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I worked on the transmission pan and filter this weekend. It just got a new filter, fluid and the pan was cleaned and painted. I was concerned about the sand-looking stuff in the pan. Without being able to drive it yet, I guess I just wonder. I also will have to get a new rubber guard or whatever it is.
What it looked like. Is there a reason to install tabs making it difficult to simply drop the pan?
This is that sandy looking stuff.
Better. Is it supposed to have a magnet of some kind?
Bolts have to match the pan.
Much better. Still wonder about the sand...
Last edited by MarkW68; Oct 13, 2024 at 08:21 PM.
Reason: Spacing
I started looking at the possibility of saving the wheels. It looks like they'll polish up for the most part. The spots where the rust is the heaviest is pitted, but they'll be fine for now. Maybe a little silver/chrome paint for camouflage. The tires are junk of course, but at least the hold up the car if I have to set it on the floor. I tried 0000 steel wool but while it cleans the rust well, it leaves very fine scratches. Is there another idea for the lightish surface rust?
The top has been cleaned and polished a bit. The bottom is for reference.
I just hit the inside with a wire wheel, and I was pleasantly surprised. I think they will work. I used aluminum foil and rust cleaner for the polished side.
Last edited by MarkW68; Oct 20, 2024 at 04:31 PM.
Reason: Finished wheels
As to the grit, I've no clue. Maybe the filler tube had come loose at the trans or road dirt (dusty road?) entered the vent tube.
I wondered about that. Maybe the dipstick wasn't fully seated, and years go by with some of our wind festivals adding a few grains at a time. I didn't see anything else that was interesting like shavings.
I've started working on the brakes. I decided to replace all 4 calipers since mine look like they are un-sleeved originals. When I opened the driver's front caliper, it was full of rusty gunk and I didn't see anything that looked like stainless. I've ordered AC-Delco sleeved rebuilt calipers. Hopefully they are a decent product. My experience with the Camaro is that the hard lines are forever bonded to the rubber lines, so I bought a complete brake line replacement kit for the Corvette. It looks like I need to pull the radiator and shroud in order to put in the line to the passenger front wheel. Am I missing something? Is there an easier/better approach?
I've started working on the brakes. I decided to replace all 4 calipers since mine look like they are un-sleeved originals. When I opened the driver's front caliper, it was full of rusty gunk and I didn't see anything that looked like stainless. I've ordered AC-Delco sleeved rebuilt calipers. Hopefully they are a decent product.
Great idea.
Originally Posted by MarkW68
My experience with the Camaro is that the hard lines are forever bonded to the rubber lines, so I bought a complete brake line replacement kit for the Corvette.
I don't know what you mean by "bonded." My hard brake lines remain the original ones as they are in good condition. All my brake rubber hoses were replaced some ten years ago. At the same time, I replaced all four calipers with rebuilt Delco calipers; stainless steel sleeved with "O" ring seals. The master cylinder was replaced as it was leaking.
Originally Posted by MarkW68
It looks like I need to pull the radiator and shroud in order to put in the line to the passenger front wheel. Am I missing something? Is there an easier/better approach?
I don't know about that. But if you need to remove the radiator for any reason, that would be a great time to replace it if necessary. So take a good look at it and run it thru its paces to make sure it's in good condition.
I've started working on the brakes. I decided to replace all 4 calipers since mine look like they are un-sleeved originals. When I opened the driver's front caliper, it was full of rusty gunk and I didn't see anything that looked like stainless. I've ordered AC-Delco sleeved rebuilt calipers. Hopefully they are a decent product. My experience with the Camaro is that the hard lines are forever bonded to the rubber lines, so I bought a complete brake line replacement kit for the Corvette. It looks like I need to pull the radiator and shroud in order to put in the line to the passenger front wheel. Am I missing something? Is there an easier/better approach?
the brake line to passenger wheel does not need radiator removal. 79
By 'bonded' I mean that I couldn't get the rubber and hard lines apart. The flare wrench just stripped the nuts. I tried heat, penetrating oil and a vise grip to help keep the flare wrench even tighter. The hard lines looked like they were in decent shape. I just couldn't get them apart.
Last edited by MarkW68; Dec 12, 2024 at 08:41 PM.
Reason: Add quote
the brake line to passenger wheel does not need radiator removal.
79
As I pull the line towards the front of the car, it hits the radiator shroud. This is why I'm wondering about pulling the radiator. I understand it has to come out before one can pull the shroud. Drivers side. Passenger side with the lower radiator hose in the shot.
The calipers arrived the other day. This is a bit of unboxing. I ordered them from PartsGeek simply because I could get all 4 at once. They look good, but the real test will be if they leak, I guess. They won't get installed until I get the hardlines in. One of the 4 came in the blue AC Delco box. The castings look the same. They look good. The pistons move easily. I hear air moving in and out of the ports. Hope they work. Used G2 Brake Caliper Paint. Plenty of paint in the can for all 4 calipers. Turned out nice. I like the gold colored bits.
Last edited by MarkW68; Jan 12, 2025 at 07:24 PM.
Reason: New pics
As I pull the line towards the front of the car, it hits the radiator shroud. This is why I'm wondering about pulling the radiator. I understand it has to come out before one can pull the shroud.
Regarding the first point, not all brake line runs will have the same exact clearances just because two different cars are the same make & model. Regarding the second point, looking at my C3, it does look like the radiator must come out before the shroud.
The calipers arrived the other day. This is a bit of unboxing. I ordered them from PartsGeek simply because I could get all 4 at once. They look good, but the real test will be if they leak, I guess. They won't get installed until I get the hardlines in. Hope they work.
I'm quite optimistic for you. They look good and promise to be a massive improvement. Perhaps spray them with an anti-rust paint?
I'm quite optimistic for you. They look good and promise to be a massive improvement. Perhaps spray them with an anti-rust paint?
I have ordered "G2 Brake Caliper PaintSystem Set - Black". It looks like an epoxy sort of paint. I'd like to keep them nice looking as best I can. It seems to go that way for me. For instance, the shroud is sort of grey. Interpon's looks black. I'm wondering if a little high-grit sandpaper might clean it up. The radiator will probably get a brushing and semi-gloss black. It adds to the time, but I like it.
I have ordered "G2 Brake Caliper PaintSystem Set - Black". It looks like an epoxy sort of paint. I'd like to keep them nice looking as best I can. It seems to go that way for me. For instance, the shroud is sort of grey. Interpon's looks black. I'm wondering if a little high-grit sandpaper might clean it up. The radiator will probably get a brushing and semi-gloss black. It adds to the time, but I like it.
If you're going for visually original appearances, use SEM Trim Black (39143) for the radiator support, shroud, firewall, wheel well panels, and underside of the hood. Gloss black for the radiator and power brake booster.
I got out the radiator and shroud. That made pulling the passenger brake line fairly easy. Have to see how re-install goes. I'm going to take the radiator to a shop to have them take a look at it. I like the idea of keeping the original if it is in good shape. If not, an aluminum Champion was mentioned earlier in this post.
Got it out without removing the hood. It'll take time to straighten all those fins...
Last edited by MarkW68; Jan 12, 2025 at 07:32 PM.
Reason: Details
Radiator, shroud and front brake lines are in back in place. I have a complete brake line kit, so I'll start heading towards the rear end. Hopefully everything will come apart without too much trouble. The line that runs to the back looks like it might be a hassle. Top of the rad is a little rough. New line looks good. I bought a spray can of the car's yellow to for the radiator shelf.
It has finally moved under its own power at the end of May. The trip was to the next-door neighbor's place is all. The tires are from when it was parked all those years, so it was a slow, careful drive. They have since been replaced. It can move again!
Starting on the power steering today. It is a leaking, gooey mess. I have a rebuilt pump, new hoses and kits to rebuild the other two pieces. The pump. It leaks fluid almost as fast as it is added. Plenty of crud.
