I just got my first C1 on the road
07-30-2015, 07:03 PM
#21
Melting Slicks
Member Since: Sep 2005
Location: merritt island fl
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C1 of Year Finalist (stock) 2019
2016 C1 of the Year Finalist
2015 C2 of the Year Finalist
I thought I'd be smart and change the diff fluid to a modern synthetic. Now I have a leaking gasket.
been there done that. went right back to the dinosaur fluid after my syn fluid ate my rear seal in my 66 mustang in 2000. Wont even consider it for my 63 C2 conv.
07-30-2015, 08:43 PM
#23
Safety Car
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Location: Northern California CA
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Our '62 has always been fairly comfortable while driving.
I never have thought it too rough.
Obviously, like others have already stated, it doesn't handle like a newer updated performance car, but it's still a blast to drive!
I never have thought it too rough.
Obviously, like others have already stated, it doesn't handle like a newer updated performance car, but it's still a blast to drive!
07-31-2015, 12:30 AM
#24
Race Director
07-31-2015, 06:43 AM
#26
Team Owner
Never heard of synthetics "eating gaskets". One of my first tasks on my '63 was to swap in synthetics in the leaking muncie and differential after gasket changes....about 3 years ago and still leak free. And the change actually cleared up a synchro clash when downshifting from 2-3 quickly...
07-31-2015, 09:10 AM
#27
Burning Brakes
Between work and out to dinner I had time to change the diff fluid. standard 75-90 gear lube. Also put new valve covers on with a PCV set up.
07-31-2015, 11:14 AM
#28
Race Director
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Synthetic lubes don't eat gaskets. But they do leak a lot more if you have imperfect sealing areas. This is due to the make-up of the oil. The polymer strands are all the same size. Imagine a room with nothing but marbles on the floor, all the same size. That's synthetic oil....with identical symetrical polymer strands. Imagine a room with marbles, bb's, baseballs, basketballs, golfballs, etc. on the floor. That's regular oil. The polymer strands vary. That's why dino oil is less prone to leak. It doesn't flow as well. That said, synthetic oil is NOT recommended for Muncie or T-10 transmissions due to leakage issues and the possiblility of over-slick synchro rings. If it works for you, great, but research tends to tell us to avoid synthetic oils in these old cars....at least in the gearboxes and rear ends. I'm a big fan of synthetic oils in my newer stuff.
07-31-2015, 09:44 PM
#29
Race Director
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2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C1 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Kidding....omg, that's friggen gorgous!
08-01-2015, 09:05 AM
#30
Melting Slicks
Member Since: Sep 2005
Location: merritt island fl
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C1 of Year Finalist (stock) 2019
2016 C1 of the Year Finalist
2015 C2 of the Year Finalist
Since I'll be pulling the axles to replace the diff gasket, I guess I should replace the outer seals as well. Are these the "Rear end outer axle housing gaskets" as in page 137 of the Corvette Central catalog? P/n 581017.
08-01-2015, 10:05 AM
#31
Drifting
I drive a stock '61 and a stock '63 on the same day MANY days. They each have their idiosyncrasies. The C1s are primitive....straight-line driving is as good as many classics and the suspension is adequate. Its a pig in fast turns even with radials. The '63 is more refined, doesn't really ride all that much better but handles sweetly -- the all drum brakes can get exciting on panic stops....best to have the lane beside you empty when doing so....
08-26-2015, 02:02 PM
#32
Nice to have a 62 convertible when it is 95 outside. the 63 coupe is an oven.
Last edited by xkeots; 08-26-2015 at 02:10 PM. Reason: incomplete
08-26-2015, 02:05 PM
#33
I would certainly agree Frank. My two C1s handle OK considering their ancient technology. But a few years ago my boss at the time asked me to test drive a '64 Corvette he was considering buying. I have to admit the difference was significant. He bought it and still has it I believe. The independent rear suspension was quite an improvement IMO.
08-26-2015, 02:08 PM
#34
08-26-2015, 02:14 PM
#35
Jack
08-27-2015, 08:03 AM
#36
Melting Slicks
That's one nice 59. Prettier than most girls
08-27-2015, 08:19 AM
#37
Team Owner
A stock C1 has been described as a 'fast tractor' and that's prob not far off. Its really late '40s steering and suspension technology so it can be a handful. I drove my '61 around Sebring on a sanctioned 'touring lap' and hit triple digit speeds twice -- my life flashed before my eyes and I saw a bright light beckoning so I slowed down. The car was a handful to put it mildly.
The '61 is like -- well, like driving a real car, predictable, well-behaved and you don't have to be 100% focused on operating it. BTW, $1,300 and about 15-20 hours of work will air condition a '63 and will make it even MORE pleasurable to drive...
The '61 is like -- well, like driving a real car, predictable, well-behaved and you don't have to be 100% focused on operating it. BTW, $1,300 and about 15-20 hours of work will air condition a '63 and will make it even MORE pleasurable to drive...
06-27-2016, 08:41 PM
#38
06-27-2016, 10:12 PM
#39
Race Director
06-27-2016, 10:30 PM
#40
Le Mans Master
Is your return spring in place and still in good shape?