Poor life choices - C4 content

wheels777 wrote: We just bought a 96 Corvette. Any C4 experts in the family?

You're in trouble now...

In reply to wheels777: along with the other responders, I'll help if I can.

Day-74(3-hours):

I decided to attack the driver's side window regulator today. Knowing the door panels were largely held together and in place by hopes & dreams - along with a handful of drywall screws - I wasn't surprised when they damn near disintegrated upon removal.

With copious amounts of super glue & epoxy I was able to make pretty good progress on putting Humpty Dumpty back together again.

The door card was warped & shrunk to the point I could only fill some of the gaps, and get others close. The door handle opening was split along every edge too.

The top edge of the door card apparently broke off years ago(probably the reason for the wood screws), and was cracked at every place a staple from the weather stripping was attached. Fortunately the weather stripping is still in good condition, because it's the only structural member left.

You can see from this angle how much warpage has occurred from 32-years of southern sun and heat.

I still have a few more loose pieces to attach, then see if I can reattach the top of the door card to the main part, but I ran out of epoxy. I never did have time to start removing the damn window regulator either.

Day-75(1-hour):

Not much time tonight, but I did get the door cavity opened up and hit the regulator mechanism with a quick shot of lube. It seemed to free it up somewhat, so I decided to give it a thorough cleaning, then a proper lube.

I'd heard these early regulators referred it as a ribbon-type, but it was interesting seeing how they work. The white toothed rack in the middle is flexible. As the window lowers the rack curves forward and slides along a raised lip on the bottom of the door.

What's going on with the LS1 thingy?

In reply to Stampie:

Oh yeah, I forgot to post an update on that - I decided to pass on it. I know, I know...what the berkeley? Right??? Two factors, really: 1.) It was just too incomplete. By the time I sourced an intake, TB, injectors, front end accessories, headers, ECU, etc. it would have easily added $1000-$1500 to the project. I'd just rather get it running/driving now, then deal with a major swap later after I've gathered all the bits I'll need. 2.) There's no telling whether my rebuild job on the L98 is any good, or will last, and there's no documentation on the LS1. I really don't want any hard feelings to come about if either of these engines turned out to be junk. It's just not worth ruining a friendship over it.

Also - and I believe you mentioned this before - there's something to be said about keeping the original engine around, even if I do LS swap at some point. Not because of the numbers-matching aspect of it, but more of a heart & soul thing.

Welcome to the Church of All Things Automotive.

Just FYI, the current issue (March 2017) of Corvette Magazine has an article about a 1984 C4 with an LS1 swap. Not a lot of detail, of course, but it does mention the fabrication that had to be done, even though the swap used a kit from an outfit called Turn Key Engine Supply in Oceanside, CA.

In reply to Jim Pettengill:

Thanks Jim, I'll pick up a copy!

Day-76(3-hours):

I spent more time repairing the door card and handle surround, then continued working on the ribbon mechanism. Here's the ribbon after cleaning.

This is the track in the bottom of the door that the ribbon rides on, before & after a cleaning and light sanding.

I also vacuumed all the debris from the bottom of the door, and greased both the ribbon and track. Then got the door card rehung. I'm still waiting for the epoxy on the handle surround to cure before I can finish up tomorrow, but the window operates smoothly now and probably with about the same(lack of) speed as it did when new.

Day-77(2-hours):

I finished the door panel instal. Honestly, pulling out & reinstalling it definitely took its toll, but it's attached and the window works.

I've been spending a little time each morning & evening this week stitching on the steering wheel cover, and finally finished up and installed it tonight. It's not perfect, but seems like it will work well. It was actually designed for a much fatter rim, so I folded the excess leather underneath.

My new/correct cam arrived today too.

So it was time to tear back into the engine.

I'll have the larger cam listed soon at a GRM discount.

I love engine porn. Glad to see it coming together.

In reply to Stampie:

I'm anxious to discover what other issues will need addressed: wheel bearings, u-joints, trans, diff, etc. Hopefully there won't be any major - or majorly expensive - surprises.

You've made really good progress!

Any more signs of it being under water? I can see all of those having issues of so.

In reply to Sky_Render:

Thanks!

In reply to Stampie:

No, pretty sure just the interior got flooded by rain, and guessing some of the crustiness on the bottom is just from setting in wet grass for a couple years.

Wheels, I have one from my 84 is there anything I can get you? Not sure what all changed over the years But this is in a big Plastic bag right now.+ several c4 shops AKA parts in the Woodstock/Acworth Ga. Area,Look at CL in Atl. Area,I'll help where I can. type in corvette in search bar on cl

In reply to wheels777:

What I'm finding in general is there are dozens of people all over parting out C4 Vettes now - that's probably because they all seem to think every little nut & bolt is worth a fortune(maybe to some people they are?). It seems like a parts car is a really cost-effective idea when you have a C4, or alternately join the Corvette Forum and post there.

In reply to wheels777:

The general consensus is you need the factory service manual for complete and accurate wiring diagrams. They run about $70-$80 used on eBay. I don't have one(yet), just the Haynes manual, and the wiring diagrams it contains are helpful, but nowhere near complete, and I wouldn't guarantee their accuracy for every model year.

Mr Nelson: I'm working at Autobooks-Aerobooks in Burbank, CA. What year diagram are you looking for? Lemme see if I can find one.

Day-78(2-hours):

Meet the cam, same as the old cam(give or take a few thousandths )

It's all back together now, I just need to rent the balancer installer again, then I can measure the lift and confirm it's within specs - though there really should be no doubt with this cam.

After that I need to finish rebuilding the carb, finish cleaning the engine bay, then start pondering hoisting this big ol' lump back into its home.

Day-79(2-hours):

The engine is back together as far as I want before dropping back in, with the exception of bolting on the flex plate, and I checked the total cam lift to confirm I'm within spec.

So I decided to complete the carb rebuild before I get busy with the engine instal.

I still need to finish up the carb tomorrow, then get the engine bay ready for reinstallation. I also still need to put the torque converter back in the trans. Not sure if I'll be able to get the engine in this weekend or if it'll be next week, but it's getting there.

That's a nice looking SBC. It's not Lamborghini sexy but sexy for a SBC.

In reply to Stampie:

Haha - definitely in a completely different(lower) league than a Lambo!

Let's see here...... similar Power availible for what 10 maybe 20 GRAND less, you can get a lot of DATE's for that money... Lol!