Thread: Updating my Corvette

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Originally Posted by 36 sedan

Great find! But WOW! $43.00 each! I thought it was for a set of 8, NO just one, lol.
@ $350.00 for a set of 8, they're kinda proud of em...

Thought the same, then I scrolled down the page and found some more "standard" pricing...

I changed my mind and went with Flowtech headers instead of the Patriots. They fit better and don't require shorty plugs or a mini starter. Ian and started on the electric headlight conversion, a major PITA getting the vacuum canisters out.

Since Ian and I have other projects going I decided to hook up the headers to the existing exhaust and changed the vacuum advance from ported to manifold vacuum per Richard's advice.
I might have clearance issues with the sidepipes, she sits a little low in the front, so their installation is put on hold for the time being. I might have to put taller tires up front for more ground clearance, an idea I'm not to fond of, as I love the down in the weeds look. The only vehicle I've owned that wasn't dumped was the 01 Concorde I bought for my late wife, she was not amused by the idea.

Originally Posted by NTFDAY

...The only vehicle I've owned that wasn't dumped was the 01 Concorde I bought for my late wife, she was not amused by the idea.

By "dumped" do you mean lowered? Don't think I've ever heard that term used with cars, other than one "abandoned" or rail cars that haul materials like rock or coal and have provisions for dumping the load.

Originally Posted by rspears

By "dumped" do you mean lowered? Don't think I've ever heard that term used with cars, other than one "abandoned" or rail cars that haul materials like rock or coal and have provisions for dumping the load.

Dumped, a term we used in the 50's to describe a car that was lowered, mostly in the front but could apply to the rear as well. A dumped car usually had one or more coils in the front cut or a dropped axle on straight axle cars.
To me lowered means all the way around, but does not apply to tail draggers.
Remember, I'm very old school, stuck in the 50's and early 6o's when it comes to cars and trucks.
Other descriptions we used were "huffer, blower and wheezer to described a super charged engine.

Originally Posted by NTFDAY

Dumped, a term we used in the 50's to describe a car that was lowered, mostly in the front but could apply to the rear as well. A dumped car usually had one or more coils in the front cut or a dropped axle on straight axle cars.
To me lowered means all the way around, but does not apply to tail draggers.
Remember, I'm very old school, stuck in the 50's and early 6o's when it comes to cars and trucks.
Other descriptions we used were "huffer, blower and wheezer to described a super charged engine.

My interest started in the late '50's into the '60's. I remember "dropped" but just never heard the term "dumped" that I recall. For me, "Dumps" were exhaust cutouts, generally out of sight but also the short stubby capped pipe just behind the front wheel. "Huffer" & "blower" were common, "wheezer" must have been a more localized term as I don't recall ever hearing or reading that term either.
No big deal at all, "dumped" is simply a term that I'd not heard before. Might have been because I was stuck in the sticks of extreme SW Missouri, little bitty towns and my exposure was mostly buying any magazine with a car on the cover and wearing out the pages.

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The electric headlight conversion is complete. All that is left is to adjust the doors upwards as the headlights are way too low.

Here's a video of the headlight operation and also the sound of the new cam.

https://youtu.be/CILFLBU63ek

kit looks like it works great. motor sounds good. But get that fuel filter off the heater hose! LOL... 8-)

Originally Posted by 34_40

kit looks like it works great. motor sounds good. But get that fuel filter off the heater hose! LOL... 8-)

I've been meaning to do that, just haven't gotten around to it yet. The Quadrajet has a filter in the inlet and I have a new hard line for it but the clocking of the outlet on the pump is not right. The Vette requires a different pump and my tube bending skills leave a lot to be desired.

Originally Posted by NTFDAY

I've been meaning to do that, just haven't gotten around to it yet. The Quadrajet has a filter in the inlet and I have a new hard line for it but the clocking of the outlet on the pump is not right. The Vette requires a different pump and my tube bending skills leave a lot to be desired.

Can't you re-clock your pump to move the fittings where you need them to be? I had to do that on the roadster.

Originally Posted by rspears

Can't you re-clock your pump to move the fittings where you need them to be? I had to do that on the roadster.

No, unfortunately, it's a crimped pump. The outlet fitting is about 90º from where it should be. I had the right one in my eBay summary until a computer crash a while back. I'll find it again and get one ordered.

Love this thread, Ken. It's great to have Ian help as time with kids/grandkids is better than anything else here on earth.

Years ago, I invested in tooling for AN type fittings and a pretty fair inventory of braided stainless steel hose. It's been a life saver in some situations where hard lines are just a pain or I needed to route away from headers or other heat sources (and it looks really cool too). Don't know if such would work for your fuel line, but I know things are tight in Corvette engine bays. Just a thought.

Best,
Glenn

Originally Posted by glennsexton

Love this thread, Ken. It's great to have Ian help as time with kids/grandkids is better than anything else here on earth.

Years ago, I invested in tooling for AN type fittings and a pretty fair inventory of braided stainless steel hose. It's been a life saver in some situations where hard lines are just a pain or I needed to route away from headers or other heat sources (and it looks really cool too). Don't know if such would work for your fuel line, but I know things are tight in Corvette engine bays. Just a thought.

Best,
Glenn

That's not a bad idea, but I have two, supposedly stock, fuel lines though they are not identical. I'm going to try a 90º elbow fitting on the first. If that doesn't work I'll get a new pump, Delphi MF 0013 which has the outlet fitting in the proper location.
And yes, it's great having Ian to help on the car and besides someday it'll be his so he has some skin in the game.

"..... my tube bending skills leave a lot to be desired. ....."

Ken this is about the best investment I made for working with tubing.

https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catal...ges/470-fh.php


As far as the fuel filter, 40 years ago I had a minor engine fire (almost had it out) that turned into a MAJOR engine fire when the plastic fuel filter melted. I've used the metal ones ever since.



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