Projects Mid Life Crisis 62 Vette

Jim, check with Ace Hardware, I found they carry clevis pins in all kinds of sizes and pretty reasonable. HRP

 

I found them at Ace this morning, way too long, and the head is too small, and no E clip groove...so the old South Bend lathe rescued me yet again!

 

I'm working on the tack strips now. The one above the rear window had about a bazillion staples in it, as well as some rot from the car having sat outside for a while at some time. Definitely needed a new one. But I didn't know if I'd be able to get the new one in...I'd read that the edges of the groove might be folded over it?



But I decided to just give it a try, and removed all the old stuff, and cleaned up the groove a bit (but not completely, hey, this is a hack restoration job). Turns out, it's pretty easy to install the new one, it just presses in. I figured out how to apply pressure to about an inch of it at a time, so as not to damage anything. Works slick. It's just thick paper...

 

The front header tack strip was much more of a pain...it has a different shape, and retains T nuts that hold in the weather strip retainer screws, and what a mess. But it's in now, too. Test fit of it back on the car...still need to add the weatherstrip over the windows, and adjust the fit of the frame to the car.

 

I think it will hold up well to wind on the road, maybe it will create a little wind-noise. Only 1 way to find out...

 

Any updates, Jim? Getting it ready to run at Tucson?

 

Yeah, slowly but surely.

I've been tinkering with the top, there are several things about installing the top on these cars that are a pain. Right now I'm trying to get the weatherstrip into the rear bow, but the cord won't fit, and I'm figuring out how to deal with it.

 

I can imagine; you "started back on the top" on the 9th. Today is the 23rd. Not to call you out, but you'd have an engine built, installed and tuned in that time normally!
Best of luck on the top and the time trials!

 

I was gone for a week on a trip with my wife in that time. Also....I'm better with mechanical stuff than with "soft" parts of a car, and getting motivated and educated and whatnot takes more time.

 

You do know they pay people to do that kind of stuff!

 

yeah, but what fun would it be to not work on a car when you have the opportunity?

 

"Perfection, cannot be rushed"

 

Ragtops are howl to install. I helped a buddy with his on an OT car. I got to do all the fancy hand-sewing where it was needed.

 

I got the top installed finally....it doesn't fit worth a damn, but the better quality tops all seem to be a two month order ordeal to get hold of. So I'll live with it. It's too short to wrap around the front header far enough to staple it on, so I just glued it to the header. And the window is too large, or they made it to have the #4 bow too far forward? so that looks wonky. But it didn't fly off on the first test drive, so I guess it'll do. And I'm able to fold it back into the storage compartment, hopefully it'll stretch out enough when I raise it again to not pull the windshield frame apart when latching.

Also got my new posi unit in the mail today, so I need to install that...and the line lock button....and heater parts should all arrive next week. I installed one of the defroster ducts, working on the hard one next (driver side).

I got the parking brake warning light installed and working.

Drag Week is coming up soon...have to hit the road around the 14th of September, just over 2 weeks away. There's a car show in Bisbee this Saturday I'd like to take it to, then drags in Tucson the following weekend, for the torture test.

 

I think it looks good from my vantage point.

 

Please take us along .... Love reading about your adventures.

 

That's the plan

 

If you’re going to get a top for keeps to install later you can’t go wrong with Al Knoch they are the best and fit well. Here’s a pic of mine not installed by a professional but still came out well, at least good enough for a driver.
Best shot I had close includes my granddaughters. They call it da papa car.

 

And the little one even has a matching shirt. I am told the way to go is have Al Knoch install the top at a major show, like Carlisle. They do nice work and that way you know will do it right.

 

Too bad my Corvette is owned by me....instead of someone who wants it all done right....

Thanks for the pics and tips

 

Got the posi in. It seems to work...??? I have to somehow create a limited traction situation, and really test it. Time to get the line lock connected, eh?

Also looked at the Tucson Dragway schedule, they're open this coming weekend, so I might try to go to the Friday test and tune. Of course there's a 50% chance of rain.

 

Which means there's a 50% chance it won't rain.

 

or a 50% chance we can wait through the rain and race anyways

 

I always relied on the edge of the road, sand and asphalt. You know pretty quick if it's open!
Tried cement, one side wet once, broke the (weak) stock rear.

 

^^^ like rod said must be careful. Get wheel spinning & when sudden hits dry spot can snap axle. Like mud in a corn field with weak Jeep axle. Guess how I know.

 

Amen Brother.

 

I only ever twisted an axle in a 8.2. Guess I never tried hard enough.

 

100% chance if something goes amiss with the soft top...