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Hello, I am honestly just a 16 trying to revive a 30 year old dream of my grandfather's. He had a vision for the 1974 Corvette in our garage, and honestly I have one too. He already rewrote his will so that I can carry on his legacy, and my cousin can have his '98 Corvette to carry on that one. See, me and my grandfather are both big Corvette people, I have a gm licensed leather jacket with the Corvette symbol on it that was originally his. He helps where he can with the 1974 but he can't move very well. I'll say a list of the known issues, and all I ask is advice, not help or free labor, just advice.
Issues:
- rusted over body mounts (the body mounts are so bad that some of them can't fit in a socket anymore)
- torn inside carpeting
- chewed wires
- missing bolts and fasteners
- missing bumper
- cracked windshield
It sounds like you came to the right place. There is a plethora of information and helpful people on here. If your grandpa doesn’t have one already I would look at getting a factory assembly manual. Is has very useful diagrams of every system of the car.
There’s a number of vendors on the forum. I would consider their quality made in USA products before buying anything off of amazon or ebay if you’re looking for parts.
Post some pictures of the project!
Last edited by Piersonpie; Oct 22, 2024 at 03:24 PM.
Welcome! Do you have the proper tools to do what needs done? A good selection of hand tools, etc.? Do you have the room to tear things apart? Sounds like you may need to replace wiring harnesses. Do you have the funds?
Rusted body mounts. Do you need to take them off? Is it a structural issue? Any nut/bolt you think you may need to remove, spray them with PB blaster now. The longer it sits the easier it gets. If you do need to remove them, start with the PB blaster. Wire brush the bolt heads, they are still there under the rust. Clean them up real good. You can buy a decent wired grinder for $50, put a wire wheel on it, wear protective gear and get in there. Use the proper socket and a breaker bar. Go SLOW. If it still doesn't budge, use heat. Assuming you don't have access to an oxy/acetylene set up. MAPP gas (yellow bottle) is the next best thing. Be very aware of where the flame is going and whats on the other side. You can't get too crazy is it's near fiberglass. 1/2" drive socket and a HF breaker bar are your friends.
Torn carpet - just get an aftermarket replacement, not repairable. One of the single best things you can do to spruce up the interior for not a ton of money.
Chewed wires depends on the extent. A few can be repaired. If the mice really set up residence, you will be much further ahead to just buy a replacement. It isn't the cheapest route, but it will save you so many headaches down the road. pay once, cry once.
Missing bolts/fasteners - as others stated an assembly manual is what you want.
Missing bumper on a '76? Your best bet is to find a used unit. Follow FB marketplace, you may luck out and find one getting parted out. I odn't know C3's well, but maybe a '75-'82 fits as well? It would be enough to get you by anyway.
Cracked windshield typically can't be repaired. But there is a silver lining. Removing it gives you the perfect opportunity to get in there and treat any rust and make any repairs. It has metal trim surrounding the glass, so be very careful and do your homework on how to remove that without damage. You can buy tools relatively cheap to assist you in there. Be patient and take your time. Get ham fisted and impatient and it will cost you $$$ to fix it. Removing the windshield itself shouldn't be too difficult. Youtube is your friend.
Post up your location. May be a member local to you able to put eyes on it and give more assistance.
Don't get discouraged. We all started somewhere and cut our teeth on something. Don't be afraid to ask silly questions and post pics. We love pics!
Hi Todd! Thanks for the welcome and the advice! I'll respond to it all in the same order you posted, and my family is giving me tools and partially funding it, the rest of the funding will be from my job!
Removing the body mounts is a MUST, I need to remove it to look at the engine, transmission, and frame. I believe the frame is very rusted and needs either patched up or replaced entirely depending on the extent of the rust, especially with how long it has sat. And that is a good idea with the PB and wire brush, I'll try my best at that but in case you haven't seen the C3 body mount locations, let me tell you, they SUCK to get to. and I am afraid heat is out of the question, all of the bolts are touching and surrounded by a lot of fiberglass and I do not want to risk the body.
I am going to replace the interior carpeting as well as a lot of the interior anyway, and you say not much, any recommendation on some cheap website or places?
I'm not sure the extent of the wires as of yet, but I do know that they are torn and chewed in some parts, replacing it all is probably my best bet honestly so I'll just take your advice there
I'm missing the '74 bumper, maybe I did a typo earlier and said '76 though not sure, the issue is that they all fit, but it's hard to find an actual 1974 rear bumper design that actually looks good and is cheap, especially since it's a 2 piece and some of them are machined wrong and you can't see it until after it arrives in the mail if you order it.
you make a good point with that silver lining, and don't worry I will definitely be careful
Westerville, Ohio, I won't get more specific than that in this forum unless it's in PMs
Thank you! and don't worry, I'll post a picture every major development I make!
Hey Darren, if you don't have one, a goo d1/2" impact is a must have tool. When you soak the bolts, get your impact on it and run it in both directions, it will help loosen those bolts and back them off. Hammering both ways is very effective.
As for carpeting, I'd ask that on the C3 board. Those guys will know much more than myself.
You said '74, I typed '76. I knew the '74 rear was a 2 piece, which is why I thought maybe a '75+ may fit without much hassle?? I've read about the '74's being hard to source and fitment.
I know where Westerville is. I have family in the Dublin/Columbus area. I'm up in Auburn, IN. There is a Corvette specific shop a few minutes off 270 and Roberts Road on the west wide. My cousins son owns a very good detailing shop across the street from them. Corvette Care. I called them not long ago regarding the possibility of doing my torque tube. They were extremely helpful and happy to talk. I recall their price being very fair. They work on and service all generations.
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. I knew the '74 rear was a 2 piece, which is why I thought maybe a '75+ may fit without much hassle?? I've read about the '74's being hard to source and fitment.