Metalhead140

Car's looking great Craig! I'll be running in the state hillclimb round at Fairbairn Park/SDMA Hillclimb on Sunday if you're in the area...

OldCarBum

Sounds like a good time.
Post a thread with some photos or video.
Good Luck

CraigH

Hi

What car are you using ?

What time does it start, end will see if I can drop around.

CraigH

Just checked it out and the event starts at 9am.
Have been before, it’s just next to the advanced driving training facility.
We have a couple of people coming to look at a car we have for sale during the day but will try and make it.

Metalhead140

Will do.

I'll be running in my Vette, I ran the first rounds at Bathurst a month ago, I'm running in the catchall "Road Registered Over 2.5L 2wd" class. Everything from turbocharged VWs and Silvias to supercharged HSVs and FPVs... Run what ya brung!

Cool. Come and say hello if you get the chance! Figured it was worth a mention given I'm not in your neck of the woods too often (I live a bit north of Newcastle).

CraigH

A bit more work on the inner arch and frame. Getting ready for welder to come over then I can do some more.

Just doing what I can now as i will strip all suspension etc later and complete the job.

CraigH

Dropped out to the hillclimb to catch up with Metalhead while he was here.

Perfect timing he was lined up ready to go.











His Vette looked too good to be pounding round the track

Sat nice and controlled all around the circuit, suspension well sorted Andrew.

OldCarBum

Looks like a good day.
Thanks for sharing.

Alan 71

Hi Craig,
Have you considered using a finish with a little less sheen on the frame?
Something with less sheen tends to hide the truth about what the surface of the frame typically is.
Regards,
Alan

Krylon #1613 Semi-Flat.

CraigH

Hi Alan, yes I have but given the frame at the front of the car is already done in the higher gloss I am just being constant.

All the brackets attached to it are satin black.

Primoz

Hi Craig!

One quick question: I'm planning on changing the brake lines on my car as you did and I'm wondering. Does the brake fluid leak from the masterr cylinder if you don't plug the holes where the brake lines going to distribution valve are attached? Did you hhad to bleed the master cylinder affter attaching new brake lines?

Thanks for all the inspiration that your work and your posts give me! Keep it up!

CraigH

Hi

I plugged the master cylinder when I changed the lines as i did not want it to seeps fluid and brake fluid is nasty stuff on paint etc. I had some plastic plugs that screw into the 2 holes after the lines were removed.

After anything like this I bleed the brakes as there will be air in the systems.

Metalhead140

Was great to meet you Craig, thanks for coming, and thanks for the pics! For those who are interested, I posted some more details and a couple of vids here: https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1597022258

Damn it was freezing on Sunday though, not sure how you stand the weather... Car was playing up worse after you left, running really rich and way down on power, seems I have a cracked header causing the o2 sensor to read lean and the fuel injection to dump way too much fuel in. Great little track though. I'll have to come down earlier next time, or take Monday off, so I've time to catch up and see your car.

CraigH

That’s a shame about the header, but you still came 4th. Great effort.

It was a little colder than normal but it will be nice in January. Lucky there is no event in winter here then . Certainly welcome to come over and have a look at the Vette. I may even have it back on the road by then ��. If the parking was a little less setup for mountain goats I would bring the Vette out to the track.

CraigH

I got someone in to weld the upper shock mount reinforcement pieces from VanSteel.

He used a TIG to do the work.

Now uses a 1/2" bolt for the shock mount.

CraigH

Had to strip the stainless of my Tops so I could prep them for painting

First remove the weatherstrip from the side channel as the holes don't line up with the bolt heads below.

Then remove 4 small Phillips headed bolts holding the side channel in place





Then drill out all the rivets holding the stainless trim below.



The joining piece comes out easily.



But the side piece is held in with some form of sealant. Possibly dumdum or a tape type sealant.





Slowly work the from curved trim off.





And clean all the sealant off with prepsol.

CraigH

Now to prep the Tops for paint.



Fully clean all wax etc off with prepsol (wax & grease remover)



Aim is to prep for paint and get rid of any orange peel etc and have a nice flat surface. Using a good sized block will show where highs and lows are





Keep working it till its all flattened out. And work any problem areas with smaller blocks.







Other side









This was done with 400 Wet & Dry. Will move to 600 next.

CraigH

Some time spent sanding, both dry and wet. (dry around any repairs and wet for the remainder of the panels)

Over the halo and all repairs 220 then 320 dry

The rear deck and rear side panels 400 wet



Rear guard and door 400 wet then 600 wet















Still need to do some minor work on a couple of repairs. then more sanding of other rear guard and rear light panel.

Can then go to Peter and get the repairs shot in sealer and epoxy filler then be sanded and blended ready for his part of the job.

Getting closer.

Alan 71

Hi Craig,
Do you have any concern that all these layers of materials may show through your new paint after it settles down?
This looks like a lot going on in a small area?
Regards,
Alan

CraigH

I hope not Alan

That area will be sanded more though to feather it out then be sealed etc and sanded again.