Hey Guys! I'll make this my 79 build thread, which is really just an excuse to ask tons of questions without having to start a new thread all the time.

Here is a little background on me, I'm a complete Corvette novice, though I have been around cars all my life. A C3 has always been my dream car, and though 68-72 is my ideal car, I have yet to acquire pockets that are deep enough to fund such a build. I recently got into grad school in Philadelphia and was interested in finding a project to take up my down time. I ran across my 79 on Craigslist and bought it a few days later. It came from a guy who just couldn't find the time to work on it and had fallen in a unfortunate economic ordeal involving an adoption.

This is how she sits now, rough paint but solid engine. What really sold me was how immaculate the car was underneath. Aside from the minor surface rust that you expect from a car over 30, it is perfect.



I have already replaced some of the basics that I could do at my apartment, it needed new spark plugs and exhaust manifold gaskets as well as a few new fuses. I gave her an oil change, bled the brakes, and topped off the fluids. She runs so smooth and pulls reasonably well.

Somewhere down the line, Bubba definitely owned this car. Throughout my inspection and in the repairs I have done so far, I am astounded as to the shoddy quality of work that has been done. Electrically, I am amazed this car hasn't caught on fire, let alone the fact that it actually runs. The PO has simply cut the vacuum hoses that raise and lower the headlights near where the alternator is, he did so many things that leave me scratching my head.

I'll post some of my initial questions later today, thanks guys! Due to the lack of funding and sharing time with optometry school, this could be a long process but it is something I am really looking forward to! (Don't judge me for what I use as my DD in the background!)

 

Order a good quality, breathable car cover.

 

Sounds like a fun project! Congrats on getting your first C3. Exciting times ahead! (love a C3 in black)

Adam

 

Welcome aboard, nice to see another '79 being saved.

 

You will have a lot of fun with this car. I am on my 3rd C3 and all 3 have been 79's. This is a great place to get info. When installing my 400sbc and 200 4R transmission it was all done with questions asked on this forum. Good Luck.

 

Okay guys, first question and this should be a softball for you guys! What all is missing as far as the mechanism that will close the glovebox door? It is super inconvenient for the passenger and aesthetically it irks me.



I have the locking mechanism as pictured sitting on the glovebox shelf, but I think Bubba cut away the mounting bracket or something. This being the first Vette, I have no idea what it is supposed to look like. What can you see that is missing?

 

I'm sure someone will chime in here on the lock issue.

If you don't already have one, order yourself an AIM for your car. Best money I spent on our project. Fantastic info which will help you along almost every step of the project.

http://willcoxcorvette.com/product_i...dced4fbdadc4f9

Adam

 

Thanks Adam, Ill be sure to do that!

 

Make sure when you call (or web order) you get the "forum" price. Wilcox gives everyone here at CF a discounted price - shows in the link I gave you. They treat us right.

 

Glove box door is missing.

 

haha obviously realize the glove box has a door... I have the door, the issue is that I see nothing for the latch to mount into.

 

Looks to me like you are missing the lock striker. The parts you show sitting there are the inner and outer lock portion for the door.

http://www.ecklerscorvette.com/catal...ve+box&x=0&y=0



Adam

 

http://www.calweb.com/~griffitt/imag...x345_72dpi.jpg

found this picture and it cleared everything up, I saw the small cut away and assumed there had been something removed from the box itself. I never thought it would be from the factory like that. It makes sense now, thanks!

 

I see you found your answer, but I have to post my pic anyway....just because:

 

Holy long time without posting! Well guys, I have made some major progress on the car, even though this thread doesn't reflect that. I have been spending most of my summer working on the farm and the car while gearing up for Optometry school in the fall. I will throw some pics up later this week, but just as a teaser..... The body is off the frame, I have a 454 at the engine shop as we speak, and I am in the process of completing the welds on the frame! Oh and if you guys are interested in Big Block exhaust manifolds or a complete 350 exhaust system, both are listed in the parts for sale section!

 

Alright guys, as promised, here are some updated pics!

I decided that since this was to be a learning experience and I had no intentions of being on the road quickly, I might as well do this the "right" way and take this car down to the frame and start there.
My body dolly, per the plans I found on this site!


On the trailer to the farm, the last time we'll see her whole for quite some time...


Body Off! Went VERY smooth (Fun fact: giant house in background was built circa 1830 and sat on a 6,000 acre plantation belonging to a governors brother! Creeeepy as hell at night)


How the frame sat prior to me beginning to weld it up.


Of course had to throw in some pics of the future heart for this beast
Picked the 454 (289 Block) and th400 from a guy for $450! Had to drive all the way to Tennessee for it, but for that price I didn't mind at all! Came with full accessories, radiator, drive shafts, engine mounts, hoses, and a new gasket set.


Of course I have to throw in a pic of my work buddy, Cooper...He lays around listening to Skynyrd while I'm slaving away, just can't find good help these days

 

Awesome! Another big block rubber bumper car. Lookin good. Put one in my 77 also. As long as its not correct anyway, save yourself some $$$ and use as many of the brackets and pulleys that came with the motor. No need for the correct vette parts. Good luck and keep the updates coming.

 

I plan to use all the bracketry and accessories that came with it. I'm currently trying to track down a set of 781 heads, though I got a GREAT engine and have zero complaints, I'd like to replace the 236PP that came on it. Running on money accrued from graduation presents, yard mowing, and being a farm hand makes everything just a little bit more difficult, but we'll get there! I'm really having a blast working on it so far. While some of this is second nature to me, I am able to fully appreciate it on the Vette as opposed to working on a tractor haha

 

Great project. I started mine, in 1992, and am still working on it. Rebuilt sbc to 'enhance' performance, changed to 700R4 for mileage. Getting great help from the forum pool of knowledge. Good luck in school.



Still trying to figure out the image posting thing. I know there is a thread somewhere that explains how.

Sam

 

Hey, guys, just an update. The engine builder has stillll not gotten around to working on my engine, he's a VERY reputable guy so he is always a month behind on work, but it will be completely worth it. Double J Heads out of Junction City KY in case anyone is interested, seriously COULD NOT ask for a better guy to work with. In my experience some of these machine shop guys (and for the most part small businessmen in general, unfortunately) are real jerks and it was refreshing to work with such a personable guy. Plus he isn't over priced, in fact he was almost the cheapest shop I could find, yet had the most positive recommendations.

Anyway, I dropped by the shop yesterday and we ran some numbers and discussed what I wanted and what he thought would be good. Looks like we are going .030 over, verrrry slight dome in piston to build compression above the stock 8.5:1 and a mild cam. He really wants to go hydraulic rollers but we'll see what my wallet can take.

On to my first question in a while:
I am finishing up the welds on the frame, and while I have it out it would just be an absolute shame to not rebuild the suspension while it is out of the car. SO, when I search for suspension stuff I never find any info on the kits supplied by Eklers or Zip, it seems EVERYONE uses VBP. Why is this?

Also with the 454 going up front, I do need to upgrade the suspension, not just rebuild. If I'm just mostly cruising with some occasional aggressive driving and MAYBE a track day once a year, what kit would you recommend that isn't just overkill for this application?

Here are some of the kits I have ran across...Opinions?

http://www.ecklerscorvette.com/corve...1963-1979.html
http://www.ecklerscorvette.com/corve...1978-1979.html
http://www.vbandp.com/auto-parts/c2-...category_id=54
http://www.vbandp.com/auto-parts.htm...category_id=54
Zip's Option

They all have pro's and cons
Ecklers is a little cheaper than VBP and provides better quality shocks (Bilstein) than Zip (KYB)
VBP is heavily used on here but is the most expensive (higher quality?)
Zip is the most comprehensive- even includes tie rod ends

What do you guys think!?