Need some help and advice
01-12-2017, 01:21 AM
#1
Cruising
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Need some help and advice
Not sure I am in the right place. I just received my fathers 66 StingRay. It has been sitting in a garage since 1969. He just stopped driving the car. It appears to be the higher horsepower 327. the entire car is original and the engine and transmission are locked up from sitting so long. My goal is to replace only the necessary parts to get the car running. Any advice from knowledgeable people would be appreciated.
01-12-2017, 06:56 AM
#2
That's a long time, but I would put a borescope into each spark plug hole and get a look at the cylinder walls. If they look ok I would still spray some penetrant or mix of acetone and atf in the cylinders, get a good battery and see if it will crank over without the plugs in. If it does, then drain and replace the engine oil, clean up the points and try to start it. It will smoke if it starts. It could take a while for the penetrant to free up the motor. Chances are the carburetor will need rebuilding. Inspect the brake lines and hoses, replace the brake fluid and hope it doesn't leak anywhere, but it probably will.
Definitely worry about the brakes and get new tires before attempting to drive it. Just stay here on the forum because you will get your answers right here. Don't try to turn the engine over with the spark plugs in.
And by the way, welcome and we all would love to see some pics of this car.
Definitely worry about the brakes and get new tires before attempting to drive it. Just stay here on the forum because you will get your answers right here. Don't try to turn the engine over with the spark plugs in.
And by the way, welcome and we all would love to see some pics of this car.
Last edited by ILBMF; 01-12-2017 at 07:01 AM.
01-12-2017, 07:30 AM
#3
Team Owner
Harbor Freight has their goosenneck inspection cameras on sale again I think.
Personally, I would not crank that motor with a battery until you've tried to do it by hand first; if there is no nut on the balancer pulley there are ways and tools to still do it. Or, you could put the car in 4th gear, emergency brake off and try to rock it by turning one of the tires. If you turn the left front you can peer into the engine compartment to see if the crankshaft is moving...
Many times the clutch gets stuck because a car sits so long....there is a recent thread on here about how to deal with that:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-40-years.html
Personally, I would not crank that motor with a battery until you've tried to do it by hand first; if there is no nut on the balancer pulley there are ways and tools to still do it. Or, you could put the car in 4th gear, emergency brake off and try to rock it by turning one of the tires. If you turn the left front you can peer into the engine compartment to see if the crankshaft is moving...
Many times the clutch gets stuck because a car sits so long....there is a recent thread on here about how to deal with that:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-40-years.html
Last edited by Frankie the Fink; 01-12-2017 at 07:34 AM.
01-12-2017, 07:35 AM
#4
Drifting
There was a recent discussion about this very topic. Check it out as there were some very good ideas: https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1593806593
01-12-2017, 07:35 AM
#5
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My first advice is to be patient and go slowly. The car has been sitting for a long time - there should not be a hurry to get it going again.
My second advice is to keep Bubba away from this car. In other words, don't let a well-intended fool damage it.
From what you say, this is a valuable car on two counts: it sounds like it may be a "survivor", a particularly valuable kind of old Vette. Second, it sounds like a one family-owned car.
By all you've said so far you may have something particularly valuable on your hands. Take your time, be patient and avoid a jury-rigged fixes, and enjoy what is bound to be a slow process of returning it to service.
Before I would make any attempts at starting it, I would replace all of the fluids (inspecting as you go)(get rid of any old gas as well), and do a thorough inspection of the electrical system (wire insulation can age badly, and all-too common fires quickly destroy these cars). Check for any rodent damage as well.
Unless it's been sitting outside with trees growing up through it, you could easily have a six-figure car there, proceed accordingly.
Edit: Forgive my manners, it's early. Welcome to the Forums! Do not be afraid to post questions often - this is a totally free consulting service. You may not always like the answers (or even the delivery of them), but you'll get more good ideas, and, importantly, avoid more errors, costs, and frustration by asking first. Folks here know these cars, and have made the painful mistakes that can prevent you repeating them. These guys have saved me a ton of time, effort, and frustration for sure.
You know what they say: The smart man learns from his mistakes - the wise man learns from other's mistakes.
My second advice is to keep Bubba away from this car. In other words, don't let a well-intended fool damage it.
From what you say, this is a valuable car on two counts: it sounds like it may be a "survivor", a particularly valuable kind of old Vette. Second, it sounds like a one family-owned car.
By all you've said so far you may have something particularly valuable on your hands. Take your time, be patient and avoid a jury-rigged fixes, and enjoy what is bound to be a slow process of returning it to service.
Before I would make any attempts at starting it, I would replace all of the fluids (inspecting as you go)(get rid of any old gas as well), and do a thorough inspection of the electrical system (wire insulation can age badly, and all-too common fires quickly destroy these cars). Check for any rodent damage as well.
Unless it's been sitting outside with trees growing up through it, you could easily have a six-figure car there, proceed accordingly.
Edit: Forgive my manners, it's early. Welcome to the Forums! Do not be afraid to post questions often - this is a totally free consulting service. You may not always like the answers (or even the delivery of them), but you'll get more good ideas, and, importantly, avoid more errors, costs, and frustration by asking first. Folks here know these cars, and have made the painful mistakes that can prevent you repeating them. These guys have saved me a ton of time, effort, and frustration for sure.
You know what they say: The smart man learns from his mistakes - the wise man learns from other's mistakes.
Last edited by Easy Rhino; 01-12-2017 at 07:42 AM.
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01-12-2017, 10:34 AM
#6
Safety Car
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Not sure I am in the right place. I just received my fathers 66 StingRay. It has been sitting in a garage since 1969. He just stopped driving the car. It appears to be the higher horsepower 327. the entire car is original and the engine and transmission are locked up from sitting so long. My goal is to replace only the necessary parts to get the car running. Any advice from knowledgeable people would be appreciated.
01-12-2017, 04:19 PM
#7
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There was a recent discussion about this very topic. Check it out as there were some very good ideas: https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1593806593
01-12-2017, 04:21 PM
#8
Drifting
When you say transmission and engine are locked up...you probably have a stuck clutch [engaged]
01-12-2017, 05:05 PM
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01-12-2017, 09:51 PM
#11
Burning Brakes
stuck motor
Harbor Freight has their goosenneck inspection cameras on sale again I think.
Personally, I would not crank that motor with a battery until you've tried to do it by hand first; if there is no nut on the balancer pulley there are ways and tools to still do it. Or, you could put the car in 4th gear, emergency brake off and try to rock it by turning one of the tires. If you turn the left front you can peer into the engine compartment to see if the crankshaft is moving...
Many times the clutch gets stuck because a car sits so long....there is a recent thread on here about how to deal with that:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-40-years.html
Personally, I would not crank that motor with a battery until you've tried to do it by hand first; if there is no nut on the balancer pulley there are ways and tools to still do it. Or, you could put the car in 4th gear, emergency brake off and try to rock it by turning one of the tires. If you turn the left front you can peer into the engine compartment to see if the crankshaft is moving...
Many times the clutch gets stuck because a car sits so long....there is a recent thread on here about how to deal with that:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-40-years.html
01-13-2017, 10:22 AM
#13
Melting Slicks
This is the kind of car story that gets car guys excited. You should have no problem getting some one from the local Corvette community to come over for a day for guidance and you should. But as stated prior, go slowly and be very careful of bubba. Maybe post your location and someone from here would be able to help.
01-13-2017, 10:42 AM
#14
Safety Car
My first advice is to be patient and go slowly. The car has been sitting for a long time - there should not be a hurry to get it going again.
My second advice is to keep Bubba away from this car. In other words, don't let a well-intended fool damage it.
From what you say, this is a valuable car on two counts: it sounds like it may be a "survivor", a particularly valuable kind of old Vette. Second, it sounds like a one family-owned car.
By all you've said so far you may have something particularly valuable on your hands. Take your time, be patient and avoid a jury-rigged fixes, and enjoy what is bound to be a slow process of returning it to service.
Before I would make any attempts at starting it, I would replace all of the fluids (inspecting as you go)(get rid of any old gas as well), and do a thorough inspection of the electrical system (wire insulation can age badly, and all-too common fires quickly destroy these cars). Check for any rodent damage as well.
Unless it's been sitting outside with trees growing up through it, you could easily have a six-figure car there, proceed accordingly.
Edit: Forgive my manners, it's early. Welcome to the Forums! Do not be afraid to post questions often - this is a totally free consulting service. You may not always like the answers (or even the delivery of them), but you'll get more good ideas, and, importantly, avoid more errors, costs, and frustration by asking first. Folks here know these cars, and have made the painful mistakes that can prevent you repeating them. These guys have saved me a ton of time, effort, and frustration for sure.
You know what they say: The smart man learns from his mistakes - the wise man learns from other's mistakes.
My second advice is to keep Bubba away from this car. In other words, don't let a well-intended fool damage it.
From what you say, this is a valuable car on two counts: it sounds like it may be a "survivor", a particularly valuable kind of old Vette. Second, it sounds like a one family-owned car.
By all you've said so far you may have something particularly valuable on your hands. Take your time, be patient and avoid a jury-rigged fixes, and enjoy what is bound to be a slow process of returning it to service.
Before I would make any attempts at starting it, I would replace all of the fluids (inspecting as you go)(get rid of any old gas as well), and do a thorough inspection of the electrical system (wire insulation can age badly, and all-too common fires quickly destroy these cars). Check for any rodent damage as well.
Unless it's been sitting outside with trees growing up through it, you could easily have a six-figure car there, proceed accordingly.
Edit: Forgive my manners, it's early. Welcome to the Forums! Do not be afraid to post questions often - this is a totally free consulting service. You may not always like the answers (or even the delivery of them), but you'll get more good ideas, and, importantly, avoid more errors, costs, and frustration by asking first. Folks here know these cars, and have made the painful mistakes that can prevent you repeating them. These guys have saved me a ton of time, effort, and frustration for sure.
You know what they say: The smart man learns from his mistakes - the wise man learns from other's mistakes.
01-13-2017, 11:00 AM
#15
Safety Car
Not sure I am in the right place. I just received my fathers 66 StingRay. It has been sitting in a garage since 1969. He just stopped driving the car. It appears to be the higher horsepower 327. the entire car is original and the engine and transmission are locked up from sitting so long. My goal is to replace only the necessary parts to get the car running. Any advice from knowledgeable people would be appreciated.
01-13-2017, 11:11 AM
#16
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Welcome to the CF. You have received some very good guidence. Let me add some other thoughts. We don't mean too pry, but what state are you in? Knowing this can help us link you to another CF partner for help. Document in writing everything about the car. Also take hundeds of pics. Safety is very critical. Having the right tools, knowing when to ask for help. Have you done any kind of work on old cars? Do you have a garage to work in? All this is part of the old car world. 
Dennis
Dennis
01-26-2017, 01:37 AM
#17
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thanks for all the advice
Ok I'm trying to post some pictures. First, I had an inspection done on the frame. The frame came back solid. The motor was completely locked and while examining the engine I observed that the freeze plugs are rusted out. My decision was to just remove the engine and take it apart. I decided to go this route as not to damage anything inside the engine. After removing the engine I cleaned the oil off and ran the engine numbers. since my father bought this car off the lot in 1966 I knew it was original, but seeing the matching VIN on the block still made my day. I have ran the block number and this is the HT block. I know this by two ways. fist is that the stamp is HT but after cleaning the engine off, the manufacturer wrote 66 HT on the sides of the block by hand. It's also a factory air car with the battery sitting in the drivers side front fender. I disassembled the engine and kept everything. The engine is at the machine shop being baked and blasted to remove the insane amount of rust and crap in the water jackets. The bore is still good as well as the pistons so I think I'll just put on new rings and keep the dome pistons in the car.
