Help with Chassis Building?

[Jacob A.]

Hello, Happy New Years to everyone!

I have spent the last two years dissassembling, and restoring all of the little and large bits and pieces to my 57. I have all the NCRS books, except the judging sheets, which I can't ever seem to learn how to download. I am pretty close to being 100% ready for chassis assembly, and to be honest I am overwhelmed and don't have a clue as to what to do?

I don't think I am beyond help, with that in mind, any ideas folks?

Does anyone have a checklist for re-assembly of a 57 Chassis for top flight judging? Or can anyone reccomend what I should be reading or doing?

I have toyed with the idea of farming out the chassis build, but admittedly my ego won't quite let me do that yet as I do want to take part in the build... HOWEVER if I was to farm it out, how many hours can I figure on to do a complete chassis assembly. REMEBER, the Chassis is completely restored, it was plenty healthy to start, but went to the welder for strength and then was pulled on a jig to within 1 milimeter of factory spec before being blasted and powdercoated a stock style appearance. All of the pieces that I have taken off, are either restored, or replaced.... everything to assemble the BARE chassis will be like new. I am looking for a complete rolling chassis with driveline in tact. How much should I have to pay someone to assemble all of the fresh restored pieces into a complete rolling chassis? How many hours can I count on?

O.K.... who wants to come help?

If anyone can reccomend someone to do this in Northwest WA, please let me know!

any advice or help much appreciated.
Best,
Jacob Angel
NCRS # 40987
(360) 376-7420

[Wayne P.]

Re: Help with Chassis Building?

If you want to have a hand in your restoration, now is the time. Chassis assemble is the easiest part of what you are facing. Everything is pretty much just bolt together if all the sub-pieces have been redone. Be careful with the front springs hurting you and HAVE FUN!

[Mike M.]

Re: Help with Chassis Building?

I just did a 63 chassis for someone. He had a new and painted frame. Rear end and trailing arms ect were sent to Bairs. I had to sand blast, paint, plate some bolts,research, purchase some parts, and assemble. Someone else took the car apart and it was all in boxes when I got it. That was the worst part. Would have been better if I had taken it a part. The chassis is ready for the body and I have 85 hours labour in it so far. Yours should take less time. Keep in mind any surprises can really add to the hours. You will always have a few. A job like this could easly take twice as long. Or if the person has experience with C2 corvettes it could go quicker.

[Terry M.]

Re: Help with Chassis Building?

This is deffinately a place where a local NCRS chapter, and I know in some parts of the country NCRS members are spread pretty thin, can help. Your fellow Chapter members can often give you hands-on help with reassembly, and advice regarding proper finishes along the way. I know there is a Northwest Chapter. Look for them on the contacts page.
You will need an Assembly Instruction Manual in order to see which "tab A" goes into "Slot B," so to speak, and what the torque value is.

[Verle R.]

Re: Help with Chassis Building?

Jacob,

Don't look at the mountain, just start moving rocks.

You are overwhelmed by looking at all the parts in a pile.
Don't look at the pile, pick something up and install it. Then do another piece. If you try to do one piece a day you will be surprised how fast it will go.
If you need help on something ask here, someone will help.
If you need physical help, your local NCRS Chapter will be a good resource.

Save money, learn and gain the satisfaction of knowing you did at least some of the work.

Then, when the car is done, drive it like it was intended and join us on a road tour.

Verle

[Don Y.]

Re: Help with Chassis Building?

Jacob,
I agree with the other posts. This is the easiest part of the restoration process on this car. The chassis on the '57 is pretty primative. I did my '57 over the winter last year. I reassembled the front suspension first, then the rear axle and suspension. The exhaust followed. The brakes, brake and fuel lines went on next, then front hubs, wheels and tires. The last part was the chassis mounts for the engine and trans then the reassembled and overhauled engine and trans went back into place. I did all of the work alone, in a small 2 car garage. I have the benefit of having earned my keep as a technician in the past but this is pretty easy work.

[Jacob A.]

Re: Help with Chassis Building?

Thanks everyone!

I am a member of my local N.W. chapter...but I live soooo much further north than most of the other members in my chapter, local help will probably be hard to find.

I will email a member of my chapter and see what he comes up with.

Thanks for all of the advice.

Best,
Jacob