After 6 months on jack stands, my 71 roadster finally rolled again late yesterday.
Numerous mods included:
Clean and POR the frame
Clean and repaint engine bay
Clean, plug holes and undercoat front wheel wells
Alum radiator
Alum overflow tank
Dual Spal fans in custom stainless brackets
Dual speed fan speed controller designed by Zwede
Stainless closure panel between lower radiator and front crossmember
Serpentine conversion with March components
Steeroids rack and pinion steering
Hydroboost brake booster
Sanden AC compressor
New PS pump
New 120 amp alternator
Complete rewire - new harnesses, relays, switches, etc.
Braided hoses throughout
Remote oil filter with chrome cover
C4 AC motor, squirrel cage fan and relays
Relocate AC drier for better heat dispersion out of side gill
Manual hot water cut off valves
Chrome hood hinges and hold open strut
Chrome covers on headlight actuators
New wiper door actuator
New washer fluid bag
New wiper motor
TeleTilt steering column
14" steering wheel
New left and right upper dash panels
Replace dash and kick panel speakers
Re silk screen instrument faces
Replace tach cable
Repair odometer cable
New upper center AC vent and wiper control
Replace clock and ammeter with oil temp and voltmeter
New AC control head
Replace rear view mirror with late model with map lights
Relocate TPI ECM from engine bay to behind right upper dash panel for better heat dispersion from left gill
Insulate floor with Koolmat
Install seats from 96 Collector's Edition
Repair rocker panels
Repair door ajar system
Paint Calipers Red (what else?)
Install PS Engineering 17" wheels
Install Bridgestone 750 tires
Custom 383 badging on BB hood
Realign with four wheel alignment

Many thanks to Jack Beverly aka veet66 (on C2 Forum) for valuable assistance with solutions to many issues.

Lesson learned:
Don't tackle too many projects at one time
Don't expect new parts to fit
Don't rely on a single reference such as a wiring diagram - use diagrams from different sources and cross reference. Several diagrams have errors.
Don't assume that replacement wiring harness are perfect - mine had several errors.
Have a competant helper to bail you out of dead ends.
Expect to spend twice as much money and three times as much time as you originally thought it would take.



[Modified by flynhi, 8:27 AM 8/31/2003]
[Modified by flynhi, 1:00 PM 8/31/2003]
[Modified by flynhi, 10:28 AM 9/2/2003]
[Modified by flynhi, 10:44 AM 9/2/2003]
[Modified by flynhi, 11:10 AM 9/2/2003]
[Modified by flynhi, 12:52 PM 9/2/2003]
[Modified by flynhi, 8:56 PM 9/2/2003]
[Modified by flynhi, 10:45 PM 9/6/2003]


[Modified by flynhi, 12:42 PM 9/7/2003]

 

So wheres the pictures? :yesnod: I want to see those seats and motor.

 

:thumbs: Congratulations, also you are quite right to say expect things not to fit and cost twice as much as you thought. Lets see this beauty. Good luck and enjoy driving her again.
Mike

 

Sounds like you have done it the right way so it should be enjoyable for a long time to come. Congrats. :thumbs:

 

Damn, Will, you been busy! I'm looking forward to seeing the final product if this tropical storm stuff clears out of here before next weekend.

JB

 

Glad to hear someones making progress,I know I'm not for a while :cheers:

 

pics are up!

 

Where???

 

Hmmm. Dunno
I have entered the url per the CF FAQs and the pics don't come up.

Any tips?

 

at the bottom of the post there is a URL that was mislab- hey wait where did it go? :confused: lemme see if I still have it http://www.coldshowerdesign.com/71_vette/ there it is :cheers:





[Modified by Rottenrob, 8:58 AM 9/2/2003]

 

RottenRob,
Still not working for me. Is it up for you?

 

yep it is working- just checked the link- try again- net-hiccup perhaps

 

It sure looks awesome by the way, congrats are in order!!!! nice job- that engine looks especially sweet :smash:

 

The link on your post works. Why doesn't it work on the original post after the description?

 

Looks good :thumbs:

What are your first impressions of the upgrades?

 

good gosh that is a lot of stuff :cheers:

 

Could you say more about the "dual speed fan control"? Sounds interesting.
Rick

 

The dual speed fan control was designed by C3 CF member Zwede. He's a brilliant electircal engineer so this stuff is easy for him.

It has two temp sensors and several relays. It works like this:
1. When water temp is below both sensors, neither fan is working.
2. When water temp reaches the set point of the first sensor, both fans come on low speed.
3. When/if water temp reaches the second sensor set point, both fans come on high until the second sensor set point is reached as the temp comes down. Then the fans switch back to low speed.

The idea is to maintain coolant within a narrow range without sharp amperage spikes due to fans switching from off to high, quickly satisfying the sensor and then switching off.

Both sensors are in the intake manifold coolant hose neck. Set points are 185 and 205.

So far it seems to work well although I haven't given it a full workout on a really hot day with AC.

 

First impressions? Not sure if it's more enthusiasm or relief......
Significant improvement in steering and braking. Haven't pushed it yet......

 

Will, the car looks great! I really like the seats, they change the look of the whole interior. Great work!
PS where did you get your temp sensors from, I have a copy of the wiring diagram you faxed me last spring, but I have been sort of lazy chasing down parts. The fans are working with the harness I got from DeWitt's, but both at one time and on high speed.