C3 Corvetters,

As you may recall, my Shark was totaled in March and I ended up buying back the car. Between the settlement and some cash on hand, I had about $10K I was going to pump into the car to have a big block installed along with a tilt front end and some other goodies. I was going to have a retired mechanic/Vette guru friend help me with the work at his place all at once. Little did I know, my priorities were about to change...

My wife is expecting!!! (Our first after 5 years of happy marriage.) I guess I should not have been too surprised, as I knew she was trying. But I certainly did not expect it to happen so fast, particularly in the first month trying! My funds are now being diverted to paying off consumer debt before the Christmas due date, medical bills, and bizarre food runs. :) We may also be selling her new 2-door convertible in favor of a 4-door SUV at her request.

So what of the Vette? I believe the damage to be superficial, so I could probably get her back on the road quickly and cheaply (relative to my other ideas). However, she is 25 years old this year and I think I would like to do a frame-off "restore." (But modify her as I build her back up.) The trouble is that I am not exactly an ace mechanic.

A summary of my skills are as follows: I can change belts, plugs, oil, alternators, and coolant. I know how to install an aftermarket sound system, even if it means cutting the dash. I can replace calipers and brake pads and rotate tires. I know how an internal combustion engine works, but have never torn one down and built it back up without very close supervision. I learn best with a hands-on approach and I am a quick study.

OK, now my question. (Finally!) Do you think I can handle this? Should I even attempt it? Where do I start? (This is my biggest hurdle, as I stare at the car in my garage not knowing where to begin.) Where/how did you learn what you know now? What pitfalls can you help me avoid?

I just don’t know what to do. I would like to have my car back on the road as I miss driving her, but the thoughts of having her in like-new condition with a lot of cool mods (even if it means several years of rewarding work) really make me smile. And if I get stuck, there are several local member of my Vette club who could help out. Advice? What are your experiences? Any input would be greatly appreciated!

Cheers, :cheers:
Ford

 

"My wife is expecting!!! (Our first after 5 years of happy marriage.) I guess I should not have been too surprised, as I knew she was trying."

1st....where were you when SHE was trying??? :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

2nd... Talk it over and do what is best. If you decide to sell post it here first.

Godd luck and congrats!!!! :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:

 

I say go for it...
Jump in with both feet, there's no better way to learn.
Congrats on the new family addition :cheers:

There is nothing on your vette that will be any harder to take care of, than having a teen live in your house

 

Congrats!!

Having a baby is not as expensive as you might think - have a 3 year old (as of July) and his birth coincided with buying a ne house and starting a new business. THe problems is priorities and time..

Check out the Honda CRV - inexpensive, will never need repairs, great gas mileage and size. Just got on for the wife (it was a no CRV, no vette deal!!)

put the vette on hold - time to do the work yourself won't exist, besides being a new daddy is a thrill in itself. I would never trade that time for anything.

 

Congrats on the rug rat.

The good news is that it's all just nuts and bolts...they come off and go back on with common wrenches, ratchets, and screw drivers. The bad news is that enough good quality tools to do everything will cost you anywhere from $500 to $1,000. Some good news is that many items can be sent to shops to repair/rebuild them...heads for example...it's too expensive to buy a mill, but shops only charge like $40/head to get them milled, they also grind valves, and for a reasonable fee will put the head together so all you need to do is bolt them on. I think the best news is that many forum members are doing frame offs and are in different stages, so there is plenty of help here if that's what you need.

It sounds like you have been wrenching on everything that stops working, so this isn't that much different...it's just that everything stops working all at the same time! Also, a frame off will require many many days, weeks, months, years, etc. with lots of parts piled up in the garage...all the parts on a vette laying on the floor will probably take up close to 1,000 square feet. Keep in mind that the window glass may need to come out to touch up any cracks in the windshield supports.

 

:lol: Hey, good question! She was getting all scientific about it and tracking all kinds of vital stats on a fertility website, etc., etc., etc. I was just enjoying myself as usual. :D :conehead :D

Sell it? :lol: Unless I get a Vette to replace her, I'll pull one like my buddy Steve before I sell it. Sonofabitch started a frame off restore on his '66, but got sidetracked due to marriage and kids and hasn't finished yet... AFTER 25 YEARS!!! :eek: Hey, at least he can still say he is a Vette owner. :rolleyes:

Thanks, everyone! :cheers: I am looking forward to asking many questions you have all seen here before! :lol:

 

Congrats!

Consider the car therapy and your little piece of the world to get away from it all when the wife and baby go to bed or you have an hour or two here and there to spare. Go for it!!! :smash: :smash: :smash:

Pick up a couple fo restore books and between the local club and the forum, it will give you something to take your mind off the other fun things in life, even when you can't get those rusted bolts out and you bust your knuckles a few times. you won't be thinking about changing diapers. :D

 

ok--first of all, all i ever did was put a stereo in my jeep--i bought my vette knowing it had to be totally redone--the shop estimated $19,000--i bought some tools, a couple of books, and got my hands dirty--I stripped out the car, including rear suspension, interior, and even pulled the motor (i had a mechanic friend for the motor, but i actually did it with him supervising). after a lot of swearing, beer, sweat, and determanation, i am having a ball and finding out it's not all that hard. i can't wait to see the guys at works faces when they see what i (a stupid broad) did!! and i owe a big round of thanks to everyone on the forum--YOU GUYS ARE GREAT!!!!!!!!! :cheers:
so yes, in short--you can do this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and remember: "HAVE FUN" :seeya

 

:cheers: :cheers: :cheers: for Erika......good job.

 

Well, Tom, I was sorry to hear about your Vette being wrecked in March.
I would put the Vette in storage until after the baby.
Or, if you sell it...you can always get another one when the time is right.
I remember when I had my 68 in 1974 and had to sell it and it took 15 years before I bought another one, (never forgot the thrill). So, for that reason, see if you can store it somewhere for a while.

Good luck on your new family :cheers: :smash: :cheers: :smash:


[Modified by moskovita, 5:21 PM 5/6/2002]

 

I think you should leave her alone while she is pregnant, but ask your doctor. :lol:

congrats! :) MJ

 

Ford,
I say go for it! I started out with a smashed Vette also and you learn as you go. Give me a yell if you have any questions. Good luck and keep the forum posted...
Frank :cheers:

 

Agree with Rock n Roll on this one. You'll have to purchase / build / rent or borrow lots of tools, jacks, lifts etc. and you'll need lots and lots of both time and $$. Not sure that you'll have lots of either in the next few years, and with your limited experience, don't know that I'd recommend taking on something as major as frame off restoration.......

Can you and your wife live with / accept, having the vette torn apart in the garage and parts scattered everywhere for several months, and maybe years?

I'm not trying to discourage you, but simply making observation, and offering somethings to think about before you take on a task of the magnetude of a frame off restoration.........never did one myself, but having done a ton of vette and other auto and motorcycle repair / overhaul and restoration, can only imagine the effort, dedication, time, and $ involved.

 

My experience is very similar, as I have a resto project in the garage and a baby on the way (end of August). I've set out a long term plan so that I won't get disappointed when I'm not making quick progress. Don't be intimidated, the experience you already have with working on cars will carry you through most of your plans. Besides, half of the thrill of restoring/modifying is learning new things... :yesnod:

 

Rob - Just traded my wife's car in for a CRV today and she loves it! :yesnod: Thanks for the tip! :cheers:

 

when i got mine, i'd never done more than change the oil in a car--six months later, i've yanked the radiator 3x, done a few gaskets, rebuilt the entire front suspension, and all but the trailing arms on the rear. . . it's all running a wrench, and it ain't THAT hard . . . good luck!!!!

 

heres my two cents. From my experience beyond the engine and some wiring, vettes can be some of the easiest cars to restore. Get a couple books and read for a while..my dad is a corvette guru and knows all this stuff but since he is a bit busy with work i am pretty much doing this on my own and have learned tons from books. Buy and engine one on small blocks or BB..w/e and a corvette resto one. I have that book on my desk and seem to look at it daily. Im sure its within your bounds..for the most part just trying and failing or succeeding will be the best teacher. That said, be ready to spend money, and i dont know how you financial situation is, but it seems every corner i turn on mine i need to replace something. Its a lesson of a lifetime and is very rewarding, so if you have the means i would go for it for sure!!!