Root2812

Thanks for checking that tire size. You are right, our cars do look pretty close. Maybe the reason my paint doesn't match is maybe its wrong. I will have to do some research but its possible they painted it the wrong blue.

Root2812

So I was so caught up on the color thing I forgot to give you all an update. I found the massive fuel leak, its coming right out of the fuel pump. Thats a cheap fix I hope to do soon. My brakes work but are very spongey and it pulls hard one way when I brake. I will need to tend to that but this stuff is all due to the car sitting so long. My biggest concern right now is lights. I had no headlights, tail lights, or brake lights. I found one ground wire in the trunk that when grounded I got headlights and one tail light. I need to check the other tail light to see if the bulb is good or not but that still won't solve my lack of brake lights and thats the big one.

Loren Smith

On most 59s you can find the original paint code on the bulkhead wall of the trunk, a little right of center, written with a wax marker. You might have to scrape some paint off with a quarter to see it. It will say Black, Red, Ivory, for example.

Todd H.

Frost blue is one of the best colors ever put on a Corvette. If it's in the budget, maybe this is a good time to re-do it (maybe with the rest of the Roadrunner money?).

Don't throw away that fuel pump if it's the old rebuildable kind. In fact, tightening the screws on the bottom stopped mine from leaking.

Are you already in Duluth? Abdo is in Cohasset, and I'm in Bemidji (with many others), but I'll bet there's at least one forum member in Duluth. Your best resources are your AIM and this forum, though. I've been a member of lots of forums, but none of them come close to this one for active participation from so many extremely knowledgeable people (well, the Jeep forum is close). Sure, it's a little contentious sometimes, but it seems that someone has a good answer to any question here. I respect these guys.

Root2812

Well I got my a.butt kicked by the car all day. The fuel pump was an AC unit and was leaking bad but doesn't look rebuild able. I went to the parts store and got a replacement. The replacement looks exactly the same but it's wrong. The fittings for the fuel lines are too small. The store said this was the part their computer calls for. Where do you guys get yours at? I'd rather not order if I can help it.

Root2812

I'm not to Duluth yet, still in the cities. My dad lives in Cohasset so I'm up there a lot.

Todd H.

So many things get changed (like fuel lines) on these cars over the years.

Why not bring your old fuel pump to the parts store and get one with the same fittings?

Frankie the Fink

These old cars have NON self-adjusting brakes and that could be part of the problem if they haven't been adjusted, but, with the spongy pedal and other symptoms I'd say they need a THOROUGH going over; don't take shortcuts here....one thing to look at first is the rubber brake hoses, followed by wheel cylinders and then on to the rest.

Same with the fuel pump; spewing fuel is bad news around a hot engine. Do a complete rebuild if possible (kits are available and its not hard at all) or get a name-brand replacement. I wouldn't just tighten the circumference screws and if the leak stops think all is well. If rubber components are worn a defective pump can inject fuel into your oil and dilute it and cause engine problems. Don't cheap out here.

NAPA should have an AirTek replacement pump for your car. Those other 'boutique' stores would no more know what goes on a '59 Corvette than the man in the moon.
Change your oil after you change the pump.

Before you dick around too much with the electrical circuits add a 30 amp ATC, blade type fuse behind the ammeter at the black wire that goes to the battery. If you short anything by accident while troubleshooting before you do that you'll find out just how poorly these old cars' circuits were protected.

Now is not the time to get too 'fizzed up' to get the car roadworthy. Take a little time, learn your way around the various systems and do a quality job....you'll thank yourself later on...

Todd H.

Yeah, Frank, definitely not time to get fizzed up about getting it roadworthy with 6 months of Minnesota winter just ahead.

Frankie the Fink

Ha! That's why I moved South --

We have two seasons in Orlando; Summer and February

mcb55-210

Beautiful pair!

Mike

mcb55-210

......and GREAT FIND on the '59, Root. A lot of the hard work done, a lot more to go, but will plan on looking for you at Back to the '50s next June!

Keep us updated on your progress.

Mike

Railroadman

OK, now that you have a Vette for the women, it looks like you'll need to pick up another one for yourself. No way you're getting either of those ladies out of that car!

ChattanoogaJSB

I love this story- I meant to reply sooner, please stick with us! You may be the new youngest member here. nowhere man, jacttripper, and a few other guys like me. But I think you are the youngest with a c1!

yes, little girls love Corvettes! Mine always has!

Root2812

I did and they didn't have one. All of them look identical to mine but have 1/4 fuel line fittings. Mine is one side larger (5/16th i think). I may have to order one online. I have one mile on the car at 30 mph around the neighborhood, I just wanted one more ride before snow. With all the things I need to do its not looking likely. I was just hoping for one more ride of a few miles.

Any idea on where I could order one?

I am familiar with the brake style, my 50 Chevy truck was like that before I swapped all of the suspension. I will go through them all after i fix the fuel issue.

I bought the car without having ever drove it. I didn't care, I wanted it. But when I got home and took it off the trailer I just had to go around the loop once. Its a 1 mile loop in the neighborhood. It was on that short cruise I found the brakes sucked, not surprising though. I never went fast. Then I pulled in the garage and saw the trail of fuel. The car hasn't moved since. That fuel leak is first on my list to fix. I won't risk it. Then while playing around with the car (not running) I wanted to see those quad headlights lit up so I turned them on and realized I had no lights.

I've given up driving this fall and my plan is fuel pump, then brakes, and then electrical. I want the car safe to move in and out of the garage under its own power before I do anything else.

Here is one odd thing. All my dash lights work but the light for the tach never shuts off. Its always on. Car has been off for 2 days and that light was on still. Weird.

I promise I won't get fizzed up. I had a desire to just go out for one more short ride. That ride will have to wait till April now.

Yep, I plan to put her away at first snow every year.

I lived in Texas, Georgia, and Louisiana over the years. I will never live down there again. the humidity is killer. I would rather wear a coat than seat to death. Maybe Orlando is better, except the hurricanes.

After reevaluating the car this weekend I actually set a goal of having it ready to drive to BTT50s. I go every year but never have taken my own car.

You are right, alot of the hard work is done. I have to fix the things that break while sitting and then finish putting it together. Its hard to put a puzzle together when you didn't take it apart. I am hoping to find some local help. It would be awesome to find someone nearby to come look it over with me. I am still in the cities for a few more weeks.

Haha I wish! My wife drew the line at one corvette.

I plan to stick with you guys. I like active forums. Youngest, really? I am 33. I know C1s tend to belong to either people who bought them when they were cheap and hung on to them or people who are pretty established but I never thought about being considered young. I wish I could have bought this car years ago. Honestly I shouldn't have it now. I never could have afforded it if I hadn't found a deal right at the same time I was selling my house and had some extra money from that. Sometimes things work out.

Root2812

Any specific reason why? I was trying the grease to hold up the rod method. Is the oil change to get the grease out? or is it just incase the pump leaked gas in the motor?

GTOguy

I think it was based on the assumption that you had diluted or old oil. If not the case, no need to change....the grease won't hurt a thing. BTDT many times.

Frankie the Fink

The grease for the rod won't hurt anything. If you are convinced your pump did not dilute the oil and the oil level is not too high and doesn't smell like gas you are prob fine.

If I had just bought the car though I would change it on principal; I always do...
You just never know what the prior owner might have used for oil; e.g. does it have the proper level of ZDDP?

Root2812

I intend to change the oil, I already got the filter. I was just asking so I knew. I wasn't sure if it was the grease or if a failed pump could hurt the oil. I'm just learning for next time I do this on something.

Edit: what is ZDDP?

thoyer

It is the zinc in the oil. The zinc content in motor oils has been reduced over the years. Search for posts on ZDDP and SWCduke (or is it DukeSWC?). You will find that Duke provides a ton of oil information. Bottom line, you can use Shell Rotella T and get the ZDDP content your engine needs.

I run it in three of the four in the stable.

Tom