1954 brake line blocks and exhaust system question

[Frank F.]

Can anyone help with a supplier of the brake line blocks for my 54. if not will the 1956 blocks work. I've searched all over and cant find them. Also does anyone have a diagram showing the exhaust system hangers. thanks Frank #54675

[Peter R.]

Re: 1954 brake line blocks and exhaust system question

Mary Jo has some of the brass brake blocks in her eBay store. She has one rear block (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Corvette-195...em5192e0947a)j and two front blocks (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Corvette-195...item3a79965029) listed on eBay right now.

I just installed a new Corvette Central exhaust system in my '54, along with new brackets. I could send you some pictures of the installed brackets if that would help. As far as diagrams, I used the diagrams in the '56-57 assembly manual. In addition to two rear (near the rear shocks), two center (just forward of the X in the frame), which are covered in the '56-57 AIM, there is also one bracket that supports the front of the right exhaust pipe and attaches to the transmission adapter on the right side.

Pete

[Frank F.]

Re: 1954 brake line blocks and exhaust system question

[QUOTE=Peter Rutledge (53439);640917]Mary Jo has some of the brass brake blocks in her eBay store. She has one rear block (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Corvette-195...em5192e0947a)j and two front blocks (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Corvette-195...item3a79965029) listed on eBay right now.

I just installed a new Corvette Central exhaust system in my '54, along with new brackets. I could send you some pictures of the installed brackets if that would help. As far as diagrams, I used the diagrams in the '56-57 assembly manual. In addition to two rear (near the rear shocks), two center (just forward of the X in the frame), which are covered in the '56-57 AIM, there is also one bracket that supports the front of the right exhaust pipe and attaches to the transmission adapter on the right side.

Pete - Thanks, I just got off the phone with Mary Jo and she is sending them out. (I forgot all about her for those parts) If you could send me pics of the exhaust system I would appreciate it. My email is : frank.faivre@gmail.com Thanks again,

[Peter R.]

Re: 1954 brake line blocks and exhaust system question

To close out Frank's request and for future reference, attached are 4 of the pictures I sent him of my '54 exhaust system brackets.

Pete

[Peter R.]

Re: 1954 brake line blocks and exhaust system question

Here are the other 4 pictures I sent him.

Pete

[Troy P.]

Re: 1954 brake line blocks and exhaust system question

Hall 54 097.jpgThanks for posting the photos.

Here are a photos from the lowest mileage unrestored 54 in existance.

Note that the U bolt used on the tranny bracket should have fine threads like those on the other brackets. You can find fine threaded Ubolts at your local parts stores but you may have to check with a few of them as they don't all carry them. Also the other half the U bolt goes through should be flat on both sides rather than having a stamped bulge.

[Troy P.]

Re: 1954 brake line blocks and exhaust system question

Here is another photo that might be of interest. Note that the metal on the exhaust hanger is painted black on this 2331 mile unrestored car. Also note the part number is moulded into the rubber insulator. Hall 54 121.jpg

[Frank F.]

Re: 1954 brake line blocks and exhaust system question

Troy- Thanks for the photos, would you happen to have a photo of the inside of the rear backing plate, I am trying to see if the angle of the wheel cylinder is to the rear or front and if the E-brake line comes out under the rear leaf spring.

[Peter R.]

Re: 1954 brake line blocks and exhaust system question

Troy,

The pictures you provided are really helpful. I'm aware of your recent inspection of the low mileage '54. It's great that you did that. Do you have a plan for making your photos and findings more widely available other than feeding some of them into the '53-55 Tech Info Manual & Judging Guide? A place on the NCRS web site would be nice. They sure would be a big help given the relative lack of detailed information on the earliest models.

Looks like the car you photographed will be auctioned by Mecum on Saturday, Jan. 26, in Kissimmee. I just saw it in their one of their broadcast emails. You can see it at this link: http://www.mecum.com/auctions/lot_de...gn=FL0113_S187

Thanks,

Pete

[Troy P.]

Re: 1954 brake line blocks and exhaust system question

I traveled across country this summer and inspected three very original cars. Two 54's and a 55. Spent over 11 hours documenting each and took about 500 photos of each. I did this at my expense to help ensure the update of the 53-55 Judging Guide had accurate info and a greater amount of detail. An indirect objective was to increase my own knowledge for judging.

As far as sharing the photos and findings, I have CDs for sale to help cover some of the cost of the trip. Also eventually I will find the time and motivation to write two articles. One general interest about the trip and a second with some of the more interesting technical details I discovered. I've been around 54's since 1989 and still learned some things that were not expected.

[Troy P.]

Re: 1954 brake line blocks and exhaust system question

I neglected to mention that I have been aware of the owner's plan to sell the car and have been assisting with its preparation for the auction. I suggested last summer that certain work be done and that everything be made operational for display and driven across the block...but not much farther as it has original tires. I bet it also has an unused spare but I did not want to disturb the brittle original trunk mat to dig deep into the trunk.

[Willard M.]

Re: 1954 brake line blocks and exhaust system question

Is this the car that was in Maine for the first few decades?

[Troy P.]

Re: 1954 brake line blocks and exhaust system question

Yes, that's the one. Entombed in 1959.

[Chris S.]

Re: 1954 brake line blocks and exhaust system question

Troy - I would like to buy your CD's - shoot me any email and price - as I am starting on #3666
Thanks

[Peter R.]

Re: 1954 brake line blocks and exhaust system question

Just got my copy of the CD today. A lot of pictures and I've already made my first pass through them; I'm sure I will go through them many more times to come. A great reference. Already learned some interesting things. Troy did a great job and a real service for the hobby.

Thanks,

Pete