So, I have been looking around for awhile for a '78 silver anniversary car to buy and restore. I have seen a number on the Internet that looked suitable but they are always in Pennsylvania, California etc. I found this car last Friday at Corvettes of Dallas , went to take a look at it and Viola!, it is in my garage.

As you can tell from the photos, it needs some work to get back to its glory days but that is what I was looking for. Now I have never tackled a project like this before, just done a few engine swaps and other shade tree stuff. However, I have been inspired by some of the threads here on the CF by folks who are no more experienced than I am tackling similar projects.

I will be searching past threads and posting frequently seeking the sage advice of the many knowledgable folks here as I get into this project. Any of you Dallas area C3 guys who want to stop buy and offer advice PM me, I can offer cold beverages and Corvette conversation to anyone willing to help keep me pointed in the right direction. I hope to do a frame off on the car and I am thinking of pulling the engine and tranny as a first step. Anyone with a different suggestion as to how to start, please chime in.

Forrest

 

Hi Forrest,
A new CORVETTE project!!!!
Well done!!!!
I may be able to help with some suggestions about the way to get started, documenting what you have, and controlling the thousands of parts you'll need to restore and then find again someday.
But.... if the car is driveable in a SAFE manner; why don't you drive it a bit to get to know it, and to get some idea of what needs the most work. Then start in on it.
Regards,
Alan

 

Looks pretty good overall, nice find, especially if it was a Texas car all it's life. I'm sure you'll enjoy the project and there are a great bunch of folks on here willing to help with the project, there's a lot of "been there done that" experience on here!!!!! Working on a 68 myself, but your's is a lot better off than mine

 

Thanks Alan. The car is driveable although it does have a slight pull to the right so there is a front end issue and it leaks a little oil from the right valve cover. The headlights do not go up (Surprise!) but it is certainly driveable in the daytime. I like your suggestion of driving it a bit before tearing into it and I will certainly do that. I would greatly appreciate any suggestions you might be willing to share regarding documenting the car and keeping track of all the parts. That task is one I have been thinking about quite a bit and it seems to me to be key to a successful restoration.

 

Steve, it is supposedly been a Texas car all of its life but I only have hearsay to that effect. I removed the kick panels and looked at the frame and suspension parts that I could get to and they only seem to have some light surface rust so I think the car is pretty solid.

 

If this is your first restoration only do what you can finish in a month or two. Any longer than that and you start hating the car. I'm in McKinney and can help with whatever you have going. There are lots of people in the area that can help with parts or ideas. I have three vettes at my house now so if you need to see something out in the open come on over.

Bill

 

Forrest, I am beginning the same resto as you are to the same car. Other than the seats are red in mine. I'm going to begin the first of the month to remove the body from the frame. I'm going to remove the engine after the body is off I think.
What is you time line to finish? I have a friend doing the same thing to a 73 along with me here in my shop. I'm going to document and photo my entire ordeal.
I have an automotive machine shop, so I've begun the engine already. I have a Dart little M 400 block with billit 4 bolt caps. Crower rods and JE pistons. A set of Canfield aluminum heads and am going to order a mild solid roller cam.
We'll have to stay intouch as this goes along. I suspect with paint I'll shoot for next spring.

 

Thanks Bill. I will take you up on that offer to look at what you have going on sometime. I have really been thinking about just taking the car all the way down to the frame and just starting to restore/replace or repair whatever needed it as I put it back together. But, I see your point about how a pile of parts might become a no end in sight kinda thing.

 

Indiancreek, I can't say that I have a good timeline for finishing but I do not want to drag it out forever. I don't have any other projects this involved going on right now so I hoped I might be able to complete it in 18 months or so. I don't know if that is realistic for a rookie but my plan is to get started in the next month or so and just keep at it as steadily as possible until it is done. How about you? When do you expect to have your car finished?

 

I'm shooting for Spring next year. I want to have the frame finished by mid summer. If I can help with your engine stuff let me know. Is your's a four speed or auto?

 

Mine's an auto. In a perfect world it would have been a 4 spd but this one was too good to pass up.

 

There's only one way to do it right for us guys who don't do it for a living.

Plastic baggies.

That's right.

Every time you pull bolts off something, drop it in a sandwich bag and LABEL it. Store all the bolts in tupperware or whatever sturdy containers. It makes things a complete breeze when reassembling the car. I saved myself countless hours by doing this.

Also, when possible, try to put bolts and nuts back on the part you took it off. Like the alternator adjusting bolt, just stick it back in it's threaded hole. Or if you take off the brake master cylinder, put the 2 nuts back on the vacuum booster. Makes your life even easier later.

Personally I wouldn't recommend a frame-off to start. You will end up feeling overwhelmed at some point and get very frustrted. I have done almost a complete restoration of my own 78 in small sections. I would only just now consider doing a frame off after gaining the knowledge of the cars I have now.

Your biggest hurdle is documentation is poor, scarce, and often incorrect. Even the Assembly Manuals often depict parts that were never used or were changed during production. Unless you've put one of these together once before, you'll end up spending 50% of your restoration time here on the forum searching why a wire is blue when the manual says it should be yellow and various little annoyances of the such.

Take it slow with small projects to start. You'll be much happier.

 

P.S. looks to me like you got an L82. Good find

 

Forrest

You may also share with us your restoration plans whether its to rebuild

1. to original factory specifications for NCRS specifications
2. a nice driver but retain originality
3. Over the top, restoration with "go fast" parts

It helps to know in advance so we can offer advice based on your plans rather than what we like.

Alan offers great advice. Operationally, you need to know what works and doesn't work so when you take it apart, you'll know what needs to be fix. We are talking about not only mechanical, but electrical as well. For example, do power windows roll up/down, power locks, tachometer, courtesy lights? radio, power antenna, etc. It's easier to replace parts when apart than have to go back in after you've finished.

PS: Congratulations! You'll enjoy the project.

 

Congrats on your new ride, hope you have fun with the new project, keep us posted.

 

Bag and mark EVERY screw and nut you pull out! EVERY ONE!

Trust me. I know. I'm suffering now putting the dash and console in my 78 back together right now. I was sure I'd remember it. WRONG!



Geno

 

Hey Bill is a good guy! take him up on his offfer.

FORREST!!!
I SWEARRRR I saw your driving your car down college/ohio around last weekend. You didnt see me in my green 75 but I waved. Il pm you with my number so we can set up a good time to meet. I also have three C3s at my house. I live off of hillcrest and rolator.

 

After seeing so many posts urging me to start slow, I think I will heed the advice and maybe get the motor and tranny out and go through them just to get the car running right. While their out I might dress up the engine bay. The body seems to be in good shape, just needs paint and maybe some work on the urethanes. I can see a number of small projects that could greatly improve the car a little at a time while keeping it driveable. Thanks for the input so far. I'll keep you posted on the progress.