transporting and restoring

[Robert T.]

I got a 1954 that has not run in 10 years. I would appreciate any tips on where to start. I need to know what to do before transporting and I am looking for someone good to do the restoration in the DFW area, Texas.

I would appreciate any ideas and suggestions.

Bob

[Dick W.]

Re: transporting and restoring

Bob, I would expect the same from the Corvette as any other old car. Check all the fluids, will the transmission work? Are the rings stuck? Valves stuck? Air in the tires?

If you are planning on starting it, I am a big proponent of removing the spark plugs, squirting about an ounce of Marvel Mystery Oil in the cylinders, briefly turn the engine over with the plugs out and then let it sit for about a week. Depending on the condition, it will not hurt anything, and can be very beneficial.

[Steven B.]

Re: transporting and restoring

Bob, I agree with Dick. And don't forget to check the brakes. It helps when getting it out of the garage. Don't ask how I know or about the fence repair.

A couple of excellent restoration shops in Texas and NCRS members are Nabors Bros. in Houston and Tom Ames in Longview.

Where in Dallas area are you?

Steve
#5759
TX Chapter

[Jack H.]

Re: transporting and restoring

I don't know if you've even tried to move the car yet, but I've had a few fun experiences with that due to brake sieze. The issue, especially with drum brakes, and even more so with metallic linings, the brake shoes will essentially fuse themselves to the brake drums. So you have fulltime emergency brakes on all four wheels and the car will not budge. To get around this, I have simply went around to the back side of brake backing plate and cut the holddown nail/pin heads. That way you can forcefully remove the entire drum/shoes fused as a unit. One car I had with this issue was a real treat since the car was shoe-horned into a tiny garage with limited access.

Of course you don't have brakes at that point, but you can at least winch it onto a trailer to get it home or to repair shop. You can also just get a set of the rollerskate thingys and put under the tires to get it onto the trailer.

Hope this helps.

[Robert T.]

Re: transporting and restoring

Thanks for the info.

Bob