TireSmoke.org

Basement Paul wrote: ↑Thu Jul 14, 2022 9:32 pm Isn't there supposed to be lube of some sort on there? I somehow remember on maybe the Caddy when I was adjusting the points seeing lube where it contacts the distributor shaft. Not sure if that's true or not, or if the kit comes with anything like that.

-BP

It's true. Think I remember a dab of grease on the cam. Thought about Pertronix?

Apparently, greasing this is something you should do.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dYzkaI1vTU

-BP

Smoker,

Check out the felt wiper on this set of points. Maybe if there’s grease on the points this will help it stay greasy… ???

GM

So I saw some pics of those points with the felt to keep grease on it, but that's not what I ended up with. I did find the specific grease, though. I just applied a bunch with a Qtip as I spun the distributor.
The drive gear to the cam looks worn to me, too and the distributor spins kinda tight. It probably deserves a full tear down at some point. When I took it out, I was reminded it was a cast-iron distributor! Heavy!

I knew one of the mufflers was blown out, but now I know how bad..
I had bought a new exhaust system a few years back from Bair's, so I had everything in stock. The now blown up system was 2" pipe and always a performance liability. The new pieces are 2.5" ramhorn manifolds from a 327/340hp/360hp and 2.5" pipe setup. Muffler outlets are only 2", though. Gotta get through the rear fascia, I guess. I've got everything in place, but still loose. I think I missing two parts, a heat-riser valve or something like this. amd maybe a 63-only hangar-clamp setup. https://www.ecklers.com/1963-corvette-c ... 026-1.html

The exhaust studs are longer for one side than the other. Passenger side had this. I don't have that thick piece in a 2.5" version. New pieces otherwise loosely installed.. New vs Old

Finally finished off the exhaust this weekend.

I had to grind on the support bracket in the middle of the car to get it to bolt up. The pipes are *really* close to the spare tire well.

I got a new gear for the distributor. The one on there looks pretty worn. I need to investigate the cam teeth. Finally, I have a new water pump to replace the scuzzy one on there. It needs a coat of Chevy Orange first.

I'm determined to drive this car a little more this year.

-Dave

So the water pump was looking really scuzzy and had to go. I got another one from Rock Auto and painted it up. It has a port up top that the previous one didnt have, but otherwise seems the same.

I cleaned up the intake a little bit too.

The old pump has a GM casting number it, could very well be the original. It will go over in corner with the rest of the original 327.

-Dave

Maintenance item every 60 years lol

I got the Corvette out today, washed it, and took it for the first real drive with the new exhaust. It's not loud, but you can hear it more than the old exhaust and it does seem to have more torque. We are ready to hit the car shows!

-Dave

What a beauty! Nothing like a red Corvette convertible.

So when I was under the car doing the exhaust work the past few months, I noticed something a little shocking.. an oil filter dated Sept 2015???? Could it really be 7+ *years* since I changed the oil? I mean, I realize it doesn't get driven a bunch but wow.. The oil didnt look terrible, fwiw..

I changed the oil and filter a few days ago, using Pennzoil High-Mileage 10W-30. I probably should've put synthetic in, but good grief, I can't remember what I put in here in the past. (and didnt scroll here before buying oil). Also installed an AC Delco PF454 filter.

It still needs a full coolant flush after the water pump job. But otherwise running well!

So with barely a few drives on the new exhaust system, both donut gaskets failed miserably, but of course not at the same time. First the driver's side, and I swear not a week after I did that one, the passenger side failed. I got the passenger side replaced yesterday with the departure of the Porsche. Took a drive up 91 and over through downtown Willoughby and River Rd. on the way home. Ran good with no exhaust leaks.

I'm still chasing an oil leak on the back of the engine. Potential candidates are the distributor (since I've touched it recently), the oil pressure sending unit, and the back of the intake. All right in the vicinity.