Worst freaking mechanical tasks on C3
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 296
Likes: 1
From: Sarasota FL
Worst freaking mechanical tasks on C3
I am almost done rebuilding almost every feature on this car. I just want to vent about the worst tasks I have encountered:
Bolts on underside of door handle. Pain in the hand.
Screwing the speedometer cable in by hand before I got a jack. I almost gave up on this one.
parking brake rebuild without specialty tools. Almost took me longer than removing the transmission.
rear wheel bearing removal. Still not done. Had to get special tools.
Mechaniking has to the the oddest mix of brains, upper body strength and patience. Heavy on the patience. PS Dawn dishsoap is awesome for removing grease.
:cheers: Marc
Bolts on underside of door handle. Pain in the hand.
Screwing the speedometer cable in by hand before I got a jack. I almost gave up on this one.
parking brake rebuild without specialty tools. Almost took me longer than removing the transmission.
rear wheel bearing removal. Still not done. Had to get special tools.
Mechaniking has to the the oddest mix of brains, upper body strength and patience. Heavy on the patience. PS Dawn dishsoap is awesome for removing grease.
:cheers: Marc
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,201
Likes: 0
From: Clifton Park NY
Re: Worst freaking mechanical tasks on C3 (Harry74)
Worst so far was the trailing arm removal--about four hours under the car with a Sawzall in the hands, eating rust/dust... :eek: Shock mount was a close second... But after you're done with these missions, you feel like a super hero! :jester
-Pedro
-Pedro
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Race Director
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 11,485
Likes: 1
From: Far side of the Moon
CI 4-5-6-7-8 Veteran
St. Jude '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-16-'17
Re: Worst freaking mechanical tasks on C3 (Marc80)
And in a couple years you will look back on all this and laugh. :yesnod:
Now really, wasn't it fun. :thumbs:
Now really, wasn't it fun. :thumbs:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 5,145
Likes: 125
From: The Motor City
Re: Worst freaking mechanical tasks on C3 (flynhi)
I have most of my dash apart right now.... assembly will commence in the next week or so. I've done it before, so it shouldn't be that bad the third time.
I think the worst job is putting windows back in the doors and getting them to align correctly. Not physically hard, just a PITA. (that was last winter's project.)
Rusted trailing arms are probably the most physically challenging. How about when the door won't open and you have to remove the door panel with the door closed?? That's fun too!
I think the worst job is putting windows back in the doors and getting them to align correctly. Not physically hard, just a PITA. (that was last winter's project.)
Rusted trailing arms are probably the most physically challenging. How about when the door won't open and you have to remove the door panel with the door closed?? That's fun too!
Instructor
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
From: Calgary Alberta
Re: Worst freaking mechanical tasks on C3 (Marc80)
Lets see...Front end was a challenge and had a knuckle bust count of of about 6.. :crazy: I'm now doing the windows and doors top to bottom..and it's a hair puller trying to get everything aligned. I'm being extra careful as a buddy of mine that did his...got a little too confident and blew up a drivers side window when he closed it the first time..Not sure how he did it...just want to make sure I don't go down his same path..Might end up taking it to a body shop for the final fitting...They do it all the time... :thumbs:
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,731
Likes: 22
From: Marietta Ga.
Re: Worst freaking mechanical tasks on C3 (Marc80)
Worst task on a C3 is buying one. You think you got a near perfect one and then you sign the papers and take it home, where it starts to fall apart, which causes you to try to fix it , and then before you know it, you have the worst case of the while you are at its and no bank balance. :lol: :lol:
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 129
Likes: 0
From: Ontario ca
Re: Worst freaking mechanical tasks on C3 (gb4622)
HI i was just wondering what kind of rims those are on the 73, cause i have them on my 69 and need new center caps there broken and also the screws on them are just about welded on to the wheel. oh so do you know where i could find some of those caps thanks
Racer
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 272
Likes: 1
From: MOBILE ALA
Re: Worst freaking mechanical tasks on C3 (Marc80)
Having redone the entire car both inside and out,cosmeticly and mechanical.I still think the hardest one job was the radiator and shroud.Over the years I have had it out three times for verious reasons and still can not find an easy way to do it.I can pull the engine or replace the trans quicker than I can do the radiator.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 11,520
Likes: 13
From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
Re: Worst freaking mechanical tasks on C3 (Marc80)
...
Screwing the speedometer cable in by hand before I got a jack. I almost gave up on this one.
...
Mechaniking has to the the oddest mix of brains, upper body strength and patience. ...
:cheers: Marc
Screwing the speedometer cable in by hand before I got a jack. I almost gave up on this one.
...
Mechaniking has to the the oddest mix of brains, upper body strength and patience. ...
:cheers: Marc
C3 are great!
:cool:
Instructor
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
From: Calgary Alberta
Re: Worst freaking mechanical tasks on C3 (J75)
The radiator and shroud are definately a huge PITA. My car is a driver so I cured that problem once and for all. Not to sound to Bubba here, but I took my dremel tool and a cutting wheel and trimmed about a 1" slice off the shroud on the same angle as the original so as to be noticeable only by a NCRS judge. I just trimmed it back a bit..very clean very neat. Makes the removal a dream as it now slips past the crank pulley and steering pump with ease. Not what everyone would call a solution but I gotta tell ya....it makes removing the shroud and rad a piece of cake.
[Modified by WhyFly, 8:18 PM 2/10/2003]
[Modified by WhyFly, 8:18 PM 2/10/2003]
Instructor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 187
Likes: 0
From: Bellevue WA
Re: Worst freaking mechanical tasks on C3 (Marc80)
RADIATOR SHROUD - I can always find a way to get it out, but getting it back in is a real pain. Think I'll use WhyFly's method next time. :cheers:
I also recall changing the fuel pump once about thirty years ago and deciding then and there that my next one would be electric, which it was.
But, hey! How would folks know you own a Corvette if your hands aren't always cut and bruised?
I also recall changing the fuel pump once about thirty years ago and deciding then and there that my next one would be electric, which it was.
But, hey! How would folks know you own a Corvette if your hands aren't always cut and bruised?