An Intro, and easy 1st question
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,709
Likes: 3
From: Savannah GA
An Intro, and easy 1st question
Hello all, my name is Mark and I recently bought my first Corvette, a total basketcase, full size jigsaw puzzle with no box; a 1977 C3 project (or about 60 percent of one anyway). Car's been apart 8 years the PO will admit to, and has been moved twice, and somewhat picked over by "friends" of the po's. Best news is NO, zero, zip rust anywhere. Bad news is no cataloged parts and much missing.
Today's lame question involves the rear diff support crossmember. It's not bolted to the frame; what size, length and thread count are the bolts which go through the bushings, and what diameter and thickness are the washers on those bolts? Glad to have found this resource, and I will try to keep the dumb questions to a minimum. TIA for the warm welcome!
Today's lame question involves the rear diff support crossmember. It's not bolted to the frame; what size, length and thread count are the bolts which go through the bushings, and what diameter and thickness are the washers on those bolts? Glad to have found this resource, and I will try to keep the dumb questions to a minimum. TIA for the warm welcome!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,343
Likes: 4
From: Anderson SC
Many of us don't know that kind of info because we never took ours off. 
Before you get started you need to get catalogs from the major suppliers, and the GM service manual - AND the factory assembly manual. Between those sources, you'll iether get the answers or get the part itself. Yes, they are a little high for basic hardware - but the extra $100 you spend over the whole car is well worth it in aggravation. I plan to buy packaged "bolt kits" as opposed to doing a lot of redundant research.
I will probably remove mine this winter for painting, as I have to remove the differential anyway to replace a missing C-clip holding the left yoke in.
-W
Ecklers, Zip, Corvette Central, Mid-America, and Rik's come to mind - there are many more.
Before you get started you need to get catalogs from the major suppliers, and the GM service manual - AND the factory assembly manual. Between those sources, you'll iether get the answers or get the part itself. Yes, they are a little high for basic hardware - but the extra $100 you spend over the whole car is well worth it in aggravation. I plan to buy packaged "bolt kits" as opposed to doing a lot of redundant research.
I will probably remove mine this winter for painting, as I have to remove the differential anyway to replace a missing C-clip holding the left yoke in.
-W
Ecklers, Zip, Corvette Central, Mid-America, and Rik's come to mind - there are many more.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,709
Likes: 3
From: Savannah GA
Thanks Clams. I have a Mid America assembly guide and a Haynes for the car. From those I can say I will need to torque the bolts to 55-65 lbs/ft. Corvette Central's catalog lists the kit as part number 582006... I hope not to spring $3.00 plus freight for a pair of bolts and washers. Currently searching for a GM manual, are there sources out there for OE parts catalogs as well? I do appreciate your input and hope someone out there has done this recently enough to recall the hardware.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,343
Likes: 4
From: Anderson SC
Gotcha.
The idea is to spend a lot more money than $3 to justify the shipping on a bigger order. The GM assembly manual might have the bolt specs - I don't know for sure. I never needed one, but might have to get one this winter. Someone else here might just know off the top of thier head what bolts you need.
Overall: Given the degree of basket case you have - it might be worth it just to forget "correct" and use your best judgement (and overkill) as to what fasteners you need - ie when in doubt get hardened bolts. I don't think you have a good candidate for an NCRS restoration -so just build your best "hot-rod" based on good judgement and sound engineering. That's my 2 cents.
-W
The idea is to spend a lot more money than $3 to justify the shipping on a bigger order. The GM assembly manual might have the bolt specs - I don't know for sure. I never needed one, but might have to get one this winter. Someone else here might just know off the top of thier head what bolts you need.
Overall: Given the degree of basket case you have - it might be worth it just to forget "correct" and use your best judgement (and overkill) as to what fasteners you need - ie when in doubt get hardened bolts. I don't think you have a good candidate for an NCRS restoration -so just build your best "hot-rod" based on good judgement and sound engineering. That's my 2 cents.
-W
Last edited by Clams Canino; Jun 28, 2009 at 11:16 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,291
Likes: 493
From: Salmon Arm, BC
Hello,
I had my car ('77) on the lift so I went and pulled the bolt....just for you. Mines a 7/16" x 1 1/4" grade 8 with a lockwasher only, and as posted previously 55-65 Ft/Lbs. I use grade 8 on anything undercarrage related.
Welcome to the forum
I had my car ('77) on the lift so I went and pulled the bolt....just for you. Mines a 7/16" x 1 1/4" grade 8 with a lockwasher only, and as posted previously 55-65 Ft/Lbs. I use grade 8 on anything undercarrage related.
Welcome to the forum
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,709
Likes: 3
From: Savannah GA
Clams... point taken and you are correct... no NCRS in this one's future! Sstocker... you are a gentleman. I hope to be of similar assistance as I gain more experience. I think I'm gonna like it here!
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,889
Likes: 23
From: Kansas
Yes Sir; Helm Chevrolet Corvette shop manual 1-800-782-4356 Chevrolet Motor Division made these for Chevrolet. I'm not sure if their in business or not since the Government has Become involved. Have a great time. Gene
Pro
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 613
Likes: 3
From: Fleetwood PA
I know shipping is an issue on small parts, been P-in me off for years. I agree the best way to go is to get the whole bolt kit for a perticular area of the car. I know corvette central sent me a message about free shipping over $99.00. I think it runs out tomorrow though. I have the assembly manual for my 68 and it doesn't list the actual bolt sizes...maybe later manuals do, but I haven't been able to find one.
Anyway, from one nubie to another....welcome
Anyway, from one nubie to another....welcome
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Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,562
Likes: 2
From: Spring Texas
The AIM, or Assembly Instruction Manual is available by year from most of the major vendors for all C3's. I believe that forum sponsor Willcox has it available in DVD format. The AIM is full of technical drawings for virtually everything as it was assembled at te factory, including parts lists, and nut/bolt specifications. The 1953 - 1982 Illustrated Corvette Parts Catalog has parts listings and descriptions with original parts numbers, and many illustrations. This is sometimes available from vendors, and can also be found on Ebay. It has also been available from time to time online in PDF format (multiple very large downloads). http://corvettec3.ca/partsman.htm
You need to remember when replacing bolts, etc. that Ace arware, Lowes and Home Depot are not as likelly to carry bolts in the same grade used at the factory. So you will want to find a local industrial supplier of nuts and bolts, or become familiar with McMasterCarr Online, Bolt Depot, and other suppliers of high grade fasteners that may not be readily available locally. And don't forget your friendly local Vette Recycler for things like used nuts and bolts.
Good Luck with your project and welcome to the forum.
Orville
You need to remember when replacing bolts, etc. that Ace arware, Lowes and Home Depot are not as likelly to carry bolts in the same grade used at the factory. So you will want to find a local industrial supplier of nuts and bolts, or become familiar with McMasterCarr Online, Bolt Depot, and other suppliers of high grade fasteners that may not be readily available locally. And don't forget your friendly local Vette Recycler for things like used nuts and bolts.
Good Luck with your project and welcome to the forum.
Orville
Last edited by 71rdster; Jun 30, 2009 at 09:07 AM. Reason: add link
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,739
Likes: 630
From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
There are a couple "FASTENAL" locations in-around Savannah ... they're bolt-fastener specialists who keep stock on shelf. Get to know them; sounds as though you need a local friend like Fastenal . Their bread & butter trade is commercial-industrial; as with any such supplier, hobbyists are advised to mind their manners.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,709
Likes: 3
From: Savannah GA
Thanks to all who replied. I work in the parts trade for a multi location heavy equipment dealership so have access to a full line of quality fasteners. This car was disassembled by a novice (first time) restorer whose stated intent was to spend a very large sum of money purchasing premade assemblies and all new hardware. Therefore almost nothing which had no core value was retained. I also expect to find this auto to contain a fair mix of metric as well as SAE fasteners as I recall that nightmare from a previous life in the auto service trade. Is this a correct assumption or was this one built before GMs haphazard attempt at metrification?
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
The factory Assembly Instruction Manual (AIM) for your year Corvette is indispensible for your reassembly task. It will NOT provide the sizes of fasteners...but you can see a visual representation of those fasteners and how everything goes together. It does give GM part numbers for the fasteners; so, if you can locate a P/N cross-reference to SAE sizes, you're in business. If you are computer literate, the new CD-rom AIM version is really nice, because you can search by keyword and part numbers to find them in the document quickly; but, you will have to print the pages, if you want a hardcopy to work from. I have both.
As a general practice, I would install Grade 5 fasteners in everything but 'cosmetic' locations...and Grade 8 fasteners in all structural/support/strength locations...just to be safe.
As a general practice, I would install Grade 5 fasteners in everything but 'cosmetic' locations...and Grade 8 fasteners in all structural/support/strength locations...just to be safe.
Last edited by 7T1vette; Jul 1, 2009 at 11:14 AM.