ProductExpertsAvailable
Bodywork: Wet Sanding
Time: depends on size of area and repetition
Tools: soft-block sanding pad
Cost: approximately $40-50 for supplies
Tinware: 1000-4000-grit fine sandpaper, garden hose or bucket, clean rags, rubbing compound, high quality Carnauba wax
Tip: Choose an open, outdoor area that will allow you to run water
continuously for extended periods of time.
Performance gains: Properly wet-sanding your vehicle will make a night-and
I bought this 81 Corvette in 2011. It was cream color with all the original components. It was clean with 59,000 miles. It was a one owner car. After being hit, I decided to modify it.
Note - our project car here is a 1969 Chevelle. For your convenience, we've listed the part numbers. You can easily look up your specific year Chevelle's part numbers at http://www.ecklerschevelle.com/
Face it. If you drive an old car on a semi-regular basis, you are bound to catch a few chips and dings here and there. Along with the paint job, the body moldings are very fragile pieces of the exterior that can often take the brunt of time on the open road. Most were made of thin aluminum or pot metal and don’t exactly stand up well to tiny rocks or dirt clods being hurled at them at 70+ mph. In fact, just about every original car we have seen has some sort of trim damage from the road (not to mention all the years under the scorching sun). Although minor in comparison to some, it’s the attention to finishing details like this that can really set a car apart from the rest of the pack.
Bodywork: Filling And Sanding
Time: varies depending on the size and extent of the damaged area or area that needs modification
Tools: block sander, grinder, air compressor (recommended) ball peen hammer (optional)
Cost: supplies typically run about $100 for filler, sandpaper, and miscellaneous items listed in “Tinware”
Tinware: filler and hardener, sandpaper (36, 80, 150, 240, 320 and 400 grits), grinding discs, towels, mixing sticks, primer/sealer, dust mask, masking tape and paper
Tip: Always wear a ventilated dust mask or respirator when performing bodywork. The airborne debris and toxic chemicals found in many products are extremely hazardous to your health.
Performance gains: Bodywork is all about looking good, and there’s nothing wrong with that. Adding bodywork to your set of skills is huge, and can save you thousands of dollars over time.
In this relatively brief “You Can Do It”, we’re going to cover how to inspect your car’s differential housing and gears, not a total rebuild. You won’t need a lot of tools for this job, just a standard socket set, flat-blade screwdriver and a hammer or mallet. Your “tinware” will include new gear oil, clean rags, a container to collect the old oil, and a new differential cover gasket.
Time: 3-5 hours
Tools: standard socket set, standard wrenches, floor jack and jackstands, rubber mallet, ball joint separator or pickle fork, mini sledge
Cost: will vary depending on the components used; typically anywhere between $500-$1500
Tinware: disc brake kit, wheel bearing grease, brake fluid, brake cleaner, small rubber hose, “catch” container
Tip: A much-overlooked detail in the disc brake conversion is the placement of the wheel by the hub assembly. Often times, the mounting plane of the new hub will cause the wheel to sit further outward in the wheel well. Depending on the wheel and tire size, this slight variance can create all sorts of clearance problems. Check it out before installing or assembling the parts!
Performance gains: Disc brakes are far superior to the age-old design of drums. They stop faster, last longer, and greatly improve the agility of your vehicle.
Time: approximately 30 minutes (for one part: eg. door, trunk, etc.)
Some examples may not pertain to a Tri-5 Chevy, this is a general article on weatherstripping.
Tools: putty knife, utility knife
Cost: price varies depending on seals or number of seals
Tinware: new weatherstripping, weatherstripping adhesive, weatherstrip remover (aerosol can).
Tip: If you happen to break or lose a plastic retainer during installation, try using 3M weatherstrip adhesive in its place. The glue is super tacky and forms a lasting, watertight seal.
Performance gains: a quiet, weatherproof interior and trunk
My love affair with classic cars began in the early ’60s when I was in high school. My first restoration project was a long-time family-owned 1962 Impala Super Sport. This car was featured in the June 2011 issue of Chevy Classics magazine.
After having shown this car for several years and receiving several awards including a Platinum Certificate at the Flagstaff national show, I had a deep desire to restore another car.
Time: 1-2 hours
Tools: standard socket set, standard wrenches, torque wrench
Applicable years: all
Cost: $200-300 (average for non-specialized units). Prices on ultra-high performance torque converters can run into the thousands of dollars, depending on application.
Tinware: torque converter, transmission fluid
Tip: Consult with torque converter manufacturers before selecting a new converter.
Performance gains: well-balanced driveline, smoother shifts, maximize your engine’s power band
