C2/C3 Body Dolly
The following plans appear to be for a C2 corvette. Someone on the Corvette Forum sent this to me saying that it would work for a C3. I constructed it exactly as the plans state. Unfortunately there are several problems with this dolly. I would suggest making the dolly one inch narrower in the section where the doors are. In addition, if you make the dolly too long, the radiator bracket will not slip down over the front of the dolly. This is an absolute must! My 3 rear compartments sat on top of the 4x4's and I had to take a hammer and a chisel to allow it to slip down and sit correctly. The worst part of the plan is that you will get NO FRONT END SUPPORT. You have to either construct another support or put something between the wheel wells and the dolly to support the nose. Also, you can see in the picture, that I added the plywood at the corners. Don't even bother doing this. It gains you nothing.C2/C3 Body Dolly Plans Picture of the completed dolly
Water Leaks
Well, I chased this problem on my car for 4 weeks. I think I found all the possible points of entry. I will list what I found from easiest to hardest.1. The accumulation of leaves in the inner fender well as described above. Water will run into the wiper bay, then down the inner fender, and into the fresh air vent. On my 78, I think there is one on the passenger side only.
2. Weatherstrip around the doors. The t-top weather strip will leak if it is not in good condition and run to the rear of the t-top. The other major place in in front/at the bottom of the windows. Spray water at that point and it will drip oven the inner door panels.
3. Wiper bay under the windshield. The factory used a sealant here that cracks after 20 or 30 years. What does not look like much of a hole in actuality creates quite a big leak. Spray this area one small portion at a time with a hose. The BEST way to be sure, pull the windshield and fix any holes in the pillar also.
4. This brings us to the windshield frame. If there are holes in the windshield frame from rust, and the windshield trim is not sealed with a thin strip of sealant, water will find its way into those holes and drip under the dashboard.
5. Any car that has had a frame off is at risk for the worst type of leak. The front clip is attached to the body by bonding adhesive. Those bonds are then sealed up with a sealer that hardens. In the process of removing/reinstalling the body, you will probably get enough flex to crack or break the sealant. Now, water will run down the windshield, into the little area in front of the door and into this area. This will result in water flowing into the kick panel area, and if you follow the water streams, you will see it coming in at the bonding seams. This is VERY hard to fix.
Trailing Arm Rebuild
I would highly recommend Vansteel for rebuilding of trailing arms. The do a great job for an excellent price. I have rarely met business owners more helpful than Art and John.Suspension Rebuild Kit
Vette Brakes and Products are THE source for corvette suspension parts. Pretty much everyone ultimately receives their parts from VB.Seat covers, seat padding and interiors.
Al Knoch makes top notch interior components that actually FIT!Excellent Project Corvette Sites
1978 Silver Anniversary - JoeComplete frame-off with a huge engine replacement. (Steve)
Reading spark plugs
Your spark plugs may be telling you something.Ode to the SnowBelt Corvette Owner
While you sit, yearning for spring,Hoping to hear the returning birds sing,
We southern boys are driving our vettes,
t-tops off, windows down, long after the sun sets.
You have plenty of time to polish your chrome,
While outside the sky remains a gray dome.
With all this “free” time, you’ve no excuse,
To have even a single bolt loose.
Better not give in and take your vette for a spin,
All that salt and ash on your car would be a sin.
So clean those bolts and re-cover those seats,
You may be ready in time for that June NCRS meet.
Don't worry corvette brother, only four months to go,
And there will be nothing left of this three feet of snow.
So don't cry and pout and sob in your beer.
The north's four months of nice weather will soon be here.