Do You Tear Your Vette Down During the Winter?
#1
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
Do You Tear Your Vette Down During the Winter?
When I was growing up, there was this 'odd' guy in my hometown that had this immaculate mid-year. Identical to the vette in the 'Sting Ray' series that ran way back in the 80's. It was black, a big-block, 4-spd coupe. This guy would essentially disassemble the drivetrain, check for wear and then re-assemble in time for the first sun in spring. He had to have cried when he parted with it. Rarely saw rain and he kept it in a storage barn just down the street.
Just got to wondering how many of us are that fanatical about our vettes since I am considering moving north and would probably be inclined to really tear into my C3 during those months when it is in storage in my garage. Gotta interact with it in some capacity. Wife got me to thinking (again) along those lines yesterday evening when we took the C3 out for an evening cruise (top off). She asked if I would mind not driving it during winter. My response, "as long as I'm interacting with it in some manner (working on it or driving it), I wouldn't mind.
Your thoughts?
Just got to wondering how many of us are that fanatical about our vettes since I am considering moving north and would probably be inclined to really tear into my C3 during those months when it is in storage in my garage. Gotta interact with it in some capacity. Wife got me to thinking (again) along those lines yesterday evening when we took the C3 out for an evening cruise (top off). She asked if I would mind not driving it during winter. My response, "as long as I'm interacting with it in some manner (working on it or driving it), I wouldn't mind.
Your thoughts?
#2
Re: Do You Tear Your Vette Down During the Winter? (TedH)
Mine's been torn down for two years now... :cry
But next summer it should be rolling again, and I'm NOT going to do this every year!!!! :cheers:
But next summer it should be rolling again, and I'm NOT going to do this every year!!!! :cheers:
#3
Team Owner
Re: Do You Tear Your Vette Down During the Winter? (TedH)
I usually time my teardowns untill winter, but not every year....
but this winter is home to a huge teardown....engine trashed, steering mods...wiring changes, BIG TYME.....
GENE
but this winter is home to a huge teardown....engine trashed, steering mods...wiring changes, BIG TYME.....
GENE
#4
Re: Do You Tear Your Vette Down During the Winter? (TedH)
Last year I was working on the center exhaust hanger bracket that had broken. There were lots of "ah ha's!" about some of the strange things noticed underneath. One thing led to another and I ended up pulling the transmission for a small repair to the main case.
This winter I'm doing a complete suspension, steering and brake rebuild. She's been down since Memorial Day because of poor brakes, but work began the first weekend of October. All these years I thought it was a bad trailing arm bushing (and boy is that fun to remove!) but I'm reasonably certain that my rear-steering was caused by a bad strut-rod bushing. I also have a pesky transmission leak at the speedo cable that I'll be looking into.
Next winter? Maybe a valve job, and addressing those nasty oil leaks at the same time.
This winter I'm doing a complete suspension, steering and brake rebuild. She's been down since Memorial Day because of poor brakes, but work began the first weekend of October. All these years I thought it was a bad trailing arm bushing (and boy is that fun to remove!) but I'm reasonably certain that my rear-steering was caused by a bad strut-rod bushing. I also have a pesky transmission leak at the speedo cable that I'll be looking into.
Next winter? Maybe a valve job, and addressing those nasty oil leaks at the same time.
#5
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Re: Do You Tear Your Vette Down During the Winter? (TedH)
I am the same as that guy. I basically tear my down every winter. This winter I replaced the T5 with a Tremec, installed a more powerful brake booster, replaced all calipers with stainless steel, a new driveshaft, took the trailing arms apart for routine inspection and replace the axles with huge homemade ones, took the rear end apart for inspectin, adding a 6 link suspension and new 550 lb front springs to replace my morosso drag springs, new shocks to replace the 90/10s and new back rubber again. I replace the back rubber every year.
That should keep me busy until spring.
This is a normal winter that has been going on for 13 years
That should keep me busy until spring.
This is a normal winter that has been going on for 13 years
#6
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
Re: Do You Tear Your Vette Down During the Winter? (norvalwilhelm)
Norval,
That is truly incredible! You are definitely a hardcore corvette owner and enthusiast.
That is truly incredible! You are definitely a hardcore corvette owner and enthusiast.
#7
Le Mans Master
Re: Do You Tear Your Vette Down During the Winter? (TedH)
I enjoy working on the Vette, but I'm a "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" kind of guy. I'll tear into it for a purpose.. not "just because". My car only needs basic maint to remain a "driver", so upgrades and mods are not desired. I'll tear into the rear suspension this winter because it needs it. :smash: To each his own is my motto :seeya
#8
Burning Brakes
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Re: Do You Tear Your Vette Down During the Winter? (TedH)
Vaal sits unprotected and ravaged by the elements every winter as I have no garage, just a shop in the basement. I try to insure that all potential problems are addressed before the onset of snow and ice.
If Norval doesn't mind too much, I'd like to go on record as saying that he is as close to Vette Godhood as is possible.I always read his posts as a neophyte sitting at the feet of a master.
Without dripping too much butter, I'd like to request some pictures of your six-link as I'm looking to do this mod next spring. I'll try to replicate it in wood then take it to a local shop for fabrication as I don't do metal.
Thanks in advance.
:cheers:
If Norval doesn't mind too much, I'd like to go on record as saying that he is as close to Vette Godhood as is possible.I always read his posts as a neophyte sitting at the feet of a master.
Without dripping too much butter, I'd like to request some pictures of your six-link as I'm looking to do this mod next spring. I'll try to replicate it in wood then take it to a local shop for fabrication as I don't do metal.
Thanks in advance.
:cheers:
#9
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
Re: Do You Tear Your Vette Down During the Winter? (norvalwilhelm)
You know, I used to do a partial top-end 'tear down' on my '71 Nova during winter months when back in high school. Regardless of need, I'd pull the carb and intake; cleaning the head and block surfaces of materials. Granted, I risked getting 'crud' down into the lifter galley and in the pan but it was all part of the experience. At the time, I was running a 283 from a '64 Nova wagon, TH350 from an old 70's Impala and 3.55's from a 69 Nova SS (oh, and the front fenders were from a '68 Nova and passenger side door was from '73 Nova; this was definitely a true 'parts' car). Had an Edelbrock Streetmaster intake and Holley 600 dual feed cab (chrome line) and an open element air cleaner. My brother in law at the time would let me use his one-car garage whenever I wanted to work on it and avoid the elements (had to move his '67 big-block chevelle out into the snow) and would stoke the wood burning stove prior to my arrival. Was an all-day (sometimes 2-day) event and he always had lots of brew. Memories... :chevy
#10
Melting Slicks
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Re: Do You Tear Your Vette Down During the Winter? (TedH)
When the weather is bad the car is apart. When the weather is good the car is on the road!
It started snowing earlier this week so something had to come apart. The headlight units are out of the car. They are waiting for parts for a complete rebuild. Hmmm... I think the front suspension is next....
It started snowing earlier this week so something had to come apart. The headlight units are out of the car. They are waiting for parts for a complete rebuild. Hmmm... I think the front suspension is next....
#11
Drifting
Re: Do You Tear Your Vette Down During the Winter? (TedH)
This winter I will be cleaning and detailing the underneath of my car. I want to drop the oil pan and paint it. I will replace the rear main seal while I am at it. I will also drop the tranny pan and replace the filter and gasket. Side exhausts sure make it nice and easy to work under the car. I didn't realize just how much the original exhaust was in the way until I removed it.
#12
Drifting
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Re: Do You Tear Your Vette Down During the Winter? (lbell101)
I just can't stop doing something on my 74. I've been preparing my garage for winter by installing better doors and a Modine heater. I'm planning to do the following...
- New Demon carb (Holley is shot)
- Finally pull off the trailing arms and get them done. Any recommendation on rebuild services?
- Replace most of the power steering components
- *Maybe* that r700 upgrade too
Should make for a fun-filled winter. Hopefully I'll get everything done by Spring!
- New Demon carb (Holley is shot)
- Finally pull off the trailing arms and get them done. Any recommendation on rebuild services?
- Replace most of the power steering components
- *Maybe* that r700 upgrade too
Should make for a fun-filled winter. Hopefully I'll get everything done by Spring!
#13
Re: Do You Tear Your Vette Down During the Winter? (TedH)
This will be my 1st winter with the Vette & it will be introduced to my toolkit!!
Lots to do:
Get the radiator repaired & powder coat the surround
Fix & paint the air dam
Fix them dam water leaks
Finally fix the locking TCC (that doesn't)
Get the p. side muffler to hang straight
Paint the bumper covers
New inlet manifold, camshaft, timing chain/gears, ......
etc etc etc etc
Hope the cash holds out - got a feeling that I might get carried away :(
Lots to do:
Get the radiator repaired & powder coat the surround
Fix & paint the air dam
Fix them dam water leaks
Finally fix the locking TCC (that doesn't)
Get the p. side muffler to hang straight
Paint the bumper covers
New inlet manifold, camshaft, timing chain/gears, ......
etc etc etc etc
Hope the cash holds out - got a feeling that I might get carried away :(
#14
Safety Car
Re: Do You Tear Your Vette Down During the Winter? (TedH)
I usually take on some kind of project in the winter. This year, I'm installing a Richmond 5 speed and having my tripower intake reconditioned. I took the intake off two weeks ago, but winter never came :confused: We're 3 days from December and it's approaching 70 outside! I wish I had waited a few more weeks...
-Joe
-Joe
#16
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
Re: Do You Tear Your Vette Down During the Winter? (Binnie77)
You may want to consider the one-piece FelPro pan gasket. Makes re-install of the pan a breeze.
#17
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Re: Do You Tear Your Vette Down During the Winter? (TedH)
I would like to post pictures of my new 6 link suspension but my forum website won't let me in. I know my user name and password and it won't let me in. I have 1/2 finished the axles, the transmission is done and the 6 link is almost finished. I made my own upper links from 6061 T6 and they are beautiful. It still cost me $125 for joints and material.
I will post pictures soon of my 6 link.
I will post pictures soon of my 6 link.
#19
Le Mans Master
Re: Do You Tear Your Vette Down During the Winter? (TedH)
I've usually got some project going during the winter. Last year I gutted the interior, rebuilt the heater box (never again), insulated the entire cockpit and installed an upgraded version of my stereo with 2 amps, 4 speakers, a subwoofer, graphic equalizer and 12 disc cd changer. This winter it's headers, change the exhaust hanger to a 2 1/2inch model, maybe a new set of magnaflows, and repair a couple of stress cracks. At least that's the plan. :D Go to my website if you want to see pictures of the stereo install and insulation.
#20
Re: Do You Tear Your Vette Down During the Winter? (UKPaul)
This will be my 1st winter with the Vette & it will be introduced to my toolkit!!
Hope the cash holds out - got a feeling that I might get carried away :(
Hope the cash holds out - got a feeling that I might get carried away :(