Vette/Berlina-coupe
Well-known member
- Joined
- Nov 18, 2002
- Messages
- 284
- Location
- southern california
- Corvette
- C3-coupe/MercedesBenz-540K replica! Racing-SB-V8!
:L :confused -No really, i strongly dislike having power-steering and power-brakes on my '80-C3, and all of the adverse clutter they entail beneath the hood, --so would much like to hear from those who have experienced the complete lack/removal of either or both of these systems!
Naturally, i could disconnect the PS/Control-ram coupled to the steering-linkage, and find out, but i just thought there may be some strong-armed guys who perhaps have found it doable without lengthening the pitman-arm for more mechanical advantage (plus i wonder if the steering-shaft coupling to the steering-gearbox can take the load on a daily basis).
As to the Pwr.BrakeSys., i would like to entirely remove the Vacuume/Pwr.Servo-unit, and actuate the Master-cylinder directly, -but would i still be able to lock-up (skid) the tires at highway speeds? So if you have tried entirely eliminating these systems, --and have managed ways around their employment i would greatly appreciate your inputs. Since cars back in the 60's and earlier managed to get by without these "sissy contrivances", -i can't help but feel that they are not absolutely necessary at speeds under 80mph for example. Please don't just respond saying i am out of my gorde for wanting to do this, --my motivation is to try and convert my C3 to just a simple simple simple underhood configuration, with just a single fanbelt like my old '66Chevy-van that has NO power-assists of any sort, yet stops on a dime (although i did install 1.5" larger 11"-drums on the front), and has reasonably quick steering-response (albeit it requiring a bit of muscle)... Any advise...?
~Bob vH
RESPONSE: -thank you all for your usual insightful information, any further comments/details are still very much welcomed (shall watch this thread), -and am thus now encouraged to think as result that i shall locate/replace the huge'ol/Pwr.brake-contrivance with an at least 1/8"-smaller "simple" manual/Master-cyl. (am in the process of installing the ss-calipers w/O-ring seals); --and also just remove the PS-pump & Slave-cyl. stuff (J.Z.- i don't suppose the Ackerman-arms on the '80-C3 still included the dual-holes for better manual-leverage), and "simply" install a large (about 18"-diam.) banjo/Steering-wheel more in keeping with the theme of the well executed 1936-'41/MB-540k neoclassic styling of the car (basically a stretched rebodied/'80-C3, -very close replica). Plus, i've a true mind to remove the AC-system as well, -leaving only a heater!
From what i can gather of your various comments, -these changes should give more of the '30's-feeling to the car. Am also contemplating removing the HydraMatic, and installing the Keisler-C3kit/5-speed stick, to complete the transformation. Very young members will think i am totally out of my gorde, --but certain of you purists will i suspect understand my mania, to open the hood and see near "simplicity" of the '30's, and to drive more with the "feel" of the '30's, --yet its really a nifty C3-Vette thereunder (replete with plastic rear-spring), '34Ford ss/door-handles outside operate the C3's oem/Pwr.latches, and inside its the oem/Claret-interior but with Burlwood-trim, -well er'yes, -it does have the Pwr.windows (although a few early C3's even sported manual-windows you say)...
~B.vH (certified-carnut)
NOTE: -here's a Vette-Berlina presently being offered on Ebay for your reference as to what it looks like...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2464366886&category=6173
Naturally, i could disconnect the PS/Control-ram coupled to the steering-linkage, and find out, but i just thought there may be some strong-armed guys who perhaps have found it doable without lengthening the pitman-arm for more mechanical advantage (plus i wonder if the steering-shaft coupling to the steering-gearbox can take the load on a daily basis).
As to the Pwr.BrakeSys., i would like to entirely remove the Vacuume/Pwr.Servo-unit, and actuate the Master-cylinder directly, -but would i still be able to lock-up (skid) the tires at highway speeds? So if you have tried entirely eliminating these systems, --and have managed ways around their employment i would greatly appreciate your inputs. Since cars back in the 60's and earlier managed to get by without these "sissy contrivances", -i can't help but feel that they are not absolutely necessary at speeds under 80mph for example. Please don't just respond saying i am out of my gorde for wanting to do this, --my motivation is to try and convert my C3 to just a simple simple simple underhood configuration, with just a single fanbelt like my old '66Chevy-van that has NO power-assists of any sort, yet stops on a dime (although i did install 1.5" larger 11"-drums on the front), and has reasonably quick steering-response (albeit it requiring a bit of muscle)... Any advise...?
~Bob vH
RESPONSE: -thank you all for your usual insightful information, any further comments/details are still very much welcomed (shall watch this thread), -and am thus now encouraged to think as result that i shall locate/replace the huge'ol/Pwr.brake-contrivance with an at least 1/8"-smaller "simple" manual/Master-cyl. (am in the process of installing the ss-calipers w/O-ring seals); --and also just remove the PS-pump & Slave-cyl. stuff (J.Z.- i don't suppose the Ackerman-arms on the '80-C3 still included the dual-holes for better manual-leverage), and "simply" install a large (about 18"-diam.) banjo/Steering-wheel more in keeping with the theme of the well executed 1936-'41/MB-540k neoclassic styling of the car (basically a stretched rebodied/'80-C3, -very close replica). Plus, i've a true mind to remove the AC-system as well, -leaving only a heater!
From what i can gather of your various comments, -these changes should give more of the '30's-feeling to the car. Am also contemplating removing the HydraMatic, and installing the Keisler-C3kit/5-speed stick, to complete the transformation. Very young members will think i am totally out of my gorde, --but certain of you purists will i suspect understand my mania, to open the hood and see near "simplicity" of the '30's, and to drive more with the "feel" of the '30's, --yet its really a nifty C3-Vette thereunder (replete with plastic rear-spring), '34Ford ss/door-handles outside operate the C3's oem/Pwr.latches, and inside its the oem/Claret-interior but with Burlwood-trim, -well er'yes, -it does have the Pwr.windows (although a few early C3's even sported manual-windows you say)...
~B.vH (certified-carnut)
NOTE: -here's a Vette-Berlina presently being offered on Ebay for your reference as to what it looks like...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2464366886&category=6173