Frame off Resto in progress
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: Bowling Green Ky
Frame off Resto in progress
Hi everyone,
Im doing a frame off on a '69 corvette Coupe 350/300
It has a turbo400 trans original color is Daytona yellow w/ black interior and is a original
sidepipe car w/ air.
The engine I have just finished, bored .30 over new pistons, rings, bearings, It has a Crane
energizer cam with 202 double hump heads & 4 bolt main, 302DZ alunium intake & a
750 dual line Holley.
I recently bought dual ring rockcrusher w/ bellhousing and going to make a 4spd out of
the car
Last Saturday I pulled the body off and I am in the process of tearing it down to a bear
frame.
I was wondering what was the best catalogs to order out of the get the parts needed to
finish the project. The most affordable (he, I think that was a joke) I found was Voluteer
Vette out of Knoxville.
on the frame I have power steering but it is in need of being re-built. would I be better off
to get the steeroids system while I have it apart? also is there a kit to make for a fluid
clutch conversion? Is the VBP composite monospring hold up well over time or are they
any issues with it? I will try to get some pics of the car tomorrow to post
thanks for the help
Bryan Brewster
69 coupe
Im doing a frame off on a '69 corvette Coupe 350/300
It has a turbo400 trans original color is Daytona yellow w/ black interior and is a original
sidepipe car w/ air.
The engine I have just finished, bored .30 over new pistons, rings, bearings, It has a Crane
energizer cam with 202 double hump heads & 4 bolt main, 302DZ alunium intake & a
750 dual line Holley.
I recently bought dual ring rockcrusher w/ bellhousing and going to make a 4spd out of
the car
Last Saturday I pulled the body off and I am in the process of tearing it down to a bear
frame.
I was wondering what was the best catalogs to order out of the get the parts needed to
finish the project. The most affordable (he, I think that was a joke) I found was Voluteer
Vette out of Knoxville.
on the frame I have power steering but it is in need of being re-built. would I be better off
to get the steeroids system while I have it apart? also is there a kit to make for a fluid
clutch conversion? Is the VBP composite monospring hold up well over time or are they
any issues with it? I will try to get some pics of the car tomorrow to post
thanks for the help
Bryan Brewster
69 coupe
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
Re: Frame off Resto in progress (brew'69)
Welcome, congrats, and good luck.
All the mods you mentioned are a matter of $$ and personal preferrence.
Lots of variability with the 'glass springs. If I changed from steel, it would be with the VBP dual mount rear ... adjustable rate and height.
I've never seen a hydraulic clutch conversion, but it can obviously be done -
matter of time and $$.
I hope you don't want to drive her soon. The resto just snowballs.
As for cheap ... Volunteer is OK - as most. Nuthin's cheap, but compare the
parts with say parts for a new Volvo .... the vette's not that bad.
:seeya
All the mods you mentioned are a matter of $$ and personal preferrence.
Lots of variability with the 'glass springs. If I changed from steel, it would be with the VBP dual mount rear ... adjustable rate and height.
I've never seen a hydraulic clutch conversion, but it can obviously be done -
matter of time and $$.
I hope you don't want to drive her soon. The resto just snowballs.
As for cheap ... Volunteer is OK - as most. Nuthin's cheap, but compare the
parts with say parts for a new Volvo .... the vette's not that bad.
:seeya
Racer
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 268
Likes: 0
From: Mechanicsville VA
Re: Frame off Resto in progress (brew'69)
Time is the big factor. As for wish-books- VBP for suspension & brakes, VanSteel (you want all new bearings if you're going this far-plus he can do the same stuff as VBP), Zip's, Rik's, Summit Racing or equivalent. Shop between the 'Vette specialty catalogs as the prices will vary some.
I am doing the same frame-off renovation thing on my '78-I went with the Steeroids kit and the hydraulic power brake assist (eliminates vacuum) that you'll see on the Forum. Look for group purchases of lots of this stuff- they come up from time to time, and most vendors will give some kind of discount if you are a Forum member anyway.
You may want to fully weld all the frame seams to stiffen the frame, and repair and reinforce certain areas (like the front suspension mount points) that commonly show cracks or rusting.
I wish I had the bucks to get a five- or six-speed gearbox (for keeping in the power band when running hard, & maximizing fuel economy when not), but am sufficing with the standard Muncie.
Good luck- keep us posted on your progress.
I am doing the same frame-off renovation thing on my '78-I went with the Steeroids kit and the hydraulic power brake assist (eliminates vacuum) that you'll see on the Forum. Look for group purchases of lots of this stuff- they come up from time to time, and most vendors will give some kind of discount if you are a Forum member anyway.
You may want to fully weld all the frame seams to stiffen the frame, and repair and reinforce certain areas (like the front suspension mount points) that commonly show cracks or rusting.
I wish I had the bucks to get a five- or six-speed gearbox (for keeping in the power band when running hard, & maximizing fuel economy when not), but am sufficing with the standard Muncie.
Good luck- keep us posted on your progress.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: Bowling Green Ky
Re: Frame off Resto in progress (brew'69)
(first time trying to put pictures on the net this may take a little trial and error)
Should be a picture of my frame
Brew
I hate technology sometimes...
[Modified by brew'69, 12:07 AM 5/28/2004]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 2,372
Likes: 227
From: N Cal
Re: Frame off Resto in progress (brew'69)
Check out Doc Rebuild if you want to keep things as stock as possible. They have a real good catalog and the prices are the best I've found. As far as the composite leaf spring goes, I had the 340 lb. TRW and it made my 72 Vette look like a 4 x 4 even with the 8" bolts. The stock steel spring worked best for me, I was able to set the car up at factory F41 specs. Good Luck.
:cheers:
:cheers:
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,634
Likes: 4
From: Northern NJ
St. Jude Donor '04 & '05
Re: Frame off Resto in progress (brew'69)
Welcome to the insanity! :crazy:
Check out Wilcox. They have great service and their prices are very good for what they carry. I've had good luck with them so far.
http://www.yankeelady.com/willcox/
Good Luck w/the project. :yesnod:
:seeya
[Modified by ACECO, 11:59 AM 5/28/2004]
Check out Wilcox. They have great service and their prices are very good for what they carry. I've had good luck with them so far.
http://www.yankeelady.com/willcox/
Good Luck w/the project. :yesnod:
:seeya
[Modified by ACECO, 11:59 AM 5/28/2004]
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
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
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: Bowling Green Ky
Re: Frame off Resto in progress (brew'69)
I got some pics of my car (or parts I should say) I was going to post but I cant seam to get them posted can anyone help?
Also, on a 5 spd conversion does it use a 4spd bell housing and a fluid clutch? if so would you be able to use the fulid cluth on a 4spd? I found a few conversion for fuild cluthes but they are all for ford toploaders.
Brew
Also, on a 5 spd conversion does it use a 4spd bell housing and a fluid clutch? if so would you be able to use the fulid cluth on a 4spd? I found a few conversion for fuild cluthes but they are all for ford toploaders.
Brew
