Vette Underconstruction

[shakedown067]

So the Vette is finally under the knife, or wrench anyway. Trans is dropped and off to be rebuilt. Hope to hear back in a couple of days the extent of the damage. I think it shouldn't be to terribly bad (roast the 3 and 4th gear clutch packs). Pretty sure I did the damage at the August autocross when my e-fans stopped working.

As a bonus, I was able to track down my two ground issues. They both went to the same ground that ran behind the block and to the trans to motor bolt. Two were broken in the wiring harness that you couldn't see until the trans was out. Will be glad to have those minor issues fixed to boot.

[shakedown067]

Sweet, got a nice notice from Largo Code Enforcement today. Love that you can't work on your own car in your own driveway!

[Tim_M]

That is unfortunate...you've got to be more clandestine about it!

I recall a 'few' years ago...I pulled an engine in an apt parking lot. No legal issues, but the apt owner wasn't cool...had the car towed to an impound yard. I asked the yard if I could retrieve my tools and floor jack from inside (I knew I shouldn't have stored them there after the engine pull)...they said, "Don't you want the car back?" No thanks-they almost did me a favor as it was a $175 running Monte Carlo purchased only for the 400 SBC core for my Nova. Now I didn't have to worry about disposing of it!

Here is a link to an image:

http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c4/nogo/N ... ine2.shtml

Neighbor/HOA complaints are never pleasant.

Get that Vette back into competition!

[shakedown067]

Yeah, I shouldn't have left it up on jackstands, but I was really hoping to have it back soon. Just going to get it on the ground and clean up around it making it look ok.

Should have known to play murphy's law...leave it on jackstands, it'll take forever to get back. Set it back down on the ground and the trans would have been rebuilt in a couple of days. It's literally been the busiest week of the past year for the trans shop.

[Jamie]

My experience is that unless your neighbors are complete butts, much is forgiven so long as you don't leave the mess out with nothing going on. I done a few parking-lot maintenance jobs, and the trick was always leaving the car looking like I could drive it away. I pulled apart the Prelude's cooling system outside my apartment once, and no one realized it wasn't drivable for a week while I waited for parts.

The flip side was when I had the Suburban (back when it was running) parked outside the same apartment...I routinely got warnings that my "derelict vehicle" would be towed, to which I responded by jumping in the truck and driving it over to the office to ask what derelict they were talking about.

[Solar]

Good to hear you found your ground issue !

I remember back in my "mechanics day" that those C4 AOD transmissions had an issue with the OD switch wire going to the shifter button. Might want to take a look at that while you have the transmission out. The OD wire from the shifter that goes to the trans could get hot and melt in a small area and "ground out", and it would keep the trans from energizing the OD.

I'm going from some 25 years plus of memory; we worked on a bunch of the Toy Store cars that they couldn't fix, so... yeah, just a heads up.

[Jamie]

Good to hear you found your ground issue !

Oh, no...the last time I had to do repairs in a parking lot was several years ago. Today, the Prelude's still sitting waiting for me to figure out the next part to replace in the ignition system...but I have a garage now, so don't have to put it back together every night!

[twistedwankel]

Sweet, got a nice notice from Largo Code Enforcement today. Love that you can't work on your own car in your own driveway!

The one advantage in Hernando Cty (subsidiary of NJ/NY/UK) is they laid off all but one Code Enforcement Officer in the Recession. Guess you should have used my driveway? I cannot live in a subdivision or gated community of any type, HOA are anal retentive. Hope you can save up to move soon. I was not allowed to cut down my 2ft dia Live Oak tree because it will hold 6 small blocks at once. Honest...a County rule. I got a permit that says if I cut it down I have to plant 6-3" listed trees to replace it. Guess it stays. The small blocks bong in a good wind.

[shakedown067]

Yeah Jamie, I should have dropped it back on the ground, but I was hoping to have it all back together this weekend. Got her all cleaned up, loose wires tucked away and back on the ground today. They shouldn't be able to tell when they drive by on Thursday.


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[shakedown067]

Trans should be back thursday!

[twistedwankel]

Trans should be back thursday!

So I'm assuming you will break this trans in properly so it lasts 27 years?

Yes!! Other wise you can c0-drive Shamu with a 28 year old one so you'll get the idea.

[BrandLoyal]

Trans should be back thursday!

So I'm assuming you will break this trans in properly so it lasts 27 years?

Yes!! Other wise you can c0-drive Shamu with a 28 year old one so you'll get the idea.

Mayor Doug, Maybe instead of BREAK we should say "season the trans"

[shakedown067]

Trans should be back thursday!

So I'm assuming you will break this trans in properly so it lasts 27 years?

Yes!! Other wise you can c0-drive Shamu with a 28 year old one so you'll get the idea.

Pst, please. Although to be quite honest, never thought about a break-in process for a transmission. Got some nice mild upgrades for the ole girl, should help with the abuse.

[twistedwankel]

I suppose a performance shop would have a trans dyno so it would be a moot point coming fully tested.

I've always believed the first 30 minutes is critical.

[shakedown067]

From what I've read in the factory service manual, it's all about getting the fluid level right. Plus you can't forget to fill up the torque converter first. I've heard of more than one person killing their brand new trans this way. Or at least having to replace the converter.

Being kinda stuck with this ole auto, thinking about a nice rear mounted, aux cooled trans cooler. Then I can get a big nasty radiator this summer...minus trans fluid. Oh god, I'm talking about sinking more money into this car. Please help me!!!!!!!

[twistedwankel]

Move so you can work on it at your own pace first.

There. That should keep you busy for awhile

[twistedwankel]

http://www.nbcnews.com/#/news/us-news/m ... tes-n28416

This will make any Corvette enthusiast ill. 8 cars down the sinkhole in KY museum.

[shakedown067]

Yeah, but luckily they are only cars and it wasn't during an event with hundreds of people there. Have you seen security the video?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IukDWhf7 ... cC&index=3

[shakedown067]

Ah it's good to have the trans back! A case of fresh synthetic fluid and picked up a standalone trans cooler with fan. No roasting this trans again, and no stinking trans lines in way in the engine bay!
If only I could take Friday off to do the install. Hopefully I'll be able to take her for a little cruise Saturday afternoon!

[Cool Rod]

Trans should be back thursday!

So I'm assuming you will break this trans in properly so it lasts 27 years?

Yes!! Other wise you can c0-drive Shamu with a 28 year old one so you'll get the idea.

So he can end up in 3rd place in S3?