Most Evil Engineer Nomination
Old Pro Solo Guy
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 8,016
Likes: 4,371
From: Marlton NJ
Yep new cars are not any better.
My CTS needed a elec fuel pump. Entire exhaust, rear suspension cradle and gas tank needed to drop out. ?!?!?!?
My buddy has an Audi twin turbo. Changing spark plugs required pulling front bumper, radiator, rad support and both turbos!!! Might as well pull the engine, right? Oh right that comes straight out the front too. Sigh....
My CTS needed a elec fuel pump. Entire exhaust, rear suspension cradle and gas tank needed to drop out. ?!?!?!?
My buddy has an Audi twin turbo. Changing spark plugs required pulling front bumper, radiator, rad support and both turbos!!! Might as well pull the engine, right? Oh right that comes straight out the front too. Sigh....
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 1,566
Likes: 574
From: Wisconsin
Not to be outdone by the genius that decided not to put a drain plug in the differential, my nomination for the Most Evil Engineer Ever goes to the maniacal mastermind who came up with the plug shields for radio interference. This sadistic scholar of pain and suffering not only succeeded in making a serviceable part of the car incredibly difficult to get to, but as a backup to the pain and suffering, chose to attach the razor sharp mounting tabs to the bolts that mount the exhaust manifolds to the block. Pure genius. I promise you that this nominee is still, to this day, giggling his *** off knowing that spark plugs are not being replaced because of his efforts. Further, he can't help but take pleasure in knowing that those of us who would like to keep our Corvettes as factory original as possible, will actually reinstall these torture devices to further our own pain.
Here's to you, Most Evil Engineer Ever! You have succeeded beyond all your expectations!
Here's to you, Most Evil Engineer Ever! You have succeeded beyond all your expectations!
This one was my favorite:
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,071
Likes: 322
From: palm springs ca
Well,
When I added factory air to my 67 coupe I installed the battery on the drivers side and was able to remove it in & out with little difficulty. THEN when I joined NCRS and found out that they designed the battery installation to remove the left front tire back half of the fender well, washer bag, that made me think a bit.
Also the 1/4" needed to remove trans easily!
Dom
When I added factory air to my 67 coupe I installed the battery on the drivers side and was able to remove it in & out with little difficulty. THEN when I joined NCRS and found out that they designed the battery installation to remove the left front tire back half of the fender well, washer bag, that made me think a bit.
Also the 1/4" needed to remove trans easily!
Dom
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 2,771
Likes: 2,296
From: Central UT
As I've gotten to 'know' our '68 much better, I've often thought of this type of thread - glad you started it because it does make us smile, laugh, shake our heads, etc.
One of my favorites is a '68 only issue: it's the shims used for alignment on the trailing arms. On '68's they aren't slotted, the trailing arm bolts go through a hole in the shims. You have to remove the trailing arm bolts to modify/change the shims and alignment - and we know how much fun that is! When I put my rebuilt trailing arms back in I made the modification to '69+ slotted by drilling the right holes (oh, the humanity! :-) ) and using the slotted shims. My alignment guy told me I should get sainthood for that one.
Best, Paul
One of my favorites is a '68 only issue: it's the shims used for alignment on the trailing arms. On '68's they aren't slotted, the trailing arm bolts go through a hole in the shims. You have to remove the trailing arm bolts to modify/change the shims and alignment - and we know how much fun that is! When I put my rebuilt trailing arms back in I made the modification to '69+ slotted by drilling the right holes (oh, the humanity! :-) ) and using the slotted shims. My alignment guy told me I should get sainthood for that one.
Best, Paul
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 20,117
Likes: 9,247
From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
As I've gotten to 'know' our '68 much better, I've often thought of this type of thread - glad you started it because it does make us smile, laugh, shake our heads, etc.
One of my favorites is a '68 only issue: it's the shims used for alignment on the trailing arms. On '68's they aren't slotted, the trailing arm bolts go through a hole in the shims. You have to remove the trailing arm bolts to modify/change the shims and alignment - and we know how much fun that is! When I put my rebuilt trailing arms back in I made the modification to '69+ slotted by drilling the right holes (oh, the humanity! :-) ) and using the slotted shims. My alignment guy told me I should get sainthood for that one. Best, Paul
One of my favorites is a '68 only issue: it's the shims used for alignment on the trailing arms. On '68's they aren't slotted, the trailing arm bolts go through a hole in the shims. You have to remove the trailing arm bolts to modify/change the shims and alignment - and we know how much fun that is! When I put my rebuilt trailing arms back in I made the modification to '69+ slotted by drilling the right holes (oh, the humanity! :-) ) and using the slotted shims. My alignment guy told me I should get sainthood for that one.
Best, Paul
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,151
Likes: 7,765
From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
I'm about to change a brake booster on a 76. So I'm finding this thread amusing. Recently put the radiator/fan shroud back into this car. Isn't that wonderful. My 77 has electric fans. Damn happy for that!
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Had a 1976 L-82, 4-sp
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 5,338
Likes: 1,213
From: Some days your the dog and some days your the hydrant.
Royal Canadian Navy
Not that they wear out, if at all, and require replacement, but when they do, the clutch fork ball stud requires the removal of the transmission. Then it only takes a minute to remove/replace the stud.
Had a 1976 L-82, 4-sp
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 5,338
Likes: 1,213
From: Some days your the dog and some days your the hydrant.
Royal Canadian Navy
I followed the factory repair manual and it went very smooth and probably quicker without losing a drop of blood. Yes, it requires removing the steering column. Took about 20 minutes to do that and wasn't that difficult. The gauge panel is removed and there's access to everything in behind there including the demon booster nuts!
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 14,305
Likes: 8,110
From: Napa Valley California
I’ve got you all beat!
Have you ever had to replace the rear window defrost blower?
Hah, you haven’t learned any good swear words until you’ve done that.
”$#!~|?$&#@*%/=)(“
Second on my list is swapping the fuel pump on a big block.
And why would you engineer body mounts that are captured in a fiberglass body???
WHY?
Have you ever had to replace the rear window defrost blower?
Hah, you haven’t learned any good swear words until you’ve done that.
”$#!~|?$&#@*%/=)(“
Second on my list is swapping the fuel pump on a big block.
And why would you engineer body mounts that are captured in a fiberglass body???
WHY?
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 4,191
Likes: 951
From: Corpus Christi, TX
Not to say all of your complaints aren't on the level, but you should call Corvette Doctor (Charles Cummings) in Houston and ask him about the heater core on a '96 that failed. Seriously. I'll change heater cores on my C2 a hundred times, and spark plug shields on all of your SB C3s before I'd do what he haf to on that '96. Oh, the coolant drowned the car's computer, among other things. UGH!!!!
1967 Pedal Car Champion
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 9,008
Likes: 4,166
From: US-PNW
I’ve got you all beat!
Have you ever had to replace the rear window defrost blower?
Hah, you haven’t learned any good swear words until you’ve done that.
”$#!~|?$&#@*%/=)(“
Second on my list is swapping the fuel pump on a big block.
And why would you engineer body mounts that are captured in a fiberglass body???
WHY?
Have you ever had to replace the rear window defrost blower?
Hah, you haven’t learned any good swear words until you’ve done that.
”$#!~|?$&#@*%/=)(“
Second on my list is swapping the fuel pump on a big block.
And why would you engineer body mounts that are captured in a fiberglass body???
WHY?
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 11,183
Likes: 3,334
From: North of Toronto - Ontario
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 140
Likes: 70
From: North Texas
I just did the brake booster on my 75. Wasn't too bad. I took the seat out so I'd have room to crawl around in there but other than that it wasn't anything particularly special. Undo the master cylinder nuts and slide that out of the way. Zip off the nuts on the inside with a swivel socket and long extension and it comes right out. I had more trouble with the clip that connects it to the brake pedal arm than anything else. The whole thing took about and hour and half.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 646
Likes: 295
From: Blairsville, Ga
One of my personal favorites is in order to change out the positive battery-to-starter cable, one must remove the transmission. Which necessitates at least a partial removal of the exhaust, crossmember (if you’re lucky enough to have an auto trans), and the main drive shaft.
If had known better, I’d have just made a custom cable and rerouted it AROUND the transmission.
If had known better, I’d have just made a custom cable and rerouted it AROUND the transmission.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,842
Likes: 285
From: Palmdale CA
The mechanical fuel pump gets my vote, but the dash is a special Master of Misery! It seems that all the pieces hold hands and rely on parts of the ducting to keep all four pieces together. Then lining it all up, is a ****! Especially the left side, even with the steering column, completely removed. Never again (until next time...).
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 14,305
Likes: 8,110
From: Napa Valley California
The mechanical fuel pump gets my vote, but the dash is a special Master of Misery! It seems that all the pieces hold hands and rely on parts of the ducting to keep all four pieces together. Then lining it all up, is a ****! Especially the left side, even with the steering column, completely removed. Never again (until next time...).