Howdy! New to forum, questions already
12-26-2012, 02:27 PM
#1
Cruising
Thread Starter
Member Since: Dec 2012
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Howdy! New to forum, questions already
Howdy everyone 
I have loved Corvettes since I was a kid back at the start of C3's. Now my son has earned himself a project car with his outstanding academic performance over this last year!
His choice of car was a C3, which I fully support
. We have found a 74 convertible (we love our LeMans convertible) that is going to a MAJOR project. I will post pictures of it as soon as I can take some of my own. I am currently working in the oil sands of Alberta and go home every couple of weeks, which will leave plenty of time to help my son with his project.
I am sure I will have a ton of questions to ask. I have been reading non-stop since becoming a member at the beginning of this month. I am very experienced in mechanical repairs (30 years in the business) and have already learned many things about the C3.
My first question:
The car we bought needs a complete body on the front end; inner fenders, fenders, headlights and activators, bumper, etc. We plan on buying a donor car to supply the parts. What are the C3's that will work for this application?
Your knowledge is greatly appreciated.
I have loved Corvettes since I was a kid back at the start of C3's. Now my son has earned himself a project car with his outstanding academic performance over this last year!
His choice of car was a C3, which I fully support
. We have found a 74 convertible (we love our LeMans convertible) that is going to a MAJOR project. I will post pictures of it as soon as I can take some of my own. I am currently working in the oil sands of Alberta and go home every couple of weeks, which will leave plenty of time to help my son with his project. I am sure I will have a ton of questions to ask. I have been reading non-stop since becoming a member at the beginning of this month. I am very experienced in mechanical repairs (30 years in the business) and have already learned many things about the C3.
My first question:
The car we bought needs a complete body on the front end; inner fenders, fenders, headlights and activators, bumper, etc. We plan on buying a donor car to supply the parts. What are the C3's that will work for this application?
Your knowledge is greatly appreciated.
12-26-2012, 03:02 PM
#2
Melting Slicks
Howdy everyone
I have loved Corvettes since I was a kid back at the start of C3's. Now my son has earned himself a project car with his outstanding academic performance over this last year!
His choice of car was a C3, which I fully support. We have found a 74 convertible (we love our LeMans convertible) that is going to a MAJOR project. I will post pictures of it as soon as I can take some of my own. I am currently working in the oil sands of Alberta and go home every couple of weeks, which will leave plenty of time to help my son with his project.
I am sure I will have a ton of questions to ask. I have been reading non-stop since becoming a member at the beginning of this month. I am very experienced in mechanical repairs (30 years in the business) and have already learned many things about the C3.
My first question:
The car we bought needs a complete body on the front end; inner fenders, fenders, headlights and activators, bumper, etc. We plan on buying a donor car to supply the parts. What are the C3's that will work for this application?
Your knowledge is greatly appreciated.
I have loved Corvettes since I was a kid back at the start of C3's. Now my son has earned himself a project car with his outstanding academic performance over this last year!
His choice of car was a C3, which I fully support
. We have found a 74 convertible (we love our LeMans convertible) that is going to a MAJOR project. I will post pictures of it as soon as I can take some of my own. I am currently working in the oil sands of Alberta and go home every couple of weeks, which will leave plenty of time to help my son with his project. I am sure I will have a ton of questions to ask. I have been reading non-stop since becoming a member at the beginning of this month. I am very experienced in mechanical repairs (30 years in the business) and have already learned many things about the C3.
My first question:
The car we bought needs a complete body on the front end; inner fenders, fenders, headlights and activators, bumper, etc. We plan on buying a donor car to supply the parts. What are the C3's that will work for this application?
Your knowledge is greatly appreciated.
What shape is the rest of the car in? How is the frame? Rust? Any other repairs needed? Photos are always helpful.
Last edited by BBCorv70; 12-26-2012 at 03:05 PM.
12-26-2012, 03:18 PM
#3
Cruising
Thread Starter
Member Since: Dec 2012
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If I understand your proposal, you need a complete front end from the firewall forward? If so, I don't know that I would recommend buying a donor car for this. The nose is glued on, not bolted on as they are for steel body cars. Not knowing many details of your car, you may be better off going the other way? Buy another, use yours for parts? I'm a bit skeptical of removing a complete front end, debonding it from a donor, without risk of damage. Maybe some others who may have done this will chime in? You may consider a complete one piece nose from one of the vendors, or an original style pieced together in a jig....
What shape is the rest of the car in? How is the frame? Rust? Any other repairs needed? Photos are always helpful.
What shape is the rest of the car in? How is the frame? Rust? Any other repairs needed? Photos are always helpful.
I will post pics as soon as I get back home next week. BTW, it is alot colder here than in Texas
12-26-2012, 03:35 PM
#4
Le Mans Master
if you can get the old front end off cleanly , id go for a new front end. a lot of guys who sell used parts get the front clips off clean and almost ready to install. if being original doesn't matter any 73-79 front will be close but 68 - 82 will all go on with work. good luck, this will be a good engineering project
12-26-2012, 03:40 PM
#5
Cruising
Thread Starter
Member Since: Dec 2012
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
if you can get the old front end off cleanly , id go for a new front end. a lot of guys who sell used parts get the front clips off clean and almost ready to install. if being original doesn't matter any 73-79 front will be close but 68 - 82 will all go on with work. good luck, this will be a good engineering project
Post a WTB on this site?
12-26-2012, 04:34 PM
#9
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Jan 2006
Location: Boca Raton Florida
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 0
Received 24 Likes
on
23 Posts
Peeling the front end isn't all that difficult. Its a lot of work, but not bad. Use a good heat gun, heat the seams and use a thin sharp putty knife, go slow and you can do it with little or no dammage. I would do the entire front end if you can get a whole one. The fenders, hood surround and skirts and all of that are already aligned.
12-26-2012, 05:13 PM
#10
Yes. The only exact replacement for a '74 nose is a '73 or '74. The newer cars have a different soft bumper cover. The bumper structure underneath is different as well in the newer cars.
Last edited by gcusmano74; 12-26-2012 at 05:16 PM.
12-26-2012, 06:10 PM
#11
Team Owner
Member Since: Sep 2006
Location: Westminster Maryland
Posts: 30,173
Likes: 0
Received 2,878 Likes
on
2,515 Posts
Hi mf,
It sounds like you and the future engineer are in for some big fun!
I'll suggest that you buy the 1974 ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTION MANUAL, (it was used on the production line in St.Louis), and the 1974 GM CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL, (It was used at the dealerships).
They both are available from many of the larger Corvette parts venders.
These 2 books have an incredible amount of information in them, and will be well worth their cost. They won't have all the answers, but are the 2 best sources of information for your car.
Good Luck as you get going!
Regards,
Alan
It sounds like you and the future engineer are in for some big fun!
I'll suggest that you buy the 1974 ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTION MANUAL, (it was used on the production line in St.Louis), and the 1974 GM CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL, (It was used at the dealerships).
They both are available from many of the larger Corvette parts venders.
These 2 books have an incredible amount of information in them, and will be well worth their cost. They won't have all the answers, but are the 2 best sources of information for your car.
Good Luck as you get going!
Regards,
Alan
12-26-2012, 07:34 PM
#12
Le Mans Master
Hi mf,
It sounds like you and the future engineer are in for some big fun!
I'll suggest that you buy the 1974 ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTION MANUAL, (it was used on the production line in St.Louis), and the 1974 GM CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL, (It was used at the dealerships).
They both are available from many of the larger Corvette parts venders.
These 2 books have an incredible amount of information in them, and will be well worth their cost. They won't have all the answers, but are the 2 best sources of information for your car.
Good Luck as you get going!
Regards,
Alan
It sounds like you and the future engineer are in for some big fun!
I'll suggest that you buy the 1974 ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTION MANUAL, (it was used on the production line in St.Louis), and the 1974 GM CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL, (It was used at the dealerships).
They both are available from many of the larger Corvette parts venders.
These 2 books have an incredible amount of information in them, and will be well worth their cost. They won't have all the answers, but are the 2 best sources of information for your car.
Good Luck as you get going!
Regards,
Alan
What he said.
12-26-2012, 11:58 PM
#14
Melting Slicks
You may want to check out this fellow's web site. He has been through removing the front clip, replacing with a new one. It's an earlier model, 71, but should give you a good idea of what to expect. He posts a lot of pictures with explanations, good resource.
http://www.corvette-restoration.com/
Best of luck with your project...
http://www.corvette-restoration.com/
Best of luck with your project...
12-27-2012, 12:22 AM
#15
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Aug 2006
Location: mount holly NC
Posts: 7,002
Received 1,254 Likes
on
972 Posts
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
The paper AIM doesn't come with an index so this might help.
http://www.birkes.com/corvette/sprea...Alpha_Sort.htm
http://www.birkes.com/corvette/sprea...Alpha_Sort.htm