New Guy with a question
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From: Mission Tx
New Guy with a question
Hello I am new to this forum and thought that I would make my start here
I have a 1974 Corvette stingray that I recently got from my uncle I am started to clean it up since it was sitting outside for a few months with the windows down(has not rained in months) but either way there is a lot of dirt spiders and such in there as well as some rust on the doors and the joints on the seats (i will try and post some before pictures before I get started restoring but seeing as I am in college it will probably take a few years)
but now for the question, I was wandering if someone makes a wire harness for the engine because in this vette they have already rebuilt the engine about a year ago and it is all suped up and it runs how ever allot of the wires are frayed and crimped and I want it to look as good as possible also how hard it is to remove the body from the frame with just me 2 jacks, 2 jack stands and a few friends
I have a 1974 Corvette stingray that I recently got from my uncle I am started to clean it up since it was sitting outside for a few months with the windows down(has not rained in months) but either way there is a lot of dirt spiders and such in there as well as some rust on the doors and the joints on the seats (i will try and post some before pictures before I get started restoring but seeing as I am in college it will probably take a few years)
but now for the question, I was wandering if someone makes a wire harness for the engine because in this vette they have already rebuilt the engine about a year ago and it is all suped up and it runs how ever allot of the wires are frayed and crimped and I want it to look as good as possible also how hard it is to remove the body from the frame with just me 2 jacks, 2 jack stands and a few friends
Pro
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Mertztown Pa
Hello I am new to this forum and thought that I would make my start here
I have a 1974 Corvette stingray that I recently got from my uncle I am started to clean it up since it was sitting outside for a few months with the windows down(has not rained in months) but either way there is a lot of dirt spiders and such in there as well as some rust on the doors and the joints on the seats (i will try and post some before pictures before I get started restoring but seeing as I am in college it will probably take a few years)
but now for the question, I was wandering if someone makes a wire harness for the engine because in this vette they have already rebuilt the engine about a year ago and it is all suped up and it runs how ever allot of the wires are frayed and crimped and I want it to look as good as possible also how hard it is to remove the body from the frame with just me 2 jacks, 2 jack stands and a few friends
I have a 1974 Corvette stingray that I recently got from my uncle I am started to clean it up since it was sitting outside for a few months with the windows down(has not rained in months) but either way there is a lot of dirt spiders and such in there as well as some rust on the doors and the joints on the seats (i will try and post some before pictures before I get started restoring but seeing as I am in college it will probably take a few years)
but now for the question, I was wandering if someone makes a wire harness for the engine because in this vette they have already rebuilt the engine about a year ago and it is all suped up and it runs how ever allot of the wires are frayed and crimped and I want it to look as good as possible also how hard it is to remove the body from the frame with just me 2 jacks, 2 jack stands and a few friends
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
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From: Savannah GA
If the car runs and is safe to drive I would put off taking it all to bits until I finished school, had a place to store and work on the car, and a full time job to pay for the parts required to restore it. Doing a frame off restoration is more involved than one might think... even taking a full 10 week summer break and doing just the car every day might not be enough time to finish before fall semester. Also, once it's apart if you decide finishing it is not what you want to do it's value is only a fraction of what a completely assembled example will bring. My advice is drive it as is if it's capable of that, or park it for awhile while you research what's involved in doing it up, and have some sort of plan as to where, how and for how much.
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From: Mission Tx
I currently have it parked at my parents house and can work on it on occasion which I intend to but at the same time I dont intend on finishing it in between semesters, I am currently thinking about 2-3 years of work maybe more maybe less I dont know but I am pretty intent on doing it. However I want to do it right so I know it will take sometime and my final goal with it is to be able to take it to a car show. So I intend on taking my time, but I also intend for the time being while I am cleaning it out to do research and I am going to buy a chilton guide and possibly a catalog from year one to price all the things out.
Last edited by Stephen87; Aug 16, 2009 at 05:55 AM.
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From: Mission Tx
Also I was looking at my var today and there is like a big tubular tank looking thing in the front below the lights of the car with tubes going into it and I was wondering what is was and also where the ac compressor isbecause the vents are there like at one point it had an A/C
Last edited by Stephen87; Aug 16, 2009 at 03:52 AM.
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From: Mission Tx
sorry to the guy above me for asking stupid questions but I finally figured out what the tank was and in the process why the headlights probably don't come up(it is a vacuum tank)
now its just to figure out where the ac compressor goes because it looks as though it was removed unless there never was one and it was just a blower and the part that I thought was to put r-12 was just a vacuum port
now its just to figure out where the ac compressor goes because it looks as though it was removed unless there never was one and it was just a blower and the part that I thought was to put r-12 was just a vacuum port
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From: Mission Tx
yes it does have the max ac and even the **** for cooler and hotter air which is why I am lead to believed that at one point it had AC
and sorry for the ignorance but what is an AIM and would THIS be the service manual
and sorry for the ignorance but what is an AIM and would THIS be the service manual
Last edited by Stephen87; Aug 16, 2009 at 06:23 AM.
Drifting
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From: gold coast queensland
sorry to the guy above me for asking stupid questions but I finally figured out what the tank was and in the process why the headlights probably don't come up(it is a vacuum tank)
now its just to figure out where the ac compressor goes because it looks as though it was removed unless there never was one and it was just a blower and the part that I thought was to put r-12 was just a vacuum port
now its just to figure out where the ac compressor goes because it looks as though it was removed unless there never was one and it was just a blower and the part that I thought was to put r-12 was just a vacuum port
Advanced
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From: Cheshire CT
nothing wrong with asking stupid questions. i have probably asked my fair share on here so i cant say too much but this comment ..how hard it is to remove the body from the frame with just me 2 jacks, 2 jack stands and a few friends had me worried from the start if you are serious about body off restorations.alot of people on here have done them and could prob write a 200 page paper on it so i suggest just fix it up a bit, drive it and learn about the car before you get that far ahead.
"Don't bite off more then you can chew" as the saying goes. Start off small and fix a few things while you learn about the car and how to restore it properly. Read the manuals and search the posts on this forum, which is a wealth of information. If you try to do too much the car will end up sitting for years and you will just get frustrated. Good luck and definitely post you questions here.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
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From: Ontario
The A6 A/C compressor is upper left. I have removed the belt as (typically it seems) it developed a leak.
Don't hesitate to ask any questions on the 1974. It has a number of quirks unique to that year.
You haven't said why the body has to come off?? That is a big job that in some instances goes unfinished.
Don't hesitate to ask any questions on the 1974. It has a number of quirks unique to that year.
You haven't said why the body has to come off?? That is a big job that in some instances goes unfinished.
Last edited by Paul L; Aug 16, 2009 at 07:57 AM.
Team Owner
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From: Westminster Maryland
Hi S87,
I agree with W2X and suggest you buy 2 books BEFORE you take anything apart.
The 74 GM "Assembly Instruction Manual". This is the technical documentation that was used on the assembly line in St.Louis.
The GM "Chassis Service Manual" for 74. This is the guide that was used in the dealerships for servicing the cars. Many of the vendors on this site sell these books.
You WILL find these books priceless if you get into doing to your car what you're talking about, or even if you just do enough to get it so it's drive-able.
As everyone has said a body-off restoration takes a tremendous amount of ability, time and MONEY. Many of the cars you at the car shows you hope to bring your Corvette to, have had and thousands of hours and tens of thousands of dollars spent on them.
Regards,
Alan
I agree with W2X and suggest you buy 2 books BEFORE you take anything apart.
The 74 GM "Assembly Instruction Manual". This is the technical documentation that was used on the assembly line in St.Louis.
The GM "Chassis Service Manual" for 74. This is the guide that was used in the dealerships for servicing the cars. Many of the vendors on this site sell these books.
You WILL find these books priceless if you get into doing to your car what you're talking about, or even if you just do enough to get it so it's drive-able.
As everyone has said a body-off restoration takes a tremendous amount of ability, time and MONEY. Many of the cars you at the car shows you hope to bring your Corvette to, have had and thousands of hours and tens of thousands of dollars spent on them.
Regards,
Alan
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: Florida
I agree with the others on not taking it all apart now and getting the right books.
You are in a position to drive it all year long, so I would take advantage of that till you are finished school.
There are many things you can do while it is road worthy, that will only take a day or two, and you won't have to backtrack.
As far as the wiring, a good solid day and a good soldering gun, good electical tape, good marine wire, good shrink tubing, a good electirical diagram from the Doc and have at it. For example the original ground wires are poor at best and increasing the gauge under the hood is beneficial. You won't get that with a high priced replacement harness.
Spend your college years cutting and pasting good info from sources like this forum that pertain to your goals and acquiring parts etc, and most importantly drive and enjoy the car to know it intimately.
Hate to see a basket case up for sale because someone just got burnt out on it after years apart.
I've got a coupe and convertible, drive them all the time, they are dependable, mechanically sound, but both look like hell. Although I've done many body offs, driving is a lot more fun.
You are in a position to drive it all year long, so I would take advantage of that till you are finished school.
There are many things you can do while it is road worthy, that will only take a day or two, and you won't have to backtrack.
As far as the wiring, a good solid day and a good soldering gun, good electical tape, good marine wire, good shrink tubing, a good electirical diagram from the Doc and have at it. For example the original ground wires are poor at best and increasing the gauge under the hood is beneficial. You won't get that with a high priced replacement harness.
Spend your college years cutting and pasting good info from sources like this forum that pertain to your goals and acquiring parts etc, and most importantly drive and enjoy the car to know it intimately.
Hate to see a basket case up for sale because someone just got burnt out on it after years apart.
I've got a coupe and convertible, drive them all the time, they are dependable, mechanically sound, but both look like hell. Although I've done many body offs, driving is a lot more fun.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2009
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From: East Aurora N.Y.
St. Jude Donor '10
.....Yep, oh boy....Get the AIM and the shop manual.......Start a Corvette file in the documents section of your computer and LURK this site for information.Store all good url's and diagrams and pictures that you find into your Corvette file, so that when you are ready to start working on it, you have at least basic terminal knowledge to be able to ask questions using the proper terms and part names.......And most importantly, drive it ....You need to get to know the car..Make a list of the issues that need to be resolved and start with the drive train, so that it's driveable.Stop the bleeding and then start the healing.Cosmetic surgery should be last......Damn, I wish I had a Vette when I was in college.....Good luck and enjoy it.
Last edited by jeff79'; Aug 16, 2009 at 12:59 PM.
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From: Mission Tx
WOW....thanks for all the info on what to do and not to do, The only reason I asked to take the body off is because my uncle who has a 76 stingray L-82 said that he took his off because it is the easiest way to work on everything, and also I have taken the body off of my ford f150 before so I was wandering if it was much different and also I will be sure to get the AIM and GM service manual soon
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
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From: Ontario
It's your choice of course. We do not know the needs of the car. But take your time and get it right. There is nothing more enjoyable than a Corvette that hummmsss.
I just came back from a 120-mile drive to a wonderful car show beside the St. Lawrence River. The humidex showed over 90*F. But the car purred and the temp gauge was always shy of 200*F. It is now Miller time (OK, Molson Canadian) after a very enjoyable day. The t-bones are in the 'fridge for a BBQ later. Time to forget about the economy for a few hours.
Some day that 1974 will give you similar pleasure.
I just came back from a 120-mile drive to a wonderful car show beside the St. Lawrence River. The humidex showed over 90*F. But the car purred and the temp gauge was always shy of 200*F. It is now Miller time (OK, Molson Canadian) after a very enjoyable day. The t-bones are in the 'fridge for a BBQ later. Time to forget about the economy for a few hours.
Some day that 1974 will give you similar pleasure.
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From: Mission Tx
I can only wait for that feeling, I have to hold my excitement so that i dont rush things to get things done but I will probably take everyones advice and do what I can with the body on(ie replace suspension and wire harness), and then later on in a few years take the body off when I have plenty of time and clean all if any of the rust off of the frame and put an undercoat(kinda like rhino lining to prevent future rust) but for now just the easy things and to not get ahead of myself but I will put some pictures up and try and keep everyone here up to date on what I am doing and what needs to be done.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
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From: Ontario
I admire your attitude. You will run into little jobs like this. Cute, bolt upside down?? Bubba has had a long time to work on these cars. Watch for his "innovations".
These are...a little worn...after 35 years.
People do this job routinely but you have to do it right. If that spring lets go without support you can break an arm. The archives show the procedure.
These are...a little worn...after 35 years.
People do this job routinely but you have to do it right. If that spring lets go without support you can break an arm. The archives show the procedure.
Last edited by Paul L; Aug 16, 2009 at 07:37 PM.
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Paul: Now that's funny! Can you imagine how much extra time it took to put those bolts in backwards. 
Stephan:
We have the harness's on sale in the forum special section of the site this month. You won't find them anywhere cheaper!
http://willcoxcorvette.com/advanced_...php?cPath=2067
Shop manual is here: http://willcoxcorvette.com/product_i...ducts_id=21845
The Assembly manual on CD or in paper format can be found at this link: (the cd is the best one).
http://willcoxcorvette.com/advanced_...words=assembly
Willcox
Stephan:
We have the harness's on sale in the forum special section of the site this month. You won't find them anywhere cheaper!
http://willcoxcorvette.com/advanced_...php?cPath=2067
Shop manual is here: http://willcoxcorvette.com/product_i...ducts_id=21845
The Assembly manual on CD or in paper format can be found at this link: (the cd is the best one).
http://willcoxcorvette.com/advanced_...words=assembly
Willcox
Last edited by Willcox Corvette; Aug 16, 2009 at 07:44 PM.