1-800-551-4754 Tech Tips
How to Restore Your C3 Corvette: 1968-1982: Should Your Numbers Match?
This Tech Tip is From the Full Book, HOW TO RESTORE YOUR C3 CORVETTE 1968-1982. For a comprehensive guide on this entire subject you can visit this link:LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS BOOK HERESHARE THIS ARTICLE: Please feel free to share this post on Facebook Groups or Forums/Blogs you read. You...
How to Restore Your C3 Corvette: 1968-1982: Dash Pad Installation
Corvette interiors evolved during the C3's long production run. From 1868 to 1976 vinyl interior was standard and a leather interior package was optional. In 1968 and 1969 the leather upgrade only included the seats. This option was expanded in 1970 with the addition of cut-pile carpeting, wood grain accents,...
How to Restore Your Corvette 1963-1967: Sourcing Parts
by Chris Petris As I mentioned earlier, it is best to order the GM service and assembly manual before you remove the first bolt or nut. You also need to think about finding a GM parts manual, preferably an early edition 1953–1982 version. As General Motors revised its parts...
How to Restore Your Corvette 1963-1967: Getting Started
by Chris Petris Your plan should begin with considering what skills, tools, and equipment you have available. You need to decide if you will buy or rent equipment, or send the work out. Do you have a paint and body shop that you feel comfortable with? Will you be...
Ford Differentials: How to Convert 8.8-Inch Axle Ends
by Joe Palazzolo (Taken from Ford Differentials: How to Rebuild the 8.8 and 9 Inch by Joe Palazzolo) A common and effective upgrade is to replace the Ford 8.8-inch axle’s semi-float axle shaft retention with the Ford 9-inch-style wheel-end retention for superior strength in high-performance applications. This requires modifications to the axle...
Ford Differentials: How to Arrange Clutch Pack
This Tech Tip is from the full book FORD DIFFERENTIALS: HOW TO REBUILD THE 8.8 AND 9 INCH For a comprehensive guide on this entire subject you can visit this link: LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS BOOK HERESHARE THIS ARTICLE: Please feel free to share this post on Facebook Groups...
BMW M20 Timing Belt Change
This tech tip is from the full book, BMW 3-SERIES (E30) PERFORMANCE GUIDE: 1982-1994. For a comprehensive guide on this entire subject you can visit this link: LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS BOOK HERE SHARE THIS ARTICLE: Please feel free to share this post on Facebook groups or forums/blogs you read....
BMW E30 Alignment
Simply changing the way the wheels are aligned to the centerline of the car and to the road is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to get better handling from any car. This goes double for the E30, because of the way lowering affects alignment. Dual-purpose cars can benefit...
BMW E30 Coil-Over Installation
This tech tip is from the full book, BMW 3-SERIES (E30) PERFORMANCE GUIDE: 1982-1994. For a comprehensive guide on this entire subject you can visit this link: LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS BOOK HERE SHARE THIS ARTICLE: Please feel free to share this post on Facebook Groups or Forums/Blogs you...
BMW E30 Transmission Swaps
There are two main reasons to swap transmissions in an E30: to exchange one worn transmission for a better one or to change from an automatic to a manual (more preferred). FYI, the first scenario is easier. From Worn to Better With both automatics and manuals, there are some year-to-year...
Rebuild Basics for Pontiac Short-Blocks
The traditional Pontiac V-8 engine's short block has some unique characteristics. If you're planning to rebuild an engine you've already got, or you're considering a Pontiac V-8 purchase in the near future, there are some important engine block, crankshaft, and connecting rod information you should be aware of. The Pontiac...
Repair a Crack in a Corvette’s Bodywork
by Daniel Burrill with Jeffrey Zurschmeide Fiberglass automotive bodies are lightweight and resilient but not indestructible. When a fiberglass body makes contact with a solid, heavy object, it doesn’t bend, divot, or crease like steel automotive bodies; rather the fiberglass body cracks or breaks. The materials and techniques for...
1972 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu
Owner NameBryan FlattemHome TownMinneapolis, MN Vehicle Year, Make & Model1972 Chevrolet Chevelle MalibuHow long have you owned this vehicle?since 2000Where/how did you find this vehicleThis was originally my wife's aunt's car. She had it in high school and parked it in the 1980s when she bought an early Mustang. It...
Convert from Cathedral to Rectangular Port
by David Grasso (Taken from High-Performance GM LS-Series Cylinder Head Guide by David Grasso) The intake manifold is the most important element in swapping from a cathedral to a rectangular port head. To match the runners, this factory LS3 (PN 12610434) or an L76 manifold are the most popular. It is...
Quick-Ratio Steering Box Installation
If you’re increasing engine output, suspension performance, and braking power, you need a steering system that keeps up with vastly improved vehicle performance. While a rack-and-pinion steering system provides a giant leap in steering precision, it is also a very expensive upgrade. On the other hand, replacing a worn, stock...
MIG Butt Welding
Useful Basics for Successfully MIG Butt Welding Light Gage Sheet Steel Making strong, attractive MIG butt welds in body panels is essential to doing great panel work, unless you’re blessed with an expensive TIG weldor and the skill and experience to use it effectively. The only other option for butt...
Reader Rides: 1966 Ford Mustang GT
Owner NameDan UtechtHome TownStacy, MN Vehicle Year, Make & Model1966 Ford Mustang GTHow long have you owned this vehicle?Since 2005Where/how did you find this vehicleIn the Auto TraderAny projects planned for this vehicle in the future?Disc brake conversion with parts from a 69 Mustang factory set up. Also, the car...
How to Paint Using a Spray Gun
The only way to learn how to spray paint is to do it. Practice. Make runs and drips. Make orange peel. Make fisheyes. Keep practicing until you start to get a feel for the spraying process: how close or far away to hold the sprayer; how to move your hand...
The Hairy Olds Exhibition Drag Car
Hairy Olds was another brainchild of the ever unconventional George Hurst. This twin-engine, four-wheel-drive beast was certainly aptly named. Its cockpit had dual shifters and dual gas pedals to control two massive fuel-injected and supercharged 425-ci Oldsmobile V-8s. (Photo Courtesy Mark Fletcher) Find more stories like this in the book: HURST...
Berejik, The Smothers Brothers and Oldsmobile
Dick Smothers, of the Tom and Dick Smothers comedy team, was the driving force behind their hit television series and their racing ventures. Willard Wright was credited with helping put Dick behind the wheel of an Oldsmobile in 1968, prior to the brothers going on to compete with this 350-powered...
The Turbo-Hydramatic Transmission: The Great Equalizer
Bob “Beaver” Butter’s G/S Wackey Wagon was powered by a 270-horse 283 with a 4-speed. The wagon was originally a four-door sedan owned by the adventurist Jeff Zaborowsky and Bill Gracik. (Photo Courtesy Bill Truby) I don’t know where all those tri-five Chevy sedan deliveries would have been without...
George Cureton and Tokyo Rose
George Cureton’s NHRA World Champion Tokyo Rose coming hard off the line at Cecil County, 1968. George was a great driver who relied on the best parts to help earn his 1967 championship crown. (Photo Courtesy Michael Mihalko) World Champion George Cureton was a bit of a late bloomer...
Douglas & Forys: Scientist Racers
Graham Douglas (left) and Ed Forys pose proudly with their 1960 Pontiac after taking Winternationals gold. The forethought these two put into their racing venture was like no other and was reflected in the percentage of wins during their brief career. Dyno-tuned by Geraghty in Glendale, California, the 389 showed...
Is Your Chevy 348/409 Overheating?
Overheating can come from a number of sources. It’s all about transferring heat away from the system and related parts and assemblies. On 348/409 engines, users have reported these problems and solutions. Brad from Show Cars says, “The most common problem is the use of a small-block fan shroud, or...
