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Would like to know what is THE best reference that gives step by step instructions on how to reassemble the front and rear supspension on a 63 coupe. I have several references including the assembly manual but all seem to be lacking in the "how to department". This is my first body off restoration and I would prefer to do it myself. Thanks.
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Re: Frame, suspension re-assembly instructions for
Not to be flippant but if you have the AIM and the shop manual you should be able to figure it out or probably should not be doing it.
Dave
needtoputtheflamesuiton -
Re: Frame, suspension re-assembly instructions for
GM Chassis Service Manual (still available through NCRS Store and other vendors). Unless you bought the car in boxes, there is also no subsitute for actually taking the car apart to know how each nut and bolt goes together.
WARNING: Do not attempt a restoration without adopting a strict discipline of bagging and tagging every part and every fastener that you remove. You will think you can certainly remember that little detail, but after a few thousand details, you will be hopelessly lost. Also, take plenty of pictures before and during the disassembly; with digital cameras, you have no film processing costs, and the number of shots is limited only by your hard drive.
What worked for me was to use ziplock sandwich bags as containers, with inserted Post-it notes describing the part(s). I like to actually reference the AIM page and the page item number given for the part...verbal descriptions will become tedious in some cases. After some time passes, verbal descriptions may also become meaningless, making you wonder what you were thinking when the part was removed.Comment
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I Should Have Added...
THROW NOTHING AWAY! Keep every ragged, tattered, dirty piece of "original" Corvette stuff you remove. There may or may not be an NOS or good repro available...if not, you'll be stuck with what you have. In general, if an original part can be refinished or refurbished, it will be far superior and more desireable than a repro part. Even if a repro part is available, you will want the dirty, ragged, cracked original for detail comparison purposes.Comment
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Re: Frame, suspension re-assembly instructions for
You are flippant. I mentioned nothing about having the shop manual. If that's your recommendation for a good reference then thanks for your input.Comment
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Re: Frame, suspension re-assembly instructions for
You can't beat the factory shop manual. Also, the archives here can be a real help. Practice searching. I doubt there are any significant questions that haven't come up. Knowing the general differences between model years will help when using the archive; i.e hanging a rear spring is about the same for 63 or 73.Comment
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Re: Frame, suspension re-assembly instructions for
I think that the suggestions given here for which manuals to use is very good. I did my ’63 by myself and I used the ’63 Shop Manual and AIM. You are correct that they don’t tell you the how just the what.
You probably already know this but, be very careful when doing the front two coil springs and the rear leaf spring. If the body is not on (which is wasn’t for me either) then it is a little more difficult to do the rear leaf spring. I had to use a come-along (sp?) between the frame and each of the outside sections of the leaf spring to in order to compress the spring enough for the hardware.
One thing that I think the Shop Manual tells you but if it doesn’t, do not torque the control arm bushings until the body and other major parts are on (curb weight). Otherwise, you will tear up the rubber bushings.
If you want, you can email me if you have any questions while you are assembling the suspension. I am no expert but, I have done it once.
cederman@comcast.net
Good Luck,
GaryComment
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Re: Frame, suspension re-assembly instructions for
Dave,
My apologies, when you said you had several references including the aim and wanted a how to list, I assumed you could not understand them or did not want to read them. Dumb assumption. If we every meet I will buy you a beer (or whatever).
Again, sorry.
DaveComment
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Re: Frame, suspension re-assembly instructions for
Dave,
The AIM is probably your best bet for what goes where. Also, there are some great tech articles on both www.corvettefaq.com and www.corvetteforum.com. The service manual is a good to have also.
I am in the middle of my 63 also. You might want to check out some of the info and pics on my website as well as other member sites.
Joe..
Joe's 63 FI Convertible
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