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The super stout new shift cable from Full Throttle Corvette will have to get installed after the body is back on the frame. After placing body mounts, up goes the body, until we’re suspended, clear of the trolley. Disconnected the radiator frame from the front bumper assembly, unbolt the frame extensions, & remove the bumper & vacuum reservoir.
The turning point of this whole procedure came when we found that the body was a few inches too low to clear. Dave suggested taking off the gas tank, which we did; then rolled the chassis under body.
I watched the distributor slide up into place just ahead of the firewall. With a little maneuvering, the radiator & frame wound up sittin’pretty.
If I was to do this again, I’d have another support under the cable on the other side to eliminate the sag; & I’d remove the master cylinder brake lines from the proportioning valve. Gas tank reinstalled, ready to lower the body… It was tight getting the body on over the radiator & engine, but somehow it all slid back together, right at sundown. Got the tools put away & the car covered with a tarp, just as the rain started falling.
Last edited by 78Corvetter; Nov 7, 2023 at 10:59 AM.
Special thanks to longtime friend since middle-school in the late ‘60s, genuine Okie Dave. His hillbilly help & spirit made this happen like it wouldn’t have otherwise, adding another fun & colorful page to our lifelong history.
Today is all about getting the body mounts & stainless steel bolts in place. Sorting out the engine compartment, hooking up brake lines, installing the steering column & wiring the key to the starter will have to wait. The good news is that the positive lead reaches from the battery compartment to the starter. A floor jack, a pair of 4x4s & a 2x6 lift the body just enough to get the body mounts in place. It took all day, but I finally got all eight mounts & bolts in without crushing any fingers.
Last edited by 78Corvetter; Nov 7, 2023 at 07:52 PM.
Had to have one more look, sittin’pretty in autumn morning light. Still a diamond in the rough, but she’s back in one piece. Where she’s at, for now. All eight mounts, washers, nuts & bolts are in this morning, ready for final inspection before being torqued. That’ll be next weekend.
Last edited by 78Corvetter; Nov 7, 2023 at 07:56 PM.
Nice build, fun to follow along, thanks for posting your ups and downs! I have to say, your first pic in your last post is great! I don’t know a thing about what makes a good picture, but I really like that one…new background pic on the laptop!
Hats off to you sir, there’s no way my old bones could work on the cold wet ground like that. I could work outdoors, but it would have to at least be on concrete. Keep on going and good luck!
Rusty metal primer brushed on thick in prep for rubberizing. Putting the steering column back in with primed & painted brackets. Pro-grade rubberized. These brackets were completely rusted when I removed them. Wire wheel on a grinder, mineral spirits, primer & paint they look pretty sharp.
Last edited by 78Corvetter; Nov 17, 2023 at 10:27 AM.
Front bumper, frame extensions & radiator bolted in. Steering column & brackets are in place, but the rag joint still needs to be finished. Front bumper assembly painted with rubberized paint, ready for installation & securing radiator.
Originally Posted by OldCarBum
That front bumper assembly weighs a ton.
Yes it does.
Heavy AND awkward! I wheel mine around on a creeper.
Last edited by 78Corvetter; Nov 19, 2023 at 08:38 PM.
Steering column installed & rag joint bolted to coupling; will make it a lot easier to move the car into the barn when the weather turns too wet & cold to work outside. New transmission shift cable installed. Positive battery lead connected to the starter; negative ground bolted to the frame. Just about ready to hook up the battery. Emergency brake cable hooked up to parking brake assembly. Accelerator cable bracket redrilled & bolted onto the Edelbrock carburetor studs. Cable operational. Just about ready to start the car using the key. 🦭New SealSkin car cover replaces ugly brown tarp. It will do a better job of keeping rain, snow & falling leaves out too.🍁
Last edited by 78Corvetter; Dec 3, 2023 at 10:46 PM.
Corvette’s finally back in the barn for winter. Working without regard to weather is a luxury. Ramps for working under the car. Creeper glides over the plywood floor. My compressor is handy. The squirrels will have to find someplace else to nest.
Rear shocks were completely gone, so… Rag joint rebuild parts arrived, but will have to wait until I get the distributor wired, fuel pressure & vacuum systems dialed-in, key starting & running properly.
Last edited by 78Corvetter; Dec 11, 2023 at 12:12 PM.
