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Yes, I was in the middle of installing the new upper control arm and had removed the fuel pump from the big block as part of the install. Before I put it all back together, decided to install the tower brace. Of course in this picture of the installed brace you'll probably notice my power...

I've replaced the rubber hoses and fittings with braided Teflon and AN adapters and hose ends so I can't take photos of the stock setup. Best I can do is the AIM page that shows the hose connections. Obviously not high pressure lines but it sure looks hinkey to me. I added a cooler to the...

The rear crossover brake line pretty easy to replace, especially if you buy pre-bent and assembled lines. Inline Tube makes OEM brake line sets for our C3s and the complete set is $110 plus shipping. If you are concerned with originality, even the fittings are the original colors. If you want...

Lars, This is probably little to no help but it's what I have -- 1972 TH400 cooling lines. The pre-bent stainless lines from Inline Tube are identical to stock and this shot was taken before I started the project. The line to the lower cooler fitting ends with a right angle bend aimed toward...

I replaced everything in the A/C system on my '72 as well as my '87. Your '79 has the R-4 compressor so it's probably closer to my '87. I'm no expert so hopefully someone else who is will chime in. According to the Service Manuals, here are the amounts of oil needed for each component when...

Tires and Rims When I bought the car, it had aftermarket rims. The rims were aluminum and very dull. The fronts were 15x8 and the rear were 15x10. The tires were Gillette Sprint GT bias ply. Size G60-15 up front and L50-15 rear. The rear tires stuck out from the fenders so far I thought...

Vettehead Mikey, Apologies if I wasn't clear. In your post you wrote "plus the need to integrate a pressurized expansion tank." I assumed you were referring to the tanks used on 68-72 Vettes. I thought these expansion tanks were only used on C3s from 68-72... And these expansion tanks were...

Not sure I understand what a "stacked plate" radiator is (I've seen oil coolers described that way) but DeWitts does indeed sell a Direct Fit aluminum radiator for a 79 automatic (Model A77A). Brass replacement radiators can be had for $175 (Rock Auto) or $299 - $399 (Corvette Central). The...

That's a fine solution for a small block but the original poster has a big block. Modifying it to work is far more than "minimal modification." There is no cap on a big block radiator, just a 3/8" curved nipple to connect the radiator to the separate tank located under the passenger fender...

I really need a sarcasm font. I'm in complete agreement -- the only way to make money on Corvettes (or any other car) is through a business. If you can't write off every penny you put in the car, stop treating it like an investment. I finance my cars bassackwards. Instead of borrowing money...

I don't know much about making money on cars. I paid $4,200 for my 72 big block auto air coupe in 1978. It's the most common color (Ontario Orange) with power everything but has the medium saddle standard interior. I've always wanted a black Vette and I like the light saddle deluxe interior...

Brief Career in Gauges Like any car in South Florida, my Corvette has some sun fading. One place it showed up was in the gauge clusters. I took the center gauge cluster apart and cleaned it up a bit. The clock didn't work so I bought a quartz movement kit and got it working. Managed to...

Nice deal! Small-block Chevy engines are for sane people. Tons of horsepower for very little money and they fit in a Corvette engine bay with room to spare. Big-block Chevy engines are for slightly off people. Tons of torque but most go-fast parts are more expensive and they overflow a...

Unfinished Projects As far back as I can remember, I have had difficulty finishing projects. I reach a point where one or two details would complete it but they take me forever. The Corvette is no exception. I often begin an upgrade or repair and get it 90% complete. I run into a problem...

Sharkcar, I'm interested in your experience with the aluminum heads. Also, what cam did you choose? I have no plans to get back into competition with this two-bolt main engine but I would like to replace the heads. When we rebuilt the big block in the early 80s my friend with the machine...

Remedial Fabrication As part of the front suspension upgrade, I wanted to replace the 39-year-old springs and 30-year-old shocks. I also want to eventually replace the iron cylinder heads with aluminum (along with a hydraulic roller cam). That means the ride height will be up for grabs...

My son's 401k plan. He tells me you have to buy some kind of ticket to win -- what's that all about. I've already had more and better luck than I deserve so I don't push it with gambling. My record for losing a roll of quarters in a slot machine is 2.25 minutes.

DP, Long before I retired I eliminated all my debt. Paid off the mortgage, paid cash for my cars and paid the credit cards off each month. I also started saving for retirement when I was young. I put away 25% of my gross income for a couple of decades. I paid a contractor $6,000 to repair...

Bill, Many of my friends refuse to retire -- what would they do if they didn't work. A lot of people suffer stress-related disorders when they retire but I'm not one of them. Just make sure you have a project ready to go when you retire. At the beginning, treat it like a job. I didn't...

I agree. DP, I've also found the stress of a weekend event involving the Vette always caused one of the Corvette-unique parts to break ten minutes after the parts counter at the dealer closed Friday evening. When I stripped the paint off the Vette, I convinced my wife that I needed an...