Working on the 74.....

[Roadster]

Well had a slight complication with the lower control arms, being I did not like the way the new bushings were going in. The top arms are a breeze, the bottoms have to go through two holes on each end. If not lined up correctly, it could present a problem. I sent them out and all is well. They are on the shelf ready for installation.

Completed another job today and that was removal of the heater box w/core. Although this job was performed by a "Vette" shop before I purchased the car, the bolts were not torqued down completely. Just some real sloppy work.
Now to get the core pressure tested along with the original unit, which did have a small pin size leak. Hopefully the original can be repaired...

Job completed...

Loaded and ready to come home for repairs and a real good cleaning....

[Roadster]

making progress with cleaning the HVAC ducts for the 74...

before...


some of the dirt build up inside the ducts...

after...

[Roadster]

this is the original Harrison core from the 74, which was changed out before I purchased...it was leaking. Took this core and the replacement core to the radiator shop for a flush and pressure test. Glad I did because the replacement core also had leaks, and was re soldered to fix them. It was not leaking from the core itself like the original. Saving me tons of time in the future if I had left it unchecked....

the replacement with new solder....

[Roadster]

Did some driveshaft work today, preliminary cleaning, still have to replace the u-joints and clean the flanges...

the start...

really didn't notice the part # when I disassembled many years ago...

cleaning up nicely....



just have to figure out if I can save these numbers in anyway, or may have to re stencil...

[DRM500RUBYZR-1]

Tom,
Re-stencil.
I have never seen successful attempts at saving.
Why change your shirt, and put the tie on that has a huge stain?
Measure; take pictures; re-finish as you did elsewhere, then re-stencil.
Keep it going, looking good!!!!
Marty

[Roadster]

Originally Posted by DRM500RUBYZR-1

Tom,
Re-stencil.
I have never seen successful attempts at saving.
Why change your shirt, and put the tie on that has a huge stain?
Measure; take pictures; re-finish as you did elsewhere, then re-stencil.
Keep it going, looking good!!!!
Marty

Marty,
Thanks for your thoughts. Never did a re-stencil before, so it will be a new learning experience.


Did more today changing out the u-joints on the driveshaft. Although I had a neat tool to do the job, it doesn't always go as planned. Removed the u-joint at the rear of the shaft in a few minutes, wow going great today....lol
Then I snapped a retainer ring on the joint. My remover tool did not grab the front flange like it did the back. Had to hammer that joint out. That was fun. Also in the pics you will see that the inside of the caps still had plenty of grease there. These are the original joints from 1974, 43 years ago, and only 10,254 original miles. I was just surprised how well lubed they were on the inside. I have seen other joints that were completely dried out when taken apart.
Although having some difficulties, everything worked out in the end. Sometimes it doesn't play out like in the videos.....lol

Don't mind the garage in disarray, my buddy Chris has a lot going on in his garage........

tools for the job...


notice the cap coming out the bottom....neat tool...

[Roadster]

the hammer job...tapping out the cap...some serious hammering here....lol

the original joints....

new joints in and "locked" in place...


took the 82 out to the 74 today to visit his older brother. but he was sleeping the whole time, must be the age......lol

[Roadster]

Another day out at the 74, also did some cleaning on the LT5 TB for the Z.
There are days when you make a decision and it can or does come back to bite you in the a**. Part of today turned out that way....lol
In the process of getting the heater core installed in the heater box. We thought we should seal the heater core assembly bracket to the heater box. A good thought, only we used the weather stripping adhesive supplied in the kit. While it is for the foam pieces to hold in place, it was a big mistake to use it on the box itself. Got it all assembled and the heater core bracket assembly was not sitting right. Tried clamping in different spots, but no go. It was just too thick. Ended up taking it all apart and cleaned the entire gasket sealer surface...It goes that way sometimes.....

this is what I used to seal the box, big, big mistake. that is some thick stuff...

you can see where the tube bracket is touching one of the core pipes. couldn't live with that, so a little trimming was in order...

bracket trimmed, not worries now...lol

foam stuffed into the openings...and pipe gasket on the pipes, will be moved for assembly...

[Roadster]

firewall foam test install for a good tight seal once back in the vehicle...
not going for NCRS or anything like that, so just a good clean looking appearance is all that is needed. You could get really crazy with details....lol

where did my wheel go???...lol

[G-Sting]

Very nice work and pictures, Tom. These old things sure take a lot of TLC, even with low miles. The paints back then were lousy and put on thin or non-existent - among other things.

I have a '79 L82 4 speed with low miles, and have been refreshing parts, etc. now for 7 years - off and on. Did all new calipers, replaced the rubber hoses and belts, detailed the engine, adjusted a door handle mechanism (so the door wouldn't stick when the handle was depressed), replaced the water pump (went out - rusted from non-use!), replaced the heater core (yep, had the new core pressure tested before hand), overhauled the carb, etc., etc. Gotta say, while I love the Z, it's just a sweet classic corvette look that I enjoy taking my wife in occasionally.

If you hadn't seen this video of three C-3s traveling in Ireland, it's pretty motivational.

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-and-pics.html

Keep up the great work, sir.