1971 Corvette Hot Rod Build

[Arrowsmith]

Wee update: I went back into the shop and tried to mock up the end play on the cross shaft gear with a couple of AN washers. The hardened washer that was in the distributor is 0.028-inch thick. The AN washers measure 0.63-inch thick (each). Using one of the AN washers alone helped. Using two AN washers didn’t work. Using one AN washer and the original hardened washer together more or less worked. I’m not leaving the AN washer in there, but I’m sure someone was inside this distributor before me (no surprise I’m sure…). So…is it possible the thrust washer is too thin? Sure seems so. I’ll find out tomorrow.

[Arrowsmith]

I just spoke with Jeff Vinyard, owner of High Tech Innovations. He machines new couplers and gears for Corvette distributors. He also has an upgraded setup with captured needle bearings and a stainless steel coupler (picture below). He agrees and thinks the thrust washer in my distributor is wrong. I have one of his setups on the way...

[Arrowsmith]

I don’t have anything earth shattering for progresss. I’m just plunking away at some of the little things….stuff I’m not crazy about doing…L-O-L. I’m still waiting for the $$$ Al Knoch order. Man, they’re slow….

First things first: I finally refinished the center stack gauge bezel. I think it came out pretty good:



Here it is assembled with the gauges and center stack warning lamps. I don’t have the clock knob installed. Reason? Somehow, I lost the fancy little specialized nut that goes inside the knob. I’ll have to order a new one:



I stripped the wiper bezel today and I’ll repaint it and detail the raised chrome letters later this week:



When I took the car apart, I found it had a new tach cable. In fact, it had an odd mix of new and old parts in it. If you recall, I had to fix the tach needle. Seller told me it fell off. I think I discovered the real problem: The cross drive washer mentioned earlier is wrong and the tach cable has never seen lube.




Bone dry:



Here’s a very recent picture of the car. I still think I will sell it once the interior and a few other odds and ends are done. It will make a Great (small) project for someone. I’ve done all of the heavy lifting….L-O-L: