I just purchased a 73 about a month ago. It had been sitting in a garage for over 7 years and didn't run. I was able to get the small block running after a carb rebuild and it sounds good. Engine has been rebuilt at some point because the front pad numbers are gone. So it has been decked at some point. It also has a cam in it. Not to sure I am going change yet or not because this is a cruiser. The brakes were leaking so I just went ahead and replaced the whole brakes system from pedal to wheels.

I will be wrenching on this over the winter because I need to replace the clutch and I might change the cam and few odds and ends. I am also thinking doing a front and rear suspension rebuild since it was parked for so long. The only thing is the car runs true and the alignment is spot on. It really handles well. I did replace the front wheel hubs already when I did he brake system but the rear trailing arms have not been touched. They currently running fine with no noises and very little play if any on the rear wheel while in the air.

I don't know how old the suspension is but some of the bushings are showing some age and have cracks. So the question is should I just go ahead and replace all the bushings and do a front and rear suspension overhaul? I am also changing all the u joints on the both half shafts and the drive shaft but again no vibrations or harmonics just trying to head stuff off.

I have also put on about 900 miles since got it running and stopping.


Here is a pic of me bring her home on the trailer.

 

Great looking car brother!
Suspension kits are relatively inexpensive so if the car is still running around on 50 year old parts, this would be a good winter project. It's a little labor intensive, of course, but you'll know it's all new and safe once you're done.

 

Nice purchase.
I didn’t read you replaced the tires.
If it’s been sitting 7 years, the tires are past the manufacturer’s safety date.
Get some new tires on there before you drive it any further.

 

And take some pictures under the front and of the rear, would like to see the condition.

 

Thanks. I don't think all the bushings are from 73 but some may be. I'm kind of leaning towards just rebuilding the both front and rear suspension and being done with it. Same with the diff and trailing arms. I plan on taking this car on Power Tour next year so makes sense to just do it while I have the engine and trans out this winter.

Also going to be doing some heat insulation on the floors with some new carpet. The tunnel gets warm on some of those extended cruises. I am trying to stay away from a full rewire since I just completed one last winter on my 70 Chevelle but we will see.

 

Yes I will be replacing the tires in the next couple days as I don't want to have a blow out and body damage. It was just to hard to resist not going for a ride and when your out time kind of slips away along with the miles.

 

I'll get some next time I am crawling around down there. It has some surface rust but over all it is a very solid car.

 

Be extremely careful messing with the rear rotors. If you ever have to take one off, "clock" it to be sure that it goes back on the wheel studs the exact same way. This is because Corvette rear rotor runout can cause the brake pistons to actually pump air into the hydraulic brake system. Lou.

 

Thanks for the heads up. When I put the new rear rotors on I check them for runout and they were at .001 so I should be good. I also upgraded the calipers to O-ring style which should reduce the risk of leakage.