Distributor Installation and Test-Start With the engine, transmission, fuel system and cooling system reinstalled in the 1962 Corvette, only a few more steps are required before the engine can be given a test start. In this segment, the distributor is installed and the engine is prepped for a trial run.
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 on model, condition of vehicle, level of restoration undertaken and the types of replacement parts or upgrade 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.
Safety Alert: Always wear eye protection when working with power tools or pneumatic tools.
Materials:
Standard automotive tools (socket-wrenches, screwdrivers, nut-drivers, etc.)
Large slotted screwdriver Cordless drill Steps: - Duct tape was applied over the distributor hole earlier to prevent debris from falling down into the engine. Remove the protective tape.
- Before installing the distributor, Mark Lambert checks the oil system using a makeshift tool to spin up the oil pump. He breaks the plastic handle off of a large slotted screwdriver, and chucks the base end of the metal screwdriver into a cordless power-drill. He then uses the slotted end of the screwdriver, placed into the distributor hole (figure A) to spin the oil system, causing oil to pump up through the line. This confirms that there is adequate oil pressure.
- Place the distributor base gasket onto the distributor, and carefully place the distributor into the hole (figure B) to connect with the cam-gear and oil-pump-drive gear. When the distributor seats all the way down to the manifold, it is placed correctly.
- Install the distributor-base holder.
- Before starting the engine, the distributor should be set to a nominal setting. The engine is set to 2 degrees before top-dead-center, which is the appropriate setting for initial startup. Once the coil is connected, the distributor can be set accordingly by manually turning the distributor while watching the coil fire.
- Connect the coil wires (figure C), making certain to connect the power cable and radio-suppressor wire on the positive side, and the distributor feed on the negative side.
- With the center coil lead connected to a ground, and the ignition switched "on," the distributor is turned counterclockwise. As soon as a spark fires at the end of the coil lead, proper distributor timing is indicated, and the distributor can be locked in place. Turn the ignition switch off, and secure the distributor at that exact location.
- With the distributor set, connect a new vacuum advance on the distributor (figure D).
- Install the distributor cap and secure it (figure E). Fish all of the sparkplug wires down to the plugs, and organize the wires using wire-separator clips. The sparkplug wires are numbered to indicate their respective positions.
- Connect the center-coil wire to the distributor.
- To prime the new, dry carburetor, inject a few ounces of gasoline into the carburetor-overflow tube (figure F).
- Add water to the radiator (figure G). For this test-start, ordinary water is fine. Coolant solution will be added later.
- The engine should now be ready to start up. For the test-start, Roger turns the key in the ignition as Mark operates the throttle from under the hood (figure H). A successful start indicates that there is oil pressure and the engine is operational.
- Safety Alert: When starting a newly installed engine, it's advisable to have a fire extinguisher on hand as a safety precaution.
In the episode that follows, work continues on the 1962 Corvette.
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
Special Thanks, Classic Car Restoration: 1962 Corvette (Companies and Products)
Companies and Products
Corvette Central
Full line of Corvette parts and accessories.
Website: www.corvettecentral.com
Dunshee's Corvette Parts
Corvette restoration specialists.
7304 W. Villa Rita Drive
Glendale, AZ 85308
Phone: 602-938-8895
Fax: 602-938-9081
E-mail: 4vetteparts@cox.net
Quanta Restoration and Performance Products
Website: www.quantaproducts.com
Restoration specialists. Quanta Restoration carries (among other specialty items) "correct" fuel tanks for vintage cars.
Lectric Limited
Website: www.lectriclimited.com
Eastwood Company
Unique automotive tools and supplies.
Website: www.eastwoodco.com
Eastwood carries assorted tools, supplies and parts (many hard-to-find) of interest to the auto-restoration hobbyist.
House of Kolor
Automotive paints, primers and painting systems.
Website: www.houseofkolor.com
Strip Technologies of America
A media-blasting facility specializing in coating-removal & coating applications.
4001 Bruhin Road
Knoxville, TN, 37918
Bend-Pak Inc./Ranger Products
Bend-Pak provided the large equipment used throughout the Corvette episodes of DIY's Classic Car Restoration.
NAPA Auto Parts
National Automotive Parts Association.
Customer Support: 877-805-6272
NAPA provided many items that used throughout the Corvette series.
3M Corporation
Products available at retail stores worldwide.
3M provided many general supplies, including all safety equipment, used throughout the Corvette series.
Special Thanks, Classic Car Restoration: 1962 Corvette (Organizations)
Vintage Corvette video and photos provided by General Motors Corporation.
Used with permission, GM Media Archive.
Chevrolet's website: www.chevrolet.com
Corvette Organizations
The National Corvette Museum
Website: www.corvettemuseum.com
The National Corvette Museum is open to the public and offers plant tours and other services and products, including Corvette accessories and memorabilia. The museum also offers library and archive information, build-sheets and a database of information. NCM also sponsors events and gatherings.
For DIY's Classic Car Restoration, the NCM supplied research material and photographs used in episode #201.
National Corvette Restoration Society (NCRS)
Website: www.ncrs.org
The NCRS (National Corvette Restoration Society) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the restoration, preservation, history and enjoyment of Corvettes made from 1953 through 1986. The group offers publications, database information, resources and discussion boards. They also sponsor Corvette events and NCRS Judging programs.
East Tennessee Corvette Club
The East Tennessee Corvette Club is a non-profit organization of Corvette enthusiasts in the East Tennessee area.
Corvette Expo
Website: www.corvetteexpo.com
Corvette Expo is a promoter of Corvette shows, swap meets, and auctions.
Special Thanks, Classic Car Restoration: 1962 Corvette (Books and Publications)
Books and Publications
Classic Auto Manuals
1910 E.S.E. Loop 323 #317, Tyler, TX 75701, 903-566-1939
Classic Auto Manuals offers factory-original shop manuals, service manuals, body manuals, repair manuals and auto-parts manuals on CD format. They provided the 1962 Corvette manual used as reference in the Corvette series for DIY's Classic Car Restoration.
Standard Catalog of Corvette: 1953-2001
ISBN #0-87349-235-8
Krause Publications
Website: www.krause.com
Book and photos featured in #201 (Corvette History).
Classic Corvette: The First 30 years
by Mike Mueller
ISBN #0-7603-1358-X
Motorbooks International (MBI) Publishing Company
Book and photos featured in episode #201 (Corvette History).
Corvette Buyers Guide 1953 - 1967
by Richard Price
ISBN #0-7603-1009-2
MBI Publishing Company
Featured in Classic Car Restoration episode #209.
Corvette: Fifty Years
by Randy Leffingwell
ISBN #0-7603-1180-3
MBI Publishing Company
101 Projects for Your Corvette: 1984 - 1986
ISBN #0-7603-1461-6
MBI Publishing Company
Author Richard Newton featured as guest on episode #209.
Motorbooks (MBI) catalog & information
Website: www.motorbooks.com
| 
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
