Tackleing the big job before summer!!

[yzpilot]

So it's finally time to get my pride and joy ready for the summer. If any of you followed the story of how I got my Z, you know she definitely needs paint to get ready for the ball! So I have finally got everything I need to start the project. Figured I would start with the engine compartment before starting the body. I will be posting photos of the progress if anyone is interested, or if anyone needs a hand for future projects.

[yzpilot]

Most all the pieces to get stripped and powder coated.

[yzpilot]

What a dirty mess to clean! Had a leaky oil cooler line that blew oil back on the engine. Gonna take a lot of simple green! Here is the first cam cover straight out of the oven! I am very happy with the results...although the red was a pain! Going for the black widow look. I even coated and refurbished the emblem. On the engine photo...can anyone spot the real pain in my butt??

[LantanaTX]

Nice work! I am starting the same project. I am going to do it all myself. I ordered an Eastwood soda blaster that should be here in a couple of days. How did you do the emblems? I have an extra set that is used and ratty looking.

Pain in the butt? I am going to guess the left cam cover since it is still attached in the picture.

[efnfast]

:happy1:

[We Gone]

Looking good.

[mike100]

Gonna have to chat with me on the emblems- I think that would straighten up the look on mine without buying replacements.

[LantanaTX]

Gonna have to chat with me on the emblems- I think that would straighten up the look on mine without buying replacements.

We need the DIY on this!

[Jagdpanzer]

I ordered an Eastwood soda blaster that should be here in a couple of days.

The factory PC can be a bear to get off. Hit it a few times with aircraft paint striper and wire brush and the job will go a lot easier.

[yzpilot]

I knew the emblems would be a hot topic. Like some of you guys, mine were ratted. But I just didnt want to spend 50 a pop for replacements that weren't oem. So I did exactly what Phil just said, aircraft stripped and a brass brush. I powder coated the emblem all black. The pain is the flag and the Chevy bowtie. Used a fine artist brush and paint. If you get on it real close, there are some little areas on the flag that aren't perfect...but hey, saved 100 bucks......looks good, and I'm not NCRS anyway! Lol If anyone wants them done, we can more than likely work something out!

[yzpilot]

And Mike....you know yours are on the house!!!!

[yzpilot]

Nice work! I am starting the same project. I am going to do it all myself. I ordered an Eastwood soda blaster that should be here in a couple of days. How did you do the emblems? I have an extra set that is used and ratty looking.

Pain in the butt? I am going to guess the left cam cover since it is still attached in the picture.

Good guess!But the real pain was the snapped off bolt head near the front on the pass side!! Had to drill the SOB out...and the rest of the stud was still a pain even with visegrips!! But it's out now, and thanks to Jerry, got my replacements in today!:dancing

[PhillipsLT5]

Does Lee have some emblems?
Looks good, We sure love Oceanside to La Jolla, North County

[Blownrunner]

where did you get the powdercoating supplies? I know harbor freight has/had it.

If I ever do this to mine, I do not want to send the cam covers out. Imagine if they get damaged while getting refinished...

What color is your car? That color combo would look stellar on a black car.

[mike100]

where did you get the powdercoating supplies? I know harbor freight has/had it.

If I ever do this to mine, I do not want to send the cam covers out. Imagine if they get damaged while getting refinished...

What color is your car? That color combo would look stellar on a black car.

It's black with black interior. Tint the windows and your Corvette is ready Lord Vader.

[yzpilot]

Blowrunner-I got everything through Eastwood. They have a great kit that comes with the gun, alot of accesories and 3 colors of your choice. It was right around 180.00. I picked up a oven on craigslist for 30 bucks. The wife wouldn't let me use the kitchen oven(I don't know why?) No devotion to the cause!!

[yzpilot]

LOL! Mike! Funny you should mention that...I need to find to find a good professional tinter! If I could get my windows like yours, I'll be happy!

[yzpilot]

Question...under the cam cover,where the PCV pipe goes in, there is a chunck of sponge like material. Of course with the age, this stuff just crumbled when I removed it. Anyone have any leads where a guy can get this stuff...or a equivelant?

[XfireZ51]

Question...under the cam cover,where the PCV pipe goes in, there is a chunck of sponge like material. Of course with the age, this stuff just crumbled when I removed it. Anyone have any leads where a guy can get this stuff...or a equivelant?

Marc Haibeck sells replacement foam for about $15. Very close to OEM.

[yzpilot]

Marc Haibeck sells replacement foam for about $15. Very close to OEM.
Thank you sir!!!

[yzpilot]

Ok guys...stage 1 complete! I am really happy how it turned out! What do you all think?? At the risk of this turning to a technical post...since I got it back together it idles a little funny. Shoots up to 2 grand on start up..which I know is sometimes normal..but when it comes down it seems to bounce between 900 and about 1200. Kind of annoying. It didn't do this before. Just purred steady. Also when I come to a stop it stays higher, about 1500?? Any ideas? Thanks guys!!

[We Gone]

Looks great.. You may need to check for a vacuum leak or the IAC. Just a guess I'm sure the guys in the know will post up.

[Pete]

Did you disassemble/reassemble the TB?
Sounds like vacuum leak but check TPS is set correctly.


Pete

[XfireZ51]

Did you disassemble/reassemble the TB?
Sounds like vacuum leak but check TPS is set correctly.


Pete

Agree w Pete. Check TPS, AND possibly Min Air Adjustment. Helpful if you have a scan tool. If you disassembled the TB, then he you need to have the throttle blades aligned.

[yzpilot]

Ok, at the suggestion of a good friend, I took off the air boot and (choked it) with a book. Within 2 seconds it died right out. Didn't hear any hissing from vacuum leaks. Pretty much went through a can of carb cleaner over the top end, and got no change in rpm at all. Pulled the IAC and checked for cleanliness, reinstalled. Seemed to idle normal at first then rose back up to a high idle. Checked the TPS setting and was good. Even adjusted a bit but idle only rose, so set back to original position. Guess a plenum pull is in order!:-( What a bummer!

[XfireZ51]

DID U DISASSEMBLE THE THROTTLE BODY WHEN YOU POWDERCOATED?

[yzpilot]

I did. Whats the procedure for aligning the throttle blades? I try anything before pulling the plenum again!

[XfireZ51]

Pull off the throttle body and send it to Haibeck.

[Schrade]

Get a sheet of gasket material, and cut out one of these.

If your TB is leaking by 2nd butterflies, then with this in place, idle will hold steady as a rock, and the lope will disappear.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-JmP7LBibIw4/Up5qtEFa3xI/AAAAAAAADEY/Bbbh4Lw8DcA/s1280/HPIM7607.JPG

[yzpilot]

Schrade, are you using this in place of the stock gasket?

[yzpilot]

Or was I just the subject of humor? Lol!

[XfireZ51]

Chuck is just trying to show u how you can determine if your throttle blades are not correctly aligned. You say that when driven the idle does not come down which suggests throttle may be sticking which then suggests throttle blades not aligned in bore.

[Schrade]

Schrade, are you using this in place of the stock gasket?

Dom got it; I used it for diagnostics.

Since vac leaks are not the ONLY cause of loping in this thing, everyone should have one on the shelf...

[yzpilot]

Problem solved!!!!...mostly. And big thanks to Schrade for the idea...although I modified it slightly as I didn't have gasket material on hand. So...I pulled the airhorn and set it aside still connected to the MAT. Fired her up and I took two caps from rattle cans (that coincidentally fit perfect over the secondary throttle ports)..and man...it sucked the tight like a vacuum, and yup, you guessed it...the idle hummed right down to normal!! So, obviously major leakage around the blades! So I simply loosened the screws holding the blades (with the engine still running) and tapped them with a screwdriver...each tap, the idle came down. While tapping it with the vacuum of the engine running, it aligned the blades in the ports. So idle is very close to stock, although there is still a slight vacuum...I am gonna chalk this up to my lack of research before the job and removing the DAG. Anyone know a substitute for this stuff? Anyhow I am happy it is running good, strong and normal!!! Just in time to tear the car down for paint!! The saga continues. Thabk you to all for the insight, and especially you Schrade for the idea that solved my problem!!!!

[Schrade]

You're brave man there yz - loosening TB screws in front of an uber-ShopVac!!!

Problem solved!!!!...mostly. And big thanks to Schrade for the idea...although I modified it slightly as I didn't have gasket material on hand. So...I pulled the airhorn and set it aside still connected to the MAT. Fired her up and I took two caps from rattle cans (that coincidentally fit perfect over the secondary throttle ports)..and man...it sucked the tight like a vacuum, and yup, you guessed it...the idle hummed right down to normal!! So, obviously major leakage around the blades! So I simply loosened the screws holding the blades (with the engine still running) and tapped them with a screwdriver...each tap, the idle came down. While tapping it with the vacuum of the engine running, it aligned the blades in the ports. So idle is very close to stock, although there is still a slight vacuum...I am gonna chalk this up to my lack of research before the job and removing the DAG. Anyone know a substitute for this stuff? Anyhow I am happy it is running good, strong and normal!!! Just in time to tear the car down for paint!! The saga continues. Thabk you to all for the insight, and especially you Schrade for the idea that solved my problem!!!!

[yzpilot]

I know! Had to think about before I did it...but, I just barely loosened them so the plates would move, and I relied on that vacuum keeping the plates shut tight!