Found my project car...now what???

[Patrick H.]

Re: Found my project car...now what???

Hi Pete,
I did a loooong restoration on my original owner 71, 350/270, 4 speed.
I took 700 plus pictures and wish I had taken more.
Come up with a system to put EVERYTHING in bags and boxes with tags and notes. Have a system that allows you to find a part you need to refer to, even though you're not ready for that part. I broke the car down into about 50 areas (i.e. Front Bumper, Interior Fasteners, Shocks, Exterior Trim etc.), and then those areas where broken down further.
Be extra careful with bagging ALL fasteners. It's extra nice to find the right bolt at the right moment.
Be prepared to have a good place to put it all back together in a way that you can enjoy the process.
Try to get a copy of CORVETTE RESTORATION - STATE OF THE ART, by Michael Antonick. It's a book about the PROCESS David Burroughs used in restoring the Ellefsen 65/396 Convertible. It's not a how-to book but like I said it's about the process. I found it to be a real inspiration!
I think you're in for some BIG fun!!!!
Regards,
Alan

I agree with all of Alan's recommendations as well. I read the Burroughs book every year or two - and have for almost 20 years.

Oh, and if the car is "only" apart for 1-2 years, count your blessings. Think 5+ years....

One tip I read on this board: get a spare AIM, and make notations on it as you disassemble your car. Note bolt heads, sizes and configurations. It, with your 1000+ pictures, will be invaluable.

Patrick

[Paul J.]

Re: Found my project car...now what???

Pete:

I'm about a year and a half ahead of where you are now. The first thing I did was set my goal for the restoration, which is NCRS Top Flight ( although this seems to be changing!). The next thing that I did was scour the internet for information and buy some books on vette restoration. I found an interesting site some time back when I was starting the restoration on a Caddy. Bill McKenna (mckennasgarage.com) is an everyday guy like most of us and he has documented his multi-year frame off effort on an early 60s Jag. The great thing about the site is that he tells you about his mistakes. I learned to take lots of pictures from him (I bought my wife a nice digital camera for her birthday two years ago and I've only let her use it once). I take photos of details like the location and orientation clips and wires and so forth. I started a journal with a description and explaination of how the parts came off and any eccentricities that I run into. The journal is a pain and it really slows everything down (nothing like paperwork to kill a fun time), but I'm sure that this will be invaluable in putting the car back together. I also bag and tag everything, and I save and use a lot of clear containers rather than only plastic bags. The resealable containers that some lunch meats come in are great for small parts and subassemblies. You also have to have an AIM and you need to look at it occaisionally (I tend to forget about it). I'll probably buy a JM soon. I joined NCRS because of this restoration. This is my first frame off on a vette and I'm hoping that my fellow members can help me fill in the blanks.

Paul

[Patrick H.]

Re: Found my project car...now what???

One add-on thought:

Make sure your digital camera has a GOOD macro.
You will want to be able to get very close to some items to get good pictures.

Patrick

[Tom R.]

Re: Found my project car...now what???

Pete:

I must echo many of the fine contributions posted here. I'm taking on a 78 so equally appreciate the comments.

Antonicks book (Corvette Restoration) will get you thinking about the big scope of the project your about to take on and get it organized before the first bolt is removed. Look to Amazon as a source.

The suggestion to drive it first while learning what doesn't work is a must. The NCRS technical guide will detail how things should work. Of course, doing some judging events will get you to the same point...identifying what doesn't work and getting it mechanically correct. I like Lyle's comment about doing work now while the paint is perfect...makes sense.

I believe it was Patrick who commented on the use of a camera to document along with a log. I started this and when tinkering with a system write down on a full page what's missing, not working and what I found that is correct...or, parts to pick up. You'll find you won't get back to that particular system until much later and may have forgotten your fine work and do not wish to trace those same footprints again.

Exploring something as simple as radiator seals becomes a project. Over the years, seals loose their sticky, fall out and you may think it came that way but probably did not. Studying nicely restored or original helps you understand where you need to go with this one system. Than the task of identifying who supplies those items and determining their correctness adds to the task. Get the idea. this is why you want to keep a log and do pictures of not only your car but those nicely restored or original studies.

One thing I've done is to pick up an AIM index (computerized) to compliment the 78 AIM and tweak it so I can quickly find parts. for example, I went thru my 78 and identified the page of the AIM for every relay. I than expanded the index by adding entries that indexed the relays by not only their related system but also by "Relays." So, reference guides are critical along with the shop manual that includes electrical system schematics. You'll use this to troubleshoot those systems that you find are not working.

Hope this helps.

[Pete B.]

Re: Found my project car...now what???

A real big THANK YOU to all that responded. This forum is really great! In the late 80's I did a frame on, mop and glow restoration on a 58. There were limited resources to go to (never heard of NCRS) so i just had to grunt it through and rely on word of mouth and Ecklers catalogs!

I look forward to the project. I will be in Waco in a few weeks that will give me lots of opportunities to see where i need to go!

Pete