still not that bad though.
Vortec heads coming soon!
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: Grand Island Fl
Radiator finally out
Ok, been slowly getting things apart. Doing alot of PB Blaster, trying not to round off or strip out anything. So far so good. Got a little stuck on the passenger side lower radiator support bolt. But finally got it.
I found that I had no working lower steering bearing, or anything else down at the bottom of my steering column. Ordered parts from Zip Corvette. Only been two days, hopefully coming soon. Also ordered a new harmonic balancer and some gaskets from Jegs.
The radiator is all out and the condenser is out and the radiator support looks like crap. Well, it looks 35 years old. Pretty rusty on the bottom. Not sure about the repair. Maybe I'll shop a bit before putting in.
Working on the A/C and heat (I know, kind of funny saying that I want the heater to work) next.
I found that I had no working lower steering bearing, or anything else down at the bottom of my steering column. Ordered parts from Zip Corvette. Only been two days, hopefully coming soon. Also ordered a new harmonic balancer and some gaskets from Jegs.
The radiator is all out and the condenser is out and the radiator support looks like crap. Well, it looks 35 years old. Pretty rusty on the bottom. Not sure about the repair. Maybe I'll shop a bit before putting in.
Working on the A/C and heat (I know, kind of funny saying that I want the heater to work) next.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,948
Likes: 72
From: Oxford MA-----You just lost the game!!!!
Uh-oh! Looks like you have contracted "while-I'm-at-it-itis"!
Don't worry, it's a good disease to have if you have the time and money. There is no better time to take care of these issues than right now, with that pesky engine out of the way.
I am enjoying the saga! Keep those pics and updates coming!
Scott
Don't worry, it's a good disease to have if you have the time and money. There is no better time to take care of these issues than right now, with that pesky engine out of the way.I am enjoying the saga! Keep those pics and updates coming!
Scott
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 956
Likes: 86
From: McDonough Georgia
While-I'm-at-it-I-tis is a good thing to have. I probably went overboard, but don't regret it.
I replaced everything to include the fan motor, wiper motor, windshield washer motor, heater valve, the front brake line that goes under the front of the motor, and the radiator.
I just do not want to have to go back into those nooks and crannies later to fix some small thing.
At the time I thought I really wanted to keep the Air Conditioning, and went ahead and rebuilt and converted the entire system.
I didn't turn it on one time last summer.
If I was to do it again, I would probably remove the A/C. Need the heat and defroster, which is all new in my car, but it would really clean up the engine compartment without all that A/C stuff.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
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
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: Grand Island Fl
The wife says "make the A/C work". It does get hot in Florida. Trying to decide about heat actually. The heater core has never been hooked up.
Anyways... Got the new radiator ordered. Got in all the lower steering bearing parts, except the washer (you know the first thing that goes in). Come on Zip Corvette, help me out! The rest of it was pretty straight forward, but you do have to press the new bearing into the adapter (the white plastic part). Wasn't sure about it, but it made since and fit (vise).
The engine is almost together, put the new harmonic balancer on today (Professional Products 80002). Installed the water pump, fuel pump and distributor.
The pics show the lower steering bearing parts. The new intake manifold that came with the heads, thanks Scoggins Dickey. The engine as it is now. Gotta clean up the radiator core support, at $320, too much to bite right now.
Anyways... Got the new radiator ordered. Got in all the lower steering bearing parts, except the washer (you know the first thing that goes in). Come on Zip Corvette, help me out! The rest of it was pretty straight forward, but you do have to press the new bearing into the adapter (the white plastic part). Wasn't sure about it, but it made since and fit (vise).
The engine is almost together, put the new harmonic balancer on today (Professional Products 80002). Installed the water pump, fuel pump and distributor.
The pics show the lower steering bearing parts. The new intake manifold that came with the heads, thanks Scoggins Dickey. The engine as it is now. Gotta clean up the radiator core support, at $320, too much to bite right now.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: Grand Island Fl
And no, those aren't the valve covers, those are the old one's. Just trying to keep spiders out. Oh, the Fel-Pro Perma Dry oil pan gasket was used. It's a one piece (blue) unit that seems to be a great idea.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,948
Likes: 72
From: Oxford MA-----You just lost the game!!!!
Get the heat working. Even if you never use it, there is just something satisfying about having everything work as it should.
Scott
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: Grand Island Fl
I've got the VHT semi-gloss for under the hood and the pulleys and brackets. Just cleaning and sanding (I hate cleaning and sanding). I'd love to drive it...
Anyways, still thinking about the radiator core support. It's sure ugly, might order a new one Monday. What's another couple hundred, huh?
Anyways, still thinking about the radiator core support. It's sure ugly, might order a new one Monday. What's another couple hundred, huh?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: Grand Island Fl
Went to Webster today...anybody...first Sunday of the month, big parts meet. Anyways, yes I bought flea market valve covers, I like 'em, paid less than $50.
Opened up the "doghouse" which contains the evaporator. Wow, the picture is worth all the words I can express. Goes with the theory that my car sat for a long time. The more I drive the better it runs.
Opened up the "doghouse" which contains the evaporator. Wow, the picture is worth all the words I can express. Goes with the theory that my car sat for a long time. The more I drive the better it runs.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: Grand Island Fl
And yes, they're just stamped out, but they look good. Of course the new throttle cable support wouldn't go down (it's always something). So, I drilled the holes on the throttle cable support larger to move it over about 3 mm to clear the thicker valve cover. Seems to work now. 
Last edited by Florida 79; Mar 4, 2014 at 07:32 PM. Reason: Wrong info, not billet.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,948
Likes: 72
From: Oxford MA-----You just lost the game!!!!
One thing I noticed after putting bigger valve covers on my small block was that I had a hard time getting at the distributor hold-down bolt. How's that look? BTW, nice score with the valve covers. They're pretty sharp looking. They don't look like billet, but sometimes you can lose some detail in pics, I'll take your word for it!Those center-bolt covers have a reputation for sealing really well, which seems to be a perennial problem with the perimeter bolt covers.
Scott
Scott
Last edited by scottyp99; Mar 3, 2014 at 08:43 AM.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: Grand Island Fl
Thanks for your input Scott,
I think it's billet, very heavy, I like that. Compared to the tin can, stamped out covers, this one had a lot of body to it. Installed the two baffles, but may remove the one on the intake (filter side) of the PCV system to allow easier oil addition.
Trying to pressure test the evaporator and heater core using balloons. I know it's not the best way, but I believe it will show a major leak. As always, time will tell. So far they both appear to be ok.
With the bird nest gone, I'll seal up the doghouse and hook up everything.
Trying to decide whether to buy the Eckler's A/C and heater seals or just get some monkey poop and seal it up.
Decisions decisions.
Oh, by the way it's 82 degrees in Florida. Can you say summer time?
I think it's billet, very heavy, I like that. Compared to the tin can, stamped out covers, this one had a lot of body to it. Installed the two baffles, but may remove the one on the intake (filter side) of the PCV system to allow easier oil addition.
Trying to pressure test the evaporator and heater core using balloons. I know it's not the best way, but I believe it will show a major leak. As always, time will tell. So far they both appear to be ok.
With the bird nest gone, I'll seal up the doghouse and hook up everything.
Trying to decide whether to buy the Eckler's A/C and heater seals or just get some monkey poop and seal it up.
Decisions decisions.
Oh, by the way it's 82 degrees in Florida. Can you say summer time?