I uncovered the windshield pillars and everything looks OK. Phil, I think you're right, it looks like the splice was made at the base of the windshield. I got the drivers side kick panel off and it looks about the same as the passenger side.

I made a small order to Summit this week. My girlfriend has a '71 454 Vette that has been sitting since 2006 when it had a dead battery. I bought a couple parts we'll need to try and get it running again plus, to get over the $99 mark for free shipping I bought an alternator bracket for my car.








This is not the alternator for the car, it's one I had out in my storage shed. I plan on using the full size GM alternator but with a 150 Amp output.

 

Real nice Steve, not the rust but the engine.

 

Any pics of the 71 454 ?

 

I'm heading to California next weekend, but the following weekend we're going to work on her car and try to get it going. I'll take some pics and post them. I think it's a Sunflower yellow car with tan interior. Auto, PS, PB, A/C, 454. I think the A/C compressor is missing. Funny, we've been dating for 10 months and I've never seen the car. We always spend time at my house.

 

Thanks, Roger! It's a Blueprint Engines 355. It makes pretty good power according to the dyno sheet (410 HP/417 TQ), but I'm thinking about putting a Comp Cams Thumper cam in it to get that lumpy idle sound. I have plenty of time to think about it before the motor goes in the car.

I should probably be happy the windshield part of the birdcage was replaced considering how bad the frame is. I need to redo the t-bar welds though.

 

I was uncomfortable with the VIN tampering on my car and wanted to be sure I wasn't in a gray area somewhere so I called the state police and had them come over and inspect the car. Everything checks out as far as the car being legitimate and not stolen. In the future I think I'll pull the windshield and dress up and repaint the windshield pillars. When I do I'll have to have the police there when I drill out the rivets and there again when I reinstall the VIN tag. I'll try and pick up some rosette rivets for reinstallation. The cops were very cool about the whole thing, and the state guys are pretty knowledgeable about these cars and other vintage cars.

 

Worked on the firewall the past couple weekends.

I plan to smooth the firewall and eliminate some things I won't require. I laid up a large sheet of fiberglass to cut up and use on the firewall. The right side of the sheet is 4 layers of 3/4 oz fiberglass mat and the left side beyond the vertical black line is 3 layers of mat.




Cleanliness of the engine compartment is important to me. I don't want a bunch of hoses and wires taking away from the engine. Since I live in Arizona and this car will be a fair weather car, I don't need a heater. I cut this heater delete cover from the 4 layer fiberglass.




Heater delete cover in place, wiper motor cover in place. The heater delete and the wiper motor cover are both removable. I filled the V notch in the firewall filled with fiberglass sheet. I also cut out the mount for the wiper door actuator. I have a long L88 hood that eliminates the wiper door so all of that hardware is gone.




Done for the day. I filled the opening where I cut out the wiper door actuator mount with 4 layer glass and also filled most of the firewall holes. It's rough as a cobb right now, but I'll start sanding and filling next weekend.




One thing I noticed, when roughing up the factory glass that it sanded very, very easily. The stuff turned to powder instantly. Also, when beveling the holes in the firewall fiberglass strands popped out like cotton and the glass weave is very noticeable. It's like there is very little resin in my firewall. It'll all have to be covered with a thin coat of glazing putty to smooth it out.

 

Hey Steve, that's going to look awesome when you get done . A different look for sure. I think it will not take away from the motor and should look real clean. What kind of finish will you be going with ??
Roger

 

Thanks, Roger! I'm going to try pretty hard to get the firewall to look like it could be factory. I'm eliminating all of the vacuum operated components and without the blower fan or wiper motor there won't be much wiring on the firewall. I'm also planning to convert my factory tach to electronic to use with a standard MSD billet distributor, so that will eliminate the tach cable.

When everything is ready for paint I am spraying it with black Advantage urethane paint with hardener. I'd like about a 30% gloss, but I guess we'll see how much flattener was added after I spray some.

 

Thanks for the info Steve , should look real neat and clean. Arizona you bum!!! Warm unless your in Flagstaff.

 

Roger, this time of year is so great! After being shut inside for 4 months it feels good to be out in the garage with the doors open getting something done! I hope to make some progress with the car over the next couple months and then start searching in earnest for a replacement frame after the holidays are over.

 

That sounds great Steve, everything you are doing is a little different then others but really nice and should show very well. The frame was shot on your project car?
R

 

Thanks! I think my viewpoint as a hot rodder and ex drag racer probably determines some of my direction with the car.

Here's the engine compartment in my old race car, lot's of hand made parts in that car:




Yes, my frame is toast from the kick ups back. The left side is really bad. I don't have to tell you the feeling you get when you discover the really bad stuff.

 

Yes I agree you don't have to tell me.
R

 

I bought the wiper "valley" cover for the '73 and newer cars to use on my car since I'm using a long hood. I'd guess the windshield must be different with the '68-'72 cars than the later C3's. I cut out some filler panels to use against the windshield to fill the gaps below the glass. These filler panels are way too thick so I'll have to lay up a sheet of 1 or 2 layer mat to cut parts from. But, you can see what I'm wanting to do.