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  • 1962 Corvette Restoration: Fuel System and Cooling System
  • From "Classic Car Restoration"
    episode DCR-207
    advertisement

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    Figure A

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    Figure B

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    Figure C

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    Figure D

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    Figure E

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    Figure F

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    Figure G

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    Figure H

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    Figure I

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    Figure J

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    Figure K

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    Figure L

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    Figure M

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    Figure N

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    Figure O

    Fuel System and Cooling System

    With the engine and transmission re-installed, and the components beneath the vehicle reattached, work now returns to the top side of the engine with completion of the fuel-system installation and the cooling system.


    Note: This is a summary of steps included in the automotive restoration procedures shown in this episode of Classic Car Restoration. These are general guidelines for restoration procedures on this particular make and model of vehicle, and for the level of restoration selected for this project. There may be variations in procedures depending on model, condition of vehicle, level of restoration undertaken and the types of replacement parts or upgrade kits selected. Always follow proper safety precautions, and read and follow manufacturer's guidelines, diagrams and safety notices that come with any replacement parts or kit that you select.

    Safety Alert: Always wear eye protection when working with power tools or pneumatic tools.


    Materials:

    Standard automotive tools (socket-wrenches, screwdrivers, nut-drivers, etc.)
    New belts, hoses, hose clamps
    Hose cutter
    New carburetor

    Steps:


    • On this model Corvette, it's easiest to install the lower radiator hose first, before installing the radiator itself and before installation of the radiator shroud. Connect the lower radiator hose and upper radiator hose, and secure the connections with hose clamps (figure A).


    • With the hoses attached, slide the radiator into position (figure B), making sure it seats properly in its snug locations. With the radiator in place, connect the radiator-end of the lower radiator hose.


    • Reinstall the refurbished two-piece lower radiator shroud. Ours was bead-blasted and repainted for a like-new appearance.


    • Reinstall the newly repainted fan. Align the bolts and holes at the 12-o'clock position for easy installation (figure C), tighten the bolts and test the fan for proper spin.


    • Install the top radiator shroud (figure D), fitted in and under the top of the radiator. The bolts that secure the shroud also secure the radiator. Use a long socket, and tighten the bolts securely to prevent any rattles.


    • Position the new fan belt (figure E). The belt just hangs in place for now, until the new generator is installed.


    • Install the newly serviced generator, bolting it to its bottom bracket. Next, bolt the top generator bracket to the engine and to the generator. Simply hand-tighten all of the bolts at first.


    • Put the fan belt in place, and pull the generator back until the belt is taut (figure F).


    • Tighten the belt in place and then go back and tighten down the generator bracket-bolts securely (figure G), and tighten the generator bolts to secure the generator onto the bracket. If the fan-belt is adjusted properly, there should be about 1/2-inch deflection when you apply moderate thumb-pressure to the belt.

      Important: Avoid adjusting your belt so that it's too tight. A belt that is overly tight puts undue pressure on the generator bearings and water-pump bearings, and will shorten their lives.


    • The top heater hose carries water from the manifold to the heater. To install it, connect the hose at the manifold, and snake the hose around the generator and up to the water pump (figure H). Cut the hose to the appropriate length using a razor hose-cutter.


    • The bottom heater hose carries water from the heater, returning it to the water pump. Route the hose underneath the generator and connect it to the water-pump intake.

    • Connect the upper radiator hose to the radiator to complete the installation of the hoses.

    • Consult Chevrolet's wiring diagram for the Corvette to connect the wiring to the generator. There are three electrical leads that connect to the generator -- armature, field and ground (figure I). Embossed markings on the generator indicate which lead connects to which post. Connect the leads using lock-washers and bolts.


    • The next major step is the installation of the carburetor and top portion of the fuel system. Earlier, we covered the opening of the intake manifold with duct tape (figure J) to prevent debris from falling into the engine as we worked on the engine.


    • Remove the protective tape, and set the carburetor gasket in place (figure K).


    • With the gasket in position, carefully set the new carburetor in position (figure L), and bolt it in position using the nuts from the original carburetor. When installing the carburetor, avoid over-tightening the nuts.


    • Next, extend the fuel line from the fuel-pump to the carburetor inlet. Make sure that the carburetor inlet is tightened securely, attach a new fuel line to the carburetor inlet and secure it with a hose clamp (figure M). Cut the hose to the appropriate length, and attach the other end to the fuel supply line.

      Tip: Mark recommends using transmission oil-cooler hose or fuel-injector hose instead of ordinary fuel-line hose for this connection. These hoses are the same size as fuel-line hose, but are much more resilient.


    • Attach the temp-sender (figure N), the sensor that lets the temperature gauge know how hot the engine is running.


    • Finally, place a vacuum plug on the vacuum port (figure O).


    In the segment that follows, the engine-installation is completed and the engine is test-started.


    RESOURCES :

    Corvette Black Book : 1953-2001
    Model: 0933534477
    Author: Michael Antonick

    Corvette: The American Legend
    Model: 0785343741
    Author: Consumer Guide Editors

    Classic Car Restorer's Handbook: Restoration Tips and Techniques for Owners ...
    Model: 1557881944
    Author: Jim Richardson
    Order this book from Amazon.com
    H.P. Books

    Classic Car Restoration Guide: The Complete Illustrated Step-By-Step Manual
    Model: 1850108900
    Author: Lindsay Porter
    Order this book from Amazon.com
    Haynes Publishing

    Special Thanks, Classic Car Restoration: 1962 Corvette (Companies and Products)

    Companies and Products

    Corvette Central
    Full line of Corvette parts and accessories.
    Website: www.corvettecentral.com


    Dunshee's Corvette Parts
    Corvette restoration specialists.
    7304 W. Villa Rita Drive
    Glendale, AZ 85308
    Phone: 602-938-8895
    Fax: 602-938-9081
    E-mail: 4vetteparts@cox.net


    Quanta Restoration and Performance Products
    Website: www.quantaproducts.com
    Restoration specialists. Quanta Restoration carries (among other specialty items) "correct" fuel tanks for vintage cars.


    Lectric Limited
    Website: www.lectriclimited.com


    Eastwood Company
    Unique automotive tools and supplies.
    Website: www.eastwoodco.com
    Eastwood carries assorted tools, supplies and parts (many hard-to-find) of interest to the auto-restoration hobbyist.


    House of Kolor
    Automotive paints, primers and painting systems.
    Website: www.houseofkolor.com


    Strip Technologies of America
    A media-blasting facility specializing in coating-removal & coating applications.
    4001 Bruhin Road
    Knoxville, TN, 37918


    Bend-Pak Inc./Ranger Products
    Bend-Pak provided the large equipment used throughout the Corvette episodes of DIY's Classic Car Restoration.

    NAPA Auto Parts National Automotive Parts Association. Customer Support: 877-805-6272
    NAPA provided many items that used throughout the Corvette series.


    3M Corporation
    Products available at retail stores worldwide.
    3M provided many general supplies, including all safety equipment, used throughout the Corvette series.



    Special Thanks, Classic Car Restoration: 1962 Corvette (Organizations)

    Vintage Corvette video and photos provided by General Motors Corporation.
    Used with permission, GM Media Archive.
    Chevrolet's website: www.chevrolet.com


    Corvette Organizations

    The National Corvette Museum
    Website: www.corvettemuseum.com
    The National Corvette Museum is open to the public and offers plant tours and other services and products, including Corvette accessories and memorabilia. The museum also offers library and archive information, build-sheets and a database of information. NCM also sponsors events and gatherings.
    For DIY's Classic Car Restoration, the NCM supplied research material and photographs used in episode #201.

    National Corvette Restoration Society (NCRS)
    Website: www.ncrs.org
    The NCRS (National Corvette Restoration Society) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the restoration, preservation, history and enjoyment of Corvettes made from 1953 through 1986. The group offers publications, database information, resources and discussion boards. They also sponsor Corvette events and NCRS Judging programs.

    East Tennessee Corvette Club
    The East Tennessee Corvette Club is a non-profit organization of Corvette enthusiasts in the East Tennessee area.

    Corvette Expo
    Website: www.corvetteexpo.com
    Corvette Expo is a promoter of Corvette shows, swap meets, and auctions.



    Special Thanks, Classic Car Restoration: 1962 Corvette (Books and Publications)

    Books and Publications

    Classic Auto Manuals
    1910 E.S.E. Loop 323 #317, Tyler, TX 75701, 903-566-1939
    Classic Auto Manuals offers factory-original shop manuals, service manuals, body manuals, repair manuals and auto-parts manuals on CD format. They provided the 1962 Corvette manual used as reference in the Corvette series for DIY's Classic Car Restoration.


    Standard Catalog of Corvette: 1953-2001
    ISBN #0-87349-235-8
    Krause Publications
    Website: www.krause.com
    Book and photos featured in #201 (Corvette History).


    Classic Corvette: The First 30 years
    by Mike Mueller
    ISBN #0-7603-1358-X
    Motorbooks International (MBI) Publishing Company
    Book and photos featured in episode #201 (Corvette History).

    Corvette Buyers Guide 1953 - 1967
    by Richard Price
    ISBN #0-7603-1009-2
    MBI Publishing Company
    Featured in Classic Car Restoration episode #209.

    Corvette: Fifty Years
    by Randy Leffingwell
    ISBN #0-7603-1180-3
    MBI Publishing Company

    101 Projects for Your Corvette: 1984 - 1986
    ISBN #0-7603-1461-6
    MBI Publishing Company
    Author Richard Newton featured as guest on episode #209.

    Motorbooks (MBI) catalog & information
    Website: www.motorbooks.com

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