Making our Corvette safer to drive with a few minor fixes

Update by Tim Suddard to the Chevrolet Corvette Coupe project car
Nov 1, 2024 | Corvette, Restoration

Photography by Tim Suddard and T.J. Leibee

The first thing that needed fixing on our 1965 Corvette was the leaking caliper. Generally we would do these in pairs, but as the rest had recently been done, we found a matching caliper, installed it, and bled the brakes. We even reused the pads as they seemed nearly new.

While our mantra is to correctly do everything that we touch, at this point in the game, the idea was to just make the car safe to drive and then decide what if any further modifications would be needed.

While working with the brakes and cleaning up the chassis a bit, we noticed something: There were actually two attachment positions for the tie rod ends.

A little research showed that the inner settings (which would offer less steering leverage) was for power steering-equipped cars. We moved the tie rod end back to the correct position and, using a tape measure, set the toe as close to zero as we could until we got to the alignment shop.

So, why did a note on a piece of tape tell us not to use the parking brake? The shoes looked okay, so we traced the cable back to the handle.

Inside the interior, we quickly found the issue as the cable had slipped off the wheel underneath the dash. Correcting this problem and lubricating the rest of the cable had the parking brake system working perfectly–and with no money spent.

New front anti-roll bar end link bushings were installed, as was a new air cleaner element to replace the filthy one that came with the car.

A subsequent test drive showed the brakes now felt fine, while the car ran significantly better–amazing what fresh fuel and an air cleaner can do.

The car also no longer needed power steering. The steering was still crisp out on the road, but in a parking lot, the car was much easier to maneuver.

For the first time, we gained some confidence. This was the day we learned 350-horsepower, four-speed Corvettes are pretty darned quick. We were starting to fall in love with our barn find.

Developing a game plan for the Corvette we bought sight unseen

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Comments

RPO469 New Reader
11/1/24 11:40 a.m.

Seeing the L-79 65 Vette on the lift with door open reminds me back in 65 of a fellows new Corvette in my town. Larry ordered a 65 Nassau Blue, white vinyl, white soft top with hardtop, white walls and standard wheel covers, AM/FM and a 350 horse L-79 with 4 speed. Not only did it look great but sounded fantastic and accelerated. I was impressed comparing it to my 57 2X4 four speed. I recall one ride Larry gave me and being pushed back in my seat during a power shift---do folks do those anymore??? Anyway, you have a great car and enjoy each of those 350 horses!!!

300zxfreak Reader
11/1/24 1:14 p.m.

In reply to RPO469 :

I'm fairly confident that most, if not all, recent manual trannies would never handle the abuse I used to give the old school Muncies.......maybe some Tremecs would, but not original equipment.....

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