When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Like they say, third time is the charm! Enjoying your thread - you are really bringing that great '74 back to life! (My first Corvette was a 74 big block, back in high school.) Keep the pics coming!
Took the Corvette out today for an extended shakedown drive. Got it out on the highway. It was a hot day and it ran a little over 200 on the gauge. I'd imagine it's git a 195 Stat in it which means it'll run around 210ish fully warmed up.
Car did about 60 plus miles. Didn't miss a beat. Speakers from turnswitch arrive tomorrow. Im anxious to get the interior buttoned up.
Thank you. I'm actually liking the "ratty corvette" look!
Had it out today and get the slightest clunk on take off. Not all the time though. Im hoping its not the dreaded trailing arm bushings. Im just not in the mood for it right now...
The 74 has become a very reliable car. I have about 400 trouble free miles on it so far. Just dialing in the tune and handling a few nit picky things on it. She run a little more than 200 on the gauge but im sure it's got a 195 stat in it.
Next up I'm going to vacuum out the ac and pump three cans of R12 in it. It still has a little pressure and I bet it's the factory charge
Question- what do the accessory floor mats look like for a 1974 corvette?
I've been putting the miles on the old girl. So far almost 700 mostly trouble free...lol
First C3 issue.....the drain hose by the fuel filler was clogged. We had sone pretty heavy rains here a few weeks ago and water got in the tank. Had to pump out 8 gallons and and blow out all the fuel lines
Next, the engine was making a rattling noise. The power steering/ alternator bracket cracked and broke in teo right where the adjustment is for the pump. I was able to get it rewelded. While it was apart, I noticed the belts were all in rough shape. What I didn't realize is you can't get the 32" water pump belt at an auto parts store, it's either too short or too long. Had to get a repro Quanta belt from my local corvette shop. So after 4 trips to the auto parts store and the Corvette place, we now have 4 new belts on.
In doing the job, I took the AIR pump off which was frozen. But in removing the pulley, it freed itself up! So I'm debating on just putting a belt on it or taking it apart and servicing the bearings. Is there a rebuild kit for those things?
Wondering if you ever the got the choke hooked up & sorted?
It is amazing you still have the air pump. Since it is original I would keep it. It does pull a couple of HP so most of them were quickly removed back in the day, You could sell it and get some pretty bucks for it. Or you could pull the vanes out of the inside of it and gut it, keeping the look, but rendering it impotent.
While you are under the hood, did you recurve the distributor? It will run better at normal speeds and run cooler. Set it to Lars specs. Set distrib mechanical only all in to 36 degrees but it must be set at 3000 and it must be all-in at 3000, needs lighter springs. Change advance stop bushings under weights to get 10-12-14 degrees initial with the above 36. Then add 10-12 with the vac can hooked up on and switch that to manifold vac. You will most likely need to restrict the vac can to get only 12. It will pull even harder! And run cooler.
So after 4 trips to the auto parts store and the Corvette place...
If I could just have 4 trips for C3 parts
I'm ordering something and get it 2-3 month later after it crossed the ocean on a cargo ship, then whole Europe on a train. -> Sometimes just to see I ordered a wrong part, or that the aftermarket quality does not meets my standards.
If you ever feel it painful for shopping C3 part in the US, just think about a dozen of crazy guys in Eastern Europe who choose this as their hobby.
Your progress is very motivating, keep going, and thanks for sharing.
Wondering if you ever the got the choke hooked up & sorted?
It is amazing you still have the air pump. Since it is original I would keep it. It does pull a couple of HP so most of them were quickly removed back in the day, You could sell it and get some pretty bucks for it. Or you could pull the vanes out of the inside of it and gut it, keeping the look, but rendering it impotent.
While you are under the hood, did you recurve the distributor? It will run better at normal speeds and run cooler. Set it to Lars specs. Set distrib mechanical only all in to 36 degrees but it must be set at 3000 and it must be all-in at 3000, needs lighter springs. Change advance stop bushings under weights to get 10-12-14 degrees initial with the above 36. Then add 10-12 with the vac can hooked up on and switch that to manifold vac. You will most likely need to restrict the vac can to get only 12. It will pull even harder! And run cooler.
I plan on doing a performance tune on it this weekend as a matter of fact! See if I can get a steeper advance curve I like having all the timing in closer to 2500 than 3000. Chevys seem to like around 36 degrees of initial and machanical. I also need to see what the plugs are saying about my AFR. It idles around 13.0 with the screws out almost 4 turns. This carb seems to have alot of idle bypass air and pretty small holes under the screws. They needed to come out alot to get a decent idle quality. It definitely liked it because I was able to get 3 more inches of vacuum at idle going from 3 turns to 4.
The old girl started making a wierd clanking noise under the hood. Upon investigation it wound up being a broken power steering bracket. Took it out and got it tig welded by a friend of mine.
All the belts were in sad shape, especially the water pump belt which was extremely loose. Went to the auto parts store and picked up 4 belts. The water pump belt was a nightmare. The belt they gave me was a gates 7315 which is 31.5". Too small. Went back and the next biggest is 32 5/8". And that one was too big! Called corvettes unlimited and Doug confirmed my assessment. Doug had the correct repro 32.07" belt in stock. Put the repaired bracket in and all the new belts. Adjusted them all up and we're back in action! Car ran noticeably cooler too with a properly adjusted belt installed.
As it turned out, putting a new belt on the water pump and adjusting it was the kiss of death for the pump. It started leaking from the weep hole after a few days. Thankfully it's only a pump and not the radiator which not only looks expensive but looks like a real bitch to replace.....
So the water pump is this weekends project. I honestly should of just thrown a pump in it. I was right there, but I have a real problem fixing stuff thst isn't broken. I guess I might as well throw some radiator hoses in it while I'm there...
As a side note, im really starting to love this car. I get the whole corvette thing now....
