Unrealized Potential: C3 Surgery

[@user-fs5ir1or5p]

Much more fun watching you doing all the things here than me. I enjoy watching. Thanks. We have 1979 C3 for my wife.

[@spavliskojr]

That was actually a nice clean vette to start with. ive seen real rusty crusty oil soaked disasters. that makes working on it so much easier when its not nasty under there.

[@joeybonez84]

I was thinking the same thing

[@ericsmith1562]

Yeah, looks like it’s been restored already. What a dream huh?

[@cobracommander2297]

Great Tutorial Video - Thank You - I just finished installing a 383 stroker with TKO-5 speed in my 1978 Corvette Pace Car - What a Difference:))) The way Chevrolet should have made them🤣

[@nevasgarage7885]

Amazing filmed and commentary. I just bought a C3. Cheers from Sweden

[@aurktman1106]

I really want a C3 corvette, they are my favorite!

[@TacoJoe]

Hey Eldon- I agree / they are great project cars and look cool too - best part is they are still reasonably cheap! Thanks for the comment -

[@aurktman1106]

TacoJoe once I get my 57 Chevy finished up, it will get sold and I will buy either a C3 or a Factory Five roadster kit, probably the C3.

[@TacoJoe]

There are C3 bargains out there so keep watch / good luck with your choice!

[@Schlipperschlopper]

A Mercedes 280SL Pagoda is much superior!

[@JimGuidry]

A wide ratio 5-speed overdrive transmission mated to a strong 3.08 rear end works fabulously on the highway and has great 0-60 acceleration . Having your cake & eating it too ! Plus with beautifully chromed finned aluminum no named valve covers an enduro shined chrome aluminum intake from Edelbrock with a 600 CFM Holly dual inlet double pumper carb. chrome shorty headers with TURBO mufflers radiator with twin electric High Performance fans AFR heads Roller rocker arms & roller hydraulic cam ! All of this is WAAY better looking than any ole LS ENGINE .Remember it only cost a little more to go FIRST CLASS !

[@TacoJoe]

Haha - well said Jim / totally agree. You are right on with the gears too. I added a TKO600 with a .68OD and with 3.70s, it's fine but you end up in 5th a lot. There are times in 40MPH zones where 5th lugs the motor, but 4th runs a little hot in the RPM range. If I had 3.08s-3.55s, it would solve the problem in both 4th and 5th as the gears would be perfectly situated for 40MPH speed limits and the highway. Gears may be a longer term upgrade for me. Thanks for the comment!

[@williamharris7995]

My name is Wil Harris I plan getting a 1980 C3 I'm liking what you have going on

[@TacoJoe]

Thanks William - The 80 has the nice bubble rear hatch (I like the look of those) / great project car and thanks for the comment!

[@timeash2205]

Nice job. On my 75 the radiator was a bear to get out it was replaced before I got it.

[@spendingtimetogether8428]

Like watching a surgeon at work, wow!

[@1straightcut]

Looking good, TJ! Thanks for bringing us along!

[@TacoJoe]

Thanks Mark / its going to be a journey but i'm convinced i can turn this into something special / time will tell!

[@crawford323]

Yep. Pull the tranny, let it fall on your belly, hug the beast, roll over and eject it off to the side. That's the way to do it! I graduated high school in '72. I cannot count how many clutches and ahhh one shattered bell housing I replaced back in the day precisely in that way. Pull the distributor or at least pop the cap because the engine is gonna rock back. Those were the days my friend, hope yours never end.

[@TacoJoe]

Thanks for the comment Crawford323 / I'm actually just inherited a small block chevy that is covered in grease and has been dormant since the early 80s - that - was pulled from a 70 nova. Don't know if its a 350 or 327 but I'm hoping its a 327 / started the tear down this week!

[@JohnWilliams-oq3cv]

Nice video Taco Joe. Your choice of footwear for working on vehicles is classic.

[@TacoJoe]

That’s how TacoJoe rolls -lol thanks for the comment 🙂

[@stever.747]

Really love to get a late C3.. 78-80. Always loved the slim sexy curves on this era model.

[@wrightstmcps7131]

I'm enjoying watching! I hope to replace my engine and transmission someday (1981 C3)

[@Soopadawg]

Yay! A TacoJoe video! Made my day.

[@crawford323]

It was clean to begin with. You didn't even get gunk in your eyes!

[@TacoJoe]

haha - yes you are right / now its super clean :)

[@Mncrr]

Great rare color

[@chrissmith7669]

Lol. Note to self. Clean my garage before making restoration videos of mine. Man your workshop looks great

[@joe-hp4nk]

Nice work boots.

[@driver3306]

I see the engine you're pulling out has Vortec heads and Edelbrock dual plane intake and carb....thats 325 HP and you're not happy with it?

[@TacoJoe]

Its a great motor / plenty of power-good torque with 3.70: gears - I wanted a 4-bolt main block that I could rev a little more safely -thus- the ZZ4 shortblock / thanks for the comment!

[@koonsickgreen6272]

U rock

[@javajeff3772]

What, did you steal that thing from a museum? The underside looks like it just rolled off the assembly line. I’ve never seen a C3 that clean.

[@TacoJoe]

Haha - thanks @javajeff3772 / believe it or not the underside was pretty dirty when I bought it and during upgrades, I usually took some time to clean things up where I was working- thanks for the comment!

[@TacoJoe]

And the 10$ gallon of purple power from Wal-Mart is your friend when cleaning the underside - engine :) www.clean-rite.com/industrial

[@lordsauto]

The music UGH

[@jacksonmarshallkramer5087]

The luggage rack has to go.

[@Teramydog]

no fender protectors = uncool

[@otisgoree5711]

Take the engine and trans out under the hood A lot less work

[@Schlipperschlopper]

Cheap crap car, get a proper car like a Porsche 911 or Mercedes Pagoda

[@Nobamaable]

why don't you get your rid of your Smart Car and buy that European garbage, Shitlopper. Porsche?...IMS bearing issues that end up in catastrophic engine failure, and Mercedes is an unreliable money pit...crap!

[@random_chicken_9123]

Get a life and don’t hate on people’s rides. Everyone has an opinion and no one person’s is superior.

[@Mncrr]

You’re obviously not a real American if you don’t think the corvette is the pinnacle of cars for every middle class American boy or man.

[@JimGuidry]

I never could understand why anyone would spend so much money for such an ugly car like a Porsche ! Prestige & pride go together !

[@Mncrr]

@@JimGuidry especially a 911 which looks like a Volkswagen. I know it’s a performer but I can own two beautiful American cars for that