Restore HELP?!

[Alamak]

:usaribbon

Okay, so I got it. Took me 23 grueling years, but I got it. It's a '71, primed for paint, and begging to be restored. It has a '74 front clip w/ a custom hood, and needs some body work. Just some quick questions:

Where should I start the resto (any certain order)?

Suggested sources on side-pipe purchase/installation/info?

Basically, any general thoughts to consider or remember before and during resto (this includes encouraging thoughts lol)?

-The Alamak Airman

[fatherlarry]

Originally posted by Alamak
:usaribbon

Okay, so I got it. Took me 23 grueling years, but I got it. It's a '71, primed for paint, and begging to be restored. It has a '74 front clip w/ a custom hood, and needs some body work. Just some quick questions:

Where should I start the resto (any certain order)?

Suggested sources on side-pipe purchase/installation/info?

Basically, any general thoughts to consider or remember before and during resto (this includes encouraging thoughts lol)?

-The Alamak Airman

Congratulations! :cheers: Welcome aboard. You will enjoy this Corvette. Great year. Better late than never. Let me just ask you a few questions.

Do you intend to restore it to original condition? Usually, when a car is customized it devalues the collectibility.

Do you plan on showing the car when finished? Custom or Stock?

How much of your budget do you want to spend?

Are you going to do the work yourself? Or, are you going to subcontract any mechanical, bodywork or interior work?

Let me know and I'll be happy to advise you as much as I can.:smoke:

[Alamak]

Although I constantly find myself gawking at pristine original restorations, I really have every intention of making this work my very own. Orginality is only important to me in the sense that it makes my corvette unique. I would like to do as much of the work myself as possible (hopefully more of a productive learning experience for any future machines I decide on building later). However, I realize for as much as I DO know, I'm no expert mechanic and there is probably 10 times as much that I DON'T know, so I'm open to professional insight or installation when needed. As it stands now, I have about $6k set aside initially to get me rolling. After that is exhausted, it'll have to be part by part as my Senior Airman pay will allow each month. I have every intention to show the car (certainly not expecting too much), but more as a "Look-at-what-I-did" sort of thing. I want this to be a unique head-turner, and back it's Corvette name w/ the punch a corvette with that look should have. Beyond that... just lookin for a starting point.

My to-do list (no order of course):

Fiberglass body repair

383 stroker change out for the old 350

custom, professional paintjob

total electrical system revamp (bird's nest of rigging right now)

side exhaust

POSSIBLE turbo (car is set up for it, just never installed, not set on it, just thinkin)

oh yeah, tinting, as well.

I know I'm gonna catch hell for customizing from some, but I'm just as much a purist as the next enthusiast. But for the money I paid (not much) and the set up of the whole situation, I feel this is as good a chance as any to get that custom vette you read about but are afraid to venture into building for loss of investment potential. So there's the story. I'm totally up for any suggestions. Thanks again!

-The Alamak Airman

[fatherlarry]

Let's take one step at a time. You gave me a general idea of what you want to do, but then again it is just very general. Let me ask you a few more questions.

Do you want to do a cosmetic restoration, meaning that you're not taking the body off the frame (chassis)?

Have you had the car checked out by a mechanic to see how all the bushings, front end parts, shocks, gas line, brakes, rotors, exhaust, engine mounts, condition of radiator etc. Have you checked the chassis for any rust or old body damage? You first need to see what is worn and what needs to be replaced?

I would go over the car with a mechanic first, then get in good with a body shop that specializes in Corvettes. You should be able to find a shop through one of the local Corvette Clubs. Then you have to find a distributor that you feel sells quality Corvette parts.

As far as the body is concerned, you said it was in primer. You really wouldn't know what materials were used on it and you don't know what's underneath that primer or how goodl the body repairs really are. That's why I would let a body shop take a look at it just to determine if there has been any major repairs on it, and to make sure that you are working with a good base to start. If the prior work has been camoflauged with primer, and you decide to paint the car yourself, you could be setting yourself up for a lot of problems.

You have $6,000 to spend, and that could go in a wink of an eye. You want to make sure that you work as economically as you can and proper planning beforehand is essential. That's why you will need to have a body shop look it over. You don't want to lay down good paint over shoddy body repair and have the paint lift and bubble up on you in a weeks. You could easily spend more than what the car would be worth in today's market in mint condition.

Join a local club, as you might be entitled to some discounts with local businesses, and other members might be able to give you some pointers as well, especially if they have been through a similar experience.

You may have purchased the car at a good price, however, by the time you get done you could spend a lot of money.

I hope this gives you an idea on the preliminaries involved, before actually diving into it. A lot of people have dived into restoring their cars to find out that it has become so costly and labor intense that they cannot afford to finish it.

It is very hard to give you a step by step at this point, just the precautions and starting points. When you start the job, and have a specific question, please feel free to ask me and I should be able to give further information. The main thing is to have the car checked out by a professional so you know exactly what to expect, financially and labor wise. Good luck, let me know your progress.

PS. As far as encouraging thoughts, if this is your first restoration, it could turn into an expensive nightmare. I'm just trying to be very honest with you. Seek professional help, before you begin, and gather as much information as possible, and it could turn into a very pleasurable experience once you know what you're up against and how much you can handle on your own.

[FinWolf]

Custom, good for you do it up. before you start make shore that you have a good frame and do not need to take the body off if you do need to do that then do that first. the last thing you want to do is all the body work and then have to take the body off. I would do the motor before the body work at least the finshed body work. Other than that do what ever you want as you can aford it that is how I am doing mine. I like the way your car looks cant wait to see it done. Just my two cents

[Alamak]

Thanks FL for the insight. I want this done right, and right the first time, so your thoughts are greatly appreciated. I'll give you updates along the way. Thanks again!

-Tim

[fatherlarry]

;bt You're very welcome. I'll be looking for your posts to see how you are progressing.:chevy:

[Alamak]

Okay, so I found a GREAT hook up here in the area. There's a gentleman up the road a ways (I say a ways, but it's several miles) that builds and races dragsters. He does a lot of custom work and does EXCELLENT work for an outstanding price. Furthermore, he's a Vette junkie... good for me... cheaper labor. So we tore the engine out, to find out the clown who owned it before me dropped a... yes... 305 in it. Blasphemy, I know. So it's off to the side awaiting either the junk yard or someone who wants a running 305 for dirt cheap. So here's the progress so far:

We settled on a 400 rather than a 383. Did a little thinking and realized that I would prefer to have the car still running strong years down the road instead of a great power car for a few. Went with the Hooker Sup. Comp. Sidemount headers for the side exhaust. I'm working w/ a Turbo 400 Tranny w/ a B&M Torque Master 3000 converter. I had to buy a new front clip, unfortunately (can't see it in the pic, but the glass damage was just beyond repair. Too much little stuff). The frame, turns out, however, was in great shape. No cracks, no bends, and even minimal rust. Fuel lines are good, brake lines are good (new brake system) but the master cylinder needs replacing (next purchase). Also, the starter in it now is old, beat up, bulky, and draws heavy off the battery. Any suggestions for a replacement brand? I've got some ideas, just askin around. Thanks for all your help fellas.

-The Alamak Airman

:usaribbon :usaribbon :usaribbon :usaribbon

[FinWolf]

mini stater they don't take up much room they are light and it will be out of the way of the headers and you wont have any heat problems with it. you can get them any where speed shop.

[fatherlarry]

Sorry to hear about the engine, but it seems that you're on the right track and found someone reliable. FinWolf gave you a good suggestion.;bt

After you remove the front nose, do all your cleanup work on the frame, check your bushings and ball joints, radiator and hoses, then paint and detail frame, control arms etc, whatever you feel comfortable doing. Then install the nose and complete any refinishing work that is necessary, line up your headlights and hood. After everything is lined up and set in its right place, remove the hood and install the engine before you paint the car.

[T@2]

Looks good from here!!!& would be way cool painted yellow!!!Running a extra ground cable,i used a old jumper cable with a couple eye lugs soldered on to it & ran it from the trans to the bolt where the neg cable is on the cross frame will help with the starter also :wavey:

[Alamak]

:usaribbon :usaribbon

SOO CLOSE!! Just shy few body fixes and I'm ready for the paint.... one problem...

I replaced the front end with an '81 Daytona front end so I need the '80-'82 front side marker lamps and the same year(s) parking lamp/turn signal. They are NO WHERE! Well, I'll rescend that last comment and say that they are nowhere for under an arm and a leg. *shrug*

help? Anyone?

-The Alamak Airman
:usaribbon :usaribbon

[Alamak]

:usaribbon :usaribbon

SOO CLOSE!! Just shy few body fixes and I'm ready for the paint.... one problem...

I replaced the front end with an '81 Daytona front end so I need the '80-'82 front side marker lamps and the same year(s) parking lamp/turn signal. They are NO WHERE! Well, I'll rescend that last comment and say that they are nowhere for under an arm and a leg. *shrug*

help? Anyone?

-The Alamak Airman
:usaribbon :usaribbon

[z06joe]

Did you try the participating vendor on this site, Michigan Corvette Recyclers? I understand that the vendors here give discounts to FatherLarrys Corvette Shop Members. Keep us posted. Love to see some pics when its done.

[Alamak]

:banghead:

Okay, everything is good to go and this is the run down:

400 sbc - O-10, KB pistons, steel crank, Edlebrock 202s (short list)
TH-400 (B&M TorqueMaster 3000)
Holley 750 dp
Hooker Super Comp Sidemount headers
Racing seats
Custom gauges
carbon fiber trim/moulding
new, show-quality carpet
Sparco 4-point harnesses
B&M Shift Kit
MSD-6AL Ignition
aaannnyway......

you get the idea, lots of goodies and it's more or less complete, save a quality paint job. The guy doing most of the dirty work for me has brought it to my attention that the sidepipes may pose a problem due to their close proximity to the fiberglass moulding and the length of the door, etc. Apparently, he thinks they may be too close and may cause issues w/ the paint as far as cooking it and warping the glass body. Should I necessarily be worried about this and if so, what can I do to correct it or prevent any damage. Thanks for all the help FL and everyone else. I hope I can get some new pics scanned soon! She looks MEAN!

-The Alamak Airman

[fatherlarry]

Hi Alamak,

Looks like you made a lot of progress and have a lot of goodies there. I bet you can't wait to start using it. Thanks for getting back to us. Can't wait to see the pics.

Now, as far as the sidepipes....are they the ones that were factory in 1969 that had the chrome shield cover over it? If so, they shouldn't pose a problem as the shield was made to protect. Still a lot of heat does come out of them. If it's an aftermarket or just a straight that your running, and they are close to the rocker near the bottom of the door, they can cause the problem of paint blistering. What brand sidepipes did you buy? I would call the manufacturer and ask them about it, and whether or not it should cause a problem. If they tell you that they shouldn't cause a problem, and you bolt them up to their specs, and if you do have a problem after you did everything they said, then I would hold them to it. Try to give me a little more info on the type of pipes your using. I'm sure the technician that is working on your car, must see something he's uncomfortable with for a reason. Let us know how you make out. Great hearing from you again.:chevy:

[Alamak]

:usaribbon

The headers are Hooker Super Competition Sidemounts and the pipes are the corresponding pipes made by Hooker. All Chrome. Thanks for the help.

-The Alamak Airman
:usaribbon