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Although I have been generally pleased with everything. The one area of fear was the area right in front of the rear left wheel. As illustrated in the next following pictures, it shows OTHER Corvette issues which illustrates a weak point or common area of other Corvettes as well as mine. Again, the next few pictures are of OTHER Corvettes.
This is a close up example of ANOTHER Corvette, not mine. As you can see, seems to be a weak spot at the rear corners of the frame at the 90 degree joint points.
This picture illustrates the weak area on both sides. Unfortunately, as you can see on the upcoming pictures of my Corvette, mine has the same problem.
The same area with no damage.Again, all these pictures not my Corvette.
Good example of good solid frame. I will have to remove body to properly reenforce and refurbish frame of mine.
Pictures not loading, guess I will give it a break. Next time I will show ACTUAL rust issue with my Corvette. Pretty much mirror image of above pictures.
This fits into my total refurbish plan also. This will make me take the body off, leaving just the frame. I can concentrate on fixing it right. Also, work on the other major components-motor/suspension/brakes.
Doing a great job on what you got. Take your time and enjoy it. Keep the pics coming too. You do have a real challenge in front of you, but with your attitude you can take it to the finish line. You may end up looking like your shifter buddy from time to time, but research, get help as needed and throw lots of money at it. You will be fine! Glad to see you have the guts to do it!
Separated switch,bracket and starter/key locking rod.
Another look at previous condition.
Close up of components.
Another view.
Good work on your steering column...
That switch with the green plunger appears to be a headlight dimmer switch.
I believe the first year for the column mounted dimmer is 1977.
Also, the turn signal lever looks like it also controls the wipers.
This is also a feature unique to 1977 models.
Yes, this is becoming a real challenge. Since I got a full time job, work is slow . I am scheduling a trip to the frame shop to properly correct frame by welding new plates to reinforce. I have thought about getting a different frame, after full inspection and advice from welder, will consider. Also did the research on one of the numbers stamped on the motor T1023CZU. Per website-"nastyz28" motor code conversions, this motor is an
1982-LG4
305 cid 150-170hp Firebird motor. Had a lot of CCC computer controlled stuff. My Corvette motor is just the motor with a distributer cap system. Gee-whiz Ma....its almost embarassing to have a Corvette with only 170 hp.And who knows about the steering column. The guy I bought this from has tons of Corvettes. Although he was completely honest on the car being a total restoration project, he really should have mentioned the frame, different motor and all the rest. But, again, he said it is what it is...what you see is what you get. However, it is the cards I was dealt, and it aint over till the fat Lady sings.
Good thing, I got a clear title in my name. Gets kinda of tricky when you get an out of state car here in Florida. Talk about total restoration, it definitetly qualifies for that.
I got to take a good look at this car. Brakes and suspension $1000, motor $1000, body and paintjob $3000....and that's the cheap Charlie dream. $3000 original price.$2000 ***** and giggles and frame welding. ( Of course I can realistically double that.)
So, in my dream world, if I can get this baby running and restored (modestly) and be into it about $10,000-$15000. I can live with that. This will never be an original 1970 Corvette by any means, but, it just might....just might end up being one bad *** 2017 restored BatMobile.
You were warned. I HATE rust. There is nothing more soul and money sucking than rust repair. I bought a "rust free" Nova SS from EBay. It's been in restoration for 5 years. I like messing with cars, but not that. You will sell this car at some point and won't ever get back what you put into it. I'd rather have a "driver" that I can at least enjoy driving while addressing issues.
I can think of few places I'd want to buy a Corvette from less than Brooklyn, NY. Horrrible roads, snow, salt and no indoor parking. That steering column looks like it was underwater for some period of time. I don't get why someone would want to spend time trying to restore a Vette in as bad a condition as this one, but then I don't get S&M.
You can tell a friend not to jump off a bridge, but in the end, it's all his decision.
Thank you Maj75. Good post, I especially like the end where you wish me Good Luck. All you said is true. Anyway, I went to my frame man today and discussed some options. I would like to believe the frame has 87% surface rust, and 13% just gotta be replaced. That's 13 inches for every hundred. We can talk all day about this. The bottom line is, at the end of the day, what will I have. If I start with nothing, I only have what I put into it. Kind of like the story when I was a kid about the old timer who said he was a good cook and could make the best stew starting with 5 rocks. Everyone in the village laughed at him, but, was there to help. So he threw in 5 rocks into the kettle, then someone added some carrots, someone added some potatoes, someone added some beef...get where I am going here. Come dinner time, the stew was so good and tasty, everyone enjoyed it down to the last drop, leaving of course, the 5 rocks. Stupid little story, but, just a thought. My frame man mentioned whats called a RestoMod. He told me that I should build the Corvette up with a new motor. Relatively new and high performance. Find a wrecked newer model Corvette or other high performance car and transplant the good engine into my Corvette. Put in new suspension/brakes/interior and so on.Invest in a decent paintjob and he would redue the whole frame to match it. 3-5 thousand for the motor. Sounds interesting,but, first things first. If he can show me my frame as "rock solid " after his restoration, I will consider my next move. Its nice to dream, but, got to be realistic also. Time will tell.
Keep at it.
. I HATE rust. There is nothing more soul and money sucking than rust repair. I bought a "rust free" Nova SS from EBay. It's been in restoration for 5 years. I like messing with cars, but not that. You will sell this car at some point and won't ever get back what you put into it. I'd rather have a "driver" that I can at least enjoy driving while addressing issues.