engine rebuild ncrs correct

[Noel K.]

Okay, I now have the motor out and it's at the machinists for the sleeving of the no. 7 cylinder, a rebuild thereafter. The engine already has a .060 over rebore and don't know if the other pistons/rods are ok or not. ( Some may recall i posted earlier after discovering the wrist pin got loose and wore a groove in the no. 7 cylinder wall compromising the water jacket)

The engine is not yet completely disassembled, but I'm thinking positively and am trusting the block can be saved with the sleeve.

So - when putting the engine back together I want to do it once and correctly. During and after the rebuild I want to attempt to get the painting of the block , heads, intake etc. all NCRS correct before it goes back in the car.

I have the "facts" guide that has a page describing how items are to be painted ( color, overspray, etc.) and most of the other mid year books that i have acquired over time. Since i've never had this, or any other, car judged i'm at a disadvantage regarding knowing what is not correct on my car - just attempting to do as much research as possible. I joined my state chapter of the NCRS several months ago, but dissapointed to say that I've not yet received even a membership list and don't have a local resource to rely on.

i know that i don't have the correct finned harmonic balancer ( 327/365 hp engine), valve covers without the casting flaw, the correct coil, radiator and voltage regulator. I have already obtained the correct rebuilt alternator and have started the "Ebay" process of looking for the other parts. Anyone have a 8 1/2" harmonic balancer ! ?

Besides wanting to try to paint the engine correctly I'd enjoy any advice for reference manuals or other books to provide info.

Perhaps an even more basic question - this car had a frame off restoration about 3 years ago. The car, I believe, is substantially rebuilt to NCRS standards. Since I've never had the car judged and don't have any information about points deductions, I'd also welcome information re: to what extreme I go in relation to expense to begin to look for and replace parts. i.e. is it a significant point deduction for a non-correct harmonic balancer and therefore worth the expense. I realize "worth the expense" is a relative term and I'm not sure if I will try to make this a top flight car - but truth be told I don't know if I'm several hundred points and several thousand dollars away from that status or not - and whether there is a trade off. Do I spend $800 for a correctly dated DeWitt radiator and get a LOT of points -or keep the 1971 radiator and get a "few" points deduction ? I don't know how severe the penalty is. If there is a published resource for this perhaps I can acquire that and do my own research.

Perhaps a longwinded discourse on this subject - but if knowledge is power, right now I'm a little powerless and looking for suggestions.

Best regards and thanks in advance.

Noel Kendall

[Warren F.]

Re: engine rebuild ncrs correct

Noel:

I think your inquiry is reasonable. Unfortunately, my interests revolve around later year Corvettes than yours. However, if you had been interested in the same years as I am, I certainly would be more than happy to assist you in your endeavor. Good luck!

[Stephen L.]

Re: engine rebuild ncrs correct

Judging sheets with scores are available from Roy Sinor... check under the "CONTACTS" tab above for his e-mail.....and request the sheets for your car.

Sorry to hear that you've not had any correspondence with your local chapter. Possibly things fell thru the cracks... try contacting the chapter reps. I believe all chapters are listed in the DRIVELINE. (You didn't mention which chapter) If you can't find it, try the tabs above for a contact.

Before you "panic" on points attend a chapter meet and get your car judged to see what really isn't correct. You may be pleasantly surprised. You may even try a "mock" judging with some local members if you can't attend a meet soon enough. Then review the noted problem areas and decide what gets the best bang for the buck and go to work.

Judging should be a fun "positive" experience! No one is going to look down their nose at you. They are there to help you enjoy the car at what ever level YOU decide to take it too. Some guys want a perfect trailer queen and others just want a nice driver that is fun on a Sunday afternoon ride.....

Welcome to NCRS!

Good luck If you have questions just post 'em here. Someone will have an answer.

[Stephen L.]

Re: engine rebuild ncrs correct

I forgot to mention that you should invest in an AIM (ASSEMBLY MANUAL) and the TECHNICAL INFORMATION AND JUDGING GUIDE for your car. These are available under the above tabs...PUBLICATIONS. They are a valuable resource

[Rob M.]

Re: engine rebuild ncrs correct

Regarding the radiator, I would look for an original via e-Bay (or other sources), re-core it and put it back in your car. Probably cheaper at the end as well. You just need to be patient for the radiator to appear somewhere...

greetings,
Rob.

[Patrick H.]

Re: engine rebuild ncrs correct

Rob,

He probably has an aluminum radiator and that's not an option to recore it.
I'd check the judging sheets and see how many points are available. I'd bet its only a couple point loss for the incorrect date.

Patrick

[lyndon sharpton]

Re: engine rebuild ncrs correct

when you go to paint the engine, paint it like it's not yours. set your spray gun up an just paint it like someone would have cared on the line!

[Jim V.]

Re: engine rebuild ncrs correct

Hey Noel.
Know exactly what you are going through. Also have a 65 which I am attempting to touch-up with NCRS judging in mind. Step ONE...as already suggested get the current 65 Judging Manual (paragon or NCRS direct) and the judging sheets. The judging manual will describe the what and how of judging, while the judging sheets show the points associated with each item. Dont make decisions on what you will change until you get a feel for the cost/point relationship.

Many things can be not perfect, while some things must be.

Have fun!

JimV

[Craig S.]

Re: engine rebuild ncrs correct

Noel - welcome to the NCRS. Persoanlly, I would get the DeWitts, if you plan to drive it at all. The cooling is better, and the 71 radiator will be plugged. Ask me how I know Also, you can get a new finned balancer from Paul Baker the pulley king if you go to Carlisle.....the only way to go if you are going to drive it.....although there are folks like damper dudes that will rebuild old ones.....I would not trust running a 40 year old part like this without at least a rebuild. Of course, my 67 does hit 6000 rpm and it has the original engine......

[Eugene B.]

Re: engine rebuild ncrs correct

Noel,
Welcome to the NCRS. You are keeping company with a wonderful group of people who love this hobby and their Corvettes. This discussion board is a great place to get information.

Definately get the printed material that has been recommended and study it carefully. As for the radiator, the judging sheets assign 15 originality and 10 condition points to the radiator and mounting. I don't know how many of those points would be lost in your case.

My general comments are as follows. Before you start spending a pile of money on getting your car back totally original, deside exactly what you want from your Corvette hobby. The Corvette hobby is huge and the NCRS is just a small part of it. A lot of Corvette enthusiasts turn up their noses at NCRS cars because of things like overspray here and there, engines painted as an assembly, parts with no paint, etc.

Deside how you want your car to be and enjoy it. Drive your car and share it with others. If you want it NCRS judgable, make it that way over time. You don't have to go and buy everything now. Sneak up on it. When you paint a part, paint it the correct color and gloss in the correct manner and put it back on. I doesn't cost any more to paint it with the correct paint than it does to paint it incorrectly.

Same goes for replacement parts. When something needs replacing, replace it with the most correct part that you and find and afford. If you buy everything correct at eBay prices, I think you will have more money in the car that what the car is worth, so be careful.

When you need a radiator, buy the Dewitt. It is a great product and your cooling system will operate correctly assuming other components are functioning correctly.

I'll say it again, determine what you want from your Corvette hobby, make a plan and don't deviate from it. Enjoy your car and the folks you meet along the way.

Best regards,
Gene

[Michael H.]

Re: engine rebuild ncrs correct

Hey Noel -

You may want to consider re-sleeving all the cylinders since you're at 0.060" overbore. There wasn't a whole lot of metal between the cylinder walls to begin with, and thinner walls result in more difficult cooling. The technology for sleeving cylinders is far superior to what it was 30 years ago. Many people still have the perception that sleeving a cylinder is a half-baked method that is just a stop-gap measure at best. All new Corvette engines have sleeved cylinders, if that tells you anything.

As far as restoring the car to as close to original as possible, use your common sense. Take an inventory of known discrepancies, check the total deducts against the NCRS Judging Manual and run the $$$ to determine the cost of compliance. Although prices are going up for collector cars, very seldom does a restoration see a "profit".

[Joe R.]

Re: engine rebuild ncrs correct

Hi Noel:

You have gotten some good advice here, but I thought I would add my 2 cents, based on my own experience. Following is how I would suggest you proceed, with the steps arranged in sequence:

1) Get the correct NCRS "Technical Information Manual and Judging Guide" (TIM&JG) for your car, by ordering it at the NCRS online book store. Also get the Judging Manual for your year car. These manuals will answer many (but not all) questions about specific aspects that are judged.

2) Request the corresponding judging sheets from your local chapter judging chairman or from Roy Sinor. The manuals lsited above do not include information about how points are allocated, so you need the judging sheets for that information.

3) Since your engine is out of the car right now, try to just finish that portion with attention to NCRS judging.

4) Do not spend any more money on "NCRS restoration" until you have had the car judged. This will give you a detailed set of scoring sheets and will help you learn where the judging deficiencies are. I strongly recommend that you have the car judged as soon as possible. It's the best $40 (or whatever) that you can spend if you are interested in planning a restoration.

5) Avoid purchasing items on ebay until you are well educated about what you need and what to look for in a restoration part. Ebay is a great resource, but there are few bargains on ebay and there are many parts that are misrepresented (intentionally or unintentionally) as being "correct."

6) Talk to other NCRS members about the established restoration services for various subassemblies. I have found that for almost any Corvette subassembly, there is a quality rebuilder or supplier that is held in high regard by most NCRS members. Usually, you will get higer quality and lower pricing from these established suppliers than from ebay. Examples of subassemblies include alternator, starter, carb, voltage regulator, headlight motors, horns, wiper motors, etc. etc.)

7) When you are interested in a specific part or restoration issue, try searching the archives of this Tech Board. Many of my questions have been answered in this way, and in the process I have learned a lot.

Good luck in your restoration, and feel free to post questions here.