Sue's 59 Corvette project....

[Custer55]

The Corvette is looking great. Sue will be driving it soon!

[WagonCrazy]

So sanitary! Looks like its coming together nicely. Get it driving soon.

[TrifiveRichard]

Thanks guys. Working on getting things mounted and all non-electrical connections made. Then, it’s time to wire.

[TrifiveRichard]

Been working lately on finishing up the PCV can installation and connection, as well as mounting and connecting the fuel tank. We did a low pressure leak test on the PCV can, found a few pin holes, welded them up, and painted the can. Flex seal was used, as a precaution in case there were any further leaks. Bumper satin black paint was then applied. This finished the can. It has been mounted, just below the passenger hood pin receiver, similar to the where the factory can was planned.

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The vacuum lines on top of the can use the factory lines at the can connection, and have been modified to fit, then terminated in a 6AN connection. This mates to the 3/8" tubes coming out of the valve covers. The lines are run under the CORVETTE wings, thus out of sight. The AN connection also allows the lines to be removed in case it's necessary.

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Any oil from the can is returned to the oil pan in a similar manner as the factory can, including a check valve to ensure which way the oil goes! This finishes up the work on the PCV can.

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Next item on the list was the fuel tank. The tank is a Rick's Tank, stock volume. It includes a ZL1 fuel pump and separate fuel tank level sender. The fuel line is a single line, with no return, which is used on all gen v LT1/LT4 motors, as I understand it. Fuel pressure is managed by a standalone controller, using a pressure sensor in the line. The GM instructions say to place the fuel sensor as close to the fuel tank as possible, to help eliminate the motor's 2000 psi high pressure pump pulses from interfering. Given the advice, the pressure sensor was mounted right at the tank inlet. A 3/8" fuel line is being used. The line attaches to a bulkhead fitting on the passenger-side floor. The wiring for the tank also come through the floor in the same area. The wiring includes pump power, fuel pressure sensor lines, and fuel level sensor lines. These have been run to the center/top of the tank and terminated in connectors to the tank.

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This about takes care of these two items, on to the next.

[BamaNomad]

so startup and First Run is when?

[TrifiveRichard]

Going to be a while yet, Gary…

[WagonCrazy]

Its been a while yet now Richard. You driving this amazing C1 yet?

[TrifiveRichard]

It's going to be a while before we start the Corvette, let alone get it on the road, Paul. We just returned from a trip to CO and now back working on the car. There are still a number of items to be mounted, and a few to be fabricated. Recently, finished mounting the stereo system subwoofer in the trunk. Made a mount to recess the subwoofer against the trunk/convertible top divider wall as much we could.

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In addition, been working on building rear backup light housings to go in the exhaust openings of the rear bumper. These Corvettes didn't have a backup light option and, since we're not running the exhaust out the bumper openings, we had a good place to locate a pair of lights. Looking online, we located an aftermarket LED set that is made for the 57 Chevy. A housing was made to hold this light, along with both a focusing and a uV cover. A piece of stainless trim will be used to horizontally divide the opening in two. This should help make the whole thing look a little less like an exhaust opening. At this point, the housings are made, still need to weld on a mounting tab, paint the housings, mount the stainless trim and seal the units.

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While in CO, I had time to generate the electrical schematics for the Corvette. The schematics help in wiring and trouble shooting. I also use them to allow like components to be co-located, like relays, diodes, misc. fuses, etc. I don't like to have these items buried in the wiring. I also tend to use a fair number of connectors. By doing this, the majority of the wiring can be done on the bench and not laying down in the car.

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[Custer55]

Nice work Richard. It's all those little details that are the most time consuming!!

[TrifiveRichard]

I agree Brian, and there’s a lot of little details!