78 Makeup maintenance

[Plumbroke]

I have a 78 that was minimally maintained and am putting it up on blocks for the winter and plan on doing a lot with it over the winter. Sat for the last two years and I have already replaced weather seals and carpet and general clean up. I'm ready to start a major catch up on neglected maintance and looking for inputs. My objective is to make the car as reliable as possible keeping the cost as reasonable as I can. I'm not object to spending $$$ but am looking more at reliability than at upgrades.
Things I am planning.
1 Complete brake assessment and replacement as necessary
2. pull drive shafts and replace u joints
3. change fluid in rear end ( adding additive of course)
4. Replace speedometer cable (assuming that is why it doesn't work.)
5. Fixing fuel sending unit (hoping just ground or connections.)
6. front end rebuild full kit (recommendations on best kit?)
7. Flush cooling and replace hoses and perhaps waterpump
8. replace belts

Is it worth pulling the trailing arms and new bearings or should I try to pack them in place?

What else should I expect or plan on doing with a 25 year old car that received little maintenance other than basic oil changes and fixing what was broken. I don't want to miss something obvious while I'm under there and want to drive it as soon as spring gets here.

On the good side the car looks pretty good and has very little rust (parked every winter)

What would you plan on??????


Mike

 

[78SilvAnniv]

I already think you're on the right track.

Safety and reliability with cosmetics last.

If it sat and was nominally neglected for years with minimal maintenance, I would definitely check the brakes very well along with the suspension. Even if things don't have many "miles" on them, they are still 25 years old.
Possibly check the drivetrain closely; bushings, bearings, u-joints, function of engine, tranny, rear and accessory engine parts and don't forget the radiator, belts and hoses.

Kenny and I will be replacing my rubber suspension with VB&P urethane parts. Hopefully this winter! :J
Another major project coming up will be to replace/upgrade my brake system since I am nearing the point where I need new rotors.

I don't know what to advise about the trailing arms, let someone with more expertise answer you, rather than me.
Good luck with your project!
Heidi

 

[Plumbroke]

I agree that cosmetics would be last but when I got it home it had an inch of water in the passenger floor a stunk bad enough that i did the interior as I figgured I would have to get in and out of it on a regular basis.

 

[Vettehead Mikey]

First, don't put the car on blocks. That's an old urban legend from the days of bias ply tires that used to flat spot. Completely unnecessary for radial tires. Avoid the temptation to run the engine just for the heck of it. It doesn't need it. The seals WILL NOT dry out over the winter.

Think twice about changing things 'just because they're old'-especially the front end components. If you disassemble and find no signs of damage, they probably don't need to be replaced. Very few replacement parts are identical to the originals.

Think three times about NOT using polyurethane anything. Don't swallow all the marketing BS that has fooled many people into thinking that poly is an upgrade. It's not.

For your trailing arms, they can not be properly assessed or even greased while in situ. Have someone qualified inspect and repair as required.

Don't take any short cuts on the brakes. I would do them first while the bank account is still undamaged.

 

[Plumbroke]

On Blocks is purely for the purpose of going thru the brakes and other work -If I go that path. What other things are worth looking closely at and reasonable expectation of needing work.

Mike

 

[1978L48jafo]

78 Makeup Maintenance

I use wheel dollies so I can get a little extra space in the garage. This of course depends upon the winter project list. I also change the oil, fill the tank and add fuel stabilizer IAW with directions to prevent the gas from going bad and/or gumming up my quadrajunk. It is interesting to see the differences in everyone's pre-winter preparations......

My 78 was also neglected and the prior own did not even store in a dry location (had to replace my dash and all of the gauges last summer). I agree with the other posts: safety, reliability and then cosmetics..
John

 

[Plumbroke]

Thanks and I agree

What did you actually have to do to get yours to where you were comfortable? Which things did you have to do and which did you do just because you figured it was due since the car was 25 years old??

Mike

 

[1978L48jafo]

Hi Mike,
My vet had been wrecked (minor) and then parked in a leaky barn for about 5 years. The gentleman who owned it passed away and one of his sons was going to fix it up until he saw how much work was involved. I bought it and managed to drive it home. It needed brakes, exhaust, power steering control valve, and a tune up right off.

Last winter I rebuilt the engine, transmission, dash, heater box & controls. Several members of this forum helped considerably during the engine rebuild and even helped me find out of production gauges on ebay....;-)

Here is a link that will take you some of my more recent corvette projects.... http://home.comcast.net/~john.mcquaid/WWW/vetteproject1.htm

My vet is my toy, I smile as I walk out to tinker or improve something. When I stop enjoying it is most likely when I will post a for sale sign in front of it.
Later
John

 

[Dave L.]

Cooling System

As mentioned by Heidi,I would make sure the cooling system is up to snuff. Pull the rad and have it cleaned and checked for leaks at a local rad shop. Replace rad hoses,thermostat and all heater hoses. You might even consider a new water pump while your rad is out.
This was one of the first things I did to my car after purchasing it. Having your cooling system working at optimum performance is very important in any car but especially a corvette.

Have fun...Dave

 

[Plumbroke]

John Thanks for the website

Dave I agree with the addition of a complete go thru of the cooling system and will add it to my to do list.

Question??? Brakes seam to be OK but my plan is to buy the complete kit from vett brakes and replace calipers with SS sleeved ones. Is that a reasonable move or should I pull apart first and see what is in there. Wife who has owned the car for 20 years has never had major brake work done so I assume they are original calipers. Should I get the o ring type or not?


Mike