Diving in headfirst
Thread Starter
1st Gear
Joined: Jun 2025
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Diving in headfirst
Not really over my head because I like a challenge. Bought my first corvette last month, I said I like a challenge it's a 1974 Vette and it's a basket case literally. This will be a frame off restoration not so much as a show car (my wife will be driving it, so I want it safe). I am indulging myself somewhat by building a 383 and Turbo 400 for the car. All the mechanicals I can handle it's all the fiberglass work that will give me the most trouble. I built my first engine at 13 a Briggs and Straton lawn mower engine. The summer of 74 I blew the lawn mower up, Dad said fix it or use the push mower the rest of the summer---- those of you who know, know. I fell in love with mechanics and hot rods after that rebuild lol. I have been a welder and fabricator for over 45 years, so steel is not a problem for me. I want to pick the fiberglass guru's brains who are members of these forums. I am dealing with it all cracks, breaks, checking blistering and bulges. How to repair replace Bondo primer and paint those will be my true challenges. good advice will be appreciated Semper Fi
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 2,718
Likes: 2,163
From: Minnesota
Welcome to the forum! Excited to follow along.
Since you’re doing a full frame off I would consider a 700-R4 or other overdrive transmission. It would considerably lower the revs at higher speeds making the car seem calmer and more “safe” on the freeway.
Since you’re doing a full frame off I would consider a 700-R4 or other overdrive transmission. It would considerably lower the revs at higher speeds making the car seem calmer and more “safe” on the freeway.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,183
Likes: 1,178
From: out of nowhere
Welcome and congratulations on your ‘Vette (your wife’s). This guy (doorgunner) in this thread is tackling a lot of fiberglass work, totally transforming his ‘Vette to look like it is from an earlier year:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...e-project.html
There’s also a complete section on the forum dedicated to paint and body. You can find it here:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/paint-body-138/
Best wishes as you go, and keep us posted (with pics once you have enough posts to do so we like pics)
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...e-project.html
There’s also a complete section on the forum dedicated to paint and body. You can find it here:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/paint-body-138/
Best wishes as you go, and keep us posted (with pics once you have enough posts to do so we like pics)
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Do yourself a favor and 'scrub' the Turbo 400 trans, if the car still has its original 3.23 rear axle. You would do better to convert to a 700-R4 overdrive unit, while the car is apart. That change ALONE will gain you several mpg at highway speed, lower the cabin temperature and noise, and save the engine unnecessary revs. As long as the 700R was built after 1988, it will have all the necessary power upgrades. There are some important [minor] modifications that need to be done for the conversion, but none are expensive or difficult. You can SEARCH on this Forum for details of that conversion. I changed out the T-400 in my '71 and it was the absolute BEST change I ever made to the car. Went from 16 mpg to 20 mpg, and made cruising at highway speed a comfortable dream!!
