💟Final resto 1968 BB💟

[C3C7NIC]

Had I UN hooked all these wires I would have labeled each one. Clearly DUB DIDNT NEED to do that but he didn’t plan on dying….


So what’s the best way to start IDing all these connectors and wires? I have AIM and some wiring diagrams. Hoping to start labeling them so I at least know where they go.

Did I turn my phone the right way? Asking for DP 😉

https://youtu.be/ZlEWYnbcxjw?si=m8aqAcIE4aCAcvZK

[RMVette]

Ouch... you're going to have your hands full and it will test your patience for sure. You may want to find a diagram other than the AIM (which is good) that is more visual... see below and is from DocRebuild's...

[C3C7NIC]

Originally Posted by RMVette

Ouch... you're going to have your hands full and it will test your patience for sure. You may want to find a diagram other than the AIM (which is good) that is more visual... see below and is from DocRebuild's...

Attachment 98445

One bite at a time. I have a 3 day weekend. Hoping to get the dynamite installed and maybe label some wires.

Not sure if I plan to get a regular bulb kit or LED but ordering those as well.

Ordered the “correct” upper steering mount off eBay so gotta get those installed too.

One bite at a time.

Had to pay the guy here $8.5 K for brake & install and vintage air/only partial install. Geez money doesn’t go far ☹️. Why I’ve been working so much to get this shit paid for AGAIN!

[C3C7NIC]

Originally Posted by Don Rickles

The exterior chrome "A" pillar trim and header trim has to go on to see if the glass is set properly.

It's not "essential" BUT the ease of access will save hours and hours of frustration and time! Lots of laying on your back (oh baby) ahead of you anyway but this saves so much time it is worth pulling out and reinstalling IMO....

There's a saying that it takes three times installing/removing just one part to get it right.... on these cars....I know you want to get to the end but....

https://youtu.be/X4blRnbii8I?si=ouSt0U4b4biVfPTO

[Don Rickles]

Originally Posted by C3C7NIC

Guess I need to take a look. Thought getting the dash in was doable with windshield in (better on a hot day). Guess I have to research more.

The reason it was suggested "on a Hot day" is to get the dash pad heated up so it bends easier to get its ends in around the "A" pillars.

Originally Posted by C3C7NIC

Had I UN hooked all these wires I would have labeled each one. Clearly DUB DIDNT NEED to do that but he didn’t plan on dying….


So what’s the best way to start IDing all these connectors and wires? I have AIM and some wiring diagrams. Hoping to start labeling them so I at least know where they go.
]

You're in pretty good shape it looks like to me as far as the wiring. I found the lights in the gauges to be a bit challenging but it looks like it's all there with only a couple loose cut.

Originally Posted by 86RAG

GM typically color codes their wiring. A factory service manual should help identify them

Originally Posted by RMVette

Ouch... you're going to have your hands full and it will test your patience for sure. You may want to find a diagram other than the AIM (which is good) that is more visual... see below and is from DocRebuild's...

Attachment 98445

This ^^^^^

Originally Posted by C3C7NIC

[...

Just curious, was the windshield frame itself replaced/repaired?

[C3C7NIC]

Originally Posted by Don Rickles

Just curious, was the windshield frame itself replaced/repaired?

Wish I knew Don. He sent pics of nearly everything on the frame/ birdcage. He was actually shocked at how how good the condition was. There had been rear damage and he straightened the frame.

DUB was in a MASSIVE secretive mode. He had my car for 5 years (was to be a year - 18 months), he asked me not to post on CF that he had my car in his shop: I now know that was because he had many other folks cars in his shop for resto and he was under water with them as well.

I will say, the body and paint work that WAS completed was amazing! However, he mentally and physically was not with it the last 2 years. I suspect (as a medical professional) he had cancer or other serious condition as I could tell the gradual deterioration prior to his sudden death.

He went off on so many random tangents I don't have a clue!!! I asked him to keep the car looking as "original as possible", as it was a mostly intact original, numbers matching car.

He changed exhaust (that was newly installed before going to him and I believe he planned to put on side pipes (not what I wanted), now even the spare tire container does not fit and the rear panels have been filled in (no exit for exhaust tips), he put a 77 steering column in that we are now reversing (of course all my original mounting stuff for 68 is missing and having to source on Ebay-etc.), at least I still had my OG column, he was going to also put C5 seats in for lumbar support/power seats (again, I asked for none of this! Hoping to sell some of these items to help with $$$.

Every time over the last 2 yrs I would call from Oklahoma he would just say he was making my car "next level" but other than that would not give me specific details. He always dodged direct questions. He sent lots of pictures and emails but that is about it.

Several times I said I was coming from OK to NC to get the car and he would nearly start crying because he felt bad it was not further along and begged for more time. I had already paid him, so that was going to be a battle getting my $$$ back. I had not paid in full when I dropped the car off, but paid 2 years in, my hopes of if I paid he would GET IT DONE. Complete dumbazz move on my part.

It would take a small book to try to explain the fiasco that it became, but this is where I am and I am massively in the hole.

The smartest thing I would do would be to sell the fukkin car as is, and I'll still lose a shit ton of $$$$. I just don't have a great answer at this point.

It is what it is. I will try to do what I can. Cannot afford to pay for more work so thankful all the heavy lifting is done I guess.

Rant over.


**If it was maddening reading that synopsis, imagine the last 7 yrs of BS

[RMVette]

I guess the question is, are you still throwing good money after bad? The option of selling "as is" and getting some of the money back may be a good option... especially mentally and for time.

Dub sure didn't want me to see the car when I tried to look at it two years ago.. and I saw why when we loaded it on the trailer.

[Don Rickles]

Originally Posted by C3C7NIC

Wish I knew Don.


**If it was maddening reading that synopsis, imaging the last 7 yrs of BS

So, here you are.

To try to make you feel a little better, any good complete restoration of a 68 Corvette, will result in spending more than the value of the car, period. Keep at it.
Truth is mistakes sound to have been by you and DUB but none of that matters now....

From what I can see, you should be able to reach the finish line. And I mean who doesn't like a '68 BB vert w A/C?

[Rodnok1]

Sigh...
Hate to see it when good folks get taken for a ride.
Dub did excellent work but I believe he was sick longer than let on yet keot taking on work. Perhaps to pay medical bills.
In their minds they will eventually get the work done, it's not about being a fraud more about not being a good or realistic business man.
I wonder if that race car he was restoring got back to the owner.

Really wish i was around the corner as we'd have it going soon.
Nothing terribly difficult to do, just time consuming and detailed.

Don't put too much pressure on yourself, if something goes together wrong and needs redone... We've all dont it more time than you ever will.

I rebuilt a 4 speed 3 times before I realized I had grabbbed the wrong gallon of gear lube is why it wouldn't shift correctly.

Can't tell you how many carbs I've had to take back apart.

As for wiring... Get a label maker and start marking them that way what you figure out today you don't have to try and remember and figure out again next month.
Seems simple but I label everything even if just a small short term project.

I forsee the only place you will need expert help is putting doors/hood on.
It's very easy to damage paint(I'm good at touching up paint due to this).
To the point where I paint the doors on cars now as I know bad stuff happens.

All the really hard work has been done... You may need to comprise between what he did and what you wanted for your sanity and sake of time/money.

[C3C7NIC]

Originally Posted by Rodnok1

Sigh...
Hate to see it when good folks get taken for a ride.
Dub did excellent work but I believe he was sick longer than let on yet keot taking on work. Perhaps to pay medical bills.
In their minds they will eventually get the work done, it's not about being a fraud more about not being a good or realistic business man.
I wonder if that race car he was restoring got back to the owner.

Really wish i was around the corner as we'd have it going soon.
Nothing terribly difficult to do, just time consuming and detailed.

Don't put too much pressure on yourself, if something goes together wrong and needs redone... We've all dont it more time than you ever will.

I rebuilt a 4 speed 3 times before I realized I had grabbbed the wrong gallon of gear lube is why it wouldn't shift correctly.

Can't tell you how many carbs I've had to take back apart.

As for wiring... Get a label maker and start marking them that way what you figure out today you don't have to try and remember and figure out again next month.
Seems simple but I label everything even if just a small short term project.

I forsee the only place you will need expert help is putting doors/hood on.
It's very easy to damage paint(I'm good at touching up paint due to this).
To the point where I paint the doors on cars now as I know bad stuff happens.

All the really hard work has been done... You may need to comprise between what he did and what you wanted for your sanity and sake of time/money.

Thanks for that.

I really agree with him being a good guy but he wasn’t well.

The fact all MAJOR frame/body/engine/tranny/now AC/suspension work has been done gives me a glimmer of hope. We are not car smart but can figure stuff out given time to research.

Main set back is not having all the parts and not knowing you DONT have them till you get to that project.

I could have worse problems. My perspective is set everyday at work.

Just trying to look at this as a huge, very expensive 3-D puzzle. lol.

[C3C7NIC]

Originally Posted by RMVette

I guess the question is, are you still throwing good money after bad? The option of selling "as is" and getting some of the money back may be a good option... especially mentally and for time.

Dub sure didn't want me to see the car when I tried to look at it two years ago.. and I saw why when we loaded it on the trailer.

At this point I think my persistence won’t let me give up.

That’s just who I am.

I didn’t give up on my dream of going to medical school even after getting “knocked up” as a 20 year old sophomore and then finished the PA program as a single mom.

I might not be very smart but I’m tenacious as hell.


I appreciate all of you being blunt, being supportive, FREAKING showing up to help me load my car and parts over a year ago.

A lot of you are true friends and have been with me along this entire journey.

[sublime1996525]

You mentioned the hardest part, trying to figure out what you don’t have and only finding out when you need it. That would be maddening. It’s a good thing there are so many knowledgeable people here.

[C3C7NIC]

Originally Posted by sublime1996525

You mentioned the hardest part, trying to figure out what you don’t have and only finding out when you need it. That would be maddening. It’s a good thing there are so many knowledgeable people here.

Without youtube and forums, I (we) would have never come as far as we have with the Jaguar or this Vette.

I've said 1000 times, not sure how guys did this chit back before the internet. I guess tons of trial and error and maybe some manuals.

My Dad could literally do anything with older cars, not as much the newer stuff. Every vehicle we owner he had a Chiltons (is that right?) manual on hand and he did any and all work on our vehicles.

I wish desperately I had learned more from him. Sadly I mostly helped with tools, brought him his soda over ice, mixed the bondo or cut fiberglass for him. LOL Still love the smell of that stuff, always reminds me of days gone by with my Dad.

[C3C7NIC]

Ok kids. Cleaning/laying out dynamat.

Can this be epoxied back in place? Didn’t realize it was loose.

Also one of the wire retainers along the drivers side is broken off. May just pass on fixing that.

IMG_3487.mov

[Rodnok1]

That's not a wiring retainer, thats a spot where interior panel bolts to i bet.

[RMVette]

Originally Posted by Rodnok1

That's not a wiring retainer, thats a spot where interior panel bolts to i bet.

[dvarapala]

Originally Posted by C3C7NIC

At this point I think my persistence won’t let me give up.

While I do think that's great, if I had the limited amount of free time you seem to have to work on a project like this I would definitely trade my project car in on a fully-completed restoration.

But then again I'm lazy AF.

[C3C7NIC]

Originally Posted by Rodnok1

That's not a wiring retainer, thats a spot where interior panel bolts to i bet.

Sorry for confusion. There are 2 things.


The thing in the video I agree is for a panel.

In addition, there is a wire harness retainer that broke. I shaped thing to the left of drivers seat that holds wires in channel.

[C3C7NIC]

Originally Posted by dvarapala

While I do think that's great, if I had the limited amount of free time you seem to have to work on a project like this I would definitely trade my project car in on a fully-completed restoration.

But then again I'm lazy AF.

Hubs and I are known for taking no major projects and usually complete them.

We will get there. Nights & weekends.

We will get there. We aren’t couch potatoes 😉

[Don Rickles]

Originally Posted by C3C7NIC

Hubs and I are known for taking no major projects and usually complete them.

We will get there. Nights & weekends.

We will get there. We aren’t couch potatoes 😉

*on

My wife doesn't have any interest in cars, so having you as involved, helping and interested surely makes it easier!