62 Corvette rebuild

[larry4406]

Don the grille (and car) look sweet!

 

[rmalkow2]

Looks great, glad the maiden voyage went smoothly.

 

[Bob Heine]

Don, congratulations on the milestone of driving the dream. All of the subtle (and not so subtle) custom touches make the car for me. The clean look without the emblems, the grille crossbar and the molded-in headlight bezels really refine the look.

The stock front end isn't ugly but it's busy:

Then you have new fender-top trim made so it's an unbroken line. I don't recall anyone ever doing that but it is going to be amazing when the chrome shop does its magic. Even the guys who go to the trouble of Frenching the headlight rings like you did don't go to the trouble of changing the trim to be a single piece.

Well done Don!

 

[HoosierBuddy]

Awesome project!

 

[Toolfool]

Wow ! The car looks great.

 

[don long]

Looks great Don!
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Thanks Duker

Good to see it all together (for the most part) Don!

Thanks Robert
The car is calling me to work on it again.

Don the grille (and car) look sweet!

Thanks Larry

Looks great, glad the maiden voyage went smoothly.

Hi R.M.

It didn't go all that well. It was a smooth ride but has a few rattles and it had a very loud noise when I let off the gas.
Found out we failed to put rear end grease in the beast.
It's full now!!!

Don, congratulations on the milestone of driving the dream. All of the subtle (and not so subtle) custom touches make the car for me. The clean look without the emblems, the grille crossbar and the molded-in headlight bezels really refine the look.

The stock front end isn't ugly but it's busy:

Then you have new fender-top trim made so it's an unbroken line. I don't recall anyone ever doing that but it is going to be amazing when the chrome shop does its magic. Even the guys who go to the trouble of Frenching the headlight rings like you did don't go to the trouble of changing the trim to be a single piece.

Well done Don!

That's a great comparison Bob
Thanks for posting it.
Every time I would see a 58-62 Vette at the car shows The headlite bezels never fit the fenders smoothly and the top fender moldings always had a bad fit to them and I hated that look of poor fit and finish. So it became my mission to fix those problems.
Thanks for pointing it out.

Awesome project!

Thanks Buddy

Wow ! The car looks great.

Thanks Toolfool
It handles great too.

 

[dpljmurphy]

Nice work as always Don, your gainin' on her. David

 

[rmalkow2]

I can relate about the test run rattles and gremlins Don. I've made a total of three test runs in the roadster and after each one come home to fix and adjust some more. My last outing was 2-3 miles and to the gas station to fill up the tank. I came home to find out that my supposed safe distance away from a header for some wiring loom was to safe enough. Just a little plastic damage but that will be another fix to make before any longer trips.

Bob

 

[don long]

Nice work as always Don, your gainin' on her. David

Hi David
Yes we are. We have discovered a few issues but non serious. The grille is back out and will go to the polisher next week.

I can relate about the test run rattles and gremlins Don. I've made a total of three test runs in the roadster and after each one come home to fix and adjust some more. My last outing was 2-3 miles and to the gas station to fill up the tank. I came home to find out that my supposed safe distance away from a header for some wiring loom was to safe enough. Just a little plastic damage but that will be another fix to make before any longer trips.

Bob

Hi Bob
The biggest (loudest) rattle so far was the exhaust pipe was sitting on the frame on the left side. We also have mounted the horns on the car (minor over look) one more check off on our hit sheet.
Will be working on the icecream parlor this week so the vette won't see much action. much action.

Thanks for stopping by guys

Don

 

[dchance]

Looks good. I like the story that goes with this car. Hope you are doing well.

Dwight

 

[don long]

Looks good. I like the story that goes with this car. Hope you are doing well.

Dwight

Thanks Dwight
I'm feeling much better now and am hard at it again

 

[Sweet Old Bill]

Very glad to hear that you are both doing better & feeling up to getting your Corvette into the shape of your dreams!

 

[logixjock]

Don,

I've been following this thread for a couple of years now and it's been a hell of a lot of fun watching you build this masterpiece. I'm convinced you're some kind of secret government android escapee the way you consistently bang out the work. Ok I'm kidding, sort of... LOL

Seriously though, my hat's off to you sir, and thanks for taking the time to take all of us along for the ride.

 

[don long]

Very glad to hear that you are both doing better & feeling up to getting your Corvette into the shape of your dreams!

Thanks Bill
I am much better now days and have been plugging away at my many projects

Don,

I've been following this thread for a couple of years now and it's been a hell of a lot of fun watching you build this masterpiece. I'm convinced you're some kind of secret government android escapee the way you consistently bang out the work. Ok I'm kidding, sort of... LOL

Seriously though, my hat's off to you sir, and thanks for taking the time to take all of us along for the ride.

logixjock

Thank you for being so patient with me while getting this project into something worth looking at.
This one has been a very long project.

I did find some time today to play with the Vette
We wired up the horn and chased down a ground wire for the fuel sending unit.
But most of my time was spent taking off the front bumperettes so I could build some custom grilles to fit behind them.
I used the same stainless mesh material that I had for the main grille
I managed to get the left and right sides cut to fit.
The next thing to do is to polish up the stainless to look like chrome.
Because the grille pieces have many ends on the edges that could be grabbed by the buffer and because the material is so flexible I decided to mount the 3 pieces on plywood and to cover the edges with tin.
This should make polishing the pieces a snap

IMG_1141 by don long, on Flickr

IMG_1142 by don long, on Flickr

IMG_1143 by don long, on Flickr

IMG_1144 by don long, on Flickr

I can hardly wait to see how the grilles look polished and mounted on the car with the bumperettes back in place

 

[don long]

I spent the day yesterday driving around So Cal.
I dropped off some pieces to the pinstriper (20 miles to the east)
Then I went to the chrome shop to pick up 1 piece for the corvette (60 miles west of the pinstriper) then headed back east to the house then south (25 miles) to my polish guy to pick up the corvette grilles. 200 miles all together

So today I spent the afternoon putting the rt. side grille into the opening behind the bumper and putting the surround moldings back on the car

IMG_1159 by don long, on Flickr

That looks so good that I had to put the bumperette on too.

IMG_1163 by don long, on Flickr

I got tired of banging my head around under the car before I had the bumper totally lined up but you get the picture of how well the custom grilles will look.

Thanks for checking it out

Don

 

[Bob Heine]

Thank you Don, that made my day -- just beautiful!

 

[MP&C]

Awesome Don!

 

[rmalkow2]

That grille material came out beautiful and is looking good as a backdrop to the chrome bumperette and surround. Lots of running around but the final product is worth it.

Bob

 

[dchance]

Don the work on the grille looks great. When I read all the trips for parts I then realized this is in Calif(LA). That makes the driving worse. You got a lot accomplished.

Dwight

 

[don long]

Thank you Don, that made my day -- just beautiful!

Thanks Bob
That's very nice to hear and the car looks much better tonight!!

Awesome Don!

Thanks Robert

It has turned into a much bigger project than I originally planned

That grille material came out beautiful and is looking good as a backdrop to the chrome bumperette and surround. Lots of running around but the final product is worth it.

Bob

Hi Bob

Thanks, You are right a little time in the truck but gave me much pleasure in garage time.

Don the work on the grille looks great. When I read all the trips for parts I then realized this is in Calif(LA). That makes the driving worse. You got a lot accomplished.

Dwight

Thanks for the visit Dwight

Yes this is So Cal and nothing is close by and we plan our travels around the traffic times

 

[don long]

Progress today was good.
The grille is in and the other bumperette is on and lined up

2017-09-18 10.08.37 by don long, on Flickr

2017-09-18 18.34.05 by don long, on Flickr

We lost production this afternoon when our parts chase car broke down

2017-09-15 15.35.48 by don long, on Flickr

Had it towed home and went to work getting the 65 vette back on the road.
You gotta hate this new gas that rots all the rubber in the fuel system.
We had to overhaul the carb.

 

[drivesitfar]

Don: as you keep shining your baby up and keep fixing the small issues i hope that highway 101 is open again for you to drive it on when it's done.

very WELL DONE on the cool grill fab and spiffing up.

cheers

 

[dpljmurphy]

Don, try using ethanol free gas if it's around you, dose the tank with Marine Stable and you should be good for years. https://www.pure-gas.org/ It's the Ethanol that corrodes the rubber and plastics (from what my mentors tell me)...

Good luck,

David

 

[drivesitfar]

Don: i'm guessing you have a number of small engines so do you use Non Ethanol gas in them? i had a friend of mine pick up 10 gallons of non Ethanol gas a couple years ago cause i was going to maybe weed eat some property and didn't end up doing that job. he also put in Amsoil stabil in it and i had some in my Honda Weed eater and dumped it out, but thought i'd see if the 5 gallons that hadn't been opened in 2 years was ok and my Honda started right up. not sure if it was the Amsoil or the Non ethanol or maybe a little of both, but i've never had gas last that long.

best of luck getting everything back to normal after that close call with the fire and hoping your friends and neighbors were as lucky.

cheers

 

[don long]

Don: i'm guessing you have a number of small engines so do you use Non Ethanol gas in them? i had a friend of mine pick up 10 gallons of non Ethanol gas a couple years ago cause i was going to maybe weed eat some property and didn't end up doing that job. he also put in Amsoil stabil in it and i had some in my Honda Weed eater and dumped it out, but thought i'd see if the 5 gallons that hadn't been opened in 2 years was ok and my Honda started right up. not sure if it was the Amsoil or the Non ethanol or maybe a little of both, but i've never had gas last that long.

best of luck getting everything back to normal after that close call with the fire and hoping your friends and neighbors were as lucky.

cheers

Thanks for the visit Drives.
Yes I use stabil but not as regularly as I should. I'll have to find a station that doesn't sell Ethanol in with their gas. The vette is waiting to be registered coming off a non op status for the last 20 years.

A quick fire update all went well no one lost their house even though the fire reached many back yards. The Fire men did a fantastic job protecting our properties.

 

[don long]

After a few minor adjustments this baby is ready for the road to work out any kinks prior to painting

IMG_1244 by don long, on Flickr

I really like the stance we gave it. and the headlites are very suttle

IMG_1247 by don long, on Flickr

Let me know what you think

Don

 

[Duker]

I am thinking if I knew your address I would soon be serving 5-10 years but it would be one hell of a ride until they caught up with me! .... and totally worth it! [emoji106]


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[Bears Fan]

The Vette looks great! Its been fun following along as you worked on it...Can't wait to see it in red

 

[rmalkow2]

Don,
Beautiful vette! The headlights, grille work and stance are subtle but overall works well together and give it the look like it's ready to pounce. I bet it will drive as good as it looks.

Bob

 

[1/2 Cup]

Don,

piece de resistance

Well done..

 

[disston]

I love me some Vettes and that's not a small statement from a Ford guy. This is great. Your devotion and patience are admirable.

Small problem with the motor. You always knew something like this would happen is why you waited on the paint.

I've followed this thread for years. Just wanted to chime in before the final finish. (it will be finished).

Did read the whole thread in one sitting. Couple of breaks for a smoke.

 

[GSRinmyCRX]

cant wait to see this thing painted.

Levi

 

[dchance]

Don looking good to see it this far along. How many miles too you think that it needs to be ready to paint?

Dwight

 

[don long]

I am thinking if I knew your address I would soon be serving 5-10 years but it would be one hell of a ride until they caught up with me! .... and totally worth it! [emoji106]
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

Duker
I'm looking forward to that kind of a ride myself
Thanks for the thought

The Vette looks great! Its been fun following along as you worked on it...Can't wait to see it in red

Hi BF

Thanks. I've enjoyed getting it to this point. I'm fighting with myself about just start painting it or driving it first.

Don,
Beautiful vette! The headlights, grille work and stance are subtle but overall works well together and give it the look like it's ready to pounce. I bet it will drive as good as it looks.

Bob

Thanks Bob
Each time I got one mod started I thought up another and it has taken a long time to get it here but I'm very proud of how it is turning out.

Don,

piece de resistance

Well done..

Thanks 1/2 Cup
Sure great hearing from you again. Feeling well I hope

I love me some Vettes and that's not a small statement from a Ford guy. This is great. Your devotion and patience are admirable.

Small problem with the motor. You always knew something like this would happen is why you waited on the paint.

I've followed this thread for years. Just wanted to chime in before the final finish. (it will be finished).

Did read the whole thread in one sitting. Couple of breaks for a smoke.

Thanks disston

It has been a long time with long dry spells between progress Thanks for sticking with me on this project. Hope to get it painted soon

cant wait to see this thing painted.

Levi

Levi
I'll try to make it happen soon

Don looking good to see it this far along. How many miles too you think that it needs to be ready to paint?

Dwight

Dwight
I'm thinking a couple tanks of fuel at least

 

[don long]

Here is the list of mods I've done to the car

1. Modified the frame to except 1996 corvette independent suspension

2. Swapped out 327 motor for 1994 Firebird LT1

3. Swapped out 4 speed manual trans for a 1994 Firebird 6 speed manual trans.

4. Add polished exhaust headers and a custom exhaust system

5. Remodeled Lt. & Rt. inner aprons (engine compartment)

6. smoothed firewall (engine compartment)

7. Replaced factory hood locks with custom locks and pins

8. installed electric hood actuator

9. moved windshield wiper motor from the firewall to under the dash

10. rewired entire car

11. installed digital dash gauges

12. modified trans tunnel to accommodate larger trans.

13. Added power windows

14. Added air conditioning

15. Ran stainless steel A/C lines behind Rt fender apron.

16. Removed exterior door locks

17. installed a stainless steel fuel cell with internal fuel pump

18. Removed floor pan undercoating smoothed bottom of car and painted it
steal grey

19. Modified spare tire well to accommodate later model rear end

20. Modified rear bumper mounts to allow a tighter fit to the car

21. Eliminated rocker molding

22. Made custom ports and moldings for side exhaust exits.

23. made custom spear moldings for fender coves

24. made custom moldings for fender tops

25. Molded headlite doors onto fenders

26. Recessed head lamps into fenders

27. Made a custom grille for the car

28. Added grilles to Lt. & Rt. bumper pockets

29. Removed front license plate bumperettes

30. Filled in front vertical bumperette grooves in lower roll pan

31. Removed front center bumper bar.

32. Modified Lt. & Rt. front bumper ends where the front bumper bar was
mounted

33. Built new front bumper brackets to allow better fit for the front bumpers

34. custom fit each front grille molding (6)

35. Made a custom rear view mirror bracket to raise the mirror 2 inches

36. Made custom polished stainless steal radiator water pipes.

37. Put on a rack and pinion steering system along with power steering

Now I feel better about having taken so long to get the car to this point

 

[drivesitfar]

Don: while i'm not really a CAR GUY i can appreciate all you've been able to do on your old Corvette and I'm thoroughly impressed as usual with anything you decide to get your knuckles ****** or spend you time and hard earned money on. WELL DONE!!

just asking in jest when i say this. ARE YOU SURE THAT'S ALL of the list of items you've done to your old VETTE?

cheers and as always thanks for sharing your projects and know how with all of us.

 

[ambenz]

Love what you done.
We have a "pristine" Black 62 vette vert I see around the local car show circuit.
Pretty sweet car to restore.

 

[dpljmurphy]

Awesome job Don (as always), looking forward to see her in paint! David

 

[Ohmthis]

Don, excellent job!!! You can tell it's a labor of love. I also can't wait to see it in paint.

 

[skrap metal]

great work