In this segment, Classic Car Restoration host Mark Lambert installs a new steering wheel on the Corvette to replace the after-market wheel that had been put on when this Corvette was used as a dragster.
The replacement steering wheel, though not original, is congruent with style of the early-60s era Corvette. It is a 15-inch wheel, rather than the 17-inch dimension of the original, making it easier to get into and out of the vehicle. It also has a thicker rim and is leather-wrapped, giving the grip an enhanced, more comfortable feel.
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.
Materials:
Standard automotive tools (socket-wrenches, screwdrivers, nut-drivers, etc.)
Replacement steering-wheel kit (15" reproduction steering wheel)
Steering-wheel hub-puller
Steps:
- To remove the existing steering-wheel, the center-nut (figure A) must be loosened and removed. Use the appropriate socket wrench to loosen the center nut (figure B) and remove it.
- Loosen and remove the three shoulder-bolts surrounding the center area.
- With the center-nut and shoulder-bolts removed, the old wheel rim can be removed (figure C).
- The part that actually holds the steering wheel on the column is the steering-wheel hub. That part must be removed as well before installing the replacement wheel. To remove the center hub, a specialized steering-wheel hub-puller is used. Install the puller by feeding the three threaded studs into the shoulder-bolt holes. Tighten each of the studs down to the same length and tension using the appropriate wrench (figure D).
- Once the studs are in place, tighten down the center-stud to pull the hub free of the steering column, and lift the hub off (figure E). Note the turn-signal cancellation studs visible on the underside of the hub. These must be present on the replacement as well.
- The new steering wheel is assembled around the new hub (figure F) before the assembly is put in place.
- Place the new collar over the hub, and the place the new steering wheel so that it rests on the collar (figure G).
- Install the threaded rivets through the steering wheel into the hub, and tighten them down. Once the hub and wheel assembly is secure, place the assembly onto the column (figure H). The new wheel-assembly should slip easily onto the steering column.
- We configure the assembly so that the seam on the leather-covered wheel was pointing down. This ensures a clear sight-line through the two upper spokes of the wheel so that the driver can clearly see the gauges of the instrument panel through the top opening.
- Place the center-hub nut-washer and center-nut onto the threaded stud at the center of the column (figure I), and tighten the nut down to the appropriate torque-specs. (In our case, we tightened it down to about 80 pounds of torque.)
- To assemble the horn push-button, install the horn-pickup and contact plate at the center of the column, and secure the assembly with the screws provided (figure J).
- Finally, install the Chevrolet Corvette horn-button (figure K) by positioning it over the hub and pressing it firmly in place.
In the segment that follows, the interior restoration is finished up with the installation of seats, trim and panel pieces that were removed earlier, and some final touch-up work.
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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