1975 Plastic fantastic aka Corvette

[SuperBuickGuy]

got them off
turns out the best way on the driver's side was to weld on a pry point


round 2


winner - I made a hammer puller die to grab the shims....

[AFFORDILLAC]

Thats crazy with all them shims. Dig the puller.

[SuperBuickGuy]

they spread the pocket a bit to put the shims in, because it could be fatal if the bushing turned on the bolt rather than in the bushing. There are downsides to that set up, but at least dying from a trailing arm coming completely off is much reduced

I'm still amazed at how much work that Bob Holmes guy is making me do - replace every bit of the suspension was what he said - it was fine before he said anything

[milner351]

all this will be replaced with spherical rod ends?

[Bob Holmes]

they spread the pocket a bit to put the shims in, because it could be fatal if the bushing turned on the bolt rather than in the bushing. There are downsides to that set up, but at least dying from a trailing arm coming completely off is much reduced

I'm still amazed at how much work that Bob Holmes guy is making me do - replace every bit of the suspension was what he said - it was fine before he said anything

[SuperBuickGuy]

all this will be replaced with spherical rod ends?

yes, some spherical, some johnny joints - which a spherical on steroids (but since I'm a bicyclist, steroids are okay)

you are an expensive friend to have

[Bob Holmes]

Only to the extent that you have to keep paying those life insurance premiums.

[SuperBuickGuy]

Only to the extent that you have to keep paying those life insurance premiums.

Life insurance? why give someone more reasons to celebrate my death?

[silver_bullet]

Life insurance? why give someone more reasons to celebrate my death?

It's to pay off the bar tab from bangshifters celebrating your life!!

[Bob Holmes]

It's to pay off the bar tab from bangshifters celebrating your life!!

Nicely done there.

[SuperBuickGuy]

So I've kind of been waiting for parts, but got some stuff done....

it leaked, twice... hopefully this time it's fixed (where the reservoir attaches to the mount)


don't get me started on how much of a PITA it is to remove these things


fix some mounting holes


remove the quiet, yet highly restrictive mufflers


install max flows (things will be louder)


inside shot


also tested my new blast cabinet

[SuperBuickGuy]

a bit more tonight
Van Steel trailing arms.... saved 100 by installing johnny joints myself (requires some modification to the arm)

I'm also going to install upper mounts for an upper control arm and eliminate the driveshafts as suspension components

I'm a big fan of not burning.... so I wrapped the new mufflers




sharp eyes will notice a zip tie holding the wrap in place. Yes, it's that good - the plastic won't melt (melts at 400*)

[silver_bullet]

Looking Great! never thought of the zipties...always figured they would stretch under heat, eventually breaking down, like in the electrical world...

[SuperBuickGuy]

Looking Great! never thought of the zipties...always figured they would stretch under heat, eventually breaking down, like in the electrical world...

it only has to hold it together long enough to get into the tube

[SuperBuickGuy]

I had such great plans today - get the Corvette on the ground.... had a slight break going to rescue some overdue snowmobilers - so I didn't quite get done what I wanted... ah well

need to remove the tube



to install this

a bit of work and it fits

round 2


a bit of welding

a bit of creative engineering, (yes, the bolt goes through my welding bench) to get the snap ring back on

and drill and tap for a zerk fitting to put the fitting where I can actually get a grease gun


also got the rear differential back in (for now)