1973 Corvette Convertible Resto
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,868
Likes: 13
From: Mascoutah IL
Well, for about the 20th time, I have pulled the doors off... I know, I know, I will probably have the doors on and off another 100 times, get used to it...
Pulled the doors off so I could re-install the fender filler panels:
And the A/C hose filler panel:
Put the body ground strap on after cleaning down to the metal for good contact...
Had Tass help me to drive the rivets through the front clip and accessory brackets... If you look close I re-did the rubber on all the fittings using the instant rubber-dip from home depot... This stuff works great:
Started putting the rocker panel screw rebuild kit... Only got a couple done before having to go to base tonight...
Got a lot done, and ever closer to sliding the front clip back on for test fitting... Getting excited...
Thanks for looking and commenting...
Rogman
Pulled the doors off so I could re-install the fender filler panels:
And the A/C hose filler panel:
Put the body ground strap on after cleaning down to the metal for good contact...
Had Tass help me to drive the rivets through the front clip and accessory brackets... If you look close I re-did the rubber on all the fittings using the instant rubber-dip from home depot... This stuff works great:
Started putting the rocker panel screw rebuild kit... Only got a couple done before having to go to base tonight...
Got a lot done, and ever closer to sliding the front clip back on for test fitting... Getting excited...
Thanks for looking and commenting...
Rogman
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,868
Likes: 13
From: Mascoutah IL
Success!!!
Well, I would not recommend doing this by yourself... I did and got lucking I didn't break, crack or scratch anything... It's not overly heavy, just very awkward...
Front clip is on... Now comes the painstaking process of getting it all aligned so I can lock it in...
I haven't done any tuning on this yet... I already know by the door gaps that the nose needs to come up 1/2" to 3/4" in order to help the bottom door/fender gaps...
Anyway, pretty happy to see this baby back on... Let the fine tuning begin...
Rogman
Front clip is on... Now comes the painstaking process of getting it all aligned so I can lock it in...
I haven't done any tuning on this yet... I already know by the door gaps that the nose needs to come up 1/2" to 3/4" in order to help the bottom door/fender gaps...
Anyway, pretty happy to see this baby back on... Let the fine tuning begin...
Rogman
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,868
Likes: 13
From: Mascoutah IL
Thanks guys, appreciate the comments...
Rogman
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,428
Likes: 5
From: Japan
Roger, looks like you crossed a pretty big hurdle there. This thing is gonna be one spectacular car when it's done. very, very nice job!
I noticed you posted some pix of those inserts that hold the rocker panel screws...who sells those things? I looked here at work and didn't see any around the Hiloks! Teeheehee...
I noticed you posted some pix of those inserts that hold the rocker panel screws...who sells those things? I looked here at work and didn't see any around the Hiloks! Teeheehee...
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,868
Likes: 13
From: Mascoutah IL
Thanks, I think...
Rogman
Paul--
I've seen the pictures of your '74 and the projects you've worked... You're very modest, thanks much...
Rogman
Thanks Adam, was another big step... Now I have to get EVERYTHING to line-up...
Rogman
Dave--
Thanks much... Pretty sure I got the rocker panel screw rebuild quit from Zip... It came with Corvette America instructions...
http://www.zip-corvette.com/ProductD...GR-SR&CTitle=&
Rogman
Rogman
I've seen the pictures of your '74 and the projects you've worked... You're very modest, thanks much...
Rogman
Thanks Adam, was another big step... Now I have to get EVERYTHING to line-up...
Rogman
Roger, looks like you crossed a pretty big hurdle there. This thing is gonna be one spectacular car when it's done. very, very nice job!
I noticed you posted some pix of those inserts that hold the rocker panel screws...who sells those things? I looked here at work and didn't see any around the Hiloks! Teeheehee...
I noticed you posted some pix of those inserts that hold the rocker panel screws...who sells those things? I looked here at work and didn't see any around the Hiloks! Teeheehee...
Thanks much... Pretty sure I got the rocker panel screw rebuild quit from Zip... It came with Corvette America instructions...
http://www.zip-corvette.com/ProductD...GR-SR&CTitle=&
Rogman
Pro
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 668
Likes: 21
Thank you for sharing your documentary on your awesome 73. As an owner of a 73 convertible theirs not doubt that I will revisit this posting over and over again. Can you share some engine specs? What year block? What's the CID? What castings are the heads? I wish I had the skills to do what you have undertaken. I'm happy just putting on new brakes and a tune up. I draw the line after engine rebuilds. Can't imagine doing all that wonderful body resto.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,868
Likes: 13
From: Mascoutah IL
Rogman
Rogman
Thank you for sharing your documentary on your awesome 73. As an owner of a 73 convertible theirs not doubt that I will revisit this posting over and over again. Can you share some engine specs? What year block? What's the CID? What castings are the heads? I wish I had the skills to do what you have undertaken. I'm happy just putting on new brakes and a tune up. I draw the line after engine rebuilds. Can't imagine doing all that wonderful body resto.
Thanks much... Block is the original 350, L48, TH400 all with the correct stamping...
Frame:
Engine:
Transmission:
Here's the best photo I have of one of my heads:
Zoomed in:
Engine was warmed up slightly... .030 over bore, crank polished (did not need turning), orig dish style pistons, valve job, new springs, mild (good idling) cam, roller rockers, McJack's headers, 2.5 inch duals, Lars-rebuilt Quadrajet and distributor, GM ZZ4 aluminum intake, and I just recently put on the March Revolver serpentine system... Hoping I'm getting 200-250 HP out of the warmed up engine...
While I certainly wanted to drop in a 500hp beast, I'll be okay with a good idling, great running, and good looking engine...
Rogman
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 113
Likes: 8
From: Attleboro Falls MA
Engine was warmed up slightly... .030 over bore, crank polished (did not need turning), orig dish style pistons, valve job, new springs, mild (good idling) cam, roller rockers, McJack's headers, 2.5 inch duals, Lars-rebuilt Quadrajet and distributor, GM ZZ4 aluminum intake, and I just recently put on the March Revolver serpentine system... Hoping I'm getting 200-250 HP out of the warmed up engine...
While I certainly wanted to drop in a 500hp beast, I'll be okay with a good idling, great running, and good looking engine...
Rogman
While I certainly wanted to drop in a 500hp beast, I'll be okay with a good idling, great running, and good looking engine...
Rogman
Pro
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 668
Likes: 21
Thanks for sharing the engine info with us. I just love matching numbers on special cars like the one you have. My 73 has the 454, 4 spd. I will leave it bone stock. I have a 69 Elcamino for playing with HP under the hood.
More importantly "Thank you for your service to our country"
More importantly "Thank you for your service to our country"
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,868
Likes: 13
From: Mascoutah IL
Did you have the block decked when it was bored over? If so, did they manage to keep the numbers pad in tact? I'm very much in the same boat. I have a 73 with an L48 that I'd like to "warm up", as you put it. I'm afraid of getting the block machined since I'm sure they'll want to deck it.
No, block was not decked... Was measured and checked out g2g... Told the machine shop not to deck without my express written consent... He knew how much I didn't want to remove the numbers, but still wanted the engine done right...
Rogman
Thanks for sharing the engine info with us. I just love matching numbers on special cars like the one you have. My 73 has the 454, 4 spd. I will leave it bone stock. I have a 69 Elcamino for playing with HP under the hood.
More importantly "Thank you for your service to our country"
More importantly "Thank you for your service to our country"
Thanks SD... Love to have a big block/4 spd, but I'd probably hurt myself...
Rogman
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,868
Likes: 13
From: Mascoutah IL
Again, thanks much and should have more pictures tonight...
Rogman