Frame Off is Back ON !!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 298
Likes: 0
From: Gander Newfoundland
Frame Off is Back ON !!
Ok
After a long , long period of moving , storage, procrastination, etc...
We are back on track with the rebuild finally!! Will do a recap of how we got in this mess LOL and how we hope to get out of it!!
Stand By!!
After a long , long period of moving , storage, procrastination, etc...
We are back on track with the rebuild finally!! Will do a recap of how we got in this mess LOL and how we hope to get out of it!!
Stand By!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,389
Likes: 83
From: Norfolk Virginia
I'm right there with ya, got back into mine when winter hit, see it here if interested. How bout that...I even have the same shovel as you 
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-pretty-3.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-pretty-3.html
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 298
Likes: 0
From: Gander Newfoundland
This all started with the purchase of a 1981 Corvette back in about 2004. The car is numbers matching 4 speed that took a right front diagonal ditch hit. This resulted in some fibreglass damage and a slight torsional twist to the frame.
STARTED STRIPPING!! SEEMS IT COMES APART FASTER THAN IT GOES BACK TOGETHER , DESPITE THE RUST, BELIEVE ME!!
We decided to do a complete frame off on this ex-Michigan car in order to get everything straight.
THE BUILD SHEET
Ironic that the build date of the gearbox shown was my 19th birthday! Just about the time I was dreaming of owning a new corvette just like this!!
Underside rust on all body mount reinforcements
STARTED STRIPPING!! SEEMS IT COMES APART FASTER THAN IT GOES BACK TOGETHER , DESPITE THE RUST, BELIEVE ME!!
We decided to do a complete frame off on this ex-Michigan car in order to get everything straight.
THE BUILD SHEET
Ironic that the build date of the gearbox shown was my 19th birthday! Just about the time I was dreaming of owning a new corvette just like this!!
Underside rust on all body mount reinforcements
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 298
Likes: 0
From: Gander Newfoundland
I'm right there with ya, got back into mine when winter hit, see it here if interested. How bout that...I even have the same shovel as you
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-pretty-3.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-pretty-3.html
Nice work on your car!!
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,335
Likes: 4,449
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi J,
You're right about them coming apart much easier and faster than they go back together….. and into a surprising number of pieces and fasteners TOO!
Good Luck as you get going again!
Regards,
Alan
You're right about them coming apart much easier and faster than they go back together….. and into a surprising number of pieces and fasteners TOO!
Good Luck as you get going again!
Regards,
Alan
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,389
Likes: 83
From: Norfolk Virginia
Be very glad that you don't have to deal with ratpiss on everything in your car. Keep at it and one day it will all be behind us
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 298
Likes: 0
From: Gander Newfoundland
Having stripped the body and lifted it off, we then removed the drivetrain, exhaust and suspension. Left with the bare frame, it was off to a friends yard for sandblasting! Then a coat of etching primer with rust inhibitor.
The frame was then painted with two coats of semi gloss rust paint.
The frame was then painted with two coats of semi gloss rust paint.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 298
Likes: 0
From: Gander Newfoundland
Pretty sure we will have to remove the clip to address several issues including;
delamination of inner support panels on the rear edge of the fenders, probably due to impact shock
Surface rust on the upper birdcage frame extending down behind the fender tops. I believe removal of the clip is the only way to thoroughly clean and prep this area. Any members face this same issue?
delamination of inner support panels on the rear edge of the fenders, probably due to impact shock
Surface rust on the upper birdcage frame extending down behind the fender tops. I believe removal of the clip is the only way to thoroughly clean and prep this area. Any members face this same issue?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 298
Likes: 0
From: Gander Newfoundland
Ok fast forward to present day!!! We managed to get the frame rolling of sorts. Still have to tighten and adjust components, but we needed to start at least dry fitting some stuff. Plan is to get the suspension finished and drop the engine and gearbox in in a few weeks. From there we will work on the fuel system (new tank on order), exhaust
(stock setup for now) until we get it fired up and running good. Want to keep everything reasonably stock with exception of heads(maybe), new cam and headers(duals or side pipes) to try and bump the horses to a reasonable level.
Gonna hit the diff with the pressure washer to brighten it up, remove the dirt and grease from the rough cast. Will post pics on how it works.
As stated earlier, we bought the street slalom kit which included the composite leaf altho I'm a bit concerned about the clearance between the spring and rim. I'm trying to determine if the weight of the body/drivetrain and settlement of the suspension will widen this gap from what seems very close right now. Any members care to share their experiences? I realize there are no adjustments made here yet , so this may be concern for nothing to this point!
(stock setup for now) until we get it fired up and running good. Want to keep everything reasonably stock with exception of heads(maybe), new cam and headers(duals or side pipes) to try and bump the horses to a reasonable level.
Gonna hit the diff with the pressure washer to brighten it up, remove the dirt and grease from the rough cast. Will post pics on how it works.
As stated earlier, we bought the street slalom kit which included the composite leaf altho I'm a bit concerned about the clearance between the spring and rim. I'm trying to determine if the weight of the body/drivetrain and settlement of the suspension will widen this gap from what seems very close right now. Any members care to share their experiences? I realize there are no adjustments made here yet , so this may be concern for nothing to this point!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,389
Likes: 83
From: Norfolk Virginia
My hair color WAS about the same as yours when I started on my car 
Glad to see you got a helper, I've had to do everything my self, it's easy to lose interest that way. You've got a good start, keep it going, it's inspiring for me.
Glad to see you got a helper, I've had to do everything my self, it's easy to lose interest that way. You've got a good start, keep it going, it's inspiring for me.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 298
Likes: 0
From: Gander Newfoundland
So was mine! LOL but then I have two buddies who are as bald as cueballs!! It may be grey but I still have mine!! Will keep it going!!
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 4,399
Likes: 793
r
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 4,399
Likes: 793
r
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 298
Likes: 0
From: Gander Newfoundland
Hey lads!! Thanks for the comments, hope ye keep it moving forward as well! Adopt a neighbourhood kid or a scout troop? Turn it into autoshop 101!
Point noted on the windshield frame, have it stripped and did find surface rust as expected!
Media blast it and treat before priming. I am gonna remove the clip as well once I have the chassis finished.
Point noted on the windshield frame, have it stripped and did find surface rust as expected!
Media blast it and treat before priming. I am gonna remove the clip as well once I have the chassis finished.