited to get started on my project. This week I'm setting up my work area so that i could begin on my project this weekend.

Can anybody give me some advice on where i should begin my project?

I figured that i should start with the engine. I'm planning on removing the engine and disassembling it so that i could clean it an replace any parts that are worn out or beyond repair.

I would upload photos as soon as possible in the thread but if anybody wants i have an album of the car in my profile if anybody wants to check it out.

Thanks

 

Kinda depends on your goals/plans....
Are you doing a rolling resto ? A frame off ? Budget ?

If you plan to drive it a little while you rebuild....I'd start with the brakes !

Fill us in a little better - welcome aboard !

 

It's a budget restoration. The car runs however, Im not planning on driving it while i work on it.

If you need more information on the car feel free to ask?

 

OK....couple more questions.....

Is it a numbers matching engine ?
On a 0 - 10...what would you say your skill level is ?

For example I'd give myself a good strong 7 - but I wouldn't try to rebuild an engine myself....

I'd probably drive it a little bit (as long as it's safe)....always have a pad of paper and start your sure to be huge list of what it needs vs what you want...if you're on a budget...

 

Put the work area on hold. Drive the car this weekend.

Tune it; get it safely driveable, then cruise the rest of the spring, summer, and fall. Get to know the car before doing anything else. Buy an owner's manual and read through it. Purchase the GM chassis service manual and the assembly instruction manual (AIM) and look through both.

While you're driving, start making a list of what the car needs immediately; what it will need in the future, and what you would like to do.

Do the immediate things first.
Future things can come later.
Like To Do Things will keep you busy from here on out.

It's a much more pleasant experience to work on a Corvette you can drive, than a project car up on jack stands.

Congratulations on your purchase.

 

It somewhat depends on the level of restoration you are going for and how much room you have. Whatever you do DO NOT throw anything away until you have replaced and fitted the new or replacement part on the car.
Best of luck

 

Even then....don't throw anything away !

 

This is my first restoration project. I honestly have no experience in working on cars. However, i always wanted to do this since high school but i didn't have the money to do it.

The main reasons why I am doing this is because not only do i want to make it a hobby. But i am studying mechanical engineering and I'm looking into a career in automotive engineering. This project is a start for me to familiarize myself with the components on a car, which is why i want to disassemble the engine, even though I have no experience.

The reason i got a corvette was because it has been my dream car since i was little, so i could enjoy it while i familiarize myself with an idea of a career.

The car has the original 350 engine, numbers matching, interiors in good condition and it runs. Problems that i was aware of when driving for the first time was that the oil pressure was real high, the brakes are completely worn out, needs a new paint job, the clutch slips, and it has a few rust spots under and the body has some small holes under the rocker panels. However, the entire car is original. it only had one owner and he never modified it in any way.

Right now am basically reading all the threads in this forum so i could learn about the car and how different members worked on their cars, i should be getting the assembly manual today from corvette central.

It also has the original manual it came with.

 

Now we know a little more....numbers matching 4 speed

I would store the original engine and go with a crate engine...

Oh....and read read read ! I have learned so much from just reading tons of stuff here ! It's a GREAT site....

Can't wait to see ya get into this !

 

If you want to learn about the engine before you tackle yours go to a junkyard and pick up a 350. They are very common and a good rebuild-able 350 at the junkyard is typically less than $500. That way you would also have a spare block and some parts if needed later down the line.

As for your restoration, if the car has brake issues but otherwise running fine, I would start with redoing the braking system.

 

Good idea on the junkyard engine
And mastering your brake system is a great place to learn a lot about Corvettes !

 

I'm not planning on doing a full on restoration since it's my first project. I have talked to editors from magazines that i have met on a RM Car auction that was here in Miami two weeks ago and they told me that the best car for a first project was one that had the its problems and it didn't have to be original. It was basically luck that i found this car with all its original parts.

I want to fix the car up so that i could learn about the engineering of a car. I'm not after showroom quality but i would like to fix it up so that it would be able to turn some heads while cruising around the city.

 

Didn't think about buying an engine from a junkyard...That will be good practice.

 

Slow down and smell the roses. Drive her for a while before you pull the wrenches out.

Trust me.

You'll get your first lessons in Corvette and automotive engineering.

 

I agree with Mike.
Drive it. Repair any safety issues.

 

 

Keep really good records.

 

I've got the first four Led Zep albums on vinyl. I've got The Beatle's Second Album. Buncha Seger on vinyl.

Those are good records.

 

Can't argue with that !

 

Rock On!!!