Project HI OFCR: 1988 Corvette coupe

So, long story short I wound up seeing this car on the back of a rollback near Barnes Rd. on US 25.  I saw the car as I drove by and could not stop as I was following my mother in law to her new home (I was helping her move).  I went back two days later and saw that he wanted $4K.  Looking her over she was complete and was a manual!  That's a good score as it's one of 2,972 with the 4+3 manual transmission.  Long story short I called the seller and offered $2K and he bit.  So, I got her home and sold off the '84 Corvette to get this one done.  

At some point the TPI was removed and they tried a carb'ed setup.  No go...and the seller said the motor is bad.  However I already have a 350 to drop into it.  The NOM has the very desirable #113 Corvette aluminum heads so that was a VERY nice bonus.    I took a few minor bits from the '84 to complete her.  Also, the wiring inside needs some help as it appears they tried to bypass the VATS and perhaps the ECM altogether.  

So, she was washed and vacuumed out and is now in the garage airing out (mice pee smell...UGH).  I have the wing and the wheels sold already as soon as I can get them off.  VERY happy to be into a manual shift 'vette and the '88-'89 are the most desirable of the TPI-powered Corvettes.  Here are a few pics.

Later,

Lee

Where she was sitting...



And at home..

It sat in a gravel floor barn for the past 7 years until this spring when the seller pulled it out and parked it on his rollback. Being out of the weather was a BIG help and it's not weather checked at all. The windshield is busted though. It's the original Dark Red Metallic and grey interior (one of 973 with the grey interior). It's a bit of an oddity as it is a very late year build (06/88) and is a base coupe but has a $1,500 set of factory seats as they are both full power and 8-way adjustable.   Really no notable options besides that though.

I'll be dropping the L05 350 that was planned for the '84 'vette into this one along with the cam, new D.U.I. distributor, Hedman headers and installing my ported TPI setup back into it. Also managed to score a 52mm TB from a good friend of mine cheaply. Very shockingly they did not hack up the TPI harness. All I can see monkeyed with are the distributor wires, electric fan wires and the red alternator wire. So, that makes putting the TPI intake and such back in a snap!

Later,

Lee

Here she is parked next to the missus' '85 Trans Am before being pushed into the garage.  

I think you did the right thing on this one. It's closer than the other.

Reb Stew wrote:I think you did the right thing on this one. It's closer than the other.

Thank you, Steve. I agree...funny how things work out though as the '84 was a good 'test run' and it had a few bits I did need for the '88. Between what I am selling off of this one and not using from the '84 I should be into the '88 for $1,400-1,500 max before I start tearing into it. That stacks up as a good deal becoming great in my book.   And this one I ought to have on the street by the summer.  

Later,

Lee

You can't beat that for a Vette. Being into it at a right price means a lot in these times we are in.

'Bout them seats. Maybe being a late year run they were starting to use up parts they had. I know for awhile every one built was already sold so they were all "custom ordered". Don't know about back in 88 though.

Arieldouglas wrote:'Bout them seats. Maybe being a late year run they were starting to use up parts they had. I know for awhile every one built was already sold so they were all "custom ordered". Don't know about back in 88 though.

I too have seen that on late year builds before. Usually they are trying to get the older stuff out. But what made this odd (to me) is that outside of the seats there are very few options on the car itself. Electronic HVAC controls (of which the vast majority got this in '88), the sideview mirror and rear window defroster option (which was only triggered on coupes with certain options but was standard on 'verts) and the rear hatch security screen. That's basically it. It even had the base model 16" rims. Kinda odd to me.

Steve, very true in this day and age about the budget. It's a heck of a lot of car for what I paid and I am very grateful to have been blessed with it.

Later,

Lee

Hey Lee, did the wing come on that model of Vette or did the previous owner add it on, being I've never seen a wing on a '84 before. Although it doesn't look to bad actually. Good find buddy!

SMOKNZ wrote:Hey Lee, did the wing come on that model of Vette or did the previous owner add it on, being I've never seen a wing on a '84 before. Although it doesn't look to bad actually. Good find buddy!

A prior owner added it. It's made by All American and still sells. They go for $349 thru Corvette Central or Ecklers. It does work but I prefer the 'clean' look on the '84-'96 Corvettes. My concern is that I think it's been both bolted and glued on. If that's the case I'll leave it until I get the paintwork done. But I'd rather have the $100 I'm getting for it though. 

Later,

Lee

At least this one is full of flood mud!!!!

What you doing with the old engine?

TAHOE wrote:At least this one is full of flood mud!!!!

What you doing with the old engine?

Yeah, no mud...just mouse pee.

I'll inspect the motor when I pull it and see what exactly is bad with it. The heads are being kept but I'll be selling the Weiand intake. There was no carb on the car when I bought it.

Later,

Lee

Pulled the Weiand intake and old HEI distributor. This is what it looks like inside...never seen this before. It does not come off or rub off. Thoughts?

Later,

Lee

Glyptal painted inside, hot rod trick to get the oil back to the oil pan quicker...Was in Hot Rod like in 76 when I started building motors....

http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/paitning-your-inner-engine-glyptal-paint-95612.html

Good stuff. I use to grind an smooth everything in the valley to get the oil down faster. Not really sure if it's worth all the work though and not sure it even works but I have done a few like that.

falconwagon62 wrote:Glyptal painted inside, hot rod trick to get the oil back to the oil pan quicker...Was in Hot Rod like in 76 when I started building motors....

http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/paitning-your-inner-engine-glyptal-paint-95612.html

Interesting thread there...I can see the benefits. Thanks for the info and link! What are YOUR thoughts on it? Would any of you here use it?

Grateful,

Lee

Never thought of using it inside an engine. I can tell you it is tough though. We used to use it as insulating paint before we got all modern. The electric motor shops still use it.

I've seen that Glyptol before on other forums. For what you are using car for Lee, I wouldn't put in the effort to do it, but that's just me. Once that oil get warm, it's going to thin and run back down motor pretty quick anyway.
Maybe grind of flashing around galleries, but that would be my extent.

TAHOE wrote:I've seen that Glyptol before on other forums. For what you are using car for Lee, I wouldn't put in the effort to do it, but that's just me. Once that oil get warm, it's going to thin and run back down motor pretty quick anyway.
Maybe grind of flashing around galleries, but that would be my extent.

Yeah, whenever this motor (or the L05 going in) are due for a rebuild I'll clean up the flashing and chambfer the oil returns. That will be fine for a solid street motor.  

Later,

Lee

So, now that the missus' Trans Am is done I have been able to turn my attention to the 'vette for the past two weeks or so. Here she is ready to tear into...



And here is my 'To Do' list...



Later,

Lee

Here is the '92 L05 350 that I am dropping in. It was pretty scrungy on backside and passenger side due to a blown rear intake gasket leak. Oil was so thick on the back of the oil pan that I had to scrape it off with a blade...UGH.



And after nearly 90 minutes it's cleaned up. So, I used Dupli-Color engine paint and I got the primer on it...



and here it is painted in a proper shade of Chevrolet Orange and mocked with the valve covers that were on the 'vette (that took a TON of cleaning) and the drivers side header.



Later,

Lee

Tearing into the 'L98' that was in the 'vette.  Here's a bit of the tomfoolery I found...



and more questionable mods to the fuel lines.  They went carb and never put a pump reducer on the FI fuel pump...



I was told that they got the car running once and then the block was cracked.  I was a bit skeptical...until I looked closer from underneath.  Sure enough on BOTH sides of the block in the same area.  Our guess is that they only put water in the cooling system as we have discovered only water and no glycol at all.  At some point the water froze and expanded in the block. And this motor was rebuilt before they put it in!  



Later,

Lee

Worked on the L05 and added a new oil pump. Check out the sweet pickup screen retainer...it is made by Pioneer and is super-smart insurance for $10.



And the bottom end of the L05. It's got some smoothness on some of the walls and a slight ridge on two walls. But there is very little if any 'slop' on the rods. And, when we pulled apart the original oil pump the wear was very minimal. So, my initial thoughts/opinions of the motor when I drove it seem to have been solid.



Up next are the new cam, lifters and balancer install. Then it gets a touch up on the paint and goes in!

Later,

Lee

So, as of last night I had everything disconnected and unbolted from the 'L98' and it's ready to pull out. Speaking of the engine after running the numbers it's a standard '88-95 350 block. So, the original motor let go at some point and they stuck this one in. Thankfully they reused the factory #113 heads so I'll save those, the pan and the rotating assembly for a future build.



I am hoping/planning on getting the motor pulled by Sunday. Then pressure wash the engine bay and tranny and do some touch up painting in the bay.



More to come,

Lee

Great project ( I have a 69, and an 05 vert). Now's the time for a little detail work while the engine is out. Keep the pictures coming, I like where this one is headed.

frmula505 wrote:Great project ( I have a 69, and an 05 vert). Now's the time for a little detail work while the engine is out. Keep the pictures coming, I like where this one is headed.

Thanks! I plan on doing some detailing/painting when the old motor comes out. The pressure washer will get things good and clean. Thanks for the kind words, sir.

What's the skinny on your two 'vettes?

Later,

Lee