1972 Restoration

[Ralph H.]

Hello. I just recently joined NCRS. This club comes highly recommended by restoration shops in the Connecticut and Mass. areas. I am beginning a restoration on my '72. I plan to build it into what I have heard referred to as a "resto-mod". My intention is to make it look like a '72 when finished, but enjoy the benefits of 40 years newer technology by upgrading the suspension, brake system, and the drive line. Since '72 was the year that the engines were derated due to new emissions regulations, I plan to put higher compression pistons, a more aggressive camshaft, aluminum heads, etc. The car is a 454- 4 speed. Any suggestions as to what is the latest and greatest in any of these areas would be very much appreciated. Thank you very much!

Sincerely,
Ralph Halvorsen (55023)

[Terry M.]

Re: 1972 Restoration

There seems to be a lot of folks installing LS series engines into older cars. You might look into that as it brings the advantages of lighter weight engine and fuel injection to the table along with the latest in port flow technology. On the other hand maybe you don't want to do what everyone else is doing.

Oh and BTW since our primary focus is restoring Corvettes to original as it left the factory status; this may not be the best place for advice on a resto mod. On the other hand there are lots of folks in NCRS who will want to buy your removed parts. Just not on this board. Put a free member's ad in The Driveline.

[Michael W.]

Re: 1972 Restoration

Ralph,

If your car still has the original engine and you truly intend to go hot rodding, you may wish to build up or buy a complete new engine and leave the original safely stored in the garage with all it's nuts and bolts. The next owner may want to go the factory original route.

Your choices for modern big block power are unlimited as should be your budget. Be aware that the drivetrain will consume copious quantities of money as you chase the next weakest links around and around.

Stock brakes on a C3 are pretty hard to beat.

[Alan S.]

Re: 1972 Restoration

Hi Ralph,
WELCOME!
Since you're probably going to be getting to know your car in pretty great detail you may want to consider buying the 1972 ASSEMBLY INFORMATION MANUAL, (AIM), and the 1972 GM CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL, for your 72. You'll be making changes to your car. but I believe both these books will be of value to you. The AIM was used at the plant in St. Louis, and the SERVICE MANUAL was used at the dealerships' service departments.
They're both available from the NCRS Store on this site.
I'm glad you're here!
Regards,
Alan

[Ralph H.]

Re: 1972 Restoration

Thank you all very much for your input! I am planning to keep any stock parts that I don't put on the car, so that it can be restored to factory original at any time. I have no intention of altering anything that can not be put back to stock. I will certainly check out the manuals you suggested. I've been having trouble finding useful information. Thanks again, everyone!

Ralph

[Steven B.]

Re: 1972 Restoration

Ralph, Michael has a point. The last two engines I built I modified internally and left all stampings intact. Externally I installed hedders on one and a different intake. The other no external mods. I paid twice for what I could have purchased a new crate engines for that had considerably (20-25%) more torque and HP than my modified factory blocks and heads. The nly reason I modified these two factory engines was because I wanted to maintain the factory heads and blocks.

Steve

[Ralph H.]

Re: 1972 Restoration

Thanks for the advice, Terry. As I said, I am not planning to make any changes that would ruin the integrity of the car as it was built. Any stock parts that I had considered not using in the restoration, such as cylinder heads, pistons, etc. I plan to carefully store and hold on to. I will check the difference in pricing parts to rebuild the 454 vs. a crate motor. Thanks again for your input.

Ralph

[Michael W.]

Re: 1972 Restoration

Ralph- it's a little more complicated. Hot rodding an engine and taking advantage of the new found power increases the probability of a serious failure, sometimes irreparably. A Corvette without it's original engine will suffer a serious loss in market value that cannot be recuperated. A standard part of engine rebuilding involves 'decking the block' which will remove the details of the stamp pad info that ties the engine to the car as the one and only original. Once this ID is gone, it's gone.

For the incremental costs of a crate engine vs. add on parts, just store the original engine as-is.

[Paul J.]

Re: 1972 Restoration

Thanks for the advice, Terry. As I said, I am not planning to make any changes that would ruin the integrity of the car as it was built. Any stock parts that I had considered not using in the restoration, such as cylinder heads, pistons, etc. I plan to carefully store and hold on to. I will check the difference in pricing parts to rebuild the 454 vs. a crate motor. Thanks again for your input.

Ralph

Sounds like you're building a "Street" machine and not a "Resto Mod". Most Resto Mods are Custom cars. They can be radical custom to mild custom, and they include not only serious engine and suspension changes but also body and interior modifications.

Usually, the cost of going back to stock after this type of customizing is cost prohibitive, unlesss the car is special in some way.

The old hot rod addage of souping a car up with hot parts still applies. However, there is one school of thought that Michael touched on, and that is to save your original engine and drivetrain, and not take the risk of destroying it. The pad stamping on an original block adds value to your car, as does the the drivetain with original stamps. you can still make the car more modern and perform better and save the important original pieces of the car. This way you can have your cake a eat it too. The cost of "building" a junk 454 is not very much higher than rebuilding the one you have. The cost of machining, aftermarket heads, pistons, cam , etc. are the same for your rebuild or a junk motor. All you need is an old block.

Paul

[Michael D.]

Re: 1972 Restoration

...I am not planning to make any changes that would ruin the integrity of the car as it was built...

It's a lousy job, but someone has to do it. Since I have no shame, I will go ahead and mention that a good many of us would argue that any changes other than stock which you might make to your car ruins the integrity of the car as it was built.

Down from soap box. It's your car and you are entitled to have it the way you want it.

[Rey S.]

Re: 1972 Restoration

Hi Ralph:
I am doing just about exactly the same thing you are talking about to my 72 coupe. My car was a 454 auto originally. I priced reworking my motor ( not the original, no's indicated a parts dept. truck engine) so I settled for a 502/502 carburated crate motor. The outside (and interior) will look original but when it starts up everybody will know something is real different !!!!
You can buy from Chevy any HP #'s you want all the way up to a 720 hp (not recommended for street use) 572 ci. big block. If you go to the after market you can get crate motors with hp ratings that will you net next to nothing in the way of fuel milage. My car being being a big block to start with makes for an easy swap. I checked with several Corvette guru's here in SoCal and the consensus of opinions (not mine) is the that the 68-72 bb frame will handle just about anything you want to throw at it, just make sure it is good shape to start with. I am close to 1/2 way finished with this "long term project". You ( any other members ) may contact me for what info and pics I can conjer up. I will be happy to help any way I can
Have fun with this project. I am with mine.
Rey Stenhouse (26007)

[Ralph H.]

Re: 1972 Restoration

Hi Rey,
That sounds great! The more I am hearing, the more certain I am that I need to take a good look at what GM is offering for crate motor options. I will do some price comparison between building what I have or perhaps going the same route as you. I will be in touch, and I would definitely like to see how your project is coming along so far. I'll want to discuss further what other choices you've made for the rest of your car, such as suspension, brakes, steering, etc. Thanks very much for contacting me. I really appreciate it.

Ralph

[Alan S.]

Re: 1972 Restoration

Hi Rey,
I read what you're doing and looked to see if you'd included any pictures of your project/progress in your profile beyond the one in your avatar.
I'd certainly like to see some!
Regards,
Alan

[Rey S.]

Re: 1972 Restoration

Hi Alan ---- Rey here. I got your note about sending you some pics of my 72. I did but the apparantly they went to the wrong place. Send me a "private message" with you e/mail address and I will send you some pics. You seem to have my e/mail address so the info either via "private message" or directly to my Hotmail address.