mainelaker

I just finished the deal on my first corvette. It's a 1979 L82 four speed with a horrible interior but it's all mine :D I traded a 1994 Bronco I didn't need for it & could have bought it for $3,000 cash ( I paid 4k for the Bronco a year ago so it was even) One of the benefits of working in a car dealership I guess.

The car is solid underneath with an excellent frame & tight front end. I replaced a leaking rear caliper & roadtested it. The engine is tight & runs smooth with some minor leaks. I was so happy to finally drive a C3 I couldn't wipe the smile off my face for hours, especially since this one is mine.

I don't think the secondaries are opening but I'll check them further when I get back to work on Monday. The one issue that may be serious is the play in the rear axles. I am a former tech but never worked on a vette before. How hard is it to repair the play? it seems to be in the pumpkin. The body is in good shape & I plan on using her as a driver so it is good enough for me.

The main problem with the car is that it has no original vin tag. It has a state asigned vin on it. The story I got was that it was stolen when it was a couple of years old & the state asigned the vin then. Checking the trans & engine numbers it is a real L82 four speed so that is enough for me. I doubt the car would ever be worth anything due to replacement Vin but it'll do for now.

Eddie 70

Congrats on the new vette. My first was a 79 also. You will find this is the best corvette site on the web.

It sounds like maybe the clips have came off on the rear yokes. Hopefully someone on here will chime in and can add to my comments.

78pace

Congrats and welcome
Dont know how the law and the vin # works.But I Know someone here can help. You won't find a better or more knowledgable group of corvette lovers anywhere. Good luck :hurray:

OkeeGuy

Congrats on the new vette! You will definetly find this is the best corvette site on the web.
i too have a 79 L-82 and love it...

PS...i live in Florida but am originaly from your neck of the woods...
:D

guppie

Congrats on the Vette and Welcome the forum, Great bunch here, Very Very knowledgeable too :cheers:

Paul L

I enjoyed my 1979 L-82 very much. Have fun! I did.

MN-Brent

Your gas tank is supposed to have a tank sticker that shows what options were on your car etc.. That might also have your original VIN number located on it. Many times though this sticker is too far gone to read it.

For the rear end, the differential side yokes can wear from usage or the trailing arm bushings, camber rod bushings, differential mounting bushings and crossmember bushings are suspects for wear.

The rear wheel bearing are impossible to lube and must be professional reinstalled to repair. All 6 U-joints can be done yourself though.

Try Ebay to get a GM shop manual for your year specific vette. The Chiltons and Haynes manuals are not near as good as the GM manuals.

Arm yourself up with all the Vette catalog suppliers catalogs and read up on what parts are out there.

Best of all, brush your teeth good so you can show off your pearly whites while your driving. :D :jester

Brent...


[Modified by MN-Brent, 9:02 PM 2/22/2004]

jlsru

Congrats on the 79.I have owned two 79's in the past and they both were great cars.Enjoy your 79. :thumbs:

stickboy

congrats :cheers:

ACECO

Congrats and welcome to the insanity! :yesnod:

Lots of luck with the new toy!

mainelaker

Thanks for all the kind words, I was on e-bay looking for the GM manual but before I did that I figured I would check with a friend at a Chevy garage.

frank0075

Congrats!

lvrpool32

congrats and welcome...... :cheers:

groovyjay

Sounds like you got yourself a real bargain! :cool: :cheers:

comp

and the fun begin's :party: :party: :thumbs:

Avette4me

Welcome!.....

Stoge

Keep the pointy end forward and the greasy side down!

81' Corvette Guy

Grats and welcome bro! :seeya

GrandSportC3

Congrats!! :cheers: :cheers:

dj_riddle06

Welcome Aboard :seeya


[Modified by dj_riddle06, 10:03 AM 2/23/2004]