71 rebuild

[wabco40]

Looks amazing as always Brad.

That rego booking must be so soon.

Thanks Craig. Yes its not far away, I just need to get the engineers report out of the way.
Its good to see you got your engine started. Whats the next project on the list?

Jethro, I have fitted the corner mouldings. I still need to get the gapping and alignment a bit better, but you can still see what the unpainted mouldings look like.

[craigh]

Looks amazing as always Brad.

That rego booking must be so soon.

Thanks Craig. Yes its not far away, I just need to get the engineers report out of the way.
Its good to see you got your engine started. Whats the next project on the list?

Well Brad I need to finish the engine bay, vacuum tanks etc etc then.......hmmm I have all the gear to rebuild my seats in leather, redo door skins, glass runners etc etc or rebuild speedo, or should I stay underneath and work my way back cleaning and refurbishing.  I have enough to keep me busy for a long while.....Too many choices.  

The Vette was meant to be  a longer term project but i could not help myself  and jumped in the deep end.

I may spend some time behind the wheel as it is a lot more fun to drive now :bannana:

[wabco40]

Looks amazing as always Brad.

That rego booking must be so soon.

Thanks Craig. Yes its not far away, I just need to get the engineers report out of the way.
Its good to see you got your engine started. Whats the next project on the list?

Well Brad I need to finish the engine bay, vacuum tanks etc etc then.......hmmm I have all the gear to rebuild my seats in leather, redo door skins, glass runners etc etc or rebuild speedo, or should I stay underneath and work my way back cleaning and refurbishing.  I have enough to keep me busy for a long while.....Too many choices.  

The Vette was meant to be  a longer term project but i could not help myself  and jumped in the deep end.

I may spend some time behind the wheel as it is a lot more fun to drive now :bannana:

I know what you are saying Craig, its an on going project.
 
Just don't get stuck in a rut like I did. I lifted the body off the chassis in August 2004 and well 8 years later!!! and I still want to re-do some things after its rego. I guess it will never be finished:huh:

[Jethro]

Brad don't stuff around with the corner mouldings, they look good and they never ever line up perfectly.

[77CVT]

The car looks awesome!!

[mick]

The car looks awesome!!

Totally agree, as well :)

[69 DIRTY RAT]

Lookin good!!!!!:drag:

[wabco40]

Brad don't stuff around with the corner mouldings, they look good and they never ever line up perfectly.

Your right Jethro, I just need to gap the door a bit better.

Thanks everyone for the good comments

[wabco40]

I took the car down to Perth last week for ECU tuning and engineers report.
Crap weather down there but managed to get it done between showers.

I fitted the 15x8 rims and lifted the ride height back up for the inspection.

The bloke who did the ECU tune left the VE map miles too rich and had cold start enrichment even after the engine reached its normal operating temperature. I ended up having to redo the fuel map:grr:

After its licenced I am changing the exhaust system so will wait until then to do more tuning work with the ECU.

The Engineer check the car on a hoist at a local autocare garage near his house. He was checking the monoleaf front end, steeroids rack, brake lines etc. After that we took it to a car park for ADR report, noise and brake testing.
He was impressed with the whole car and passed everything including the Wilwood brakes and noise test.
His report now goes to the Department of Transport in Perth for final approval (I hope) before I can licence it.

[wabco40]

I picked up a pair of NOS door panels in the US. They where tan in colour so have removed all trim, prepped and dyed satin black.
They came out looking good. Will be even better when the trim is back on and the panels fitted to the doors.

[see003]

sweet ride

[wabco40]

sweet ride

Thanks

[wabco40]

I managed to pick up a pair of unopened NOS rocker mouldings. I have been looking for years for a pair of mint originals.
The last time I saw a pair of new originals was back in 2006 at Carlisle.
The repro mouldings curve down too soon at the rear and do not follow the shape of the bottom of the door.
I also got approval  from the WA DOT for all the mods and ADR report. I just need to take it in for licence inspection now. Hopefully that will happen next week.

[wabco40]

I took the car over a weighbridge today, it came out at 1380 kg.
Looking up the specs for a 71, they say a small block is 3197 lbs/1450 kg.
I guess I've shed a bit of weight by replacing the steel springs with composite and the cast iron calipers, heads and intake manifold with aluminium.
I hope to get some time next week to take over the pits.
When its licenced then it will be back in the shed to replace the exhaust, fit double offset trailing arms and 1" per side shortened spring. I've also got a set of bilstein shocks to fit.

[Scott]

I thought vettes were a fair bit heavire than that.  Good to know.  I bet you are getting edgy now.  It's all so close.  Good work.

[bfit]

I have weighed a few all came in around the 1600Kg mark
to get to 1380 is a lot of weight to shed
I have seen 100 of so KG drop with out
 the spare wheel and carrier and next to no fuel.
One seat and no carpets
200plus Kg  would get the car in the cheap rego range IN NSW
Bfit

[wabco40]

I thought vettes were a fair bit heavire than that.  Good to know.  I bet you are getting edgy now.  It's all so close.  Good work.

Thanks, sure am.
Its been over eight years now so a bit longer won't matter.

[wabco40]

I have weighed a few all came in around the 1600Kg mark
to get to 1380 is a lot of weight to shed
I have seen 100 of so KG drop with out
 the spare wheel and carrier and next to no fuel.
One seat and no carpets
200plus Kg  would get the car in the cheap rego range IN NSW
Bfit

I googled the weight of a 71 and came up with two figures. 3593lbs/1630kg and 3197lbs/1450kg.
I am guessing the heavier weight is for the big block.
I forgot I dont have the spare tyre and carrier fitted and had about 1/3 tank of fuel.
There was quite a large weight saving just replacing the rear steel spring. Then theres a lot of smaller saving like replacing the cast iron water pump, steering box, brake calipers, front coil springs etc.

[wabco40]

I have been looking out for any NOS parts as there getting harder to come by.
Latest to arrive is a left lower dash pad and left A pillar trim. I figure eventually I will get the remaining trim pieces and will re-do the interior. Probably take a few years to do though.
I've booked for Carlisle next year so thats always good for swap meets and people selling old stock.

[wabco40]

I finally got around to finishing the door glass adjustment. I had to wait for the new roof panel seals to compress before I could adjust the upper glass travel stops.
The seals and glass are still tight but I guess it will all settle in over time.
I also fitted the door panels.