Birdcage Repairs
#61
Race Director
the only problem with a job like this-besides all the problems, i mean is it almost seems unfair to hide all that work by reinstalling the nose...
#63
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Nov 2006
Location: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
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2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
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Looks great. A big job for certain. looks like it's really starting to come together now.
#64
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I reattached the lock pillars on both sides at the top, not the whole way down the quarter panel because i plan to replace both quarter panels. I used Vette Panel Adhesive 100870 to reattached the lock pillar fiberglass at the top, you can see it in the pic. Was it ok to use VPA for this ? Would it be ok to use VPA 100870 for attaching my new quarters on ?
I thought about patching my quarters at the back near the exhaust tip area but its been patched so many times over the years I rather just replace the quarter. The quarters are barely on the car, the car was rear ended before, i bet if i tug a little they will pop off pretty easily.
I thought about patching my quarters at the back near the exhaust tip area but its been patched so many times over the years I rather just replace the quarter. The quarters are barely on the car, the car was rear ended before, i bet if i tug a little they will pop off pretty easily.
#65
Nam Labrat
Member Since: Sep 2013
Location: New Orleans Loo-z-anna
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Keep up the good work.
Just a thought........I bought a used tail light clip/section to repair my similar problem...
This allowed me to save 80% of the quarter panels...
.
Just a thought........I bought a used tail light clip/section to repair my similar problem...
This allowed me to save 80% of the quarter panels...
.
#66
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#67
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Replaced the tail light panel. Didnt realize how bad the old one was. It was fractured all over from when the car was rear ended. Also I learned to use a bent rod on my drill to thoroughly mix up the vpa before i use it.
Im decided to replace both quarters. I just dont feel like patching what i have. So i ordered the pass quarter from Corvette Image. I'll get it in a few weeks.
Im decided to replace both quarters. I just dont feel like patching what i have. So i ordered the pass quarter from Corvette Image. I'll get it in a few weeks.
#68
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I installed all the bumper brackets. I wanted to make sure there wasnt any surprises. I also layed the nose on the car to see how everything lines up. I think this car will go back together just fine.
I have known of this car since the mid 90s and this was the first time I have ever seen the rear bumpers on the car.
I have known of this car since the mid 90s and this was the first time I have ever seen the rear bumpers on the car.
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Pegan2261 (10-14-2021)
#69
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I started replacing the badly rusted metal in the nose, just like the rest of the car. Anything that was metal was in bad shape. After im done im going to pull the nose back off and prepare the firewall to bond the nose on.
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Pegan2261 (08-06-2021)
#70
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Another update here. I bonded in a new headlight support bar. But I didnt check to see if the headlights would bolt up correctly at the time. So today i bolted the headlights in and to my surprise I got lucky, they fit perfectly.
Also I have been using electrolysis to remove rust from all my front bumper parts. I didnt have the time to sandblast so I decided to try this method. It worked out great.
Also I have been using electrolysis to remove rust from all my front bumper parts. I didnt have the time to sandblast so I decided to try this method. It worked out great.
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Pegan2261 (09-12-2021)
#72
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well we reattached the nose. It went on pretty well and the fitment isnt bad. The door gaps are decent. The pass side is a 1/4 inch and the driver side is a hair smaller. I can live with it. Now I need to get a new front bumper but im not sure if i want a flexible nose or a fiberglass one.
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Pegan2261 (10-14-2021)
#73
Race Director
glass. i like the electrolysis tank. as long as the kids know not to go in the pool...
#74
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Well this weekend we replaced the pass quarter panel. It was a bad process at all, took us about 6 hours i think. I gotta do the other quarter panel as well. And I think I may drop the engine back in soon.
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#75
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This weekend I got to drive the vette for the first time. And that little drive down the street is the farthest ive ever driven the car since I got it for free in 2016. I am so happy.
The engine is a ZZ4 Fast Burn 385 with a cam. Also my shifter is original i think and completely worn out along with the clutch linkages so I will be replacing all of them.
Below is a video at the end.
The engine is a ZZ4 Fast Burn 385 with a cam. Also my shifter is original i think and completely worn out along with the clutch linkages so I will be replacing all of them.
Below is a video at the end.
#76
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Last weekend I test fitted the TruFlex bumper I got. I really like it. It fits very well. I will need to do a little work to my nose. I think my drivers side of the nose was in an accident once. It does not line up well with the bumper on the under side. And compared to the pass side its different.
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Pegan2261 (11-05-2021)
#77
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Ive been trying to save / restore as much as i can that came with the car. The seats were a rusty mess. So I tossed them in the electrolysis bath again. I assembled 1 bare seat frame and painted the original seat back. I did replace the lower frame, the original was broken.
I also replaced the drivers side quarter panel. It really wasnt a difficult job and man this vette is starting to look good ! After I got the quarter on I went back to getting the front bumper to fit nicely.
Before paint.
after
test fit.
I also replaced the drivers side quarter panel. It really wasnt a difficult job and man this vette is starting to look good ! After I got the quarter on I went back to getting the front bumper to fit nicely.
Before paint.
after
test fit.
#79
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#80
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Well its been awhile and I am happy to say that I have just gotten plates because the vette is now drive-able. Its been a long few months. The car now has a full exhaust, i removed the side exhaust. I installed a painless harness, electric pop up head lights, vintage air, the windshield and converted my fast burn 385 to holley efi terminator X with port injection. This engine has never ran so well. I converted to an electric oil pressure gauge and a voltage gauge. Converted the tach to electric and its hooked up the holley efi. I also removed the rebuilt the window track in the pass door and im about to start the drivers door.
I plan to road test the car a bit then take it to a body shop to have it painted.
Cant believe this car was a bare birdcage a year ago.
I plan to road test the car a bit then take it to a body shop to have it painted.
Cant believe this car was a bare birdcage a year ago.