The Force Awakens...
- Thread starter DorianL
- Start date
Loves302Chevy
"One test is worth a thousand expert opinions."
I forgot about that. You did use the o-ring behind the choke housing to seal that port - correct?
Friday I pushed the corvette through Belgian DOT tech: it passed. I may have my plates by Friday.
In the storage compartment I found a penny dated 1999 and a small cheap plaque saying: TOP 75. I presume that at one point in time it was looked after.
On the other hand, little jobs left and right are sprouting up:
- weird under hood wiring
- washer completely disconnected
- wipers slamming into wiper door, into each other and snagging at the bottom of the windshield making a nasty crunching sound.
- wiper switch works poorly
- horn not working
- footwell lights capricious
- door ajar light comes on randomly
- bolts holding steering column to firewall are missing which makes for quite a draft at speeds over 50 mph; an in December that is coooold
- seat hinge bolt fell out
- keys to ignition do not fit doors
- one intake bolt missing
- slop in shifter
- storage compartment door needs to be mended; the wood is disintegrating
- no timing tab
On the other hands... although the engine's probably is suffering from its open plenum intake... the oil pressure is good, temp is good and the idle is fine.
In the storage compartment I found a penny dated 1999 and a small cheap plaque saying: TOP 75. I presume that at one point in time it was looked after.
On the other hand, little jobs left and right are sprouting up:
- weird under hood wiring
- washer completely disconnected
- wipers slamming into wiper door, into each other and snagging at the bottom of the windshield making a nasty crunching sound.
- wiper switch works poorly
- horn not working
- footwell lights capricious
- door ajar light comes on randomly
- bolts holding steering column to firewall are missing which makes for quite a draft at speeds over 50 mph; an in December that is coooold
- seat hinge bolt fell out
- keys to ignition do not fit doors
- one intake bolt missing
- slop in shifter
- storage compartment door needs to be mended; the wood is disintegrating
- no timing tab
On the other hands... although the engine's probably is suffering from its open plenum intake... the oil pressure is good, temp is good and the idle is fine.
youll probably spend more time finding the correct parts than replacing them
On the other hand, little jobs left and right are sprouting up:
- weird under hood wiring.......pictures would help
- washer completely disconnected.....probably need to be replaced
- wipers slamming into wiper door, into each other and snagging at the bottom of the windshield making a nasty crunching sound. .....theses are indexed and youll want to understand how to time them correctly
http://www.zip-corvette.com/blog/co...ust-windshield-wipers-1968-1982-c3-corvettes/
http://repairs.willcoxcorvette.com/1973-1982-corvette-wiper-arm-how-to-adjust-picture/
- wiper switch works poorly...probably need to be replaced
- horn not working... may be loose connection, or switch or needs to be replaced
- footwell lights capricious... better description(random/unpredictable ??)
- door ajar light comes on randomly... common bad door switch adjustment or defective sensor
https://www.corvettepartsworldwide.com/corvette_parts_68_74_Courtesy_Light_Switch_p/2000.htm
http://www.zip-corvette.com/68-82-c3/electrical-system/corvette-courtesy-dome-light-switches.html
- bolts holding steering column to firewall are missing which makes for quite a draft at speeds over 50 mph; an in December that is coooold... obviously need to be replaced
- seat hinge bolt fell out....obviously need to be replaced
- keys to ignition do not fit doors...obviously was replaced at some point
- one intake bolt missing ....obviously need to be replaced
- slop in shifter, should be easily adjusted with bushing replacement
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...usting-muncie-shifter-linkage.1674/#post-4065
- storage compartment door needs to be mended; the wood is disintegrating.....obviously need to be replaced
- no timing tab......obviously need to be replaced
On the other hand, little jobs left and right are sprouting up:
- weird under hood wiring.......pictures would help
- washer completely disconnected.....probably need to be replaced
- wipers slamming into wiper door, into each other and snagging at the bottom of the windshield making a nasty crunching sound. .....theses are indexed and youll want to understand how to time them correctly
http://www.zip-corvette.com/blog/co...ust-windshield-wipers-1968-1982-c3-corvettes/
http://repairs.willcoxcorvette.com/1973-1982-corvette-wiper-arm-how-to-adjust-picture/
- wiper switch works poorly...probably need to be replaced
- horn not working... may be loose connection, or switch or needs to be replaced
- footwell lights capricious... better description(random/unpredictable ??)
- door ajar light comes on randomly... common bad door switch adjustment or defective sensor
https://www.corvettepartsworldwide.com/corvette_parts_68_74_Courtesy_Light_Switch_p/2000.htm
http://www.zip-corvette.com/68-82-c3/electrical-system/corvette-courtesy-dome-light-switches.html
- bolts holding steering column to firewall are missing which makes for quite a draft at speeds over 50 mph; an in December that is coooold... obviously need to be replaced
- seat hinge bolt fell out....obviously need to be replaced
- keys to ignition do not fit doors...obviously was replaced at some point
- one intake bolt missing ....obviously need to be replaced
- slop in shifter, should be easily adjusted with bushing replacement
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...usting-muncie-shifter-linkage.1674/#post-4065
- storage compartment door needs to be mended; the wood is disintegrating.....obviously need to be replaced
- no timing tab......obviously need to be replaced
Last edited:
Who wants to bet me that’s not the original steering column?
Yup, I have that sneaking suspicion as well...
Somebody was trying to plow an ice dam I see. Ewww, that’s ugly, but new parts are available.
Ira, did you look for a build sheet yet? Do you have a small mirror and powerful flashlight? One of those camera snakes you can get one for under $80. If interested I can run through the steps to see if you have something.
Good idear... I do indeed have one of those !
the facts are that its un-usually to find and purchase any 48-49 year old car,
and have any realistic expectation that it will be in flawless , and pristine, operational condition.
it would be great, but I've never seen it happen, on the plus side it appears,that corvette is in better condition than most!
and that most of the repairs that will be needed are things that can be done, can be done,
by replacing parts that ARE available (even if expensive) so while its obviously not ideal,
its also about what an experienced restoration project would be expected to encounter and,
the cars in better condition than many I've seen and most I've been asked to work on.
DorianL.... you purchased a car in much better than average condition.
every part you may want or need is available for a c-3 corvette
(FOR AN EXORBITANT PRICE AT TIMES)
but at least its usually fairly easy to locate and acquire,
so don,t get discouraged, simply budget the time and cash as its available and work on what you can afford too as time and cash is available.
properly restored the cars handle and perform well and turn heads where ever they go!(and with a few tweaks to the engine, suspension and brakes, they can provide amazingly modern performance.)
as an example, of a similar restoration project....
my B.I.L. purchased a 1974 BBC manual transmission corvette, for a bit under $10K this was in my opinion a less desirable , year,plastic bumper and 270hp BBC
low performance low compression ,corvette.
THIS IS NOT HIS CAR but it looked rather similar
the interior was mostly in crap condition, the gauges needed replacing as did the dash, the brakes , master cylinder, all 4 disc and 2 calipers, all pads and some hydraulic lines needed to be replaced,
the paint was mostly crap, the body had a dozen badly done repairs, on minor dings or recent scratches the wind shield wipers did not function,
the clutch was shot, the flywheel, and clutch and shifter needed replacing, the entire exhaust was rusty trash.
the car was a faded chocolate brown when he got it and the fuel system and fuel take was crap as was the water pump. parts of the grill were missing and the head lights did not open, and the hood latches were not functional.
and the removable roof panels needed replacing even though they were there.
he spent a couple months collecting parts,
hes replaced the brakes,the clutch,shifter, u-joints,headers, exhaust,system, fuel system, upper and lower ball joints and wheel bearings,
most of the dash, & gauges , done most of the fiberglass repair work, acquired, most of the missing grill, replaced a water pump and starter,and
he is still slowly restoring that vette as he looks for and occasionally finds,
the correct parts at decent prices.
by the time the cars correctly restored theres little doubt he will have more cash spent into the car than you spent on that 1968 thats in notably better condition
heres a picture from several years ago when he first got the corvette project car, and I had just had the shop built, when he dropped the corvette off,little did I know it would take about 7 years to rebuild it,at that point we were just stuffing replacement parts stuff he was purchasing on every available shelf
since that time he purchased a couple thousand dollars worth of replacement interior parts and trim, sand blasted, painted the frame, rebuilt the brakes, replaced the shocks, basically anything that could be removed has been,then carefully inspected and about 80% has been replaced, and about 20% of the parts that were reusable were refurbished
related threads
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...to-c3-c4-vette-wiring-diagrams.767/#post-2606
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...-state-muscle-or-project-car.4318/#post-29221
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...y-brother-in-law-building-a-paint-booth.6966/
BTW YOULL EVENTUALLY FIND THAT HAVING
(4) 12 ton jack stands,
http://www.harborfreight.com/12-ton-jac ... 34924.html
a reasonable quality, high lift floor jack or two
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/floor-jacks.969/#post-72522
and a mechanics creeper and a flat concrete surface too work on and decent lights
https://www.ebay.com/itm/120v-120-V...amp-Portable-Hanging-Flashlight-/192377545742
https://www.harborfreight.com/headlamp-with-swivel-lens-45807.html
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...ncrete-slab-to-work-on.5007/page-2#post-57231
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/mechanics-creepers.3178/#post-8465
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/shop-lighting.1408/#post-66304
are almost mandatory corvette tools
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/under-car-safety.26/
and have any realistic expectation that it will be in flawless , and pristine, operational condition.
it would be great, but I've never seen it happen, on the plus side it appears,that corvette is in better condition than most!
and that most of the repairs that will be needed are things that can be done, can be done,
by replacing parts that ARE available (even if expensive) so while its obviously not ideal,
its also about what an experienced restoration project would be expected to encounter and,
the cars in better condition than many I've seen and most I've been asked to work on.
DorianL.... you purchased a car in much better than average condition.
every part you may want or need is available for a c-3 corvette
(FOR AN EXORBITANT PRICE AT TIMES)
but at least its usually fairly easy to locate and acquire,
so don,t get discouraged, simply budget the time and cash as its available and work on what you can afford too as time and cash is available.
properly restored the cars handle and perform well and turn heads where ever they go!(and with a few tweaks to the engine, suspension and brakes, they can provide amazingly modern performance.)
as an example, of a similar restoration project....
my B.I.L. purchased a 1974 BBC manual transmission corvette, for a bit under $10K this was in my opinion a less desirable , year,plastic bumper and 270hp BBC
low performance low compression ,corvette.
THIS IS NOT HIS CAR but it looked rather similar
the interior was mostly in crap condition, the gauges needed replacing as did the dash, the brakes , master cylinder, all 4 disc and 2 calipers, all pads and some hydraulic lines needed to be replaced,
the paint was mostly crap, the body had a dozen badly done repairs, on minor dings or recent scratches the wind shield wipers did not function,
the clutch was shot, the flywheel, and clutch and shifter needed replacing, the entire exhaust was rusty trash.
the car was a faded chocolate brown when he got it and the fuel system and fuel take was crap as was the water pump. parts of the grill were missing and the head lights did not open, and the hood latches were not functional.
and the removable roof panels needed replacing even though they were there.
he spent a couple months collecting parts,
hes replaced the brakes,the clutch,shifter, u-joints,headers, exhaust,system, fuel system, upper and lower ball joints and wheel bearings,
most of the dash, & gauges , done most of the fiberglass repair work, acquired, most of the missing grill, replaced a water pump and starter,and
he is still slowly restoring that vette as he looks for and occasionally finds,
the correct parts at decent prices.
by the time the cars correctly restored theres little doubt he will have more cash spent into the car than you spent on that 1968 thats in notably better condition
heres a picture from several years ago when he first got the corvette project car, and I had just had the shop built, when he dropped the corvette off,little did I know it would take about 7 years to rebuild it,at that point we were just stuffing replacement parts stuff he was purchasing on every available shelf
since that time he purchased a couple thousand dollars worth of replacement interior parts and trim, sand blasted, painted the frame, rebuilt the brakes, replaced the shocks, basically anything that could be removed has been,then carefully inspected and about 80% has been replaced, and about 20% of the parts that were reusable were refurbished
related threads
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...to-c3-c4-vette-wiring-diagrams.767/#post-2606
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...-state-muscle-or-project-car.4318/#post-29221
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...y-brother-in-law-building-a-paint-booth.6966/
BTW YOULL EVENTUALLY FIND THAT HAVING
(4) 12 ton jack stands,
http://www.harborfreight.com/12-ton-jac ... 34924.html
a reasonable quality, high lift floor jack or two
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/floor-jacks.969/#post-72522
and a mechanics creeper and a flat concrete surface too work on and decent lights
https://www.ebay.com/itm/120v-120-V...amp-Portable-Hanging-Flashlight-/192377545742
https://www.harborfreight.com/headlamp-with-swivel-lens-45807.html
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...ncrete-slab-to-work-on.5007/page-2#post-57231
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/mechanics-creepers.3178/#post-8465
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/shop-lighting.1408/#post-66304
are almost mandatory corvette tools
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/under-car-safety.26/
Last edited:
Don't get me wrong... I am very pleased with the car.
And verily; the jobs that need to be done are rather minor ones that I actually look forward to working on.
I bought myself on Amazon a Mityvac (my old one died years ago choking on DOT3
). I also have an eye on used wiper transmission and wipers... my plan is the refurbish to pristine condition the wiper/washer and headlight circuit making it super reliable (well OEM) and carefully sanding, painting and detailing it... Fun !!!!
I also need to do a power brake conversion. I have all the parts.
When I am through with this car, it is going to be quite a machine. Not quite Indycar detailed... but of him inspired.
BTW - does anyone here know where I could find a good used Q-jet with a divorced choke and an equally used Edelbrock Performer intake?
This weekend, I find TDC
And verily; the jobs that need to be done are rather minor ones that I actually look forward to working on.
I bought myself on Amazon a Mityvac (my old one died years ago choking on DOT3
). I also have an eye on used wiper transmission and wipers... my plan is the refurbish to pristine condition the wiper/washer and headlight circuit making it super reliable (well OEM) and carefully sanding, painting and detailing it... Fun !!!!I also need to do a power brake conversion. I have all the parts.
When I am through with this car, it is going to be quite a machine. Not quite Indycar detailed... but of him inspired.
BTW - does anyone here know where I could find a good used Q-jet with a divorced choke and an equally used Edelbrock Performer intake?
This weekend, I find TDC
https://www.ebay.com/itm/HOT-ROD-ED...ash=item545338c01e:g:0R4AAOSwUn9aIEMl&vxp=mtr
you generally find those performer intake manifolds at swap meets in the $75-$100 range
any q-jet you find is near 46 years old or older and in questionable condition and 50 plus year old technology, and replacement parts are not always easy to locate
Id get a demon in a heart beat
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/dem-1901
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/options-on-dual-quads.11047/#post-54499
you generally find those performer intake manifolds at swap meets in the $75-$100 range
any q-jet you find is near 46 years old or older and in questionable condition and 50 plus year old technology, and replacement parts are not always easy to locate
Id get a demon in a heart beat
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/dem-1901
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/options-on-dual-quads.11047/#post-54499
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What parts does it take to convert to power brakes besides the pump?
aaah shucks!!!
What parts does it take to convert to power brakes besides the "pump"???
AS USUAL READING LINKS AND SUB LINKS MAY HELP
http://www.corvettemagazine.com/tech-articles/1968-1973-corvette-power-brake-conversion/
http://www.fullthrottlecorvette.com/1968-Corvette-Power-Brake-Conversion-Kit_p_1951.html
https://www.autozone.com/brakes-and-traction-control/brake-power-booster
http://www.zip-corvette.com/68-82-c3/brakes/corvette-power-brake-booster.html
http://www.corvettepacifica.com/categories/59/brake-kits
http://www.cssbinc.com/corvette-brake-kit.aspx
http://www.corvettemagazine.com/tech-articles/1965-1982-corvette-brake-rotor-replacement/
http://www.corvettemagazine.com/tech-articles/bleeding-your-1967-1982-corvette-brake-system/
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/c3-no-brake-pressure.10261/#post-41224
check rock auto
http://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...040870,brake+&+wheel+hub,master+cylinder,1836
http://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...70,brake+&+wheel+hub,power+brake+booster,1884
http://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/chevrolet,1968,corvette,5.3l+327cid+v8,1040870,brake+&+wheel+hub,rotor+&+brake+pad+kit,13824
AS USUAL READING LINKS AND SUB LINKS MAY HELP
http://www.corvettemagazine.com/tech-articles/1968-1973-corvette-power-brake-conversion/
http://www.fullthrottlecorvette.com/1968-Corvette-Power-Brake-Conversion-Kit_p_1951.html
https://www.autozone.com/brakes-and-traction-control/brake-power-booster
http://www.zip-corvette.com/68-82-c3/brakes/corvette-power-brake-booster.html
http://www.corvettepacifica.com/categories/59/brake-kits
http://www.cssbinc.com/corvette-brake-kit.aspx
http://www.corvettemagazine.com/tech-articles/1965-1982-corvette-brake-rotor-replacement/
http://www.corvettemagazine.com/tech-articles/bleeding-your-1967-1982-corvette-brake-system/
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/c3-no-brake-pressure.10261/#post-41224
check rock auto
http://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...040870,brake+&+wheel+hub,master+cylinder,1836
http://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...70,brake+&+wheel+hub,power+brake+booster,1884
http://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/chevrolet,1968,corvette,5.3l+327cid+v8,1040870,brake+&+wheel+hub,rotor+&+brake+pad+kit,13824
Last edited:
I no-brained it and bought a kit from Zip-Corvette
http://www.zip-corvette.com/69-power-brake-conversion-kit-6b6b00.html