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I am new to corvettes and would like some advice from those that have owned and worked on them for some time. I recently bought a 1992 corvette coupe this car is in very bad shape and it has weathered more than its far share of typhoons. Most of you would probably have walked past it however I'm in Okinawa Japan and my son and I are looking to spend our free time rebuilding it. The car runs but is leaking oil at the rear main, I would like to rebuild the engine and add some horse power to it but i don't trust any of the shops hear to do any machining work. Question does anyone know of a complete rebuild kit I can buy that would add horse power to a stock block and heads? Any advise would be a big help thanks!!
I'm in Okinawa Japan ..... i don't trust any of the shops hear to do any machining work.
You may be surprised. I spent many years i/around Narita, Japan and there is a sizeable car community, with some amazing shops doing work on American cars. I cannot speak for your isle and commend your dad/son partnership.
Last edited by whalepirot; 12-31-2014 at 08:17 PM.
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Have you tried placing a help wanted ad in the US military base paper there? I'll bet there are several bored guys or gals there who have a lot of experience with the later C4s and would love to give you a hand.
I think there are a couple of ways to go with this. Purchase a used LT1 engine and have it shipped to you or buy a remanufactured short block from a place such as Jasper.
Good luck and have fun!
Try this for used: www.vette2vette.com
Jasper: http://www.jasperengines.com/index.php
I have lived in Okinawa, I can't imagine driving that on the tiny, crapy roads, and on the wrong side. :-) Like others said, check intake, etc. find out where it is leaking. I would think parts would be expensive to import. Good luck.
Welcome to the Forum. If the engine has a lot of miles on it, you may be better off just purchasing a short block and building upon that.
I'm not sure how many miles the engine has because not everything functions in the dash. I think the rear main is leaking as oil is leaking between the engine and transmission.
I have lived in Okinawa, I can't imagine driving that on the tiny, crapy roads, and on the wrong side. :-) Like others said, check intake, etc. find out where it is leaking. I would think parts would be expensive to import. Good luck.
How many miles?
Miles are unknown and I thought it was a 1993 the title is in Japanese so of course I can't read it. I typed the VIN in and turns out its a 92. The oil leak looks like its coming from between the engine and transmission. My first thought is the rear main is leaking because of the location and its a pretty bad leak.
Have you tried placing a help wanted ad in the US military base paper there? I'll bet there are several bored guys or gals there who have a lot of experience with the later C4s and would love to give you a hand.
I think there are a couple of ways to go with this. Purchase a used LT1 engine and have it shipped to you or buy a remanufactured short block from a place such as Jasper.
Good luck and have fun!
Try this for used: www.vette2vette.com
Jasper: http://www.jasperengines.com/index.php
I actually have some mech that work for me, though they normally work on HE equipment and diesel engines I'm sure they would be all about helping out working on a vette. There is so much wrong with the car Im going to have to watch every penny we put into it, so I was thinking about pulling it out and rebuilding it.
Thank You for all the replies and information I will take a few photos and post them so everyone can see what were dealing with. Have a safe and happy New Years!
I lived on futenma for years. A few of us have corvettes over there.
I had to take mine through JCI inspection and getting l that done so I could drive it.
I didn't think I would find any locals on here, thats nice! you have probably seen this vette if you watch Okinawa Yard sales .
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
The small block GM engines will many times leak oil at the "China wall" where the intake manifold mates to the block at the front and the rear. Although this 91 block is a bit different from the LT1 you can see the rear China wall has been cleaned and where a sealant called The Right Stuff has been applied. Many people clean the mating surfaces then dimple them with a punch, use new gaskets between the manifold and heads and then use The Right Stuff instead of the gaskets that come in the kit. This usually fixes the leak at a reasonable price. This might be worth a try for you.
There are many LT1s out there with more than 200,000 miles on them.
If the outside is weathered the motor tired and leak, instruments (electrical issues) bad I can only imagine the issues underneath
Remember Vette specific parts are expensive.
Maybe pass on this one and get a nicer one to start with. May take patience but even with good wrenching ability you wont be restoring a Vette for cheap no way.
Maybe pass on this one and get a nicer one to start with. May take patience but even with good wrenching ability you wont be restoring a Vette for cheap no way.
A little late for that...
Originally Posted by jmf0369
I recently bought a 1992 corvette coupe this car is in very bad shape and it has weathered more than its far share of typhoons.
My '85 came from Japan (its been around, USA - JAPAN - AUS !)
it got out a while ago so it has missed a few typhoons !
good luck with the rebuild, do you have any photo's ?
I am new to corvettes and would like some advice from those that have owned and worked on them for some time. I recently bought a 1992 corvette coupe this car is in very bad shape and it has weathered more than its far share of typhoons. Most of you would probably have walked past it however I'm in Okinawa Japan and my son and I are looking to spend our free time rebuilding it. The car runs but is leaking oil at the rear main, I would like to rebuild the engine and add some horse power to it but i don't trust any of the shops hear to do any machining work. Question does anyone know of a complete rebuild kit I can buy that would add horse power to a stock block and heads? Any advise would be a big help thanks!!
I ran your question by my son who is a certified engine builder by trade and builds all kinds of motors for a living. His answer was short and sweet - - - Is there a kit - Yes, lots of them; and, just depends on how much you want to spend. So you have to figure out for yourself exactly what you want your car to be worth in the end versus how much you put into it ???
12-31-2014, 06:34 AM
Sad Shape Okinawa Japan
