lot of stuff

[Ross Flora]

I have some questions. It is winter in Michigan, so I am enjoying some quality time under my '72 LT-1. This car was judged Top Flight in 2001. I can't understand why. There is lots of things wrong under here. So, here are my questions.
1) For the life of me, I can only count 7 leaves in my rear springs. It is not a ZR-1, so should I put the 9 leaf springs in it?
2) I bumped the front cross member with a wrench, that caused Bondo to flake out of a large dent. I've come to know that this is a common problem. Can the bottom piece of the cross member be replaced while the body is on?
3) None of the ball joints are riveted on, is there someplace to send the A arms to have this done?
4) Nothing in the smog system is correct, does anyone know where can I find this stuff?
5) None of the glass is right, can correct, dated glass still be found?
I guess I am a little disapointed, I have spent some time with a judging book, comparing things. I think I am much closer to "spec" now, but boy I was surprised my the things the judges missed. Is there a lot of veriation from judge to judge? NCRS may not like it, but their classifications are used to promote the sale of corvettes, and attest to the quality of the car. Don't get me wrong, I love my car, and I would have bought it without the '01 NCRS top flight award, and I think the NCRS is a great orginization, I just expected more detail in the review.

[Mike M.]

Re: lot of stuff

top flight at a chapter meet usually doesn't carry the weight of a top flight at a regional or national event as the judges at the nationals are picked by the team leaders from the cream of the crop.mike

[Chuck G.]

Re: lot of stuff

Plus, you need a score of 94 and up for Top Flight. That's a loss of approx. 270 points. If you have the old judging sheets, you can see where deducts were made. A Top Flight award doesn't mean a 100% perfect car. Chuck

[Chuck G.]

Re: lot of stuff

Can't answer your spring question, as the 7 leaf is the HD spring while the 9 leaf is standard.

The answer to the rest of your questions is yes, ball joints can be riveted, you can buy the X Member piece, dated glass is available. Chuck

[Jim T.]

Re: lot of stuff

You can check previous posts or the achives and find the divice someone has developed to remove the dent in a front crossmember.

[Craig S.]

Re: lot of stuff

Terry Fringo was the guy that developed the tool, I bought one but haven't used it yet. He is selling them on eBay, I think his handle there is TFRINGO.......Craig

[Ross Flora]

Re: lot of stuff

Thanks guys, I see the point about a perfect car. If it's like anything else, the last 6 percent is exponential in cost and effect. So, you can pull the dent in the crossmember out with something like a hammer pull for body panels, I'll look for one. Any ideas on sourses for the other stuff will be appreciated. Merry Christmas - Ross

[Robert C.]

Re: lot of stuff

Lots of restorers do riviting of ball joints. I didn't think it was worth the points lost for the cost and labor. Call Bill Hodel for Shark smog parts. (See the Driveline) A new 9 leaf spring is only about $80. You'll probably have to paint it and add plastic liners etc. Do it! LT-1s are worth it!

[Terry F.]

Crossmember dent removal tool.

If someone is interested in the crossmember tool they can contact me directly at tfringo@aol.com or they can also write to me at: T.J.A. Tooling, Inc., Attn: Terry Fiala, 506 W 5th St., Cheney, WA 99004-1444. They can also go to ebay and just search "corvette crossmember tool" and it will come up with pictures and a description. Regards to everyone, Terry

[Patrick H.]

Re: lot of stuff

Ross,

If you need any first hand inspection or evaluation in Michigan this winter, feel free to contact me. 70-72 cars are my forte'. I'd also like to know if the TF was at the Michigan Chapter meet in 2001 or at a different Chapter Meet.

Patrick Hulst
Holland, MI

72 Bowtie
71 driver