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So it begins!
Get in the habit of making a list of parts you need, then placing orders large enough to get free shipping.
That way you won’t pay $12.00 shipping for a $10.00 part.
On the big $$$ items watch for manufacturers sales around holidays and when they offer free shipping.
Its another way to save big.
Corvette Central and Top Flight Automotive have really good quality parts and Top Flight always has good sales and free shipping.
Oh, I don't have a list, I have a huge spreadsheet with LISTS.
I've broken down the entire restoration project into all the major systems (engine, suspension, brakes, fuel system, bodywork, etc), which I track in the spreadsheet. Each major system is tracked by a task list and the parts needed.
For example, the Brakes system has about 20 tasks that need to be done. The tasks are everything from "Order Parts" to "Disassemble original calipers, blast original calipers, powdercoat calipers, install caliper rebuild kit, re-assemble calipers, install calipers on rotors, etc". Under the Order Parts task there was a link to a different tab in the spreadsheet with about 35 different parts on it. It lists everything from all the parts to re-do the parking brake system, brake lines, proportioning valves, frame clips, etc; all the way down to replacing the brake pads. I build the parts lists in wish lists on the vendors' websites over time, then order them in batches when I'm about to start that system.
I know, it's a ton of OCD. Nothing kills me more than trying to go out and work on a project and missing parts or something not being ready!
I do have some big ticket items coming up (transmission, maybe), and I was hoping for Memorial Day or 4th of July sales.
I've checked out Corvette Central, but haven't ordered anything from them. A lot has come from Summit so far, and this was my first Keen order. I've started the parts list for interior components, just to get an idea of my budget (eek). I think everything on that is from Top Flight.
Not shown, many boxes from Corvette Central, Keen Parts, Summit and smaller boxes from Van Steel. I have dozens of bags of new nuts & bolts, brake lines, fuel lines, new gas tank, bushings, etc...
Sunday was mostly about cataloging and cleaning up all the parts, nuts and bolts. I did install the tie rods and idler arm, and finish prepping for the Borgeson upgrade. The box itself is backordered at Van Steel, so that'll be a bit longer.
I couldn't start on the rear suspension yesterday because I need to get the old crossmember bushings pressed out and the new pressed in, so I installed the new tank and its guts yesterday. I forgot to take a pic, so I'll put that up later tonight.
Here’s a tip.
As you add weight onto the frame be cognizant that you’re distributing the weight evenly front and rear.
When you hang the rear differential and suspension make sure you have some counterweight up front.
Watch your jack stand placement.
Here’s a tip.
As you add weight onto the frame be cognizant that you’re distributing the weight evenly front and rear.
When you hang the rear differential and suspension make sure you have some counterweight up front.
Watch your jack stand placement.
Oh yeah, that almost got me during disassembly. I was working on the back end after having completely disassembled the front when the whole front started rising up like a seesaw! It was slow and easy, so I just held it down w/one hand before putting a couple of rotors on the front of the frame to hold it down! The bigger problem during re-assembly is that the frame is so smooth and slick after powdercoating that the whole thing likes to slide back and forth on the stands!
I have a shop pressing in the new rear crossmember bushings today and mounting the new tires. I'll start getting the rear suspension installed over the next couple of days, then get it back on its wheels soon. That plus the tank having been installed will start to balance out the weight. Getting the differential bolted up will pretty much solve any problem, then onto the trailing arms and rear coilovers. I'd like to have it done by the end of this weekend, but we're flying down to Disney for the kids' spring break on Friday, so it likely won't get done until the weekend of the 19th - 20th.
Was anything done to the inside of the frame for rust abatement? Hope I didn't miss it.
None if not very little. They puffed powder coat into any large openings prior to baking, but nothing else.
TBH, I completely forgot about it until I read your post. I don't know what it'd look like to try to spray treatment inside with half of the suspension already installed? I suppose I could try to tape up most of the openings and drag a long straw through the ends?
I am just starting work on the frame and it is apparent you've given a lot of thought to things. One could argue you don't plan to drive in bad weather and quite honestly I haven't seen any processes that aren't a PIA. I plan powder for frame (I think) but trying to come up with internal coating of some kind. I'm leaning toward KBM products and they have 48" internal nozzle available, but unsure. Thanks for sharing.
You can only do so much.
Unless you have unlimited funds.
As long as the frame looks good and you don’t drive it on salted wet roads, leave it parked outside throughout the winter, you’ll probably never have a problem.
I’f you want peace of mind, run a bore scope camera inside the frame, see how it looks and go from there.
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Slideshow: A Jaguar designer's personal project imagines what a modern front-engined Corvette might look like if Chevrolet revisited the golden age of the Stingray.
Congratulations!
