C3 restoration nightmare

[Aerovette]

Originally Posted by C3C7NIC

Thanks for that. Trust me, there will be many questions!

Yes, DUB passed away. Had a massive heart attack at 59. He was having health issues last 2 yrs but had my car 5yrs.






Great advice. Yes, the C2 shop willing to do the work but at $100/hr, hoping to knock out what we can. The seats are good. Just the carpet and dash wiring that are intimidating to me.

I've done carpet. If it is molded, it is a cakewalk. You can handle it easily. I put it in my 75 and a friend's 76. Dash wiring is a bit bigger in that routing differently can cause issues with other parts BUT I had my 75 dash as far apart as yours is and I managed to get it all back to good. If it is a non-AC car, it will be a bit easier. Now would be a GREAT time to put in a new heater core if it has not already been done.

I had my poor car apart and back together so many times I could do it blindfolded and it was like building a huge model car.

[C3C7NIC]

Originally Posted by aerovette

I've done carpet. If it is molded, it is a cakewalk. You can handle it easily. I put it in my 75 and a friend's 76. Dash wiring is a bit bigger in that routing differently can cause issues with other parts BUT I had my 75 dash as far apart as yours is and I managed to get it all back to good. If it is a non-AC car, it will be a bit easier. Now would be a GREAT time to put in a new heater core if it has not already been done.

I had my poor car apart and back together so many times I could do it blindfolded and it was like building a huge model car.

Holy shit, if YOU can do the wiring I should be gold baby?

😂😂😂

We are probably going to add vintage air as the heater box is missing so nows the time to add it.

Carpet set isn’t molded.

I think I’m most scared of the wiring and dash stuff.

[Grey Ghost]

Originally Posted by C3C7NIC

Holy shit, if YOU can do the wiring I should be gold baby?

😂😂😂

We are probably going to add vintage air as the heater box is missing so nows the time to add it.

Carpet set isn’t molded.

I think I’m most scared of the wiring and dash stuff.

Wiring is easy these days. I put new harnesses in mine. They are color coded like the factory, all ends terminated with the correct connector, color laminated diagrams are available to make it even easier. Just plug n play.

Since you plan on replacing the wiring. Ask the A/C mfg. if you should buy a factory harness that had the optional A/C vs a non-AC car. I know their kits come with the wiring to add it...but, it might be easier, if you had a factory harness that had the A/C already to plug in.

Carpet is easy. You roll it out and let it warm up under the sun. Lay it out inside the car and chalk mark where the holes need to be cut for seat bolts. Cut the holes and that's it. I did glue it down in VW Bug restoration one time with 3M contact glue. You can get that at Home Depot, etc..in a quart and brush it along the edges or where it needs to be glued down. The seats, console, trim panels, etc...a lot of that stuff already holds it pretty much in place. You can even get it with the insulation already installed (I think).

[Olustee bus]

I would consider some fatmat or Kilmat insulation.

[Aerovette]

Originally Posted by C3C7NIC

Holy shit, if YOU can do the wiring I should be gold baby?

😂😂😂

We are probably going to add vintage air as the heater box is missing so nows the time to add it.

Carpet set isn’t molded.

I think I’m most scared of the wiring and dash stuff.

I'm pretty sure the back of your gauges will have the color stamped in them for the wire color.

Where did your carpet come from? Any option to return it and get molded carpet? Molded carpet practically lays itself (nudge/wink). Seriously, it nearly falls in to place.

[sublime1996525]

Wiring is pretty easy! There is so much plug and play to make things work.

[Aerovette]

Notice "GRAY" stamped in metal.

[Grey Ghost]

Originally Posted by aerovette

Notice "GRAY" stamped in metal.

That is where the light bulbs plug in for illumination.

[Mick]

Originally Posted by C3C7NIC

Thanks for that. Trust me, there will be many questions!

Yes, DUB passed away. Had a massive heart attack at 59. He was having health issues last 2 yrs but had my car 5yrs.






Great advice. Yes, the C2 shop willing to do the work but at $100/hr, hoping to knock out what we can. The seats are good. Just the carpet and dash wiring that are intimidating to me.

The carpet isn't too bad, a little tedious, but with two of you, it should be very doable.

The dash is more difficult. The passenger side has almost nothing to it. The center console is more complicated, but Willcox has some diagrams and videos that are really good. I've taken the center apart several times, and it can be a little frustrating, but it isn't that complicated. My clock is not working right at this time, so I may be taking mine apart again sometime in the not too distant future. The driver's side is more of a pain in the ass than it is complicated or hard. You definitely want the driver's seat out of there when you do it.

One recommendation: There is a main dash harness that contains the fuse panel at the end, and bolts basically to a big connector on the other side of the firewall. The big connector with the fuse panel looks like plastic, but I think it is actually Bakelite. They get very brittle with age, and mine broke. I would get a good look at it with the dash out, because if you decide to replace it, it will obviously be easier to replace it first, and then put the dash in.

[C3C7NIC]

Wow, you all are giving me WAY too much credit folks.

We have completed some really hard resto projects on the E-type, so maybe I am just overwhelming myself unnecessarily.

Originally Posted by Olustee bus

I would consider some fatmat or Kilmat insulation.

Already have the dynamat ready to go.

Of course, I had JUST cleaned and scrubbed the floor boards and a fuggin racoon CHIT and PISSED all in the passenger floor area last night.... check the bar for pics if you are so inclined.

Originally Posted by aerovette

I'm pretty sure the back of your gauges will have the color stamped in them for the wire color.

Where did your carpet come from? Any option to return it and get molded carpet? Molded carpet practically lays itself (nudge/wink). Seriously, it nearly falls in to place.

Originally Posted by aerovette

Notice "GRAY" stamped in metal.

Wilcox is great, have used them a lot!

Originally Posted by Mick

The carpet isn't too bad, a little tedious, but with two of you, it should be very doable.

The dash is more difficult. The passenger side has almost nothing to it. The center console is more complicated, but Willcox has some diagrams and videos that are really good. I've taken the center apart several times, and it can be a little frustrating, but it isn't that complicated. My clock is not working right at this time, so I may be taking mine apart again sometime in the not too distant future. The driver's side is more of a pain in the ass than it is complicated or hard. You definitely want the driver's seat out of there when you do it.

One recommendation: There is a main dash harness that contains the fuse panel at the end, and bolts basically to a big connector on the other side of the firewall. The big connector with the fuse panel looks like plastic, but I think it is actually Bakelite. They get very brittle with age, and mine broke. I would get a good look at it with the dash out, because if you decide to replace it, it will obviously be easier to replace it first, and then put the dash in.

That is a great idea, so wiring harness and new fuse box while we are under there? Great advice.

So, we are probably going to purchase vintage air, I assume that conversion will include the required conversion wiring? Would it be redundant to purchase the wiring W/AC or helpful?

[C3C7NIC]

Originally Posted by Grey Ghost

Wiring is easy these days. I put new harnesses in mine. They are color coded like the factory, all ends terminated with the correct connector, color laminated diagrams are available to make it even easier. Just plug n play.

Since you plan on replacing the wiring. Ask the A/C mfg. if you should buy a factory harness that had the optional A/C vs a non-AC car. I know their kits come with the wiring to add it...but, it might be easier, if you had a factory harness that had the A/C already to plug in.

Carpet is easy. You roll it out and let it warm up under the sun. Lay it out inside the car and chalk mark where the holes need to be cut for seat bolts. Cut the holes and that's it. I did glue it down in VW Bug restoration one time with 3M contact glue. You can get that at Home Depot, etc..in a quart and brush it along the edges or where it needs to be glued down. The seats, console, trim panels, etc...a lot of that stuff already holds it pretty much in place. You can even get it with the insulation already installed (I think).

I think I replied to Mick but meant to ask you.

If we are planning to install vintage air, do we need to purchase a new wiring harness with or without the A/C, I am thinking it comes with the no AC to AC conversion.

Just do not want to be redundant.

Thanks for all your input and faith in our abilities.

We are not afraid of a challenge, just afraid of making expensive mistakes.

[Aerovette]

Originally Posted by C3C7NIC

I think I replied to Mick but meant to ask you.

If we are planning to install vintage air, do we need to purchase a new wiring harness with or without the A/C, I am thinking it comes with the no AC to AC conversion.

Just do not want to be redundant.

Thanks for all your input and faith in our abilities.

We are not afraid of a challenge, just afraid of making expensive mistakes.

Vintage air is meant to add AC to cars that never had it. You should not need a different harness BUT...if you are not going for full factory restoration, I'd sure add some auxiliary fuse panel or terminal block for adding aftermarket gadgets (phone charger, driving lights, AC, etc.)

[dvarapala]

Originally Posted by C3C7NIC

Holy shit, if YOU can do the wiring I should be gold baby?

😂😂😂

I do believe that's the meanest thing I've ever seen you say.

[Mick]

Originally Posted by C3C7NIC

That is a great idea, so wiring harness and new fuse box while we are under there? Great advice.

If it looks old and brittle, yes, I would change it if it was me. The harness was about $600 IIRC, and was a little hard to find (it only took me a year to figure out where to get one). I will look to see if I can find the vendor, IIRC they were here in NJ.

So, we are probably going to purchase vintage air, I assume that conversion will include the required conversion wiring? Would it be redundant to purchase the wiring W/AC or helpful?

You got me there, I've never added Vintage Air to any vehicle. I would talk to their tech department to see what they recommend. The vendor that sold me my main dash harness made it specifically for me, so they could do with or without AC. My car has AC, so that's what I ordered.

Edited to add: This is where I got my replacement harness:

https://www.americanautowire.com/

They were very easy to deal with.

[C3C7NIC]

Originally Posted by dvarapala

I do believe that's the meanest thing I've ever seen you say.

Well, I cant harass flat chested women or fishy panty folks because they are so sensitive.

At least folks here have thick skin!

[Grey Ghost]

Originally Posted by C3C7NIC

I think I replied to Mick but meant to ask you.

If we are planning to install vintage air, do we need to purchase a new wiring harness with or without the A/C, I am thinking it comes with the no AC to AC conversion.

Just do not want to be redundant.

Thanks for all your input and faith in our abilities.

We are not afraid of a challenge, just afraid of making expensive mistakes.

Ask the mfg. tech dept. I have never installed aftermarket AC. It would be great for it to be on a separate circuit from the fuse box (should be with new dash harness). I don't know where they tap into with cars without factory A/C. I'm sure it's all safe and doable. If you don't use the circuit for AC you could always use it for something else in the future.

[Big bob]

Harass is that one word or two?

[C3C7NIC]

Ok. I need help.

I know the vette was numbers matching, that’s why dad purchased it.

The VIN on the pillar is correct to my car as documented. Hopefully I took a picture of the correct part of engine block

EDIT: correct picture taken now. Numbers match.

[Grey Ghost]

T = Tonawanda, 04 = April, = 11th day, IQ = 1968 Corvette 427 with automatic trans. The engine build date should precede the car build date and the VIN should be stamped on the block

You should see the serial number near that or above timing cover

[Rodnok1]

https://www.liveabout.com/does-your-...numbers-916240

Should look something like this pic, they can be hard to read.