C1 - Corvette Parade Prep

[Brad K.]

I've been considering a request to have my '59, 270hp Triple Crown winner, participate in our local University's Homecoming parade. But I've got cold feet because the car has a tendency to overheat when driving it in stop-and-go situations.
What kind of preparation can I do to prepare the car to run a little cooler.....(I can always switch it back after the parade) ie: remove the thermostat and run a hotter plug ?, use a water-wetter kind of product ?, enclose the fan shroud better to draw more air through the radiator ? etc....
Please volunteer your suggestions!

[Don H.]

Re: C1 - Corvette Parade Prep

I don't have any suggestions about overheating but I would suggest you NOT do the parade. I have done many parades for many different events and some damage to your car is very likely (my car is not that nice). I assume they want you to carry someone (hopefully an attractive woman) on your deck lid. Also if it is a stick, expect to slip the clutch the entire time. Don H.

[Stuart F.]

Re: C1 - Corvette Parade Prep

I too have been in a number of parades and slow cruise throughs. One usually is able to hear your engine and adjust your throttle so as to not slip the clutch. However, in a parade, there is often a lot of noise and you have to watch where you are going carefully too. This causes a lot of clutch slipping and the tach is of no help due to your attention being in front of you.

The last cruise through parade had a lot of C-5's and C-6's w/ automatics and they just idle through at 2 mph waving to the crowd. We can't do that very well. DON'T DO IT!!

Stu Fox

[Paul H.]

Re: C1 - Corvette Parade Prep

I've been considering a request to have my '59, 270hp Triple Crown winner, participate in our local University's Homecoming parade. But I've got cold feet because the car has a tendency to overheat when driving it in stop-and-go situations.
What kind of preparation can I do to prepare the car to run a little cooler.....(I can always switch it back after the parade) ie: remove the thermostat and run a hotter plug ?, use a water-wetter kind of product ?, enclose the fan shroud better to draw more air through the radiator ? etc....
Please volunteer your suggestions!

I always decline requests to do parades in my old cars. I just think that idling and riding the clutch isn't doing the car any good. Water wetter only works if combined with water and no anti-freeze. Removing the thermostat won't make it run any cooler. The best place for these old cars is out on the open road.

[Jack H.]

Re: C1 - Corvette Parade Prep

Stop & go parade sessions are always a challenge! These cars simply weren't designed to idle for LONG periods of time. But, knowing what to do to combat an overheat episode can help a bunch!

Keep your eye on the temp gauge. When/if it climbs unconfortably close to the red line, put 'er in neutral and rev the engine (1200-1500 RPM should be plenty) to force the fan to draw more cooling air through the radiator and bring underhood temperature back down!
It should only take a few minutes of RPM elevation to get coolant temperature back under control...

Do NOT take the advice I saw a local Corvette club giving out to its members prior to a July 4th parade! They told owners to periodically shut their engines OFF in response to climbing coolant temperature...

This simply makes things worse because you stop the flow of engine coolant with the engine not running and INCREASE engine temperature. Sure enough, three of their members blew their rad caps during the parade and had to be hand pushed to the side, one car lost it directly in front of the reviewing stand! Embarrasing, to say the least....

[Paul J.]

Re: C1 - Corvette Parade Prep

Pop the hood and put a small wooden block or a rolled up towel in the opening to increase the air flow. This works wonders. If the temp guage starts to climb, turn on the heater and fan. This is tough in summer parades, but works fine the rest of the time.

I agree with Don about damage. I used to carry a big, soft towel for my rider to sit on. This minimized the scratches, but the metal floor divider on my C2 is bent because of parades. My car isn't a show car (yet) which was a good thing because the last parade I entered I didn't get the beauty queen like they said, I ended up with the White Power Ranger who danced his way through the parade. I happened to know the guy so everything turned out OK. But that was my last parade.

Paul

[Steven B.]

Re: C1 - Corvette Parade Prep

A few decades ago when my 270 HP and I were younger I did an annual parade each July for 2-3 years. Since I was the oldest Corvette I always led the others. I did the following:

• Opened the hood about an inch
• Kept well behind the band in front so I had to stop less frequently
• Ran only distilled water
• Heater and fan were on full
• Added an electric fan and kept it on all the time
• Revved a little to increase water and air flow
• Replaced the clutch after the parade because I slipped it too much
• Replaced plugs because they were fouled so bad
• Rubbed Ben-Gay on my clutch leg for a week

It took me awhile to learn but finally I declined. The only reason I participated in the first place was because I was single and had a model in the car. Thank goodness I have risen above that now------and my wife won't let me. She is a mean woman and has heavy kitchen tools close by.

Whatever you do Good Luck!

[Edward S.]

Re: C1 - Corvette Parade Prep

I at one time was part of alot of parades that the club I belonged too would always sign up for in many towns in the area. At the time I had a 58 with an automatic - kept the hood open 2" or so and tried not to follow too close. Many of the club members in a hot summer parade had many problems. We started with throwing small wrapped candies anywhere where children were gather, after a few years the older kids at times threw the candy back at the cars. At one parade one child claimed he was hit near the eye with the candy - that was the end of going into parades.
I now also have a triple crown, Duntov car - BB, 4 speed, side pipes with only power windows - after reading the answers you have been getting I would not dream of putting my car in a parade. Did you ever think about towing the car on an open trailer? If you elect to put your car in I hope everything works out well for you. Good luck.

[John H.]

Re: C1 - Corvette Parade Prep

NOTHING puts more stress on a throwout bearing than parade duty; if you enjoy dismembering the trans, bellhousing and clutch to replace it, do the parade. Parade duty is for automatics.