C2 restoration tips

[Pierre R.]

I am about to start a frame off restoration of my 67 roadster, and was interest in looking at any restoration tips available and how to access them.

[Jim S.]

Re: C2 restoration tips

I am about to start a frame off restoration of my 67 roadster, and was interest in looking at any restoration tips available and how to access them.

I guess the first tip is to have a check list of items to use before lifting the body.

Steps needed to remove body on a C2 Corvette
These are not necessarily in sequential order

1. Disconnect battery cables.
2. Removing the hood will help
3. Remove front and rear bumpers and bumper brackets
4. Remove exhaust tips if under car exhausts
5. Remove rear valance
6. Remove spare tire lid and tub. (not mandatory at this point)
7. Disconnect fuel gauge wires from sending unit on bottom of gas tank
8. If radio car w/power antenna, disconnect ground strap from antenna to frame
9. Remove covers in rear wheel wells that cover body bolt
10. If roadster, remove sill plates to access body bolt
11. Disconnect steering column from steering box.
12. Disconnect e-brake cable on chassis so that cable stays with body
13. Disconnect hoses from radiator and remove radiator, fan shroud, fan and fan clutch.
14. Disconnect heater hoses from engine.
15. Remove top shielding covering distributor, if radio car.
16. Remove splash shields inner and outer.
17. Disconnect all wiring at starter plus associated ground wire.
18. Disconnect positive wire to coil on standard ignition cars. On transistorized ignition cars, disconnect the two prong plug to the distributor and coil.
19. Disconnect water temperature sensor wire from the sensor and remove the wire from the associated clips on the valve cover.
20. Unplug backup light switch at firewall, if equipped.
21. Disconnect clutch linkage and remove Z bar.
22. Disconnect brake lines from master cylinder.
23. Disconnect vacuum line from PB booster is equipped.
24. Remove all body bolts, can range from 8 to 12 depending on model & year.
25. Remove shift knob and reverse lock out (if equipped) put car in neutral.
26. If car has LH battery location, remove access panel, battery and battery box.
27. Remove ground strap at #1 body mount to birdcage
28. Tie tail pipes together, loosen hangers, pull pipes together to help clear body when lifted
29. Disconnect oil pressure gauge line at block
30. Disconnect tach cable at distributor.
31. Disconnect speedo cable from transmission and body clips
32. Disconnect seat belt cables bolts from frame on outer cables and nut on inner cables
33. Disconnect all wiring from alternator.
34. Disconnect linkage from throttle lever.
35. If equipped with side pipes, remove side molding and pipe covers and front brackets (the rear brackets to the frame can stay attached to hold up the side pipe, just remove the nut to free the cover, then put the nut back on)

Others may add items I have forgotten.

[Mike G.]

Re: C2 restoration tips

I am about to start a frame off restoration of my 67 roadster, and was interest in looking at any restoration tips available and how to access them.

Pierre: I guess the two biggest "lessons learned" from my body-off/frame-up resto were:
1. do the motor first so you can drop it back in for break-in and adjustments. Then bag it. While the block & heads are at the machine shop, you can be stripping paint and doing other detail stuff like the headlight motors.
2. on a convertible, because of the significant body flex --you must set all the gaps/shut lines with the body on frame. Maybe not the hood, but I just do them all before body lift. Even the headlight bucket openings seemed to change slightly.
Don't forget to run a brace in the door openings if you lift it sans doors. I run a piece of EMT conduit from the upper hinge back to the striker nut plate. Just flatten the ends and drill to match the hole patterns.

[Jim S.]

Re: C2 restoration tips

--you must set all the gaps/shut lines with the body on frame. Maybe not the hood, but I just do them all before body lift. Even the headlight bucket openings seemed to change slightly.

Mike, I don't understand how or why you would do this alignment before lifting the body? In most cases the body cushions are worn. This could work if you replaced all body mount hardware/cushions at this point but there may be rusted body mount brackets to deal with. I would think it is better to log the number of original shims at each location and deal with gaps/shut lines later.

[Mike G.]

Re: C2 restoration tips

Jim: Should have said before FINAL body lift. Agree that you want to set gaps on new cushions and after any needed frame repairs.The main point was that doing it on a dolly is a blueprint for frustration, from having done 2 convertibles. I'm sure more experienced members will offer their recommendations.Best of luck with your restoration project!Mike

[Alan S.]