Just turned 16 and got a 1984 father-son project car.
01-07-2013, 09:50 PM
#1
7th Gear
Thread Starter
Just turned 16 and got a 1984 father-son project car.
Hey everyone.
I just joined the community and wanted to introduce myself and whats going on with my 1984 Corvette.
About me
My name's Matt, I live in New England, I just turned 16 and I'm the biggest car enthusiast in my high school. I spent nearly 2 years researching different models and versions of corvette before i knew I'd have the most fun restoring a 1984 with my dad because I find that 1984 was one of the most unique years for these cars and almost everything I learn about cars comes from my father.
About the car
The corvette had 2 previous owners, the first who almost never drove it and kept it for almost 25 years outside an apartment building
After him came the second owner who never got a chance to work on it because of his job so last december he sold the car to my father and I for $2000.
Pros
The car has 51,000 original miles.
The digital dashboard fully lights up and functions
Crossfire injection with ram-air hood is all still there and works
First owner attached aftermarket headers with 3" exhaust
Interior is in immaculate condition (Carpet was replaced at some point)
Title is in my name
A replacement radiator fan was installed
Still has the 4+3 transmission
Original Recaro cloth seats are dirty but not ripped or torn
Almost new z-rated tires on all wheels.
Cons
The car was originally white and repainted white terribly
White paint around the edges of all the lights and inside parts of the engine compartment.
Paint is chipping but no fiberglass damage
A radio was HORRIBLY installed (already taken out)
Door locks do not function (not electrically or manually)
Door panels don't look original, they have c3 flags on them
It has a blown head gasket (in the process of repairing)
Finally, the crossfire fuel injectors WON'T COME OFF!
Anyways, i hope you guys accept me into the community and I've included a few pictures so you can see what it looks like.
I just joined the community and wanted to introduce myself and whats going on with my 1984 Corvette.
About me
My name's Matt, I live in New England, I just turned 16 and I'm the biggest car enthusiast in my high school. I spent nearly 2 years researching different models and versions of corvette before i knew I'd have the most fun restoring a 1984 with my dad because I find that 1984 was one of the most unique years for these cars and almost everything I learn about cars comes from my father.
About the car
The corvette had 2 previous owners, the first who almost never drove it and kept it for almost 25 years outside an apartment building
After him came the second owner who never got a chance to work on it because of his job so last december he sold the car to my father and I for $2000.Pros
The car has 51,000 original miles.
The digital dashboard fully lights up and functions
Crossfire injection with ram-air hood is all still there and works
First owner attached aftermarket headers with 3" exhaust
Interior is in immaculate condition (Carpet was replaced at some point)
Title is in my name
A replacement radiator fan was installed
Still has the 4+3 transmission
Original Recaro cloth seats are dirty but not ripped or torn
Almost new z-rated tires on all wheels.
Cons
The car was originally white and repainted white terribly
White paint around the edges of all the lights and inside parts of the engine compartment.
Paint is chipping but no fiberglass damage
A radio was HORRIBLY installed (already taken out)
Door locks do not function (not electrically or manually)
Door panels don't look original, they have c3 flags on them
It has a blown head gasket (in the process of repairing)
Finally, the crossfire fuel injectors WON'T COME OFF!
Anyways, i hope you guys accept me into the community and I've included a few pictures so you can see what it looks like.
01-07-2013, 10:21 PM
#2
Safety Car
Member Since: Mar 2005
Location: Fredonia WI
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2023 C4 of the Year Finalist- Modified
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Welcome Matt.
That will be an awesome father-son project
Good luck with it!
That will be an awesome father-son project
Good luck with it!
01-07-2013, 10:40 PM
#4
Melting Slicks
Welcome Matt. Enjoy this experience....you'll never forget it!
We're here to help. Hopefully you won't mind the few playful jabs that may come your way. In your favor, you've already posted pics, which is usually the first jab.
Get a Factory Service Manual. Best money you'll spend.
Don't forget the Corvette wave.
We're here to help. Hopefully you won't mind the few playful jabs that may come your way. In your favor, you've already posted pics, which is usually the first jab.
Get a Factory Service Manual. Best money you'll spend.
Don't forget the Corvette wave.
01-07-2013, 10:51 PM
#6
Race Director
Congratulations and welcome!
One of your best friends is going to be the Corvette salvage yard. Do a search and shop around for used parts. You can also find good stuff on the "Parts For Sale/Wanted" section here.\
One of your best friends is going to be the Corvette salvage yard. Do a search and shop around for used parts. You can also find good stuff on the "Parts For Sale/Wanted" section here.\
01-07-2013, 11:13 PM
#7
7th Gear
Thread Starter
Way ahead of the game!
Already own a service manual and bought new head and exhaust gaskets and a lot of other oils and coolants this car was starved of.
By the way, does anyone know if the fuel injectors had gaskets to them? because mine won't come off and i figured a good seal was holding it down, but when i went to autozone their computers didn't recognize the 84 as having carburetor gaskets.
Already own a service manual and bought new head and exhaust gaskets and a lot of other oils and coolants this car was starved of.
By the way, does anyone know if the fuel injectors had gaskets to them? because mine won't come off and i figured a good seal was holding it down, but when i went to autozone their computers didn't recognize the 84 as having carburetor gaskets.
01-07-2013, 11:40 PM
#8
Race Director
Which part are you trying to take off, the whole throttle body or just part?? From the parts manual there appears to be gaskets between the 3 main body parts plus "O" rings for the injectors.. Also welcome to the forum..
01-08-2013, 07:17 AM
#10
Great project!
When I finally got my Vette my very good friend and I worked on it for about a month. We did everything we could and got a nice result. Now that we think about it we keep wondering how in the world were we able to accomplish all that.
Hope you guys have lots fun.
When I finally got my Vette my very good friend and I worked on it for about a month. We did everything we could and got a nice result. Now that we think about it we keep wondering how in the world were we able to accomplish all that.
Hope you guys have lots fun.
01-08-2013, 09:08 AM
#12
Racer
Member Since: Oct 2010
Location: Providence RI
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Hey Matt!, congrats and welcome to you and your Dad...looks and sounds like a fun project...I am sure between the two of you..it will turn out great!!, not to mention
the experience of building the car...and gaining all that knowledge.
Best of Luck, Derek
the experience of building the car...and gaining all that knowledge.
Best of Luck, Derek
01-08-2013, 11:12 AM
#13
Intermediate
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Welcome Matt: You and your dad are going to have a blast with this project. Wish my grandson had the same interest. Just be patient, lean on us, and do it right, short cuts will kill you.
ROD
ROD
01-08-2013, 11:15 AM
#14
Welcome to the vette club Matt 
The C4 is a fun project car. My only regret is I didn't get my Gen 3 on the road before I got this car. Because now I hardly ever wanna work on my Gen 3 camaro!
The C4 is a fun project car. My only regret is I didn't get my Gen 3 on the road before I got this car. Because now I hardly ever wanna work on my Gen 3 camaro!
01-08-2013, 11:35 AM
#15
Safety Car
Welcome. You have a great project ahead of you.
There are a ton of helpful and knowledgeable members here, don't hesitate in asking anything.
Keep the pictures coming on this project, I know many of us would enjoy following your project.
There are a ton of helpful and knowledgeable members here, don't hesitate in asking anything.
Keep the pictures coming on this project, I know many of us would enjoy following your project.
01-08-2013, 12:09 PM
#16
Drifting
welcome to the madness. My best advice to you is to utilize the collective knowledge of this forum before doing anything. Especially when it comes to buying parts. I wasted a lot of time and money before I found this forum. The guys here have done it all many times over and know where to get the best deals. I live in New England as well, may even have some things you might need. Good luck and enjoy this time with your dad
01-08-2013, 02:47 PM
#17
Drifting
Awesome! My grandfather and I are looking to restore an '84 4+3 as well, but the price was just way too high. Good luck! You'll have fun. I'm 17, and there's no better feeling than driving to school in a Vette!
01-08-2013, 03:40 PM
#18
Welcome to the forum! i bought my '95 last year when I was 17! these cars are a blast and you will love it!
make sure you take pictures of everything you do as it will help you when you go to put it all back together! .....ask me how I know
good luck!
make sure you take pictures of everything you do as it will help you when you go to put it all back together! .....ask me how I know
good luck!
01-08-2013, 04:20 PM
#20
Racer
Member Since: Mar 2011
Location: Derby (Wichita area) KS
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Welcome!
Warning...mini-lecture from a father who cares about these things:
Looks like you found a great project car. As a young driver, You'll need to learn to drive it respect. A C4 is much less forgiving than a Camry or whatever you probably learned to drive with. Especially on wet or slick roads which I'd imagine happen frequently in NE. Don't let the low HP ratings fool you. C4 limits are high but they offer little room for error once you're at the limit. Being safe needs to be your #1 priority.
I think it is awsome that you and your dad are doing this together. I'd have loved to do that but my dad was just too busy with other stuff.
Once you get it running I suggest participating in an autocross or two. This is a fun, safe, legal way to "let it all hang out" and learn about car control etc. Don't worry about fitting into a class, or winning anything, just go to have fun and improve your skills.
Keep us posted on the project. Everyone here loves pictures and video.
Use the search feature. Be prepared to read alot. I doubt there's any subject about the 84 Corvette which hasn't been discussed here or on the tech/performance side of the forum.
Learn to ignore the handful of trolls which occasionally come here to knock early C4's.
- Dave
Warning...mini-lecture from a father who cares about these things:
Looks like you found a great project car. As a young driver, You'll need to learn to drive it respect. A C4 is much less forgiving than a Camry or whatever you probably learned to drive with. Especially on wet or slick roads which I'd imagine happen frequently in NE. Don't let the low HP ratings fool you. C4 limits are high but they offer little room for error once you're at the limit. Being safe needs to be your #1 priority.
I think it is awsome that you and your dad are doing this together. I'd have loved to do that but my dad was just too busy with other stuff.
Once you get it running I suggest participating in an autocross or two. This is a fun, safe, legal way to "let it all hang out" and learn about car control etc. Don't worry about fitting into a class, or winning anything, just go to have fun and improve your skills.
Keep us posted on the project. Everyone here loves pictures and video.
Use the search feature. Be prepared to read alot. I doubt there's any subject about the 84 Corvette which hasn't been discussed here or on the tech/performance side of the forum.
Learn to ignore the handful of trolls which occasionally come here to knock early C4's.
- Dave