floor
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 174
Likes: 0
From: Wallaceburg Ontario
floor
In your expert opinions, was the switch from fibreglass to steel floor (1976????) a good thing or bad thing for the C3? I'm considering selling BOTH my '72 Chevelle AND '79 Vette and saving my pennies to find my ALL TIME favourite car; a '73 Vette. Any other differences between '73 and '79 I should be aware of (like the 2" longer steering column of pre '77)?
Thanks,
- Chilli
Thanks,
- Chilli
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
Bad for consumers ... good for manufacturer (planned obsolescense).
I've never seen or felt any problems with the fiberglass floor.
I have an extra, but I don't think I will ever need it (doesn't rust).
Other 73 differences:
No cats ... true dual exhaust.
Seats that make you wish you still had a late C3.
Less mess under the hood (emmisions wiring/vacuum control).
BBC friendly ... without breaking the local inspection laws.
An awesome looking backside.
I'm sure there are a few I missed.
I've never seen or felt any problems with the fiberglass floor.
I have an extra, but I don't think I will ever need it (doesn't rust).
Other 73 differences:
No cats ... true dual exhaust.
Seats that make you wish you still had a late C3.
Less mess under the hood (emmisions wiring/vacuum control).
BBC friendly ... without breaking the local inspection laws.
An awesome looking backside.
I'm sure there are a few I missed.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 11,891
Likes: 3
From: Kansas City, MO ...I'd like to go fishing and catch a fishstick. That'd be convenient. - Mitch Hedberg
I once asked about my metal floors having surface rust on them. A couple forum members lit me up about what an idiot I was until some others stepped in and informed them that they were switched to metal halfway through the C3 run. hehe.
The only problem I have with them is the way the toe pan is not metal but the rest is.
The only problem I have with them is the way the toe pan is not metal but the rest is.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 174
Likes: 0
From: Wallaceburg Ontario
Thanks, guys. What about heat - does it get inside the car easier through steel or fibreglass floors? Speaking of early vs. late C3s, what about the pre-'75 points and condensors type distributors (a previous owner put an HEI system in my Chevelle) - are they REALLY much worse/less reliable than HEI?
Thanks again,
- Chilli
Thanks again,
- Chilli
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 137
Likes: 5
From: Clifton NJ
In case no one else had posted this, I believe GM went to the steel floors in '75 because of the addition of the catalytic converter. Having a cat that close to a fiberglas floor would not have been a good thing, to say the least.
Having a 72 with its fiberglas floor, I really can't comment on the difference in heat transfer between the steel underbody and passenger compartment, other than to speculate that effectively insulated, either the steel or fiberglas could be made manageable.
Cheers
BB NJ Ken
Having a 72 with its fiberglas floor, I really can't comment on the difference in heat transfer between the steel underbody and passenger compartment, other than to speculate that effectively insulated, either the steel or fiberglas could be made manageable.
Cheers
BB NJ Ken
Racer
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 410
Likes: 0
From: Wichita Kansas
After messing with my original points distributor, for years, sending it to "experts" etc. I finally installed a MSD 31360 Distributor, already had the 6 AL box. The ignition system has been perfect since.
