Three months into the rebuild & thought it was about time to share some pics.
Been planning to do this from when we purchased the car in 2004, so I’ve had a few years to source parts from the US, along with assisting MR 502 with his project made it easier to know what parts I would need to bring in, instead of having to wait for them when required.
March 20 - Body off, with the help from a few club members. The other two were camera shy.
Thanks guys.
(http://www.nswcorvettes.com.au/photo/albums/userpics/normal_1%7E2.jpg) (http://www.nswcorvettes.com.au/photo/albums/userpics/normal_3%7E1.jpg)
I made a checklist for what had to be removed & stuck it to the windscreen which worked quite well. We then just ticked of each item as we went along.
(http://www.nswcorvettes.com.au/photo/albums/userpics/normal_4%7E2.jpg) (http://www.nswcorvettes.com.au/photo/albums/userpics/normal_5%7E0.jpg)
Roughly around 6 hrs to have the two separated. (The car - not the members) :grin:
My neighbour was kind enough to allow me to degrease the chassis at his property.
(http://www.nswcorvettes.com.au/photo/albums/userpics/normal_7%7E0.jpg) (http://www.nswcorvettes.com.au/photo/albums/userpics/normal_8%7E0.jpg)
Now the fun begins
(http://www.nswcorvettes.com.au/photo/albums/userpics/normal_9%7E1.jpg) (http://www.nswcorvettes.com.au/photo/albums/userpics/normal_11%7E4.JPG)
(http://www.nswcorvettes.com.au/photo/albums/userpics/normal_10%7E4.JPG) (http://www.nswcorvettes.com.au/photo/albums/userpics/normal_14%7E6.JPG)
The entire shell had to be stripped before sending it to the soda blaster. Engine bay, door jambs, wheel arches & the belly were cleaned.
(http://www.nswcorvettes.com.au/photo/albums/userpics/normal_15%7E2.jpg) (http://www.nswcorvettes.com.au/photo/albums/userpics/normal_16%7E1.jpg)
I had arranged for the body to be at the panel shop within two weeks from when I started. So the pressure was on.
(http://www.nswcorvettes.com.au/photo/albums/userpics/normal_17%7E1.jpg)
All under control with a couple of days to spare & off to the panel shop with the help of Mid-City Towing a club magazine sponsor - Thanks Tony
(http://www.nswcorvettes.com.au/photo/albums/userpics/normal_18%7E3.jpg) (http://www.nswcorvettes.com.au/photo/albums/userpics/normal_19%7E3.jpg)
With the shell taken care of, next part was to strip the Chassis. The Belly hoist was purchased months before, (great little device) and again with the help of a club member - Thanks Brian.
(http://www.nswcorvettes.com.au/photo/albums/userpics/normal_12%7E2.jpg) (http://www.nswcorvettes.com.au/photo/albums/userpics/normal_13%7E3.jpg)
With the chassis now a bare skeleton, I needed to find a sand blaster. Funny how things work out, while at a recent car show (GM Day at Penrith) I ran into Bootlegger (from this forum) and I mentioned what I was up to, as it turned out he also is working on a project that needed blasting and could arrange for a mobile sand blaster to be at his property in a week or two and we could split the cost - Thanks for ya help Dave.
(http://www.nswcorvettes.com.au/photo/albums/userpics/normal_25%7E1.jpg) (http://www.nswcorvettes.com.au/photo/albums/userpics/normal_26%7E1.jpg)
(http://www.nswcorvettes.com.au/photo/albums/userpics/normal_27%7E2.jpg) (http://www.nswcorvettes.com.au/photo/albums/userpics/normal_28%7E2.jpg)
While I was busy with the Chassis the guys at Precision Marine Refinishing were doing their thing.
(http://www.nswcorvettes.com.au/photo/albums/userpics/normal_20%7E0.jpg) (http://www.nswcorvettes.com.au/photo/albums/userpics/normal_21%7E1.jpg)
(http://www.nswcorvettes.com.au/photo/albums/userpics/normal_23%7E1.jpg) (http://www.nswcorvettes.com.au/photo/albums/userpics/normal_22%7E1.jpg)
With the Chassis painted the enjoyable part begins, putting it back together.
(http://www.nswcorvettes.com.au/photo/albums/userpics/normal_29%7E1.jpg)
The engine was sent off for some needed repairs, so the rear end was the first to go back on.
Trailing arms reconditioned with the help from forum member - sirfixalot
Calipers re-sleeved with new pistons and O- rings set up. The diff had a slight leak so that was sent away and was given the once over
(http://www.nswcorvettes.com.au/photo/albums/userpics/normal_30%7E2.jpg) (http://www.nswcorvettes.com.au/photo/albums/userpics/normal_31%7E0.jpg)
Then the front
(http://www.nswcorvettes.com.au/photo/albums/userpics/normal_32%7E0.jpg) (http://www.nswcorvettes.com.au/photo/albums/userpics/normal_34%7E0.jpg)
Engine
(http://www.nswcorvettes.com.au/photo/albums/userpics/normal_43.jpg) (http://www.nswcorvettes.com.au/photo/albums/userpics/normal_44.jpg)
(http://www.nswcorvettes.com.au/photo/albums/userpics/normal_46.jpg) (http://www.nswcorvettes.com.au/photo/albums/userpics/normal_45.jpg)
With all the repairs finished and the engine bay, inner guards painted now it’s off to the electrician/sirfixalot (I now know why he's known by that name) for some needed work.
(http://www.nswcorvettes.com.au/photo/albums/userpics/normal_35%7E0.jpg) (http://www.nswcorvettes.com.au/photo/albums/userpics/normal_40%7E0.jpg)
(http://www.nswcorvettes.com.au/photo/albums/userpics/normal_38.jpg) (http://www.nswcorvettes.com.au/photo/albums/userpics/normal_39.jpg)
So that’s where I’m up to at the moment. Many more cold nights to be had in the garage, but it will be worth it when it's finished.
I hope to start the engine soon, all depends when I get the radiator support panel back from having a bit of rust cut out.
They've only had it for three months. :grr:
More pics Here (http://www.nswcorvettes.com.au/photo/thumbnails.php?album=188)
:beer: