The project started off as a find on Craigslist. How funny is
"assembly required?" Basically, someone started taking it apart, supposedly
to restore it. At some point, motivation waned and what we started with
was a car with a LOT of parts pulled off.
The factory L-48 was somewhat anemic...at 3650 pounds and every bit of
180 HP (SAE net). The factory 2-bolt main, smog heads and lame cam
engine was going to need an update.
The new engine is based on a brand new Chevrolet 4-bolt main block,
3.750" stroker crankshaft, forged, dished pistons for unleaded
premium pump gas, hefty hydraulic roller camshaft, Dart SHP aluminum
cylinder heads with 180cc ports, Hooker headers and full-length,
dual exhaust.
The final CID is 377ci based on a standard bore and '383' stroke.
The goal is a low-RPM, torque monster pushing upwards of 475 foot
pounds at the crankshaft. Coupled with a mild torque converter and a
street-strip built TH-350 automatic (a 700R4 would be a nice future
upgrade) running through to a 3.90:1 final drive ratio, the car ought
to have the pulling power of a performance brand like Corvette.
12-422-8 Hydraulic Roller Tappet Camshaft:
So, Billy and I took apart the rest of the car and called Harold to
give us a hand building a "body dolly" out of four furniture dollies
and some wood from The Home Depot.
Getting the body off of the chassis wasn't too difficult. One of the
blocks that we cut to bolt through the floor was a bit too long and
snagged the brake hose on the rear. It was rotten and needed replacing
so I cut the hose and we were freed.
Harold & Billy Building The Body Dolly
One can see Billy's Neon in the background. Something tells me that
"The Vette" will be an interesting change of pace comparatively
speaking...
Billy Building The Body Dolly
The high tech design is obvious, however, to the untrained eye, I
should have bought two more 2x4s and one more 2x6. As it is, we made
it work, but we're definitely Bubbafied.
In a few months, you'll be able to buy this C3 body dolly for a real
bargain price!
Body Rolled Back Into The Garage
And, that's what it looks like when you put a C3 Corvette on a heap
of wood and stuff it into an overstuffed 2 car garage.
Chassis Strapped Down To The Trailer
Chassis Stripped Down On The Trailer
Chassis After Blasting & Painting
Getting closer to the paint shop...
Have to pick a body color?
Beginning to look more like a Corvette...
Custom Rear Bumper Cover
Engine Bay Painted
Corvette Masked Off for Primer
All Hardware Removed Before Priming
Primer Applied
Candy Apple Red
Nothing like a Little Red Corvette!
Still hasn't been buffed out...
Weighing the Big Ends
Weighing the Little Ends
Tom Takes a Gram Off
Scat Makes a Nice Piece
Balancing Parts
Balancing Paperwork
Forged "Dish" Pistons
Quality Parts
I Coulda Hada V8!
Fairly Light
GM High Performance Block PN: 10066036
Nice Part.
Parts Organized & Ready for Assembly.
Parts Organized & Ready for Assembly.
Parts Organized & Ready for Assembly.
Parts Organized & Ready for Assembly.
Parts Organized & Ready for Assembly.
4-bolt w/ARP main studs and steel rods
Electronic Degreeing the Roller Camshaft
Custom fit pushrods with high quality rocker arms
Short block is together
High Quality Parts Throughout
Black & Aluminum will look good when cleaned up...
Coming together...
Tom Donahoe
Small Block Torque Monster
On Run-In Stand
Tom & Rob
MPEG Video Of Engine Running (46MB)
Completely rebuilt Front End
Completely Rebuilt Rear End
Best Quality Spicer U-Joints
Engine installed in chassis
Engine installed in chassis
Engine installed in chassis
Engine installed in chassis
Engine installed in chassis
Assembly Work in Progress
Assembly Work in Progress
Assembly Work in Progress
Assembly Work in Progress
Assembly Work in Progress
Assembly Work in Progress
Assembly Work in Progress
Engine bay is taking shape...
A shot of the tail lights
Getting closer...
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