Do you work on your Vette?
Pro
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 579
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From: Pflugerville/ Colllege Station TX
Re: Do you work on your Vette? (Vetteboy)
I always have done all the work on all my cars and always will. If i dont know how to do something i have friends who will help out. I will be building my first engine pretty soon a 383 to go in the vette. :cool:
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 49,198
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From: All in!
Cruise-In IV Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03-'10
Re: Do you work on your Vette? (Ganey)
More and more...still take the more major things to the shop...but I'd like to lessen what's considered major. :D
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,635
Likes: 0
From: Union Ontario
Re: Do you work on your Vette? (Brutus)
I agree with Brutus.
I love working on anything other than a computer, I do that all week.
I have been known to break things just so I have something to fix.
I love working on anything other than a computer, I do that all week.
I have been known to break things just so I have something to fix.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 355
Likes: 0
From: Valdosta Georgia
Re: Do you work on your Vette? (Ganey)
I had to have my front lower a-frame bracket welded, otherwise i have done everything that has been done to it. From mechanicals to bodywork to paint. I've done engine, trans, powersteering, brakes, suspension, and interior work. Seems whenever I read on the forum about someone elses problem area and think to myself, "thats something I don't have a problem with" it won't be long before I find that I have to do that same repair. These cars are really all alike. Of course C3'rs are hands on guys (and gals). Hershey :smash:
[Modified by Hershey, 8:16 PM 11/4/2001]
[Modified by Hershey, 8:16 PM 11/4/2001]
C6 the C5 of tomorrow
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 6,665
Likes: 2
From: Twin Cities Minnesota
Re: Do you work on your Vette? (Hershey)
I do everything possible.
Setting up the rear end and alignment I paid for.
The exhaust is being done for the 4th (?) time. Hey I've owned it for 3 years, it NEEDED those exhaust changes!
Setting up the rear end and alignment I paid for.
The exhaust is being done for the 4th (?) time. Hey I've owned it for 3 years, it NEEDED those exhaust changes!
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,676
Likes: 201
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
Re: Do you work on your Vette? (427V8)
This is a very interesting thread and I would like to add that after years of doing my own work because I could not afford to take it in to a shop I was in the position to let someone else do the lousy jobs.
Well let me tell you that was a mistake on both my cars, I have never seen such crappy workmanship, it is non existant. I think to so a proper job you have to spend some time on job to get it right. I believe some of these "mechanics" think torquing a bolt to the proper spec is an option.
I don't mean back yard mechanics either I took my car to Corvette shop that has been in business here for 25 years and they put on a new rear spring.
Six months later I'm under the car and one of the three main bolts holding the spring on was out by about 5 threads and you could turn it with your fingers.
Anyway to make a long story short I just bought an air compressor and some Chicago Pneumatic air tools. :D
I'll be doing my own repairs from now on.
Well let me tell you that was a mistake on both my cars, I have never seen such crappy workmanship, it is non existant. I think to so a proper job you have to spend some time on job to get it right. I believe some of these "mechanics" think torquing a bolt to the proper spec is an option.
I don't mean back yard mechanics either I took my car to Corvette shop that has been in business here for 25 years and they put on a new rear spring.
Six months later I'm under the car and one of the three main bolts holding the spring on was out by about 5 threads and you could turn it with your fingers.
Anyway to make a long story short I just bought an air compressor and some Chicago Pneumatic air tools. :D
I'll be doing my own repairs from now on.
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Pro
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 749
Likes: 0
From: Perth,Western Australia,Australia
Re: Do you work on your Vette? (Ganey)
The only way I can keep my vette is to do all the work myself,& we pay double for spare parts here in Australia.I have even done the conversion to right hand drive myself,when I found out it was going to cost between $8k to $9k.
Instructor
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 234
Likes: 0
From: CLEVELAND TN
Re: Do you work on your Vette? (Ganey)
yep i work on my own also... the way i look at it is the more work i do myself the more new parts i can buy with the money i saved on labor and then the process repeats itself over and over again but i wouldnt trade it for the world :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:
Racer
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 301
Likes: 0
From: Indiana
Re: Do you work on your Vette? (Ganey)
I have as much fun working on it as I do driving it. As a matter of fact I spent as much time this year doing unnecessary work & cleaning as I did driving it. The only time I would ever go to a shop would be when there is no other alternative. I feel there are no options when it comes to alignments or setting the rear end lash--these items must go to a quailfied shop. :smash:
Cruise on!!! :chevy
Cruise on!!! :chevy
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 6,036
Likes: 2
From: Westfield Indiana
Cruise-In III Veteran
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
Re: Do you work on your Vette? (82 Super Vette)
I have as much fun working on it as I do driving it. As a matter of fact I spent as much time this year doing unnecessary work & cleaning as I did driving it. The only time I would ever go to a shop would be when there is no other alternative. I feel there are no options when it comes to alignments or setting the rear end lash--these items must go to a quailfied shop. :smash:
Cruise on!!! :chevy
Cruise on!!! :chevy
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 16,945
Likes: 9
Re: Do you work on your Vette? (sharklover)
I do everything myself too, reason: I enjoy working on the car and since there's only one good shop here in the Netherlands (I only buy parts there). Parts are 3 to 4 times as expensive as in the US so doing it myself helps keep the budget alive.
And with working on the car I mean EVERYTHING! :D
look here: http://www.crossfire.webhop.net/twinnie (or http://www.crossfire.webhop.net/twinnie/rebuild.html for the rebuild project)
Marck
[Modified by Twinnie, 6:19 AM 11/5/2001]
And with working on the car I mean EVERYTHING! :D
look here: http://www.crossfire.webhop.net/twinnie (or http://www.crossfire.webhop.net/twinnie/rebuild.html for the rebuild project)
Marck
[Modified by Twinnie, 6:19 AM 11/5/2001]
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
Likes: 12
From: Waterloo ontario Canada
Re: Do you work on your Vette? (Ganey)
I once had an alignment on my car and the mechanic who had to test drive it said I had a miss at 7000rpm. I have never taken my car back anywhere since. I build my own motors, transmissions, rearends, trailing arms. Even machine alot of my own parts. Machined 4 17 inch rims from blanks last winter. Machined my own pistons inside the master cylinder also. I was going to machine my own stainless steel brake calipers but found out I can make more money shoing horses on the side and buy lifetime gold anodized ss calipers. i do my own alignments now also. I painted my car in the shop also. Yes I do all my work and take pride in it.
C6 the C5 of tomorrow
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 6,665
Likes: 2
From: Twin Cities Minnesota
Re: Do you work on your Vette? (norvalwilhelm)
WHAT!??
Where on earth did you find equpiment big enough to do that!
I mean a 12" lathe is pretty darn big! 17" Wow!
snip---
Machined 4 17 inch rims from blanks last winter. Machined my own pistons inside the master cylinder also.
snip---
Where on earth did you find equpiment big enough to do that!
I mean a 12" lathe is pretty darn big! 17" Wow!
snip---
Machined 4 17 inch rims from blanks last winter. Machined my own pistons inside the master cylinder also.
snip---
Safety Car
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 3,758
Likes: 3
From: Surrey
Re: Do you work on your Vette? (MotorHead)
Well let me tell you that was a mistake on both my cars, I have never seen such crappy workmanship, it is non existant. I think to so a proper job you have to spend some time on job to get it right. I believe some of these "mechanics" think torquing a bolt to the proper spec is an option.
I do all my own work as I'd rather mess it up myself than pay somebody else to mess it up ;)
:cheers:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 8,351
Likes: 75
From: Tampa Bay FL
Re: Do you work on your Vette? (Ganey)
I just completed a $3,000 rebuild of my drivetrain. That's all parts and machining. I performed all removal and re-install. Had a shop perform the rear diff blueprint and gear install, driveshaft, half shaft, and caliper rebuild as well as trans kit (the trans kit is from Bow Tie in California).
I don't want to even think about what I would have paid to have a shop take my car and do it all (turn-key job) but given some of the receipts from prior owners' repairs I'll give it a shot:
Part/Repair My Cost Part/Repair Shop
Rear Calipers/Lines 240 * 500+
Both Half Shafts 160 * 350+
Drive Shaft/Shorten 100 250
New Diff/Gears $900 1500
700R4 Kit 1650 2500
Shop Supplies 100 250
New Tools 250 n/a
* Core not rebuildable; worn beyond rebuild.
I figure I 'saved' around $2000. I have a few trans adjustments to make in the coming weeks but I'll do it in MY 'shop'.
Cheers!!! :cheers: :seeya
[Modified by TedH, 9:25 AM 11/5/2001]
I don't want to even think about what I would have paid to have a shop take my car and do it all (turn-key job) but given some of the receipts from prior owners' repairs I'll give it a shot:
Part/Repair My Cost Part/Repair Shop
Rear Calipers/Lines 240 * 500+
Both Half Shafts 160 * 350+
Drive Shaft/Shorten 100 250
New Diff/Gears $900 1500
700R4 Kit 1650 2500
Shop Supplies 100 250
New Tools 250 n/a
* Core not rebuildable; worn beyond rebuild.
I figure I 'saved' around $2000. I have a few trans adjustments to make in the coming weeks but I'll do it in MY 'shop'.
Cheers!!! :cheers: :seeya
[Modified by TedH, 9:25 AM 11/5/2001]