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! Body-off Restoration

Oct 21, 2010

Photos: 301

1969 Corvette Convertible aka "The Good-Bad Girl"

This Vette is good at being bad!

Jul 31, 2008

Photos: 11

Pertronix Ignition Installed

I installed the Pertronix Ignitor II electronic ignition and Flame Thrower 45,000 volt coil. I took a couple of shots before it gets too cold outside. I still don't have the new carpets, or the new seat covers/cushions installed ! Will probably have to wait til Spring.

Sep 29, 2007

Photos: 16

Replacement Windshield Installed

Pics with the new replacement windshield installed. I got the windshield from OEM Glass, and they fabricated the replacement with the date code, and tinting. The wiper door, moulding, and grill have been bead blasted. I still need to get them painted.

Aug 8, 2007

Photos: 10

Interior Restoration, Dash INSTALLED

New upper and lower dash, replacement gauges, and repaired tachometer installed.

Jul 1, 2007

Photos: 7

Camaro Check-up

I decided to have some work done on my Camaro. I had the transmission rebuilt. Mark's '79 is in the next bay.

Jun 6, 2007

Photos: 15

My Best Friend's Girlfriend

This '79 beauty is the actual car that inspired me to ultimately get a third generation Corvette. It was previously owned by my friend Jerry. When Jerry suddenly decided to sell it, my best friend Mark bought it to "hold" for me (I can't have another car right now). This photo shows the new wheels/tires, and VB&P Performance Plus suspension.

Jun 5, 2007

Photos: 8

Start of Interior Restoration, Dash,

You'll note the windshield has been removed. I cleaned, prepped, and painted the windshield frame with POR-15 products.

Apr 29, 2007

Photos: 19

Another Partial Rebuild

Since I had the problem with the Crane roller tip rocker arms, I decided to replace them with Crane stock style (but heavy duty) rocker arms. I had to remove the heads for inspection by the machine shop technician. They were fine, but one valve spring had to be replaced. I decided to replace the Edelbrock Performer RPM camshaft. I went with a Sealed Power Performance camshaft (dur 220/231, Lobe Sep 110, Lift .468/.480) -- new lifters, retainers, and push rods. I also got rid of the Performer RPM intake, and replaced it with a polished Performer intake.

Mar 27, 2006

Photos: 26

Problems !!

Discovered that the Crane roller rocker arms were slipping. As a result, I broke a valve spring. I went ahead removed the heads and had them inspected them for damage. Everything checked out to be okay.

Jan 28, 2006

Photos: 15

The Engine is Installed

The engine and tranny are assembled. I also installed a Edelbrock Thunder Series 650 cfm AVS carb. I was just looking over the fully assembled engine, and contemplating a possible date when to install. My neighbor Ronnie stopped by and said, "Let's install it now..." A couple of years ago Ronnie built a beautiful T-Bucket from the ground up - needless to say, I trust his abilities. Well, we quickly loaded the engine onto the cherry-picker and within 20 minutes, the entire engine was bolted back under the hood! I even went ahead and placed the ceramic coated headers into place. Now for the brackets, hoses, electrical --- and the much-dreaded radiator install.

Nov 13, 2005

Photos: 16

Engine and Transmission - ALMOST THERE !!!

My old Navy buddy, John came over helped me get the engine and tramsmission assembled. I'm using an engine stand that allows the transmission to bolt to the engine. I'm just about ready to drop the engine back into the "good-bad girl"... Couldn't have done it without you, John - Thanks Again, dude. I have Dynomax ceramic coated headers, and have have a chambered exhaust system that will need to be welded together.

Nov 12, 2005

Photos: 18

Rebuilt M-21 Transmission

I got my M-21 transmission back from the shop. It was completely rebuilt to M-22 specs. The flywheel was turned, and a new gear installed. You cant see it, but the clutch is a LUK. They're supposed to be good. Wayne did an excellent job. I also replaced the Corvette shifter assembly with a Hurst Competition Plus (with a Corvette Style stick). The reverse light switch and assembly are also new.

Oct 8, 2005

Photos: 5

The Engine is Reassembled !

Assembled as follows: Edelbrock Performer RPM intake; Performer RPM aluminum heads; Edelbrock fuel pump and braided steel lines; stock 1969 valve covers w/drippers. The photo shows a Edelbrock 600 cfm carb, but I didn't use it. Now, we're just waiting for the transmission overhaul to get completed.

Sep 17, 2005

Photos: 8

Short Block

Got the engine short block back from the machine shop.

Aug 29, 2005

Photos: 7

Shocks & Stabilizer Bar

I had to take an extended break due to surgery... I really shouldn't have done this - and it was about a million degrees.... but, WHAT THE HECK!

Aug 8, 2005

Photos: 14

Reassembled Steering & Installed 550 lb Coil Springs

Installed the 550 lb coil springs from Vette Brakes & Products and Bilstein Sport shocks.

Jun 19, 2005

Photos: 16

Engine Bay, Steering & Suspension

The entire steering and suspension system was rebuilt (or replaced). The rubber bushings were replaced with poly. I installed a VB&P rebuilt steering box. After hours of steam cleaning, scraping, and scrubbing - everything was prepped and painted with POR-15 products. I replaced the brake calipers and shields, and the lines were replaced with stainless steel.

May 21, 2005

Photos: 13

Head Games

Head Games... cylinder heads, that is.... I picked up these LT-1 heads and was deciding whether or not to use them. I ended up selling them on eBay.

Apr 30, 2005

Photos: 15

Engine Bay, Cleaning & Prep

In addition to the engine, I also removed all the front suspension and steering components... now to start cleaning...

Apr 19, 2005

Photos: 10

Engine & Tranmission (pre-overhaul)

The project kept growing... I had planned to clean and paint the block. Of course I decided to rebuild it while it was out of the car. Before removing the engine, I had spent a great deal of effort scrubbing and cleaning all the block and all components. All the work paid off --- the parts weren't as grimy as they would have been otherwise.

Mar 12, 2005

Photos: 14

Engine Removal

It was a cold day, but we got the engine out in about 20 minutes!

Mar 5, 2005

Photos: 8

Prep for Header Install (only).. Yeah, Right!

Intended to cleanup and paint intake, heads, block; and to rebuild carb. This was to prep for header installation.... of course, this didn't work out quite that easy. This lead to the entire overhaul of the engine, transmission, steering, suspension, brake lines, transmission.