Old Corvettes

[firefighter jim]

62 gets my vote as my all time favorite (61 a very close second!). Had a 58.

 

[scott_vt]

Good Evenin Prokop,
Thanks !!! Beautiful, thanks !!!

Dont own one but you never know !

 

[czechsonofagun]

Yes, you never know - the blue convertible project is for sale

 

[joes_427_vette]

Any details? Is it as pictured... still needs assembly ? Where is it located? Thanks

 

[Heywood Jannockitov]

This 'Vette really flies.

 

[ultrarunner]

Yes, you never know - the blue convertible project is for sale

Being that you are in the classic corvette business...

My 62 has the 327 340hp with 4 spd... I would get a lot more driving time if it had an automatic and maybe a 350... I find I have to readjust the lifters about every 1000 to 1500 miles... I let it go last summer and broke a push rod.

Purist have told me changing the engine and transmission to something modern will cut the value in half...

I think a clean bolt in installation could easily be reversed...

Driving it in San Francisco stop and go driving and very steep hills is no fun at all...

The previous owner did install the oversize Bcool radiator and electric fan... he lived in AZ and it gets real hot there...

Any suggestions?

 

[joes_427_vette]

How is it going to cut the value ? You keep the parts and slide late model parts in. The beauty of chevrolets is two engine mounts and a transmission mount is all you contend with. 350s are cheap, rebuilts less than 1200. I rarely adjust solid lifters. You have some kind of internal problem that needs to be addressed.
By the way... corvettes are like Vegas.. need to be driven. If its a poster child find secure storage and pile the blankets on top. A new green car is the same price as a good old corvette. Some of these value people are so hung up their paranoid. I personally ignore them .

 

[firefighter jim]

Being that you are in the classic corvette business...

My 62 has the 327 340hp with 4 spd... I would get a lot more driving time if it had an automatic and maybe a 350... I find I have to readjust the lifters about every 1000 to 1500 miles... I let it go last summer and broke a push rod.

Purist have told me changing the engine and transmission to something modern will cut the value in half...

I think a clean bolt in installation could easily be reversed...

Driving it in San Francisco stop and go driving and very steep hills is no fun at all...

The previous owner did install the oversize Bcool radiator and electric fan... he lived in AZ and it gets real hot there...

Any suggestions?

Don't do it.

 

[Bird]

How is it going to cut the value ?
I rarely adjust solid lifters. You have some kind of internal problem that needs to be addressed.

Joe, I'm sure you know a lot more about corvettes than I do, but for as long as I can remember, modifying a "classic" or "antique" automobile cut its value. Keeping everything original always kept the highest value. And while I don't have the personal experience, I still remember my old buddy who had the '60 vette with the solid lifters and 2 carbs and the main reason he traded up to the new Stingray when they came out was because he couldn't keep the lifters and carbs adjusted on the '60 model. His Stingray had a single carb and hydraulic lifters and very little maintenance required.

 

[RobertN]

Ya keep all the original stuff. Time to sell, original stuff either goes back in, or is sold with car.

Heard of Mopar guys doing this too. If you blow a numbers matching 4406-pack, it = $$$ lost on the car. Heaven forbid you blow an original Hemi... . If you blow a replacement motor, then you can just put the #'s matching motor back in.

Takes more care; you don't want to bang the car up getting the original motor or tranny out, or back in.

Joe, I'm sure you know a lot more about corvettes than I do, but for as long as I can remember, modifying a "classic" or "antique" automobile cut its value. Keeping everything original always kept the highest value.

 

[czechsonofagun]

Any details? Is it as pictured... still needs assembly ? Where is it located? Thanks

The simple answer first: It is right by IAD (International Airport Dulles, Virginia)

It is rolling chassis with most of the parts to go with it - I believe - John showed me the engine, that needs to be rebuilt. The best way to find out is to ask John, give him a call or shoot him an email - I work there, but it is his car and he is the Vette guy.

 

[ultrarunner]

My local Chevrolet Dealer has a 350 crate motor with fuel injection on display... this is what got me thinking...

I agree, something isn't right with my motor... the previous owner had the heads redone with hardened valves and seats about 15 years ago and 4500 miles ago from the paperwork...

 

[RobertN]

Something with the heads? I ask, I had some issues with a Jeep a few years back. My Dad sold his Jeep to a guy. It had high miles, but ran good. The guy had the motor rebuilt. It just never seemed to have so much power. I bought it from him. Did tuning and stuff. Still, low power.

Finally checked compression. Low...

Turned out, the valves seats were not ground at the correct angle and depth. Had the valves done properly, and it ran like a champ!

Sounds similar... Too long of valve stems, wrong guides?

My local Chevrolet Dealer has a 350 crate motor with fuel injection on display... this is what got me thinking...

I agree, something isn't right with my motor... the previous owner had the heads redone with hardened valves and seats about 15 years ago and 4500 miles ago from the paperwork...