In this episode, Classic Car Restoration host Mark Lambert reinstalls the refurbished and detailed Chevy engine into the body of the 1962 Corvette, followed by engine accessories and other critical parts. In this segment, the stripped and prepped fiberglass body is inspected prior to beginning the process of reinstalling the engine and related parts.
The Corvette body has undergone a major transformation since the engine was removed. The exterior has been stripped down to the bare fiberglass. Below is information about the method used to prep the body. 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. Media-Blasting to Strip the Fiberglass Body
- The Corvette body was professionally stripped using a media-blasting process and a particle-media formulated specifically for fiberglass.
- Prior to stripping, the vehicle was first masked to protect the remaining trim areas, interior and glass (figure A) to prepare the car for media blasting.
- Plastic-media blasting is a process similar to traditional sand-blasting, but it doesn't use hard abrasives or high pressure -- which could damage substrates. Instead, very fine polycarbonate granules are used to remove paint and finish (figure B) without causing warping, pitting or damage to the fiberglass gel-coat.
- The key to the process is high-volume, low-pressure air -- between 20 and 60 psi (as opposed to 100 psi as used in sand-blasting). The process is so precise that it can be used to remove only desired layers of paint, leaving the primer coat intact if desired (figure C).
- Media-blasting is a sophisticated process that should be done by experienced technicians in a carefully controlled and contained environment. The operator wears a full-coverage suit equipped with a respirator (figure D).
- Once stripped, the fiberglass body was sealed with gray primer to protect the fiberglass. In addition the engine bay was prepped and detailed (figure E).
- The engine compartment was cleaned using a power washer, then dried and painted with black chassis-paint for the chassis-members and under-hood black paint for the upper section (figure F).
- Once the engine compartment was painted and the paint dried, the wiring harness was installed following Chevrolet's wiring diagrams for this model Corvette (figure G).
- The wiring harness was fed under the dash and through an opening and O-ring in the bulkhead (figure H). One end of the new harness will later be connected to the starter motor, and one end to the temp sender.
In the segment that follows, the engine and transmission is reinstalled in the Corvette body.
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
| 
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
