72' Roadster - getting the bugs out...

[MartyCee]

This is a long story so please bare with me.
This spring, my brother in law and I purchased a 72' white roadster from an old army buddy of mine. The car had been in his garage for a long time (possibly a couple+ years...) and only occasionally, as I understood, started. But it was not driven that I know of.
When we picked up the car, the ignition was in the on position, battery dead (of course), all the tranny fluid had leaked out. It was looking pretty rough, but hey, it was a deal and I've loved the car from afar for years.... My brother in law and I had discussed finding a "project" car for a long time and this was an opportunity to fulfill that desire along with my life long desire to own a "Corvette."
Back to the story, we installed a new battery, changed the oil, added tranny fluid and started the car only long enough to get it on a trailer so we could tow it home. (400 miles...)
When we got it back it wouldn't start but it was home and we have a garage to store, and work on it, so we pushed it off the trailer and got it into the garage,
After much deliberation, consultation, analysis, etc., we determined it had to be a timing problem. We could hear the old chain slapping the cover when it turned over so we assumed it had to be that. When we got it apart we were a bit dissapoined to discover it was right on but we had the new parts so we replaced everything anyway. Back to square one. We soon found the coil to be weak, replaced it, and the car started. WOO HOO...
Now the real bugs started showing up.
The carb (Rochester Quad) won't adjust out at all. We need to replace it but haven't been able to locate an economical alternative as yet.
The ventilation system is in bad shape and we can't seem to get anything but hot air into the car. It has AC but I doubt it has any freon. The blower is intermittant and after spending unending hours trying to clean everything out, etc. we are getting some air but very little. (By the way, I accidently destroyed all the little nomenclature on the control head by getting cleaning fluid on the plastic - does anyone know of a replacement decal or any solution to that???)
Oh, we also found that the ventilation duct on the drivers side is nonexistant... Anyone know where to start looking for those types of parts???
I've only touched on some of our problems but it feels better to share some of the frustration. Hopefully someone will have some insights or words of encouragement for us. :crazy
The good news is we did buy the car as a project car and expected some problems. The bad news is we had hoped to be able to drive the car this summer and determine what we need to do, as well as what we might want to do when it gets put in the garage this winter.
Unfortunately, we haven't yet been able to really drive the car very much. We're continually trying to fight the problems associated with a car thats been really neglected for a long time....... We are somewhat overwhelmed by this....
I'm sure we aren't the first to own a 30 year old car that is in this shape and would appreciate any advice, insights, or words of encouragement anyone may have to offer.
Thanks for reading this.
Marty:confused

 

[cruzer99]

When you get your project finished you will be in Vette heaven so like eating a big piece of meat, take small bites and chew well. Don't look at the whole project or you will be overwelmed. Take on one fix at a time and before you know it you will have what you dreamed of.
By the way, welcome........
Save the wave

 

[tluv327]

parts....

Marty, keep your eye on EBAY for parts..You'll come across some good finds from time to time..Good luck with the restoration

 

[vettej1]

Marty, first of all welcome to the CAC!
You will find that this is the best Corvette website on the internet, with more knowledge and friendly people you won't find anywhere else.

I also have a 72 roadster and I feel your pain. Mine was alittle neglected as well.
cruzer82 makes a good point. One thing at a time, so you don't get overwhelmed.

I got mine last year and am driving it this year. That's the only good thing about living in the climates we do, looong winters. But I got ALOT done.

As for parts, the absolute Vette and Vette part heaven is Corvettes at Carlisle in August. You will find literally everything you might need there and I mean everything. If you can swing a trip there this summer you could pick up enough parts to keepo you busy all winter.

Well, good luck, as questions, and keep us posted.

-john

 

[Red73BB]

Marty, I can answer some questions
Decals- check Volunteer vette products
www.volvette.com
An A/C car doesn't have the outside vents, these are decorations only. Hot air will flow though the heater vent continously, use a on-off valve in the heater hose. Thats what I did, it work great, you will still get engine/ tranny heat but not like before (use the search here for the valve).

BTW welcome to CAC

Gary

 

[resto75]

You need to order some parts catalogs. Zip corvette parts has a good selection as well as The Last detail and Mid America. You can buy just about every part every made of a c3 vette. Some one made a list of suppliers a few months back but these three will keep you busy looking thru their parts catalogs. They will send you free catalogs from their websites.
Roy

 

[MartyCee]

My thanks to everyone for the advice and encouragement. I needed that!
Marty

 

[jsimpson]

Insulate the floors, firewall and every interior surface like there's no tommorrow. Replace the blower and cage with the latest GM replacement, replace the blower motor relay. Tape all air outlet connections. Restrict the vent tubes with foam rubber inserts to reduce the diameter by about one half to increase air velocity. Use high-UV window tint. If you're REALLY game, insulate the door skins, but bear in mind that will involve removing glass and regulators!

 

[gooney0]

MartyCee,

Congrats on the "new" 72. I have a 72 coupe, which was originaly "classic White."

As for the carb... Edelbrock(sp?) makes a q-jet replacement... I had mine rebuilt twice. Not cool! that was $600 worth of work ($300*2) and now I have a holly anyway!

A/C (my car has A/C also)
------

The fan shouldn't blow hot air if you turn the right wheel to blue. I've never done anything with the heater core and mine will do both hot and cool air.

I have about the same problem as far as flow. I get:

heater: very little
vent: none
defroster: ok

one problem i've had is rusty broken wiring. I had to rewire the blower and the blower relay. The plastic around the terminals is shot and broken.

I've seen some threads about improving air flow like jsimpson mentioned. They should be around here somewhere.

As for the rest of the car... one thing at a time!

I've found two books REALLY helpful:

1) the assembly manual (show EVERYTHING)
2) the Chevrolet Service manual 1972 (red and yellow cover)

You can get both online at most of the vendors.

You'll probably find out that working on the car is 75-95% of this hobby! The other 25% is talking abou it!

-Gooney0

 

[Neepawa]

Nice to know of a few other '72 roadsters. I was lucky with finding mine, it had been pampered by the original owner for 31 years. It does still need fairly constant attention though. I have had it for about 6 months and average $1000 a month on parts and service.

As for the carb, it came with a Carter (aftermarket). I had it rebuit and it works fine, but the choke is wrong and cannot be righted (stays on fast idle for about 30 minutes), so I have a new Holley on order. Only money after all. I should get a few bucks for the Carter on ebay.

The nice thing about an early 70's vette is that the 350 is bullet proof, very common and unlimited in the things you can do with it.

 

[MartyCee]

FIrst my thanks to each of you who have responded to my original post. I appreciate all the advice and insights.

We haven't had a lot of time to spend with the car in the last couple weeks but have driven it a bit and tried to work on it a few minutes here and there. :crazy We have determined that the Quadrajet carb is history and may have a used Carter 650 lined up. That's not a definate but it looks like a possibility.
The ventilation system is a mystery :confused and so I've found a replacement control unit and should get that ordered and installed soon. Hopefully that will resolve some of those problems.

Neepawa: I am envious

I was lucky with finding mine, it had been pampered by the original owner for 31 years.

I wish this car had been a little more "pampered". But hey, it's still a "Vette" and there's nothing wrong with the car that we can't resolve.

Gooney0: When I read your reply, I got the feeling that our cars are related.... With the exception of "coupe vs roadster" both cars seem to have the same traits.....

jsimpson: Great suggestions! All will be taken into consideration.

resto75 and Red73BB: Thanks for the info on suppliers. We have order/received catalogs from a host of suppliers and added Volunteer Vette to the list.

vettej1: Only wish we could make Carlisle in August. I have a good buddy in Harrisburg and would love to make the trip out and see him at the same time. Maybe next summer!

tluv327: Thanks for the kind words and encouragement.

and cruzer82:

When you get your project finished you will be in Vette heaven so like eating a big piece of meat, take small bites and chew well. Don't look at the whole project or you will be overwelmed. Take on one fix at a time and before you know it you will have what you dreamed of.

This is the best advice we have received. When we bought the car our goal was to simply get it running well enough to drive it this summer and then really get to work on it over the winter. That's still a goal.... I think just owning it has allowed us to glimpse "Vette heaven"!!!!

Thanks again everyone! I'll get some pictures etc. posted one of these days and hopefully we have some good progress reports to post at the same time.
Marty (and BIL, Jeff)

 

[Bob Chadwick]

Here's some info on the HVAC system that migh help you.

 

[MartyCee]

Bob,
Thanks for the link! That is extremely helpful information.
Can't thank you enough!
Marty

 

[Bob Chadwick]

No problem. Good luck with the car.