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I would wait until the new trans is ready to put in instead of putting the T400 back for a short time…
derek...good idea.
But(t)......the problem with me and the PTSD is.....it could take a week to pull the engine-paint it-install the finished engine and the 4L60E trans.....(I only need a fwd Sprag in order to complete the 4L60E...maybe Santa will bring me one OR it could take a year to do it.The only reason I'm getting things done now is, they don't require nuchal thinking .
For now I will clean up/rewrap the under-dash wiring, repair the center console and reinstall everything.
(I have to balance all yall's good advice with the number of brain cells that are active!)
Think of it this way Tony,
I still work fulltime and right now you are getting much more done than I am.
Plus COVID has even taken all the fun and pleasure I get out of researching and buying new parts.
I HATE electrical Stuff.... but it's a good thing I decided to clean up the dusty wiring bundles.
As I was moving bundles to clean off the dust an Orange heater wire broke off at the consoles switch...15 minutes later it was repaired
I may as well test run all the systems before I reassemble the console.
Tony, hopefully somebody who knows more will opine, but IMHO, old wires are not your friend. You know, "While I'm in here..."
D.D. The good news is...all the wires are flexible/no cracked insulation/etc. I replaced the engine harness and te tail light harness because of brittle insulation and cracking. I also replaced the entire fuse block be a useful of internal corrosion that was too bad to salvage.
I will replace the entire headlight harness when I finish the front clip repais. The alternator wiring has been replaced/upgraded for the new 130 amp alternator.
I will leave the original voltage regulator and "dummy" wiring on the inner fender well....just 'cause for the Youngsters who have never seen an external voltage regulator...(annnnd to "Gas Up" some Oldsters
Last edited by doorgunner; Dec 2, 2021 at 02:06 PM.
The console backing/frame was in bad shape and cracked on both sides. The vinyl wrap was also cracked beyond repair.
I disassembled all the console parts/stripped off the vinyl/roughed up all the surfaces and fiberglass especially the inside of the backing to repair the cracks, enlarged screw holes etc.
Out of sequence..........
The "nose section was broken off...only the black vinyl was holding it in place e.....
I fiberglass ed all areas thick enough to be able to grind/sand them smooth before recovering.....
The inside is repaired and 2 extra layers of mat have been bonded over the inside for extra strength. Two layers on the outside cover all cracks and oversize/damages/broke
screw holes.
I will let it cure in the sun a few hours.....
THEN I need to build a new ledge/shoulder around the inside edge of the large opening to support the metal trim plate (which occasionally falls through the damaged hole onto the shifter assembly and the tunnel.
I may have enough matching foam-backed leather to recover the backing...if not, a trip into town to my favorite upholstery shop will be needed necessary.
Last edited by doorgunner; Dec 2, 2021 at 02:01 PM.
I was going to finish sand the console backing but remembered I still have to fit the metal trim in the console hole and fab shoulders for the trim piece to stay in place......tomorrow
The console/tunnel repair continues. I cleaned up the fiberglass overlap and fitted the metal trim plate leaving a small gap around the edges for the new leather overlay.. I need to repair a few voids that did not bond and add more mat to a few oversize screw holes.......I left a few pieces of the ledge support showing so I can build a recessed shoulder around the inside of the large opening......
There...that's better. After the minor touch-up repairs are made I'll coat the outside with body filler......
Is panel filler for a 1968 Vette the right stuff....OR.....
Do you guys think body filler will bond well to the plastic backing in the pic....OR should I pick up a quarter of some other type of filler????
Panel filler it is. Tomorrow I will fit the trim piece in the console and bond some thick shoulders into the openong to hold the metal trim plate in place....
The only Bonds product I use is the resin / cloth / mat. Evercoat goes on all sanded panels.
Last edited by doorgunner; Dec 3, 2021 at 08:13 PM.
I think I might have one of those spell check things in my head.
On occasion, I hear words coming out of my mouth that I didn't think through before they just rattled out.
Tony, if this center console project doesn't come together as you plan.
I'll be removing the oem console out of my 73 and replacing it.
If my 73 will work in your 68, let me know.
I think I might have one of those spell check things in my head.
On occasion, I hear words coming out of my mouth that I didn't think through before they just rattled out.
....
"I know you believe you understand what you thought I said, but I'm not certain that you realize what you thought you heard is not what I meant."
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Slideshow: A Jaguar designer's personal project imagines what a modern front-engined Corvette might look like if Chevrolet revisited the golden age of the Stingray.
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