C3 restoration nightmare - Page 26

Grey Ghost · 10-03-2022, 3:51pm

Do the exhaust exit through rear body/bumper? They may have been waiting to align it through the body work to finish. BUT - It really needs to go through the frame instead of below it! Maybe they increased the diameter and it would not fit through the frame? But, it needs to be put back that way in my opinion. You have a good chance of ripping it off the car over a speed bump or anything else while driving. And if it exits rear bodywork, that needs to be on the car, too.

C3C7NIC · 10-03-2022, 4:09pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grey Ghost

Do the exhaust exit through rear body/bumper? They may have been waiting to align it through the body work to finish. BUT - It really needs to go through the frame instead of below it! Maybe they increased the diameter and it would not fit through the frame? But, it needs to be put back that way in my opinion. You have a good chance of ripping it off the car over a speed bump or anything else while driving. And if it exits rear bodywork, that needs to be on the car, too.

Non of that currently on the car.

Click image for larger version

Name: C9CBA322-20B4-43D3-B829-876ACFF5BC34.jpg
Views: 2
Size: 630.2 KB
ID: 70381

Once I can get under the car better I will try to get pictures of how the exhaust is mounted. I really don’t want to pay a THIRD TIME time to have the damn exhaust done. This is getting to the point of absurdity. 😔

C3C7NIC · 10-03-2022, 4:42pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grey Ghost

Do the exhaust exit through rear body/bumper? They may have been waiting to align it through the body work to finish. BUT - It really needs to go through the frame instead of below it! Maybe they increased the diameter and it would not fit through the frame? But, it needs to be put back that way in my opinion. You have a good chance of ripping it off the car over a speed bump or anything else while driving. And if it exits rear bodywork, that needs to be on the car, too.

This is the best video I can get with the car on the ground. Appears to be some mounting for the exhaust and the original frame with the holes is gone.

trim.19D18129-3689-4D9D-90AE-23B67DD64C5D.MOV

Grey Ghost · 10-03-2022, 6:46pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by C3C7NIC

This is the best video I can get with the car on the ground. Appears to be some mounting for the exhaust and the original frame with the holes is gone.

Attachment 70382

yep, looks like someone replaced the ORIGINAL trans. crossmember mount with a funky new style....Do you or anyone have the original? I can't remember if they are bolted or welded in place.

C3C7NIC · 10-03-2022, 6:48pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grey Ghost

yep, looks like someone replaced the ORIGINAL trans. crossmember mount with a funky new style....Do you or anyone have the original? I can't remember if they are bolted or welded in place.

I think they are welded in place. No idea where my originals went. Like many of the part to my car. Once DUB died people came in and were either taking things or throwing them away. I get nauseous when I think about it.

Steve_R · 10-03-2022, 6:57pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grey Ghost

yep, looks like someone replaced the ORIGINAL trans. crossmember mount with a funky new style....Do you or anyone have the original? I can't remember if they are bolted or welded in place.

I’m pretty sure it was welded. Why the HELL would someone being paid to restore the car cut it out and put in a generic tube crossmember? The original with the holes for the exhaust is so unique to that generation.

C3C7NIC · 10-03-2022, 7:55pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve_R

I’m pretty sure it was welded. Why the HELL would someone being paid to restore the car cut it out and put in a generic tube crossmember? The original with the holes for the exhaust is so unique to that generation.

A question we will never have the answer to.

One of MANY we will never have the answer to

RMVette · 10-03-2022, 8:10pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grey Ghost

yep, looks like someone replaced the ORIGINAL trans. crossmember mount with a funky new style....Do you or anyone have the original? I can't remember if they are bolted or welded in place.

If I remember correctly the manual trans have welded crossmembers and the autos have removable.

C3C7NIC · 10-03-2022, 8:21pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by RMVette

If I remember correctly the manual trans have welded crossmembers and the autos have removable.

Mine is automatic. Interesting.

Unfortunately on this picture of my car pre restoration, I can’t tell.

Click image for larger version

Name: BCC5CB4D-72BC-47CD-9743-91B545D7DD57.jpeg
Views: 1
Size: 295.4 KB
ID: 70392

What about this picture? Pulled from my Rest. journey thread over there.

I think it is welded but not sure.

Click image for larger version

Name: F1A5B4BD-C866-4E4C-999A-72562392BF49.jpeg
Views: 2
Size: 424.8 KB
ID: 70393

Big bob · 10-03-2022, 8:34pm

Found this might be helpful.

Original style 1963-1969 Corvette trailing arm shim kit - shims feature holes on both ends instead of the "slot" that was used on the 1970 and later Corvettes. Kit includes (20) STEEL shims designed to properly align the rear tires in your Corvette. Made in USA.

Note: Steel trailing arm shims are plated to keep rusting prior to installation.

For ease of assembly, 1970 and later Corvette shims featured a slot which allowed them to be installed or removed when aligning the Corvette WITHOUT having to remove the trailing arm mount bolt. If you're looking to make your next alignment job quicker, easier or cheaper - then consider the later design trailing arm shims for installation.

See Zip # SU-1028 for stainless 1963-1969 Corvette trailing arm shims; Zip # SU-525 for stainless 1970 and later trailing arm shims with slots.

Grey Ghost · 10-03-2022, 8:51pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by RMVette

If I remember correctly the manual trans have welded crossmembers and the autos have removable.

That's what I was thinking. Everyone knows you will have to drop a manual more often for a clutch change and being bolted in would have been easier.

C3C7NIC · 10-03-2022, 8:56pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big bob

Found this might be helpful.

Original style 1963-1969 Corvette trailing arm shim kit - shims feature holes on both ends instead of the "slot" that was used on the 1970 and later Corvettes. Kit includes (20) STEEL shims designed to properly align the rear tires in your Corvette. Made in USA.

Note: Steel trailing arm shims are plated to keep rusting prior to installation.

For ease of assembly, 1970 and later Corvette shims featured a slot which allowed them to be installed or removed when aligning the Corvette WITHOUT having to remove the trailing arm mount bolt. If you're looking to make your next alignment job quicker, easier or cheaper - then consider the later design trailing arm shims for installation.

See Zip # SU-1028 for stainless 1963-1969 Corvette trailing arm shims; Zip # SU-525 for stainless 1970 and later trailing arm shims with slots.

I’ll add that to my Zip cart. I’m up to $7,200 in missing parts already.

C3C7NIC · 10-04-2022, 9:20am

After doing some asking around, it seems that is a “upgrade thing to do as with the exhaust running through the frame, it makes any work to the tranny etc. a PITA. This also allows for larger exhaust pipes that could not be accommodated with the smaller diameter holes in the original frame.

As stated, this car was never intended to be concourse. It not a rare car, but is numbers matching. I’m ok with the change, just want to be sure it is finished out correctly.