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I've been wrapping up little details in my interior:
*dying the 81 console side panels to use for now
*had edges of trim that had exposed old color that I had to touch up
*wrap steering wheel in black
*fit 14" air filter to engine that clear HEI
*reconnect oil/temp/volt gauges and find less ghetto place to put them besides the dash lol
*paint used seat backs
*use heat gun to remove wrinkles from seats = excellent results!
*drink beer
*re attach dyed sun visors with new hardware
*drink more beer
Then back her out and took her for a spirited ride down the bayou backroads last night too: car is so much fun to drive!
Caught some deals on parts I had to buy this weekend! Funny how fast money goes on these cars! LOL
First up I scored a brand new VBP mono-leaf front end with new upper/lower controls arms, bushings, ball joints, and Bilstein shocks for $600! This is going to save me a lot of time rebuilding my front end, and give me a big upgrade on handling/performance!
This is what it looks like installed: front leaf setup like the C4/C5 Corvettes have
I also scored a really nice 1968 Dash for $80. Great shape except for the two cracks. I didn't realize that these don't have speaker mounts... Maybe good to use as a core to build a custom dash, or trade for a later one? Doesn't seem like a easy way for a stereo on the C3 without speakers in the dash lol
68/69 has the speakers in the A pillar at the base behind the kick panels right above #2 body mount bolt. The OEM speakers are 4x10, 10ohm. You could mount your speakers like that which would save you drilling a boat load of holes in this dash pad, LOL's
Or, trade it out like you say for a 70+ dash.
Front suspension looks way cool to me and a great bargain considering new Bilsteins shocks are $100/pc now!
68/69 has the speakers in the A pillar at the base behind the kick panels right above #2 body mount bolt. The OEM speakers are 4x10, 10ohm. You could mount your speakers like that which would save you drilling a boat load of holes in this dash pad, LOL's
Or, trade it out like you say for a 70+ dash.
Front suspension looks way cool to me and a great bargain considering new Bilsteins shocks are $100/pc now!
My ‘73 has the deluxe interior.
As part of my restomod project I’m swapping out everything in the interior with new.
I don’t care for the wood grain panels on the doors and console, so I’m going with the standard door panels and deleting the wood grain insert on the console.
I don’t know if you would be able to tell the difference between the loop and plush carpets unless they were sitting side by side.
I purchased the plush carpet for mine, just because plush sounds better than the loop.
Let me know if you're selling any of your interior parts, I still have parts I need.
When I got home from work, I jumped in the vette and put her down the highway for the first time to do a thorough shake down (and fuel up with gas & beers): Car cruises nicely down the road, oil pressure is excellent, car stays cool, tracks straight, no weird wobbles or vibrations, and is a lot of fun! She pulled some compliments too!
I also added a finishing touch: "1971 LT1 Corvette" License plate
When I got back, I went to work on putting my wheel spacers on so I would have the proper stance on my car. The spacers were too tight on the wheel hub, and I couldn't get them on. Quick work with the die grinder, and I got them fitted. They pushed the wheels out perfectly into the flare, and gave it the proper stance it needed:
Let me know if you're selling any of your interior parts, I still have parts I need.
I'm replacing the entire interior which is the deluxe black, all in excellent condition.
I'll be pulling it all out soon so keep an eye open on my thread, OldCarBums '73 Restomod Project.
Just send me a PM and we can work something out.
Took the car out cruising for lunch yesterday in that beautiful sunshine and 75F weather! Spent some time in Baton Rouge stop and go traffic, and the engine steadily stayed at 170F, happy about that! Car is doing great, but I noticed one of my rear wheels had way too much negative camber, so I went ahead and adjusted that to avoid destroying my new tires. Simple adjustment with the eccentric bolt on the strut arm, and so expert eyeballing with a bubble level, and I feel good it's damn close! lol
Then I decided to stop doing cosmetic stuff, and do some important maintenance! The oil was fresh in the engine, as the PO changed it before he tried to get the car running. I had no idea what kind of oil was in it, and I know the engine had been sitting, so I considered that as a flush now that I got a little driving time on the car. Some fresh VR1 10W-30 and a Wix filter now. I also had to order GL4 gear oil for the trans, as that's hard to find! Gear oil in the trans didn't look bad, but now it's fresh and clean!
Well done, glad the car is running well for you.
I’ll preface what I’m about to say with a caveat, I thought I read that if you were going to replace the differential oil, you were supposed to add some GM additive to it and then do some figure eights in a parking lot . I’m sure someone with more knowledge will chime in.
Regards
Roy
Well done, glad the car is running well for you.
I’ll preface what I’m about to say with a caveat, I thought I read that if you were going to replace the differential oil, you were supposed to add some GM additive to it and then do some figure eights in a parking lot . I’m sure someone with more knowledge will chime in.
Regards
Roy
Thanks for the advice! The figure 8's are to work the friction modifier into the clutches - which who knows if mine actually work anymore. The only reason I didn't drain the diff was there's no freaking drain plug in it! Stupid design, I'll have to order an oil suction pump.
Thanks for the advice! The figure 8's are to work the friction modifier into the clutches - which who knows if mine actually work anymore. The only reason I didn't drain the diff was there's no freaking drain plug in it! Stupid design, I'll have to order an oil suction pump.
Just be really careful with the tube on the suction pump.
Many members have had them slip off the pump and drop down into the differential.
Lots and lots of cuss words beginning with the letter “F” have been spoken!
FWIW, what I use to suck out these "no drain" rears and 4sp's is a cheapy gas suction pump from Walmart with clear plastic tubing on each end and a black suction bulb. So, no pieces to drop off. Takes awhile, so you get the suction siphon started and come back much later.
Ross Downing in Hammond sponsors multible Corvette clubs in Louisiana and they have a couple of super C3 mechanics that run a sub Corvette service that can properly align your C3 rear and front.
Your rebuild looks super, you will have to buy another C3 soon to fix up!(and we all know what that leads too)
FWIW, what I use to suck out these "no drain" rears and 4sp's is a cheapy gas suction pump from Walmart with clear plastic tubing on each end and a black suction bulb. So, no pieces to drop off. Takes awhile, so you get the suction siphon started and come back much later.
Ross Downing in Hammond sponsors multible Corvette clubs in Louisiana and they have a couple of super C3 mechanics that run a sub Corvette service that can properly align your C3 rear and front.
Your rebuild looks super, you will have to buy another C3 soon to fix up!(and we all know what that leads too)
I'll try that for the rear - they make big syringes that are for sucking out oil , can get them on Amazon too.
Good to know there's an alignment shop that knows what they're doing. I have 8 double adjustable control arms on my Jeep, last time I brought it in for an alignment several years ago I told them to only adjust my tow in, and not to touch my castor or control arms. Came in the shop and some dip **** kid was wrenching all over my controls arms: I asked him "what in the world are you doing?!" , and he said: "I don't have any clue!" LOLOL I pulled him off my Jeep and had to spend an hour on their rig getting everything back perfect. After that I made my own alignment rig and do all my own alignments! Caster/Camber is tricky but with a level gauge you can get it pretty close. Toe in is super simple.
My C3 still has a lot of work to do, but I'm glad I got her ready to enjoy this spring weather! Oh I already have my stepdad shopping for a C3, he went and looked at a '76 last night but said it was too "bubba" lol Hopefully we can find him a clean one for a fair price!
I did manage to get a proper air filter fitted that would clear the HEI, and deleted the PCV so I wouldn't oil up my engine. Engine bay is looking much better than when I bought it! Going to eventually do some serious detailing in there , but it's a nice start!
DUDE! You and Roger, and Tony, and Priya are making me look such a slacker. To be fair to myself I spent the morning taking a class, and the afternoon doing about what I learned about. But, anyone said anything about that rubber fuel line... It does look 'new', but...
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