Chris@VetteFinders

We ALMOST accomplished our goal of completely stripping the frame in one day. We are stuck on one trailing arm bolt and need some advice.

http://vettefinders.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=79part8 through part 12

Simul8

I just removed my TA's. I worked the shims out and used a sawzall. Took alittle work to get the shims moving, but they'll come out. Once they are out, you have a clear shot to the TA bolt.
Good Luck.

79VetteMike

excellent work you are doing. I have a '79 also, but fortunately mine is in really good shape. Please keep doing the detailed photos- I am learning and reinforcing my knowledge. :thumbs:

Chris@VetteFinders

What do you mean by that?? Ours is in "really good shape" too!!! Well, uh, the alternator is anyway! ;)

79MakoL82

OK. You've tried heat and pounding. How about drilling? Drill the center of the head then punch it out. That's got to be relatively simple with the body off.

I have to say. I felt bad about the condition of my Vette once I got under it and started ripping it apart, but I feel a little better after looking at those pics. I do applaud you guys for taking the time and effort to bring a lowly 79 back to primo condition though. :hurray:

Teuffelhunde

I agree with the drilling. What I've done a few times is use a tap and die set. Make new threads in the center of the bolt (reverse threads of course), and put a new screw or bolt in the center to pull it out.

0Casey@Vettefinders

here is the order in which we attempted removal. wrench, hammer (until i took that last fatal swing), torch, grinder, drill and back to the hammer. i will be purchasing a "sawzall", the last needed tool.

Shark Racer

Looking great, Chris. I can't wait to see how this one ends up.

It's hard to believe your Pace Car underwent the transformation it did, but this one is going to be twice as amazing!

Some day, I hope to follow in your footsteps.

-Steve

Chris@VetteFinders

Not really. The whole point of this project is doing it on a budget. It should be a good driver, and it will be my first attempt at painting a car, so don't expect anything fancy.

I'm not so sure I'm the one you want to be following. ;)

Shark Racer

But you must agree- getting that TA bolt out will be a miracle in itself. :)

-Steve

Chris@VetteFinders

Nah, we already got it covered.

Nomad78SA

Looks like fun Chris, who is helping you out? Do you still have the C-5? Florida weather has taken its toll somewhat on the frame from what I see. Perhaps I will make it down your way again this summer and feel the power of that ZR-1.. I did get some paint on my vette finally and I am trying to finish before you are done with the 79 lol... :lol:
Neil in Tenn.

Chris@VetteFinders

My brother moved to Florida a couple months ago and was kind enough to donate his garage and do 1/2 of the work. My partner Keith (Vettefinders) has been helping as well. My brother's girlfriend has also been assisting quite adequately. It is going MUCH faster than my 78. Now I have at least twice the manpower and an electric impact wrench. (This car spent most of its life in the snow belt, that's why the rust)

I sold my last C5 a couple months ago (need to update my signature I guess). I'm hoping a nice collector edition or a higher hp Z06 comes out, then I'll buy another.

Let me know when you are coming down. You can drive the Z if you like. Hopefully I'll have a little more power than your 78 by then, but not much more if any.

groovyjay

Did you get the TA's off yet? Mine were very easy to remove, but I have read all the horror stories here about other peoples worries. I know it's 1000 times easier to work on the frame with out the body. Is the frame now going to sand blasted or are you just going to use little Zaino to polish it all out :lol:
Keep us posted along the way, frame offs are always nice to follow when nicely detailed. :cheers:

Chris@VetteFinders

No, we haven't touched it since Sunday. We are spending a few nights this week doing a heads, cam and exhaust job on a 92 vette, so we probably won't get back to the 79 until after this weekend.

Zaino... :lol: Looks like Vansteel is going to have it acid dipped for us instead of going the sandblasting route. :thumbs:


[Modified by Chris@VetteFinders, 8:10 AM 3/12/2003]