Eileens 79 Corvette resurrection. It survived 1450miles on Power Tour

[ktmoutfront]

I bought an ac renewal kit from Rockauto to put AC back in the car. The accumulater tank had 2 charge ports. One hit the inner fender so bad the accumulater would not work. Stopped by Volvette and grabbed the correct one.

They wanted $650 for the 4 brackets. Found them on eBay for $178.

System is in. Full flush. Had the condenser out to pressure test.

I wrapped the long tube headers with DEI heat wrap. 6 hours. Sucked.

Is this ok for putting the header back in? Lift arm was in the way.


Tripod stand under the front frame. Ran it up until the lift arm was free.

Tomorrow I should have it ready to fire up. This will also fix the exhaust leak. New spark plugs are going in also.

 

[Wes Harden]

been there done that

 

[ktmoutfront]

Everything is installed and ready to vacuum and charge.

Will not vacuum. Maybe I should have checked before I put the rest of the car back together.

Did a smoke test to find the leak. The one fitting that I can not get to without removing the starter, header, rocker trim and the rocker dust cover is leaking.

 

[ktmoutfront]

"The heater blower engine" just does not sound right.

Back to the car. Found a partially crushed o-ring. I think it was to big for the tube. So the rocker cover, 4" side pipe, headers, starter and access panel were removed. I will finish it tomorrow.

 

[folkenheath]

Bummer, at least you found the problem.

 

[ktmoutfront]

I hope it is the only one.

And everyone should have a smoke machine for finding stuff like this.

 

[Wes Harden]

Check it before it goes back together eh

 

[ktmoutfront]

Yep. Full smoke job and then nitrogen charge to 50psi. Let sit for 2 hours. Then evacuate.

 

[Justin V]

Usually a methane charge requires evacuation.

 

[ktmoutfront]

R134a.

 

[ktmoutfront]

This gives you an idea of the confinement. Thank goodness I have a plethora of cheap wrenches to cut down. Garage sale buys.

 

[ktmoutfront]

It held -29 in/hg for an hour after the pump was shut off. Mine will not suck to -30. The High pressure quick connector on my gauges leaks now. Once I pulled tha off, it drew down just fine. New gauges headed my way for the hose.

 

[imiceman44]

Everything is installed and ready to vacuum and charge.

Will not vacuum. Maybe I should have checked before I put the rest of the car back together.

Did a smoke test to find the leak. The one fitting that I can not get to without removing the starter, header, rocker trim and the rocker dust cover is leaking.

Figures

 

[ktmoutfront]

The brakes on this thing has been giving me fits. Really soft pedal. Blead the system, no change. New master cylinder and reman calipers all of the way around. Worse now. Master cylinder is obviously bad. Pedal slowly goes to the floor. Ordered another one. Bought Power Stop rotors and pads to throw on it so that everything is new. As I am putting them on, the left front caliper starts leaking fluid. Pull it apart to see where the leak is. saw this as I pushed a piston it. Not good. another one ordered, will not be here until Wednesday. I can not seem to finish anything because of other peoples screw ups. So frustrating.

 

[ktmoutfront]

I forgot the video. Better off finding now, I guess.
View attachment PXL_20230708_150742244.TS.mp4

 

[ktmoutfront]

That was left front. Right front is leaking also. Same place.

 

[ktmoutfront]

Left rear also.

 

[Wes Harden]

This right here is why I always question the wisdom of today's parts store rebuilds. Pretty sure the calipers on my truck are 1977, and are gonna stay that way. Now if it were a furd dual piston caliper yeah those need new seal and dust boots every brake job.

Wade treat Eileen's Vette to nice Wildwood calipers, better for those spirited driving sessions

 

[ktmoutfront]

This right here is why I always question the wisdom of today's parts store rebuilds. Pretty sure the calipers on my truck are 1977, and are gonna stay that way. Now if it were a furd dual piston caliper yeah those need new seal and dust boots every brake job.

Wade treat Eileen's Vette to nice Wildwood calipers, better for those spirited driving sessions

We looked into Wilwoods. If need be, will will go there. Just a lot of money she does not want to spend on a toy.

After an hour of research, I found part numbers for new Cardone. Same money as th Wilwood kit.

Edit. 1/2 the price. Wilwood is one axle price.

 

[ktmoutfront]

What happened to the derail? I was having fun.