What book to buy

[Timothy H.]

My son and I are restoring a 1971 350 automatic trans. we just took the body off last weekend. I heard that NCRS has a book that has what finish and colors all parts should be. is this true? let the journey begin!!!Tim

[John H.]

Re: What book to buy

My son and I are restoring a 1971 350 automatic trans. we just took the body off last weekend. I heard that NCRS has a book that has what finish and colors all parts should be. is this true? let the journey begin!!!Tim

Tim -

You need the 1970-72 Corvette Technical Information Manual & Judging Guide, available from the NCRS on-line store ("NCRS Shop" in the blue bar at the top of the page).

[Alan S.]

Re: What book to buy

Hi Tim,
Welcome! 71....NICE!!!!
The 70-72 Technical Information Manual and Judging Guide (from the NCRS Store) is a very good source of information. You should certainly have it. It DOESN'T, however, have ALL the finishes. It's still worth it's weight in gold.
I think a good source of finish information is the car you're working on. Many, many, parts and fasteners, will still have clues to their original finish (even if the part is rusted or deteriorated) if you look very carefully for an area that was protected by anther part, or in the case of a fastener, under the head, nut, or washer of a fastener. Sometimes a part will show it's original finish where the fastener was.
You can certainly ask here about specific finishes too.
Regards,
Alan

PS: John was posting while I as typing!!

[Paul J.]

Re: What book to buy

Tim, there are several books that will help you, as well as the archives to this board. The first book that you should get is the Assembly Instruction Manual (AIM). This is like the instruction sheet in a plastic car model. You will find it very helpful. Another helpful book is the Corvette Chassis Restoration Guide by Joseph Tripoli. It has some descrepancies but it's still a helpful book. I believe that the NCRS store has both of these books, but they are also available off the internet. I bought my chassis guide at Barnes and Noble.

However, the archives are full of pictures of the way things should look and discussions on the parts and fasteners and thier finishes.

Paul

[Terry M.]

Re: What book to buy

Welcome to NCRS, Tim. A good library for complete reference is:

1) Chassis Service Manual (on-car reference for how to R&R parts and adjust systems)
2) Chassis Overhaul Manual (off-car repair/overhaul of major parts) Depending on your skill level this one may be over the top.
2) Assembly Instruction Manual (drawings the assemblers used to put the car together)
4. 1968-1972 Vette Vues Fact Book by MF Dobbins B&W pictures of Corvettes
5. Corvette Chassis Restoration Guide by Joseph Tripoli More B&W pictures of chassis details and a list of chassis finishes
6. 1970-72 NCRS Technical Information Manual & Judging Guide (NOT everything, but a lot of things the judges look for)
7. NCRS Judging Reference Manual get the 8th Edition as amended You only need this one if you intend to have your Corvette judged by NCRS

As others have said these will not all deal with finishes. Numbers 4, 5 & 6 are your best chance for finishes, but as has been said your car is the best example. This board has a wealth of photos so don't hesitate to use the new & improved search function. Good luck & keep us posted on your progress.

All of these should be available from the NCRS STORE on a link from the blue bar at the top of the page. Not necessarily the least expensive place to get them, although the guys in Cincinnati do their best to bring us the best prices they can. Your purchase helps keep this board and your club going.

[Thomas H.]

Re: What book to buy

Welcome Tim!

A great project to undertake. I hope to do the same to my 71 in the not too distant future.

There is a wealth of knowledge here as you can tell by the suggestions of reference material. Only thing I can add is make sure you take tons of pictures during disassembly. I even went so far as to photograph the bolts I took out of my 60. Seemed like overkill at the time, but several months down the road it help during reassembly.

Good luck and post some pictures, we love pictures...........

Tom

[Patrick H.]

Re: What book to buy

Only thing I can add is make sure you take tons of pictures during disassembly.

Take more photos than you ever think you will need... because you will need them. Digital photos are free, and it's worth the price of a reasonable digital camera to make sure you can take macro photos as well.
One member here mentions that he used his AIM, and made a notation for each both at its AIM location exactly what the head marking, length, etc was for each bolt he removed. If you're really industrious you could probably put a photo at each spot, but I thought that his suggestion was a good one.

Find someone with a 71 that is complete and preferably original that you can go look at if you have a question or forget how to reassemble something. Having a few similar Corvettes in the garage at one time has been invaluable for me.

[Don L.]

Re: What book to buy

Welcome and hello Tim. You will find much in the way of good information in the recommendations above. I found a lot of good guidance in the list of references above for colors, finishes and markings, especially in the Tripoli and Dobbins books. Additionally, I'll mention CORVETTE Restoration Guide 1968-1972 by Richard Prince. This reference will be useful for component details as well as casting numbers, date codes, etc. You'll want all of this info as you undertake your project.

There's also a wealth of information right here on the TDB. Use the search feature when you have a particular question. Chances are, someone else has asked before, and the answer will be here just waiting for you. If your question hasn't been asked previously, ask in a new thread. You'll get good guidance from fellow members.

Good luck and post some photos as you progress...

[Timothy H.]

Re: What book to buy

Wow, thanks to all. I am impressed by all the help. I will try to do the same for other members. It is like having a team working with me.

[Thomas H.]

Re: What book to buy

It is like having a team working with me.

Great way to look at it.