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Hi everyone. So I have a confession to make, I never liked vettes growing up. Growing up in the 80's and 90's I never really liked the style of the corvette, thus never wanted one. Then one day while car shopping for a used car I was taken into the back of a garage and there sat a 1978 Silver Anniversary Vette, so with 5,000 in my pocket, and a 19 year (this was 17 years ago) enthusiasm, I purchased my first vette. It was love at first sight. Then the realization that a 19 year old budget and a 20+ year old car didn't mesh well in the repair department. So after an engine rebuild, transmission rebuild, screwy harness wiring, non functioning headlights, and the list goes on, I parked my love at my parent house and.... bought a corolla . Lol. Fast forwarding to today, I finally got up a garage, have the Vette parked inside, and have broken my first 10 rusted bolts. Go team. I don't mind putting in the wrench time, I don't mind spending 10 grand in replacements parts, but I am scared that I will get this thing pulled apart, sandblasted and never remember how to get it back together. So with my introduction,my first question. What books, manuals, guides, do you all recommend purchasing that will assist me in my restoration ( I was looking to get a restoration book, the factory manual, engine building, and chassis restoration)?
Welcome aboard before you get nailed I'll tell you buy the AIM it's a must have, secondly take a ton of pics they are valuable. There are a ton of members here who are a wealth of knowledge and I check this site daily for information. Good luck and don't forget to check the parts for sale section Phil
Hi Richard,
I think you're SMART being CAUTIOUS!!!
I hope your car isn't too far apart yet.
You REALLY need to photograph many many things as you take the car apart because that will be your best record of how it was originally put together. You can't take too many pictures.
You also need to tag ALL the small parts as they come off because some of them are pretty odd and you may forget just where they went.
You also need to bag and label ALL the fasteners. There are hundreds and hundreds of different fasteners all designed to be used in just one place. They don't intermix well.
You ABSOLUTELY need the AIM that Phil suggested. That's the Assembly Instruction Manual. It was used in St.Louis to assemble your car.
You should also try to buy a GM Chassis Service Manual; these were used at the dealerships. I'm not sure just what might be available for 78.
IF you're thinking about restoring this car to it's original state…. more or less…. you should also consider the NCRS Technical Information Manual & Judging guide for 78 cars.
I would be cautious about just simply buying 'replacement/reproduction' parts. Many of these parts are generic, of low quality, and fit poorly. Many people find that restoring original parts is a better way to proceed.
That's all for now!
Have Fun!
Regards,
Alan
Welcome Richard,
What area are you located as some people, if close would help you if needed. Just remember there is no stupid question on this forum!
Dean
Wow... such an active forum! Thanks for all the comments so far. I will def look into getting that AIM book. I am located in Va. And here are a few pictures before I moved my car... yes those are blackberry vines :/. I am not sure if I am going to restore her back to factory, I want to yank the vacuum system out and convert headlights and wiper door to electric, and remove AC components (I just never see myself driving the car in less than ideal weather conditions).
Welcome, was your car stored outside without a cover? If so seem it would be very prudent to check for rust all over, frame, birdcage, before jumping in all the way. Start off slow and be sure it is worthy of your blood, sweat and tears. Please understand I am not trying to kill your enthusiasm , just looking out for you.
Hi everyone. So I have a confession to make, I never liked vettes growing up. Growing up in the 80's and 90's I never really liked the style of the corvette, thus never wanted one. Then one day while car shopping for a used car I was taken into the back of a garage and there sat a 1978 Silver Anniversary Vette, so with 5,000 in my pocket, and a 19 year (this was 17 years ago) enthusiasm, I purchased my first vette. It was love at first sight. Then the realization that a 19 year old budget and a 20+ year old car didn't mesh well in the repair department. So after an engine rebuild, transmission rebuild, screwy harness wiring, non functioning headlights, and the list goes on, I parked my love at my parent house and.... bought a corolla . Lol. Fast forwarding to today, I finally got up a garage, have the Vette parked inside, and have broken my first 10 rusted bolts. Go team. I don't mind putting in the wrench time, I don't mind spending 10 grand in replacements parts, but I am scared that I will get this thing pulled apart, sandblasted and never remember how to get it back together. So with my introduction,my first question. What books, manuals, guides, do you all recommend purchasing that will assist me in my restoration ( I was looking to get a restoration book, the factory manual, engine building, and chassis restoration)?
Thanks,
Richard
Richard, Gonna need new rear glass for sure..
Welcome..I own and drive a '78 Silver Anniversary Corvette..
It's an on-going project..but mine was in pristine condition as found and is near mint today.
Yours has the L-48 engine..and steering wheel horn cover isn't the 78 Silver Anniversary one?.
As far as the condition goes?
All I can say is
OH LORD, PLEASE HELP YA..
Cars gonna need a full frame off restoration that'll run ya close to 20K to be done right....
You could find a Corvette of that same year in absolute pristine condition..or even a '78 pace car for the money and time you'd put into that one.., Jim
Richard, Gonna need new rear glass for sure..
Welcome..I own and drive a '78 Silver Anniversary Corvette..
It's an on-going project..but mine was in pristine condition as found and is near mint today.
Yours has the L-48 engine..and steering wheel horn cover isn't the 78 Silver Anniversary one?.
As far as the condition goes?
All I can say is
OH LORD, PLEASE HELP YA..
Cars gonna need a full frame off restoration that'll run ya close to 20K to be done right....
You could find a Corvette of that same year in absolute pristine condition..or even a '78 pace car for the money and time you'd put into that one.., Jim
PS:You said you never liked Corvettes growing up..I'm with ya there..
I never sat in or drove a Corvette until we found and bought our '78 Silver Anniversary car in last July 2015.
I really wanted a 1949 Dodge Power Wagon retrofitted with a new Cummins Turboed Diesel and all appropriate running gear..but my wife liked the Corvette and 6500.00 wasn't a bad price..
Now I am a die hard afficianado of the small block Corvettes..but I think I'd like a '57 with a stroker.. Jim
As stated earlier, check your frame, particularly the rear area where the frame kicks up over the rear end and your windshield frame. Even though it was not driven in years, the rusting of the frame continues. Sometimes you are better off buying one from someone who has done all the work or is in good condition. You have a lot of work and bad language ahead of you. I was in Northern VA for several years, traffic drove me nuts! Pretty state though.
Richard welcome to the forum, glad you have joined us. You already know that your car is going to be a very ambitious project and one you really need to consider before you start down that path. Ask yourself how much time, money, etc. that you have to devote to this. It can certainly be done but if time, money, abilities, etc. are a consideration, I would sell this as a project and look for a more finished car. Either way you go there are many people here to help and encourage you. Best of luck and again welcome!
Hi everyone. So I have a confession to make, I never liked vettes growing up. Growing up in the 80's and 90's I never really liked the style of the corvette, thus never wanted one. Then one day while car shopping for a used car I was taken into the back of a garage and there sat a 1978 Silver Anniversary Vette, so with 5,000 in my pocket, and a 19 year (this was 17 years ago) enthusiasm, I purchased my first vette. It was love at first sight. Then the realization that a 19 year old budget and a 20+ year old car didn't mesh well in the repair department. So after an engine rebuild, transmission rebuild, screwy harness wiring, non functioning headlights, and the list goes on, I parked my love at my parent house and.... bought a corolla . Lol. Fast forwarding to today, I finally got up a garage, have the Vette parked inside, and have broken my first 10 rusted bolts. Go team. I don't mind putting in the wrench time, I don't mind spending 10 grand in replacements parts, but I am scared that I will get this thing pulled apart, sandblasted and never remember how to get it back together. So with my introduction,my first question. What books, manuals, guides, do you all recommend purchasing that will assist me in my restoration ( I was looking to get a restoration book, the factory manual, engine building, and chassis restoration)?
Thanks,
Richard
Welcome Richard you have one of the best recourses in the world in your own state of Virginia .He has hundreds of posts here on the forum Let's see if you can figure out who he is .He has something very common other than both of you live in the same state
Merry Christmas
Wes
Welcome Richard, I always wanted a pre 78 C3. I started out with a C4 (85) and finally got the one I wanted. It too is a project and will require a lot of elbow grease. Your biggest hurdle I see is that it sat outside for quite some time without a rear window? You will have mold and corrosion and possible critter damage to look for besides just getting it back in shape. You may want to find a cleaner car and use this one for parts.
Richard, welcome to the family. This is a VERY active forum and the knowledge available to all of us is amazing. I also have a '78 S/A that is being restomodded so as you go through your project, please don't be shy about asking for help. I do have one serious question for you. Was the air freshener hanging from the mirror new? If so, you might need something a bit stronger!
Richard,
Welcome and as mentioned...ASK QUESTIONS if you feel the need. AS like it has been mentioned...my primary concern if your car came into my shop would be the frame and then go from there.
The floorboards may have issues of rust.
WOW...a manual window 1978....something I rarely see.
The 1976 steering wheel is a nice touch for those who like the look.
The air freshners are from 2002, lol. I have taken many of the comments to heart and made a call to my uncle who restores cars for a living, he is coming down this Sunday to evaluate the frame, parts, etc. I have pretty much gutted the interior completely, and working on the engine compartment. I noticed the radiator mount is completely rusted thin and will need to be replaced, I looked at sites like eckler and mid America, but couldn't find a replacement, am I searching for a wrong term, or are they just that rare? I haven't searched the forums for an answer yet, but will next.
.....welcome and good luck with your 78 project.
New member - Hi
. Lol. Fast forwarding to today, I finally got up a garage, have the Vette parked inside, and have broken my first 10 rusted bolts. Go team. I don't mind putting in the wrench time, I don't mind spending 10 grand in replacements parts, but I am scared that I will get this thing pulled apart, sandblasted and never remember how to get it back together. So with my introduction,my first question. What books, manuals, guides, do you all recommend purchasing that will assist me in my restoration ( I was looking to get a restoration book, the factory manual, engine building, and chassis restoration)?
