I have a 1969 corvette my father gave me many years ago. He had purchased the car brand new from a chevy dealer in NYC. I did some work to the car and then just lost interest in it . My father is turning 65 in two years and i would like to get the car finished so he can have a few more good times in the car.

so my questions are these. I would like to find someone that can pull the body back off the frame clean up the underside of it and properly mount the body to the frame. What would something like that cost? And does any body have a name of a reputable shop located in or around the Albany, NY area? I'm willing to drive up to 4 hours for a reputable place.

My next question in in regards to the engine. While 90 percent of the car is there I am missing the engine. I am thinking about using a 94-95 lt1 to power the car as I am very familiar with the engine. Obviously i will need a electric fuel pump as well as electric fans. I'm thinking about using a painless harness does it all the connections for the fan and the pump? another concern is with the mating the 4spd to the engine what fly wheel will i need.

I know people love pictures so here is the current shape of the car.

 

Is there a need for that? Why would the underbody need to be cleaned up? At some time in the past, did you pull the body off the frame?

Have you considered installing a TargetMaster carbureted small block? No computer; no aftermarket wiring harness; no electric fans; no electric fuel pump; no problems matching up the 4 speed.

 

To fix that car up, it would take you about a year...working non-stop...unless you are a pro. If you took it to a shop to do the work, it would probably take just as long and cost about $20K to put together and paint.

If your Dad can still 'turn a wrench', maybe it would be best to start a 'Father/Son' project with the car. And, unless the frame is severely damaged, there is no need to take the car off the frame.

 

The frame had rotted severely right by where the tailing arms had connected. The body was pulled and the fame under it is from a 1970 car out of texas. The me frame was sand blated and painted with POR15. It has brand new Vansteel trailing arms. the suspension was completely replaced with every thing in it. I bought a kit from corvette America which has all polly bushing with a fiberglass mono spring, kyb shocks the hole 9 yard. i have a complete brand new black interior for the car as well including new dash and all brand new gauges. The car has all brand new rims and beauty rings and center caps.

The reason i want the underside of the body gone through is that i want the rocker channel supports and stuff checked out by someone. mechanical know how is not something i lack i do all my own work usually but that part of the project is a little bit beyond me.

this is a project i did took me two days to do nothing special every easy strait forward the car was painted by a friend of mine for 3k as well

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/229749...-4#22974984001

that doesn't show all the work i did just phases.


I'm looking at about 10 g right now plus ill have another 1g a month to put into it. Im not going to lie I fail to see why so much time will be needed to finish the car. the chassy needs minor adjustments to be finish if i take it to the shop and have the body done properly then its just a mater of installing the drive train and interior and doing some body work which my friend owns and will be helping me with.

 

Well 10k will definitely get you going, but probably not by a shop. Working by myself in my spare time I had built my body dolly, pulled the body, and had the frame stripped to nothing in 2 weeks time. 6 months later the body can be put back on but I need a little more cash. My point is, these cars are relatively simple to work on with a little mechanical know how. Money is whats stalling my project right now. I've spent about 8k so far on the nut and bolt restoration, and 5 of it is in my engine. This is with me doing all the work except the engine.
I like your engine choice, the LT1 is a stout engine. I have 1 in my 92, It will bolt right up to just about any transmission you want to use. But if it were me, just for simplicity sake I might stick with an older sbc. Maybe even a TPI from an earlier C4, should have the roller lifters, 4 bolt mains, and normal distributor location. A little engine work would get you a nice 400 hp engine that can be driven anywhere. But, its your call.

 

I've thought about the later LT1 myself.....responsive power.....clean look with no dizzy.......nice burble. DeWitts has a C3 radiator with dual fans....one with a dent is marked down now on the forum.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-p...mage-sale.html

 

Yah i understand about the labor and i agree they are very simple. I just want a professional shop that is familiar with the car get it set up so the body is back on the frame right and i wont have to mess with it again. After that I will be doing every thing else my self.

I think the TPI would be just as much work as the LT1 As all the same problems come into play. The LT1 has a very simple computer and is easy to tune well at least for the most part. My tuner said he would have no problem with tuning it for the application. I really want fuel injection easy to start, better throttle response, better mpg, lower maintenance, ect. My original thought was to go with a fast setup like they used on Horse Power tv but after seeing the price of that i said screw it i can buy an LT1 and rebuild it almost for the same price.

the last LT1 i bought i paid 1500 for and it came with every thing including a 4l60 so im thinking i can get one from the same junkyard for about 900. If i was to go that route. It cost me about 3000 to rebuild it last winter. which i would do exactly the same mods i did to that one.

I would like to talk to someone who put an LT1 in with the fuel injection setup before i made my mind up.

 

This member has done the LT1 swap, and has a write-up on how he did it....send him a PM

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/memb...2-mrmagic.html