Cora's Garage | Not every teenager gets to work on a Corvette

Back in Buisiness

Posted on January 12, 2014 by JackieW

Howdy ya’ll! As ya’ll can probably tell, I took a bit of a break from updating for a little while, but I’m back! We have completed some progress on Cora.

Cora in her previous glory. Hopefully we’ll have her looking as good as this in the coming year.

Since the engine block is still at the machine shop, we decided to strip the carpeting inside the Vette, and I’m telling you-it ain’t pretty. There was nothing but rust, mildew and even a few holes in the floor pans-*adds new floor pans to the already super long list of things that need to be replaced*.

We were also going to make some progress on rebuilding the master cylinder, but we lost some paints that we needed so that is temporarily on hold.

Hoped you guys liked the update! What is the messiest project you have ever done? Let me know in the comments! Thanks for reading, and tune in next Sunday night for another update.

God bless ya’ll! -Jackie W.

For the love of Corvettes

Posted on December 31, 2013 by Jeff

Jackie and I have been doing some small peripheral work on Cora (seat removal, master cylinder clean-up, windshield wiper removal, and carpet removal) since Thanksgiving. Also, the engine block is off at the machine shop to be bored and honed, and I expect that Jackie and will start the engine assembly sometime in mid to late January.

The stripped block ready for a trip to the machine shop.

Besides all of that, our progress has been slowed by my knee surgery that I had just before Thanksgiving (I’m more mobile now, so progress should improve in January).

Since I have a small pause before the fun begins (engine rebuilding, and body removal), I thought I might go down memory lane and explain how some of this family love of Corvettes came about. It really started back in 1976, which is coincidentally the year our Corvette, Cora, was built.

To understand where this comes from, I have always been fascinated by machines and more specifically cars and airplanes; this had a lot to do with me becoming an Electronics Engineer, a fascination that has been passed on to at least two of my kids. In 1976, this fascination was blooming right about the time that a neighbor bought a brand new “Oriole Bird Orange” 1976 Corvette. The shape fascinated me. The sound thrilled me. There was just something in the way the car was shaped that had an immediate appeal to me…a fusion of art and engineering that captivated me.

From that moment on, I would pause every time that car drove by, momentarily dazed with the synthesis of beauty and function. The coke-bottle shape, the flowing lines, the peaked front fenders, the notch-back rear window…it all just clicked for me.

Years would go by, the neighbor moved, and I would hold this love of Corvettes in my heart as a distant and un-requited love until I finally bought my own Corvette, a mahogany-red 1976 coupe.

Cora in her previous glory. Hopefully we’ll have her looking as good as this in the coming year.

This is where Cora’s story begins. Click the ‘About’ link above to learn more what has happened since.

Happy New Year everyone!

Short but Sweet

Posted on November 17, 2013 by JackieW

Greetings! Unfortunately, I shall have to make this short because I’ve had a long weekend. We stripped the engine down so it is now ready for a machine shop. Since we had some time to kill, we got a bit of work done in the engine bay. We removed the power steering pump so that we may rebuild it while the engine is at the shop. Also, we removed the windshield-fluid tank. However, the we have not removed the transmission from the car, and it has been leaking its fluid all over the garage floor-thus the title. This kinda stinks because I have been cleanup crew, for it even though it is going to leak again the next day. Maybe I can convince my dad to let me remove that leaking sucker from the car for the sake of my back and the garage floor.

I’m sorry that there are no pics this week. The computer crashed and I am doing this from my cell, which, for whatever reason, won’t put the pics up.Thank ya’ll for reading my blog. ‘Cause not every teenage girl can restore a ‘Vette, but with the help of my incredible dad, I can! XD

Retreat Away

Posted on November 10, 2013 by JackieW

The L-48 engine with one cylinder head removed. Cylinder #5 (2nd from the right) has a problem with the oil rings (which will be replaced), as shown by the shiny black surface.

The cylinder bores are in excellent shape with no ridge-wear evident. The edge shown in the picture is simply the boundary between the section of the bore that was polished by the rings, and the original finish. A “fingernail test” showed no edge in the metal. This is great news since if the other cylinders check out, this engine will not need a re-bore.

Six of the eight connecting rods and pistonsy

The stripped block ready for a trip to the machine shop.

Removing the connecting rod and piston. The 3/8″ fuel line hose is used to keep the rod bolts from scratching the cylinder bores.

Hey guys!! Before I begin, I just wanna say that I didn’t get much work on the car at all because my parents were away last week, and I was on a retreat over the weekend and I just got back today. However, my dad was so anxious to take the engine apart some more that he worked alone yesterday on it while I was away.

Bad news. it turns out the we do have to take the engine to a machine shop because there was some cylinder wear after all. We’ll probably take it to the shop this week. On the other hand, everything else looks pretty dang good. Right now, we are trying to decide which engine rebuild kit we should buy. If anybody has any recommendations then comment and Ill check it out. I could use all the help I could get.

Anyway, like the cartoon pig said at the end of the classic cartoons that I watched when I was younger, “Th-th-th-th-that’s all, folks!” ‘Cause not every teenager can write a blog post after a nearly sleepless weekend at camp, but I can!” Thanks for reading, and God bless ya’ll!

~Jackie

Trust Me, I’m a Lifeguard

Posted on November 3, 2013 by JackieW

Hey guys!

Sorry it is gonna be a short post. I have a lot to do and my folks are outta town.They are having my older half sister and my brother in law watch me(I’m sixteen), and my younger brother, who is fourteen. The title for them is a hint so I hope they take it. Mom, dad, psst psst! 0____O

Anyway, let’s get to what my dad and I did this week. We took apart more of the engine!! The cylinders look to be in pretty good shape considering what Cora went through, which means that we probably wont have to take it to a machine shop! Yay!

I had to remove the oil pan, and we kinda spilled oil all over the garage floor even though we siphoned the pan beforehand. Gotta love it! I also took off one of the heads. However, the head bolts were a real pain in the arse.They really do not make these things for teenage girls to work on……

Well, that is about all we did this week. Thanks for reading my blog! I could use all of the inspiration and motivation I can get from you guys! Thanks again! ‘Cause not every teenage girl gets to restore a ‘Vette!

God bless ya’ll! ~Jackie

Oh Lord, Please Operate

Posted on October 27, 2013 by JackieW

So……guess what we did this week!

Getting ready to lift the engine out.

Jackie operating the engine lift while dad guides the rngine.

Jackie operating the engine lift while dad guides the engine.

The L-48 Corvette Engine removed from Cora.

Well, I think you get the picture of what we did. We got the engine out!! The downside was that the garage floor became covered in transmission fluid and radiator fluid. Well, it is a late night and I have school in the morning.

Until next Sunday! ‘Cause not every teenage girl gets to restore a ‘Vette! But I do!-Jackie

Stop Homework…..Save a Project Car

Posted on October 20, 2013 by JackieW

Ok guys, we couldn’t take the engine out this week because of the lack of time. But however, we did do something that involved an engine crane. I literally almost got knocked over by an engine crane and a transmission-long story which I am too tired to tell.

We did make real progress, though! We took the radiator and the fan out. Plus, we disconnected some hoses. Sorry this is short. I’ve had a long week with lots of homework. God bless ya’ll and thanks so much for reading! ‘Cause not every teenage girl can restore a ‘Vette. And not every teenage girl can finish her homework in time. But I somehow did! ~Jackie

Lapping Around

Posted on October 13, 2013 by JackieW

It is Sunday!!! Which for me, means that I have to start school again tomorrow. *Booooo!* However, my dad and I made a lot of progress on the engine heads last week! *Yay!* First I lapped valves! I enjoyed everything about it except for my own spit that would get all over my hands when I missed the suction cup…….

After all the valves were measured for installed height, they were lapped, cleaned, numbered and bagged for final installation. The valves and other components are now matched to their seats and must be reassembled in the same locations.

After the valves were lapped, we then added the valve springs.

After lapping the valves and measuring the installed height (all were within +/-0.015″), the valves were installed, the valvesprings were compressed (with the hat installed) and then installed on the valves with the retainers.

I ain’t joking when I say that by the time we are done with my Corvette, it is gonna be lean, mean, rich-running, Prius-repelling, street machine!! Thank ya’ll for following this blog! God bless ya’ll! Keep checking this blog every Sunday night-‘Cause not every teenage girl gets to restore a ‘Vette. Besides, how many other girls do you know have lapped engine valves? So long until next Sunday!

Psst! My next blog update involves an engine crane!! ;]

The assembled head, ready to be installed. Now we just need to get the short block rebuilt!

I’d like to add this. I don’t know if you guys know about this, but across the country, there are over a hundred drive-in movie theaters may be going out business because they cannot afford to convert their film projectors to digital projectors. The reason why this is hard for these theaters is because a digital projector costs around eighty grand, and that is way to much to for a small business theater(which is what most drive ins are) to handle. Recently, the theater closest to my house, known as the Mchenry County Outdoor Theater, won the digital projector that they needed by the end of this year through Honda’s Project Drive In, which has already donated a few digital projectors to drive-ins across the country that needed to convert to digital. It would be awesome if you could help save these classic icons of Americana by checking out the site, http://projectdrivein.com/, and watch the video to see what project drive-in has already done, and how you can help. This means a lot to me and it would be great to see more awareness for drive-ins across the country the could be closing forever after this year. Thanks for reading this and have an awesome day!! ~Jackie

I Like Big Blocks And I Cannot Lie

Posted on October 6, 2013 by JackieW

The H200-4R transmission is done! This unit has been built to withstand up to 400hp.

The TH200-4R transmission is done! This unit has been built to withstand up to 400hp.

Prepping the new cylinder heads for paint. Here we’re using a simple gasket making technique to mask off the exhaust ports.

Yeahh, I know. It’s not a big block, but I simply could not resist placing that in there! Guess what guess what guess what??!!! We started on the Engine with the Dart engine heads we have!! Woohoo!! This week, we put some final touches on the transmission and painted our new upgraded engine heads “Chevy Engine Orange”. Ohhh yeah!

We primed the heads with an aluminum-etching primer for better adhesion for the final paint coat.

First, we wiped this stuff called acetone on the engine heads before paint or primer to prevent any paint defects due to oil-of any kind. Fun garage fact for the ladies: Acetone is an excellent nail polish remover. So if you’re out of nail polish remover, then no need to fear, just dig into your dad’s/husband’s garage and you’ll probably find some in there.

The new Dart SHP cylinder heads in fresh Chevy engine orange paint.

Now before the guys run off screaming for the hills, we then sprayed the heads with primer that we got from Menards. A day later, we sprayed the engine heads with “Chevy Engine Orange” paint that we ordered from Eastwood. After a few coats, these heads look more beautiful than anything!

Not much to say today, but rest assured that progress is being made. Tune in to the blog next Sunday to find out what my dad and I work on next! Psst…… the picture above is a sneak peak! ‘Cause not every teenage girl gets to work on a Corvette! Thanks for reading and for the support! God bless ya’ll! ~Jackie

Don’t mess with Earl and Mitchell

Posted on September 29, 2013 by JackieW

Howdy!

Guess what?! My dad and I are nearly done with the transmission!!! You guys have no idea how psyched I am to being close to finished! No more skewed transmission parts on my work table sucking my soul every time I look at them. As you guys may tell, transmissions are not my favorite thing to work on. When I get older and hopefully become an automotive designer and engineer, I’m avoiding the transmission department at all costs! Ok, so maybe I’m overreacting a bit about this, but working on one automatic transmission for about a year can do that to a teenage girl who is has been anxious to start on the engine……

Almost there! We just need to mount the 2-3 Servo, the Valve Body, and the Shift Linkages.

By the way, about over a week ago, my fam went on our annual trip to wherever my dad’s GPS convention is. This year, it was in Nashville, Tennessee. On the way back, we stopped off at the National Corvette Museum. I grasped the opportunity to learn about my two favorite automotive engineers who are Harley Earl and Bill Mitchell. Did you know that if an employee even dared to walk in between Harley Earl and the car the he was reviewing, the GM employee would likely lose their job? This demonstrates that Harley Earl took his job very seriously, and he would allow no one to interfere with him and his work. It is true that he was a stubborn jerk at times, but he revolutionized the automotive industry and kept the Corvette alive when GM was seriously considering shutting it down.

Bill Mitchell was Harley Earl’s successor. He had all of the makings of an excellent engineer. He had ingenuity, style, and stubbornness. And I ain’t kidding when I say that he was stubborn. When he was designing the 1963 Corvette Stingray, he placed a split window in the rear. Other people kept on taking it out of the design, but he continued to keep on putting it back in until GM finally gave in. He didn’t take it out until it got bad press from the slightly obstructed rear view which the split caused. Having the stubborn engineer spirit, he would let no one get away with messing with his designs-not even Duntov. Apparently, Mitchell and Duntov butted heads a lot and did what the could to counteract eachother’s designs. I’ve noticed that stubbornness and competition bring out the best in these peoples’ work. Earl and Mitchell have inspired me to never allow anyone to get in the way of your dreams, and your designs(lol). If you know you have a good idea or a beautiful design, do what these guys did-don’t stop until you see your design coming out of the plant doors to be shipped to its first customers.

This was a little bit of a history lesson from the teenage girl who plays with a C3 Corvette. Thank ya’ll for reading, cause not every teenage girl gets to restore a ‘Vette! P.S. Who’s your inspiration? Comment below and let me know why!

~Jackie W.