WMD - Saturday - 13 June 2015

[QB93Z]

I am scheduling a Westminster Maintenance Day on Saturday, 13 June 2015 at my garage in Westminster, Maryland.

We will be working on rear wheel bearings and shocks for Charlie, and if we have time we will install C-Beam plates for Scott.

If you have anything else you want to do to your Z, please let me know.

Start time is 9:00 AM but come when you can and stay as long as you like. Come and hang out with us.

Location: In the garage behind my house at 195 W Main St, Westminster, MD

If you need directions of have questions, contact me at 443-244-1347 of jim@gizmosart.com

Jim

[93 Vette]

Hi Jim,

I'm not sure yet if I will be able to make it this Saturday. Have a great time if I don't make it.

Thanks,
Matt

[ZR-1nce removed]

Can't make this one fellas, I could tell you why but then... Well you know...

[Arctic91]

I should be there a little late... can't make the 0900 start due to a swim meet. Looking forward to seeing everyone again.

Scott

[Rex Ruby]

Headed to the in-laws in Cape May to do some chores for them.
I will make one this year!

[secondchance]

Sorry... Can't make this Saturday. I'll be down at VA Beach getting baked.

[93 Vette]

I'm trying to work it out so that I can come for a few hours in the morning.

Matt

[nelson007]

I'll be there.

Nelson

[Dynomite]

I am scheduling a Westminster Maintenance Day on Saturday, 13 June 2015 at my garage in Westminster, Maryland.

We will be working on rear wheel bearings and shocks for Charlie, and if we have time we will install C-Beam plates for Scott.

Jim

Hi Jim......just in case you get to the C-Beam Plates.......I always have on hand SS bolts to replace the Stock Exhaust bolts to the Exhaust Manifold rather than install the rusted old Bolts (6 bolts of two different lengths). Have some HEAT handy just in case the Exhaust Manifold bolts are rusted beyond letting go with reasonable torque (you do not want to break them off....yes I have done it all).

Some other items just in case......And make sure you remove the washers on TOP of the C-Frame (did that also) :D

C4 Beam Plates and Installation (http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-zr-1-discussion/3005470-tech-info-lt5-modifications-rebuild-tricks-500-hp-2.html#post1581480716)

C4 Beam Plate Installed On Differential ......................C4 Beam Plate Installed On Transmission
.................................................. ................................Note C4 Beam Plate Bevel Location
http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll142/dynomite007/A%20Corvette%20LT5%2091/ba521d4e-a8d4-471b-989e-c5e67d63a740.jpghttp://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll142/dynomite007/A%20Corvette%20LT5%2091/15982360-190b-40f6-9c36-04481c776ab2.jpg
5. Why Take Measurements?
It is kind of a corny measurement since you are measuring between the C-Frame and the side wall/Underbody which is heavily coated and made of light steel and the accuracy of the measurement needs only to be within 1/4 inch + or -. I think you are just making sure you did not put an angle in that front driveline U-joint by moving the transmission appreciably during the installation of the new C4 Beam Plates.
A Quick Measurement in regard to Transmission Yoke height can be checked from inside the car by measuring the height of the Shifter. A height of 6.25 inches from the counsel to the top of the shifter (at the center of the shifter in neutral) will be very close to the correct transmission height.
http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll142/dynomite007/Dynomite12/IMG_4602.jpg
a. The 1.77 in spacer should fit between the top of the driveline support to the underbody. The 1.1 in spacer should fit between the right side (passenger side) of the driveline support to the side wall.
b. You might check that alignment spacing before you start the project to see where your alignment is now. Then just keep that alignment with the installation of the new C4 Beam Plates.
http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll142/dynomite007/Dynomite9/6c1b97fb-2213-4b05-abeb-4d95e7a8588f.jpg
Secondary to Transmission/Driveline Alignment is ground clearance of Transmission Drain Plug. The Transmission Drain Plug clearance to ground is approximately 4 to 4.5 inches on my ZR-1s which is NOT the lowest point on the ZR-1 Drive Train/Chassis. The Ground Clearance depends on many things including Tire Pressure, Tires, Wheels, and Suspension.
6. Re-Installing the Exhaust.
The Exhaust System can be re-installed after the C-Beam Plates are torqued and the front Exhaust Hanger is re-installed in the location of the Front C-Beam Plates.
The Entire Exhaust System can be reinstalled by sliding the Exhaust System under the ZR-1 and setting a rolling hydraulic jack under the rear of the center Exhaust and lifting up to within about 8 inches of the final position.
A. Lift the two rear Tail Pipes and slip the slider into position on the slip joints. Slide the Entire Exhaust System to the rear of the ZR-1 about 1 inch completely engaging the slip joints holding the Tail Pipes.
B. Raise the front of the Exhaust System with the rolling Hydraulic Jack to the final height aligning with the Catalytic Converter Connections. Slide the Entire Exhaust System Forward and install 6 NEW SS 10mm x 1.5 bolts. (10mm x 1.5 x 30mm on Passenger Side and 10mm x 1.5 x 50mm on Drivers Side). The SS Bolts shown have 17mm Hex Heads and Washers are NOT required.

SS 10mm x 1.5 x 30mm and SS 10mm x 1.5 x 50mm Bolts

http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll142/dynomite007/Dynomite12/8888447b-05d8-4e19-a65d-f5c1ddcd1a87.jpg
C. Reinstall the two Front 13mm Head Hanger Bolts and the two Rear 13mm Head Hanger Bolts.

[QB93Z]

Thanks Cliff. I have broken several exhaust flange bolts over the years. The good news is that it has always been the bolt that is easy to get to for drilling and tapping.

Regarding the measurements, what would you "adjust" if the dimensions were not what you expected?

When I reinstall a C-Beam, I have a rolling jack under the back of the oil pan. Raising the back of the engine changes the angle of the motor and transmission so the back end of the C-Beam can be exactly aligned to the differential.

Jim

[Dynomite]

Thanks Cliff. I have broken several exhaust flange bolts over the years. The good news is that it has always been the bolt that is easy to get to for drilling and tapping.

Regarding the measurements, what would you "adjust" if the dimensions were not what you expected?

When I reinstall a C-Beam, I have a rolling jack under the back of the oil pan. Raising the back of the engine changes the angle of the motor and transmission so the back end of the C-Beam can be exactly aligned to the differential.

Jim

I place a jack under the transmission and jack up or down (a little more up than the vertical spacer provided by ZF Doc suggests for the simple reason when you release the vertical pressure on the transmission you want the final position to be as ZF Doc suggests and as noted above. What I do is measure the shifter height and also make sure the transmission plug is NOT the lowest point on the underside of the body (Transmission plug 4.5 inch to ground and Oil Pan 4.25 inches to ground).

All the adjustments can be made with the differential C-Beam bolts loosened or not but I actually loosen the differential C-Beam last after setting the transmission C-Beam Plates and install the C-Beam Plate on differential LAST. The vertical movement at the differential usually has not changed from the Initial Factory Set Up.

I know it is not precise the measurements of the C-Beam within the Tunnel and same goes with the measurement of the shifter height above the shifter bezel.....and must say same goes with the lack of precision of the transmission height above ground given each ZR-1 has different tire wear, inflation, tires, suspension. But we can get close and a lot closer than one with a transmission that has dropped and the C-Beam holes worn oblong for a long period of time.

Adjusting the side to side I use a piece of wood to wedge and leverage the transmission side to side but if that is actually off you would have to loosen the engine mounting bolts to actually change that alignment where it would stay in position after leverage is released.

And my final check is to make sure the Transmission Drain Plug is NOT the lowest under the ZR-1 and NOT lower than the Oil Pan.

[93 Vette]

Thank you Jim for hosting the maintenance day today. It was good seeing everyone and I had a great time.

Matt

[Arctic91]

I'll second that, Matt. Thanks to Jim for creating a space for us to meet and wrench on these cars in the company of friends.

Cheers,
Scott

[nelson007]

Great day. Learn something every time we do one of these.
Thanks Jim for installing my gas peddle.

Nelson

[QB93Z]

Always a great time getting together with car guys and working on Corvettes. The day was a little warm but not too bad when the clouds gave us a break. Here is the group: (l to r) Dillion (Matt's son, a really nice young man learning early), Jim, Nelson, Bob, Doug, Charlie, Matt, Kevin. Scott is not in the picture

I am holding the gas pedal for Nelson's ZR1. Nelson said his car wasn't fast enough, so he bought an after-market gas pedal.

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp152/QB93Z/2015%20June%20WMD%20shocks%20and%20grand%20sport/DSC_0099.jpg (http://s407.photobucket.com/user/QB93Z/media/2015%20June%20WMD%20shocks%20and%20grand%20sport/DSC_0099.jpg.html)

Looking down the alley, a view of some beautiful ZR-1's and a Grand Sport.

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp152/QB93Z/2015%20June%20WMD%20shocks%20and%20grand%20sport/DSC_0082.jpg (http://s407.photobucket.com/user/QB93Z/media/2015%20June%20WMD%20shocks%20and%20grand%20sport/DSC_0082.jpg.html)

On Mountain Run 3, we met Doug, from Harrisburg, PA area. Doug drove with the group that Scott and I were in. We helped Doug with a brake issue on the Tail of the Dragon. Doug is a great guy so we invited him to come to our next WMD.

In the background, the wrenching team is reviewing the assembly procedures ... or the Pizza just arrived:

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp152/QB93Z/2015%20June%20WMD%20shocks%20and%20grand%20sport/DSC_0104.jpg (http://s407.photobucket.com/user/QB93Z/media/2015%20June%20WMD%20shocks%20and%20grand%20sport/DSC_0104.jpg.html)


Some more of the cars. Matt's Dark Red and my Dark Purple:

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp152/QB93Z/2015%20June%20WMD%20shocks%20and%20grand%20sport/DSC_0083.jpg (http://s407.photobucket.com/user/QB93Z/media/2015%20June%20WMD%20shocks%20and%20grand%20sport/DSC_0083.jpg.html)


Working on Nelson's ZR1 upgrade:


http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp152/QB93Z/2015%20June%20WMD%20shocks%20and%20grand%20sport/DSC_0093.jpg (http://s407.photobucket.com/user/QB93Z/media/2015%20June%20WMD%20shocks%20and%20grand%20sport/DSC_0093.jpg.html)

[QB93Z]

Quasar Blue and Scott's Turq:

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp152/QB93Z/2015%20June%20WMD%20shocks%20and%20grand%20sport/DSC_0127.jpg (http://s407.photobucket.com/user/QB93Z/media/2015%20June%20WMD%20shocks%20and%20grand%20sport/DSC_0127.jpg.html)

We tried vacuum bleeding Doug's rear brakes using my vacuum canister. I was not satisfied with the result. So we finished the job the old fashioned way: push the pedal, open the bleeder, close the bleeder, release the pedal, repeat as needed.

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp152/QB93Z/2015%20June%20WMD%20shocks%20and%20grand%20sport/DSC_0120.jpg (http://s407.photobucket.com/user/QB93Z/media/2015%20June%20WMD%20shocks%20and%20grand%20sport/DSC_0120.jpg.html)

MY Black '90, Matt's Dark Red, and Charlie's Bright Red with new shocks and rear wheel bearings, ready for a 4-wheel alignment:

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp152/QB93Z/2015%20June%20WMD%20shocks%20and%20grand%20sport/DSC_0143.jpg (http://s407.photobucket.com/user/QB93Z/media/2015%20June%20WMD%20shocks%20and%20grand%20sport/DSC_0143.jpg.html)

Thanks to everyone who helped. Thanks to Dillon for hanging out with us. And a special thank you to Matt and Kevin, the primary wrench team who got the rear wheel bearings off Charlie's car.

Jim

[dredgeguy]

Many, many thanks to my Wazoo brothers for another successful WMD, always a great time. With new rear wheel bearings and shocks and getting a 4 wheel alignment this week, will ride like a new car. Jim, Kevin and Matt thanks for doing all you do and for young Dillon, for cleaning up the Corsa's. Without Wazoo, it would never be the same!