Hello everyone, this is my first post. I have a 68 corvette my grandfather left me when he died. It’s set in the garage for several years. Had it started when I was a kid (probably 12-13 years old and now 28). I know it had some sort of brake fluid leak which my grandfather never got around to fixing. It’s also got a short somewhere because it would drain the battery over night. Any recommendations on where to start with the restoration? I’ve never restored a car or did any serious work on a car before. But want to do what I can until a professional is needed. I also have a 05 that I got back in July when I got back from basic training in Fort Benning. Thanks again for any help!

 

don't do anything at first. do homework. youtube is good for most basic automotive issues and repair methods. look the car over for bad and-or ugly stuff. look into the brakes, obviously. fill and bleed the brakes until you either get pressure or brake fluid running out. and the location of the leak will be pointing at what you need-first. maybe cover ground with cardboard for the first leak test. do you have a floor jack and stands? this link is to the last page of the thread. scroll back to post 107. it is a thread about buying a C3, but is just as appropriate for inspecting one you already own. https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...orvette-7.html also,any job you pay to have done will cost more than the tools to do it yourself, with very few exceptions.

 

Yep sure do.

 

M and H make nice wiring harnesses true plug and play cant screw it up. Reasonable and good quality
As said make a plan asses, go from there. Doesnt have to be a perfect high $$ resto to be enjoyed. Just safe/reliable.
Go through the brakes, cooling, suspension make it right. They are just a simple SBC and totally reliable.

 

Great, Thanks!

 

Buy the service manual's for your car, they help a lot.

 

First determine what you have sitting in your garage before you start any work or part replacement.
Could be a really nice 68 or it could be something much more.

 

I recently purchased a 1968 convertible that had been sitting in a barn for 25 years. I didn’t know it but it has the 327/350hp HT engine. I’m replacing the fuel, brake, and coolant systems and then I’m going to clean it up and drive it like I stole it. Oh yeah, replacing all the rubber under the Vette. Good luck with yours.

 

That’s a great C3 pic! Welcome to the forum.

As others have mentioned, YouTube is a great source of directions to get you started. You’ll want to replace most of the fluids (oil, brake, coolant) and most rubber parts will have deteriorated, especially the tires. Without a doubt, there will be leaks to contend with. Just work through them but prioritize the brakes. I’d be inclined to not worry as much about the battery drain unless it’s severe. There are a couple of slow drains that aren’t a big issue but if you have a real short, could be a fire hazard. Easiest way I’ve found to deal with near 50 year old wiring is to replace the harnesses. Time consuming and not cheap, but solves the problem once and for all.

 

Thanks for the input, is replacing the harnesses very difficult or is it more plug and play?

 

Looks like a beauty you have.
Look up my thread... "70 rebuild has begun" to get an idea of what "restoring" or "modifying" entails and btw, Life has a way of delaying projects ( ask me how I know ).
CraigH has a very well documented thread rebuilding his 71'............https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...1-journey.html
First thing to understand "restoring" a car sounds so inviting but you really have to understand it takes a lot of time and money whether you're keeping it original or modifying it.
Location...you have to have a suitable long term location to do such.
Tools......lots of tools.

Reference guides...Assembly manual to begin with and many others from wiring guides to how to guides as the Assembly manual only takes you part of the way.
Pictures....before you remove any part (even a screw) take Pictures of everything top to bottom, front to back.
As you remove anything create a photo guide of "each" step you take, you'll be glad you did.
As you repair or rebuild anything photo, "bag and tag" everything (zip lock baggies & small white tags )
Do not under any circumstance "throw out" anything in the trash, carpet, insulation, wiring, bulbs nothing till you are completely finished/use it all for a reference.
Many things can be done without removing the body because that's where you can really open up a can of worms if you're not ready for it.
Always, always practice "SAFETY" on everything you do, no matter how small a task.
Join NCRS for excellent information and knowledge along with great books to purchase for educating yourself on you Corvette.
Study this forum, type in any question in the search or post a question.
Good Luck, your Grandfather left you a very nice gift.

 

Call Wilcox Corvette.
There are several top brand harnesses available.
Some are plug and play.
Others allow you to run wiring where you want, hiding them, and crimping on the new terminals and connectors.
Battery drain can come from something as simple as the clock or the light in the rear compartment well not going out when the compartment door is shut.

 

You start with what you know.
You know you have 15 year old gas in your system. I'd drain , clean the tank, rebuild the carb, get her running. Hate to do all the brake and electrical work just to find out the engine has problems.
Rebuild the brakes, repair the short. Replace the tires, then drive it.
She'll let you know what to do next.
At this point, you have a running, driving 68 Vette with less than $2k invested in it.

 

Gotcha. Thanks!

 

restoring a C3. every piece or rubber fluid travels through. T-Top seals at the top of the list! also, you need to start it just to hear it run. you tow it home, it is an inert possession that you now have to spend money and time on. you hear it run, and it is a Vette...

 

I can’t wait to hear it run again!

 

Replacing stock harnesses with new reproductions is pretty much plug and play. The tough part is routing them properly. They are snaked through pretty much every hiding place in the car.

Lectric Limited seems to be the best replacent harnesses. Willcox, a forum sponsor, often has them on special for 20% off, but the still aren’t cheap.

 

I would say the most important thing to ask is: Restoration. What is your definition? Is it a total restoration? Or total resto-mod? Cosmetic resto? Just getting it running? Once you determine your exact definition of what you want to do, then a game plan can be written. I can help with total resto-mod if you'd like.

 

Hey brother,
Are you sure your grandfather's car is a '68 and not a '69?
The exterior door handles look like 1969 style.
Cheers, Greg

 

It should be a 68, the passenger door looks like the 68 in the above picture. I was a kid when he passed but i recall him mentioning something about one of the doors. Maybe it was wrecked and I didn’t get the full story.