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Fuel System and Cooling System
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Note:
- These are general guidelines for restoration procedures on this particular make and model of vehicle, and for the level of restoration selected for this project. There may be variations in procedures depending on model, condition of vehicle, level of restoration undertaken and the types of replacement parts or upgrade kits selected. Always follow proper safety Note, and read and follow manufacturer's guidelines, diagrams and safety notices that come with any replacement parts or kit that you select.
- Always wear eye protection when working with power tools or pneumatic tools.
Materials:
- Standard automotive tools (socket-wrenches, screwdrivers, nut-drivers, etc.)
- New belts, hoses, hose clamps
- Hose cutter
- New carburetor
Steps:
- On a model like Corvette, it's easiest to install the lower radiator hose first, before installing the radiator itself and before installation of the radiator shroud. Connect the lower radiator hose and upper radiator hose, and secure the connections with hose clamps.
- With the hoses attached, slide the radiator into position, making sure it seats properly in its snug locations. With the radiator in place, connect the radiator-end of the lower radiator hose.
- Reinstall the refurbished two-piece lower radiator shroud. Ours was bead-blasted and repainted for a like-new appearance.
- Reinstall the newly repainted fan. Align the bolts and holes at the 12-o'clock position for easy installation, tighten the bolts and test the fan for proper spin.
- Install the top radiator shroud, fitted in and under the top of the radiator. The bolts that secure the shroud also secure the radiator. Use a long socket, and tighten the bolts securely to prevent any rattles.
- Position the new fan belt. The belt just hangs in place for now, until the new generator is installed.
- Install the newly serviced generator, bolting it to its bottom bracket. Next, bolt the top generator bracket to the engine and to the generator. Simply hand-tighten all of the bolts at first.
- Put the fan belt in place, and pull the generator back until the belt is taut.
- Tighten the belt in place and then go back and tighten down the generator bracket-bolts securely, and tighten the generator bolts to secure the generator onto the bracket. If the fan-belt is adjusted properly, there should be about 1/2-inch deflection when you apply moderate thumb-pressure to the belt.
Note:
- Avoid adjusting your belt so that it's too tight. A belt that is overly tight puts undue pressure on the generator bearings and water-pump bearings, and will shorten their lives.
- The top heater hose carries water from the manifold to the heater. To install it, connect the hose at the manifold, and snake the hose around the generator and up to the water pump. Cut the hose to the appropriate length using a razor hose-cutter.
- The bottom heater hose carries water from the heater, returning it to the water pump. Route the hose underneath the generator and connect it to the water-pump intake.
- Connect the upper radiator hose to the radiator to complete the installation of the hoses.
- Consult Chevrolet's wiring diagram for the Corvette to connect the wiring to the generator. There are three electrical leads that connect to the generator armature, field and ground. Embossed markings on the generator indicate which lead connects to which post. Connect the leads using lock-washers and bolts.
- The next major step is the installation of the carburetor and top portion of the fuel system. Earlier, we covered the opening of the intake manifold with duct tape to prevent debris from falling into the engine as we worked on the engine.
- Remove the protective tape, and set the carburetor gasket in place.
- With the gasket in position, carefully set the new carburetor in position, and bolt it in position using the nuts from the original carburetor. When installing the carburetor, avoid over-tightening the nuts.
- Next, extend the fuel line from the fuel-pump to the carburetor inlet. Make sure that the carburetor inlet is tightened securely, attach a new fuel line to the carburetor inlet and secure it with a hose clamp. Cut the hose to the appropriate length, and attach the other end to the fuel supply line.
Tip:
- Mark recommends using transmission oil-cooler hose or fuel-injector hose instead of ordinary fuel-line hose for this connection. These hoses are the same size as fuel-line hose, but are much more resilient.
- Attach the temp-sender, the sensor that lets the temperature gauge know how hot the engine is running.
- Finally, place a vacuum plug on the vacuum port.
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