C1 Chassis assembly after restoration

[Donald H.]

I am finishing my chassis. My first restoration and other than having the frame blasted and powdercoated, I have done all the work myself. Lots of help from folks on this and the Corvette Forum, yes I frequent both. I owe a special thanks to Tom Parsons and his good instructions for rear end build, Front suspension rebuild, and steering box rebuild.

I am starting my engine next week. But in the mean time, can I go ahead and install my exhausts? I bought a new exhaust system from Corvette Central. I know I need to leave off the tips that go throught the rear bumpers, but is there any reason not to install the rest of the system now? I don't see that anything would get in the way as I proceed with the rest of the restoration.

Thanks,

Don

[Jerry W.]

Re: C1 Chassis assembly after restoration

good job Don....from reading all of your posts it was a lot of work and you have done it right...good luck with the engine....you will find lots of opinions here on engine building.

[Mike E.]

Re: C1 Chassis assembly after restoration

Put the exhaust on--no issues at all. Adjustment comes once they are attached to the exhaust manifolds. Thoughest thing is to miss hitting the frame when at idle. Tightening sequence on the three bolts on the exhaust manifold moves the pipes to where you want them.

[Richard M.]

Re: C1 Chassis assembly after restoration

Looks Great Don! Good Job!

Rich

[Pierre J.]

Re: C1 Chassis assembly after restoration

I am finishing my chassis. My first restoration and other than having the frame blasted and powdercoated, I have done all the work myself. Lots of help from folks on this and the Corvette Forum, yes I frequent both. I owe a special thanks to Tom Parsons and his good instructions for rear end build, Front suspension rebuild, and steering box rebuild.

I am starting my engine next week. But in the mean time, can I go ahead and install my exhausts? I bought a new exhaust system from Corvette Central. I know I need to leave off the tips that go throught the rear bumpers, but is there any reason not to install the rest of the system now? I don't see that anything would get in the way as I proceed with the rest of the restoration.

Thanks,

Don

Looks great Don, been there twice.
But... Is that a Toyota truck I see outside your garage?

Pierre

[Donald H.]

Re: C1 Chassis assembly after restoration

Looks great Don, been there twice.
But... Is that a Toyota truck I see outside your garage?

Pierre

Yes that is a Tundra and I love it. In the past I had smaller Ford Ranger and GMC S15. I know that I will get beat up on this forum. I bought and drove strictly GM products for 35 years from 1965 through and include my last GM product which was a Buick. I got burned to many times by GM and it is hard to trust them.

Bought a new Chevy Monza back in 1975, biggest piece of S#$% I ever owned. Had an 88 Olds Delta 88 that the transmission went out at 40k miles (yes just outside 36K warranty), and had to pay to have it rebuilt. Had problems with the 90 Buick, and a local deal ripped my off on some repairs that proved to be unnecessary. Dealt a little with GM in my work life as a services supplier company to GM and they were very arrogant in dealing with what they considered vendors.

[Tom P.]

Re: C1 Chassis assembly after restoration

Don,
First, have you started your engine rebuild, disassembly, located a machine shop, ordered internal parts or have you given thought to what type of a rebuild you want to end up with?
I'll help is you need it.

Also, is this the original engine to the car?

[Donald H.]

Re: C1 Chassis assembly after restoration

Don,
First, have you started your engine rebuild, disassembly, located a machine shop, ordered internal parts or have you given thought to what type of a rebuild you want to end up with?
I'll help is you need it.

Also, is this the original engine to the car?

Yes to most of your question. I have a fellow who has done a lot of engine building that is going to help me, and a local machine shop that a fellow C1 owner has used and recommended. We are tearing down my engine next Tuesday, so I was kind of waiting until we see what we have to order other parts.

I may go ahead and go to NAPA and get the cam and lifters ordered. My engine is original and is a 270 coded pad. So I am going to go back with solid lifters and the CS113R cam. I sent you an email regarding rebuilding versus buying remanufactured fuel and water pump. Since I may have the car judged I need to stick with these as correct parts.

The one thing I don't know is what oil pump to get. Since it is internal then I can likely go with something difference that orginal if that would be best. You got any suggestions? What about the Sealed Power one that NAPA sells?

I know the obvious stuff like bearing and seals. Is it likely that I will need to replace pistons and rods?

I will definitely be hitting you up for help along the way.

[Tom P.]

Re: C1 Chassis assembly after restoration

Stay with the stock style oil pump and you'll be fine. Also, if your existing oil pump was maintaining good pressure, it is likely that it will be fine to install back in the rebuilt engine.
I just finished building a 383 for my 51 Chevy and it replaced a TIRED 350 with 300K+mi. The oil pump that was in the 350 is now in the fresh 383. All I did to the pump was flush it with solvent. It is a high pressure pump, 80lbs cold, 60lbs when hot.