Z06Vette.com - Corvette Z06 Forum - Working on your car? What can be done without a lift?

abc123 · 10-22-2003, 01:34 PM

I've worked on my other cars, from front to back and inside to outside. The Z06 doesn't seem friendly to work on.
I've read other threads about different tasks, but got conflicting information.

-Where to buy a service manual or CDROM set?

There are a ton of Ford Service CDs on ebay, but I haven't seen many for late model Chevrolet or Corvettes. The Ford CDs are updated monthly and the guys sell the older ones. It covers many years/models of cars, electrical, mechanical and body. I picked up a Ford CD for $50. It is a must for torque specifications and electrical diagrams.

What can be done in home garage without a lift and working on jack stands or supports?:

-engine removal (can it come out of top or does it have to come out of bottom)

-clutch removal (seems simple since transmission is in the rear, but I read it is a huge issue)

-transmission removal (does the whole rear end have to drop)

-cam swap( do the heads have to be removed)

-shocks front/rear (is this easy to do on jack stands)

-Any other major jobs you can think of?

First hand experience is the best help. I know I was told I could not pull my other engine with the transmission attached. I pulled it out the hood, with the transmission attached, long tube headers attached and by myself. What you read on the internet is not always true because people relay false information they read elsewhere.

I saw the photo by FRC Tom and it looks like the engine came out of the top.
taking hood off?

Thank you

**FRC Tom** · 10-22-2003, 01:55 PM

The clutch, trans, and rear all reqire the bottom rack to come out.
Don't try this at home folks.

The engine and shocks can be done and I did my LG long tubes on jackstands.
And yes I did paint my rear black and red.

Jerry Velders · 10-23-2003, 07:23 AM

As to the manual, the official one is published by Helm, Inc. ( www.helminc.com ). You can order it directly from them, but for the best price either go to Ken Fichtner, or to Ebay.

Dope · 10-23-2003, 07:55 AM

I can speak from personal experience, that the shocks, transmission, and rear diff can all easily be done on jackstands. I'm sure headers can be too, I've done them on a much harder Camaro. Not sure about the engine, never had to drop the engine out.

FRC Tom, interesting way of getting the rear subframe out. I actually did the opposite. I removed the lower shock bolt and upper ball joint. Therefore the spindles and halfshafts stay with the rear subframe as you remove it.

Much easier for me this way, as I could sit in the wheel well and work on the rear end.

For the original poster: the vette is the easiest car I have ever worked on. Simple setup - big frame with front and rear cradles (which contain the engine, and tranny/rear diff respectively). Torque tube with a driveshaft in it connects the two items. Suspension is stupidly easy to work on, only thing that would be better would be coilovers.

Dope

VettTheRipper · 10-23-2003, 08:01 AM

Things I have done without a lift...

Oil change
Tranny fluid change
Stock exhaust removal
Cat-back install
Header install

Waterfreak · 10-23-2003, 08:02 AM

I've done everything in my signature in my garage on jack stands except the clutch and flywheel (which I'm sure could also be accomplished). Oh yea, and removal of the stock cat back exhaust. You have to get at least 3 feet up to remove it w/o cutting it.

WayneE · 10-23-2003, 08:32 AM

Everything can be done on jackstands, just some things are more difficult. I have friends with F-bodies that have removed their engines from the bottom of the car on jackstands.

I have pictures on my Firebird website - http://www.purplecar.org/ - showing engine removal, k member replacement and numerous tranny/rear end changes

abc123 · 10-23-2003, 09:31 AM

Great photos, they help a lot. Thank you.

2 cars, 7 engines, 3 superchargers, 4 transmissions, countless suspension/exhaust/brakes modifications and pretty much everything else interior/exterior over last 2 years.

I've got that same red/white transmission jack, it works great. I use it to drop the fuel tank all the time.

Thanks a lot, it will just take a little time to get use to working on the car. Jacking it up for the first oil change last week, then lowering the front back down and jacking the rear up to drain all of the oil was a PITA. It will just take some time getting use to, there are just less places to place stands & jacks.

Thanks

**FRC Tom** · 10-23-2003, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dope

FRC Tom, interesting way of getting the rear subframe out. I actually did the opposite. I removed the lower shock bolt and upper ball joint. Therefore the spindles and halfshafts stay with the rear subframe as you remove it.

Dope

This is how AntiVenom does the subframe, I just help him.
I guess that is how we were able to switch out rears in 1.5 hours.
Less to take apart and lighter.
Greg was a Corvette tech at a dealership here in Tampa for a number of years.
We have had the rear subframe out 4 times in 6 months.
1st was the 390 gears, then rebuilt the trans, then a Spec clutch, and then the 342s going back in.

Waterfreak · 10-23-2003, 11:26 AM

If your are anything like me abc, once you've started working on it, you'll enjoy it so much you just don't know when to quit.