Next Step?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 895
Likes: 4
From: whitman massachusetts
Next Step?
Have pretty much completed my rolling chassis restoration(see photos). Not really sure on the next step. I have seen pictures on the forum and in magazines of the chassis with body removed and the radiator and shroud are still on the chassis. Is that my next step? Should I complete the cooling system, on the rolling chassis, before I move on to the body restoration? My project car was bought in pieces, so I really am not that sure on the reassembly order. Any advice from those who have completed their frame-off, would be appreciated.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,977
Likes: 19
From: Canboro Ontario
Looking really good. It brings back a whole lot of memories, and believe it or not some laughs, not your car mind you but s__t I did putting my together, sometimes twice. Anyway, I might suggest you remove the alt. and brkt., they might get in the way later. I did not put in the cooling system until the body was back on. But I am sure others might say different. But keep up the good work, and keep posting pics. Good job!
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
Likes: 11
From: North Easton Mass
Looking really good. It brings back a whole lot of memories, and believe it or not some laughs, not your car mind you but s__t I did putting my together, sometimes twice. Anyway, I might suggest you remove the alt. and brkt., they might get in the way later. I did not put in the cooling system until the body was back on. But I am sure others might say different. But keep up the good work, and keep posting pics. Good job!
Rick B.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,669
Likes: 3
From: Kingston Ontario
Great job! Looks to be ready for the body.
How about an explanation for the plate on the top-side of the rear crossmember. Did you add this for strength or repair?
Again that looks amazing!
How about an explanation for the plate on the top-side of the rear crossmember. Did you add this for strength or repair?
Again that looks amazing!
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,145
Likes: 5
From: South of London, Engerland
The radiator support can't be on the chassis when you drop the body again, because the top is wider than the bottom and the body won't slide down over it.
Transmission crossmember bolts should go in from the back to the front (on my '76 at least) because otherwise the floorpans stop them coming out when the body is back down.
The alternator has stayed on my engine during the whole project so there's no problem leaving yours in place for the body drop.
Is the body painted? If you plan to paint the body after dropping it back on the chassis, wrap the chassis in plastic to protect it from overspray, dust and polishing compounds. When the painting is done you can cut off the plastic and your chassis will be as beautiful as it is today.
Transmission crossmember bolts should go in from the back to the front (on my '76 at least) because otherwise the floorpans stop them coming out when the body is back down.
The alternator has stayed on my engine during the whole project so there's no problem leaving yours in place for the body drop.
Is the body painted? If you plan to paint the body after dropping it back on the chassis, wrap the chassis in plastic to protect it from overspray, dust and polishing compounds. When the painting is done you can cut off the plastic and your chassis will be as beautiful as it is today.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 895
Likes: 4
From: whitman massachusetts
Bolts
Wanted to thank members for positive comments, and a special thanks to 72LS1Vette and BenUK for the transmission crossmember bolt advice, which I did have in wrong! Just corrected that mistake, and I am onto the bodywork! Happy 2010
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,145
Likes: 5
From: South of London, Engerland
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,226
Likes: 4,314
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi WW,
The chassis and running gear look terrific. Your pictures show a GREAT deal of work and careful re-assembly. VERY NICE JOB!
I agree that the core support should be in the body while you work on it, to help stabilize the front clip. I took the core support out during the body drop but then put it right back in. The radiator didn't go in utill I started putting the engine compartment back together.
AGAIN.... NICE WORK!
Regards,
Alan
The chassis and running gear look terrific. Your pictures show a GREAT deal of work and careful re-assembly. VERY NICE JOB!
I agree that the core support should be in the body while you work on it, to help stabilize the front clip. I took the core support out during the body drop but then put it right back in. The radiator didn't go in utill I started putting the engine compartment back together.
AGAIN.... NICE WORK!
Regards,
Alan
Looks great!!!!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 895
Likes: 4
From: whitman massachusetts
Headers and Exhaust
Question of radiator and shroud answered, thank you! One more about headers and exhaust system. Even I can see the HUGE advantage of installing the headers and exhaust system now with everything so wide open. Can this be done now, and still get body on later, or will the headers and exhaust interfere with setting body back in place. Any info from those who have actually done it is appreciated.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
Likes: 11
From: North Easton Mass
Question of radiator and shroud answered, thank you! One more about headers and exhaust system. Even I can see the HUGE advantage of installing the headers and exhaust system now with everything so wide open. Can this be done now, and still get body on later, or will the headers and exhaust interfere with setting body back in place. Any info from those who have actually done it is appreciated.
RRick B.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 330
Likes: 44
From: Cincinnati Ohio
Put both 73 and 76 back together with Headers and all exhaust pipes/mufflers in place prior to body drop. This is the time to do it as you have access to top and bottom. Only issue to watch out for is alignment of exhaust tips to body openings.
Your rolling chassis looks great!
Your rolling chassis looks great!
