64 Vette….Rebuild 2.0

[folkenheath]

Looks great Zim, still the nicest old Vette I've ever seen!

I think Edelbrock still makes an aluminum water pump in the USA...

http://www.edelbrock.com/automotive/mc/water-pumps/high-performance.shtml

 

[76zimmer]

Yes they do Heath...but I had to have one today. If only I’d done this a month ago

 

[folkenheath]

Yes they do Heath...but I had to have one today. If only I’d done this a month ago

Ah, I see, the ol' time crunch, I just thought you were trying to find USA made.

Have fun with that beautiful car Zim.

 

[76zimmer]

Interesting....

 

[76zimmer]

how bout a room full of L-88's

 

[ZooMad75]

Thats a few million dollars worth of Vettes in one spot. Wow.

It's also crazy to see the crudeness of the factory assembly with overspray on the intake, bypass hose and other things. I've always thought the 100% original nut/bolt restorations are way harder than any other type. I don't think I'd ever go through one, but I appreciate those that do.

 

[folkenheath]

So it supposedly has factory overspray and headers? What's the deal there? I respect the patience it takes to create the"just as it came off the assembly line" restoration, but I'm confused with the headers. I also think, who wants it just as it came off the assembly line?! ha ha, too much potential left on the table. I much prefer modified, even if it is only bolt ons. I don't think I'd ever own a numbers matching car because I couldn't leave it stock....

 

[ZooMad75]

So it supposedly has factory overspray and headers? What's the deal there? I respect the patience it takes to create the"just as it came off the assembly line" restoration, but I'm confused with the headers. I also think, who wants it just as it came off the assembly line?! ha ha, too much potential left on the table. I much prefer modified, even if it is only bolt ons. I don't think I'd ever own a numbers matching car because I couldn't leave it stock....

It's how they did it. They weren't perfect even back then. For a while the intent was to restore better than factory so the overspray and other factory imperfections were cleaned up or eliminated. Call it over-restored if you want. But it wasn't the way it was done when there were so many coming off the assembly line in a day.

I agree, I could never have fun with a car like that. Perpetual trailer queen. Worth more with no miles getting put on it. I prefer cars like Zim's, original in style but built for real performance and driven.

 

[AJMBLAZER]

I got a bit into military vehicles when I had my M1008 a decade ago but quickly lost interest due to the unrealistic resorations of war time vehicles and the people arguing about them.

 

[76zimmer]

well the chinese water pump seems to do the job just fine...no more leaks on the driveway! Took it for its first drive today...just feels good getting behind the wheel again and pushing the fun pedal!!!

I do appreciate the work and research involved in restorations, but its not my final goal either. I'm just a hot rodder who thought the midyears were the best looking car body ever made, so I worked my way toward getting one...it was well used when I bought it for $2500 in 82' and I've put my all into this car, its been fun since day one with this car!

 

[folkenheath]

It's how they did it. They weren't perfect even back then. For a while the intent was to restore better than factory so the overspray and other factory imperfections were cleaned up or eliminated. Call it over-restored if you want. But it wasn't the way it was done when there were so many coming off the assembly line in a day.

I agree, I could never have fun with a car like that. Perpetual trailer queen. Worth more with no miles getting put on it. I prefer cars like Zim's, original in style but built for real performance and driven.

I realize they did that overspray, my question was about the headers, did they ever come with headers? Because making the overspray match and then bolting headers on seems a little counter productive for a mint restoration? I would think they would do one or the other but not both at the same time?

Zim I still remember how shocked I was at how pristine that car is when I saw it. Its beautiful and spotless both inside out and underneath. You did an excellent job with it.

 

[76zimmer]

thanks Heath, I appreciate your appreciation! It isn't quite as clean underneath anymore, its got a few thousand on the underside since you last saw it! the hot rod powertour got roadslime everywhere.

I think that particular engine shot may have been a racecar restoration, I've never heard of any L88 coming with headers from the factory..

 

[AgDieseler]

...Because making the overspray match and then bolting headers on seems a little counter productive for a mint restoration?

There are the faithful restoration nuts that strive to duplicate those idiosyncrasies from the factory, and judges who look for them.

But, and I haven’t double checked this, I don’t think any Ridler winner was ever awarded points for overspray.

Zim - I love that your car is a driver, and has the road grit to show it. It’s been a model for me on my build.

David

 

[folkenheath]

I agree, I don't want a car that can't be driven, that's worse than owning a gun you can't shoot. I like to enjoy things, not just look at them. I'm glad you are driving it Zim.

 

[76zimmer]

Thanks David/Heath...I feel the same way...although I don't drive it much, it does see on road time...next year (retired) I am going to try to drive it more and get to the strip with it again.
I think some of the SHP engine option cars were offered with in the trunk or dealer service parts installed headers (usually the A.I.R. system would prevent them from being installed factory) if they were designated as a raceworthy car (Vettes,Z/28's)

 

[76zimmer]

This one is too good not to share/save

 

[tRustyK5]

I don't think I'd share her with anyone...

 

[1-ton]

I got to take a ride in one of these about 2-weeks ago. Same color and evrything

2017 ZR1 Stingray

 

[76zimmer]

I would piss myself!

 

[76zimmer]

Last year, one of the fuel tank outlets (not stock) sprung a leak, so this spring I pulled the tank and took it to Kerts with me in April. To get the tank out, you need to unbolt the filler neck from above thru the gas filler cap hole, then there are two straps that hold the tank to a crossmember, then wrestle the tank out of the wedged in area. It’s much easier w the body off!
Kert tig’d a couple new 3/8 NPT bungs in place of the other ones, and then blasted and powder coated it.
I Also replaced the fuel tank sending unit (on the bottom of the tank), the straps, the vibration pads under the straps and between the tank and crossmembers, the fuel filter, new lines, tank filler neck gasket and screws....just need to replace the short flexible line from the hard line to the fuel pump on the engine now.