In this episode, Classic Car Restoration host Mark Lambert gets into the meat of the Corvette restoration as he removes the engine and transmission from the vehicle, begins disassembly and cleans and refurbishes some of the engine parts. Note: This is a summary of steps included in the automotive restoration procedures shown in this episode of Classic Car Restoration. These are general guidelines for restoration procedures on this particular make and model of vehicle, and for the level of restoration selected for this project. There may be variations in procedures depending model, condition of vehicle, level of restoration undertaken and the types of replacement parts or upgraded kits selected. Always follow proper safety precautions, and read and follow manufacturer's guidelines, diagrams and safety notices that come with any replacement parts or kit that you select. VIN and Engine Number - With the platform work completed -- including work on the frame, suspension, steering, brakes, wheels, fuel system and exhaust system -- work can get underway on restoring the engine. In an earlier episode, we established that the engine in our 1962 Corvette is not the original engine. In fact, it's not a Corvette engine at all, but it is a small-block Chevrolet V8 engine that is suitable for restoration of this vehicle to a driver level.
- Before work begins on the engine, we check two important numbers: the engine number and the VIN (or vehicle-identification number).
- On a Chevy V8, the engine number can be found on the front, right side of the engine block (figure A). We used a brass-wire brush to clean away some corrosion to make the number more easily visible. The number includes the designation "CNV," indicating that this is a 250 horsepower, 350 cubic-inch engine -- probably one that was originally in an Impala or similar Chevy. (The 1962 Corvette originally came with a 327 engine.)
- The VIN number (known by GM as the serial number) would typically be on the steering column, but is absent on this vehicle -- indicating that this steering column is not original, and is probably from an older Corvette.
- Another location for the VIN number is on the door-pillar post. The VIN tag on this car (figure B) is a reissued tag from the Department of Safety, indicating that this car was likely stolen and recovered at one time in its history.
- Tip: The fact that the engine in this vehicle is not original is not a problem for this driver-level restoration, but when shopping for a project car, use the engine and VIN numbers to authenticate whether or not the car and engine are an original match. A restoration car with an original engine would typically sell at a higher price than one with a mismatched engine.
In the segment that follows, the engine is prepped for removal from the vehicle.
RESOURCES :
Corvette Black Book : 1953-2001
Model: 0933534477
Author: Michael Antonick
Corvette: The American Legend
Model: 0785343741
Author: Consumer Guide Editors
Classic Car Restorer's Handbook: Restoration Tips and Techniques for Owners ...
Model: 1557881944
Author: Jim Richardson
Order this book from Amazon.com
H.P. Books
Classic Car Restoration Guide: The Complete Illustrated Step-By-Step Manual
Model: 1850108900
Author: Lindsay Porter
Order this book from Amazon.com
Haynes Publishing
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