Oh Joy! Oh Joy!

[Tom Bryant]

Since my wife is actually going to drive her '81 this year and she is going to let my son take it to prom in 2 weeks I thought I would see if I could find that minor drip in the power steering system. How's that for a long sentance? Well, I never got to the p/s. I did, however, find a wet tire and a leaking piston in the l/f caliper. It was ok 2 weeks ago when I had it out in the drive for a warm-up.:mad :hb

We have had silicone in it since '83 and I was suprised that the piston had some corrosion and the cylinder was pitted. There was also a lot of sludge in the bottom of the cylinder.

I'm going to replace both fronts now and also new rubber hoses and will do the rears next winter. If they all have that sludge and pitting in them they need to be done.

My engine block is done. I want to build my engine.:cry I don't want to work on brakes. :cry

Tom

[Nut]

Tom,

Glad you found the brake problem before your son got in it. That could have been a disaster. You must have a very trustworthy son there. Outstanding.

Later............. Nut

[Tom Bryant]

He was raised right and really takes care of his Blazer. He also knows how high pitched his voice would be if he had to tell his mother he hurt her car. :D I was suprised that she offered to let him use it. He knew better than to ask. She always said the same thing her mom said to her. "If you want to drive a Corvette buy your own. You're not driving mine". She must be getting soft now that she hit 40. :L

Tom

[Nut]

Well I'm hitting 50 next month and you won't see me budging on that one; and my two are 22 and 24!! But then again mom's are generally softies. I should talk, my mom let me take my drivers test in a '67 Baracuda 383. (Mom worked for the old Chrysler Corp. and always had the hottest Mopar ride she could get. Drove my dad nuts) Until she found out about the '67 Rap top we were hiding at his shop. Hope he has a good and saffe time in it.

.............. Bob

[Tom Bryant]

I picked up the calipers today at the GM dealer where my wife works. Put them on tonight and bled them. I still need to check out that p/s leak. I'll take it for a little drive in the morning to see if it will actually stop. I sure hope it does.

Here's the calipers. Stainless sleeved and stainless pistons.

[Tom Bryant]

Here's the finished job. Thanks Bud for answering my plea for help when I couldn't find the bolt torque specs.

Tom

[MidShark]

Gee, you do nice work! Would you like to do mine next? :L I replaced the left rear on my '81 last fall, and after driving it on Saturday, I see now that the right front is leaking. I guess it's true what they say, you might as well do them all at once. Oh well, I guess I haven't thrown enough money at this one yet.

Dick

[chockey]

Hi Tom, similiar situatation, my son wanted todrive my Vette in the homecoming parade last year, but the weather saved me. His senior prom is about 4 weeks away and just waiting for him to ask, the answer is NOT SURE, he is such a good kid yet you never know what might happen. I want to show him that I totally trust him but it might be someone else that has no respect that causes damage.

:confused :confused
Chuck

[Tom Bryant]

I did both fronts and flushed out the lines on that half of the system. The right one was starting to get wet around the seals too. No sign of leaks on the rears yet. I hope they will be ok for the summer and I'll change them next winter.

Chris suprised me when she said he could use the '81 It suprised Blaine too. He will us it to pick up his date and arrive at the prom. His blazer will be there to use afterwards since he will be taking some other kids home. We trust him and I guess we will just hope for the best..

Tom

[Tom Bryant]

I took it for a drive and everything is working fine. It pulls a little to the left when the pads are cold. Probably because of the left outer pad getting wet with fluid. It cleaned up well and I sanded them all but I think I had better just eplace them. They're in pretty good shape but they do have 50,000 miles on them.

Any sugggestions on the best pads for a C3?

Tom

[jon81]

Hawk HPS pads get my vote.

[Tom Bryant]

Well the '81 is cured and the prom was a success. He drove the Corvette like he was walking on egg shells. After the prom he brought it home and took his Blazer to the after prom activities.

Here are a few pictures I took plus a couple other interesting cars.

Leaving home for the first time without Mom or Dad and Blaine's driving her.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid60/p154e7e632ebb2e8ae44447f9d3820635/fc430d30.jpg

In line for parking.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid60/p6dd41d1db41919479fdd17ced7712574/fc430558.jpg

Telling the parking attendant "If you scrape the nose giong up into the parking lot my mom will kill you."
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid60/pb5baf61a5014ba36a34dca9d2a41dd7f/fc4300e0.jpg

No that wasn't my wedding suit.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid60/p61edf01ebe4e4285fa7dfec2673f9c56/fc42fdbb.jpg

Cool '55. The kid's dad is in the back seat. He made my wife look calm.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid60/pdad59b07c7c2b15f50b812bcbf5ce25c/fc42eb4a.jpg

Little GTO 1967
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid60/pbfacda6a86f40fe1f9d3668a0d5d888f/fc42e9f9.jpg

Here's the whole alblum if you are interested.

Photo Alblum (http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4290275741)


Tom

[Ken]

Very cool Tom! :cool

_ken :w