New to Vettes, new to board, just got one yesterday....
04-13-2005, 09:13 PM
#1
Instructor
Thread Starter
New to Vettes, new to board, just got one yesterday....
Hi! I'm new to the Corvette world....... I just got my first one yesterday. It's a '69 Cortez Silver coupe, 350/300, 4-speed, black leather interior. I've wanted a Vette for years, and finally decided to jump into one before prices for a C3 go higher than I could have afforded.
A friend of mine referred me to this board and said it was a nice place and very informative.
I haven't hardly had the car 24 hours, and I'm all ready see things that I want to change or simply fix/figure out. Any help and suggestions would be appreciated.
First and foremost, how hard is it to change a steering column?
I don't have a tilt/tele column and definately need one (over 6'3", knees in the steering wheel whenever I work the clutch).
Second, is there a way to fix/tighten a luggage rack screw that doesn't seem to grab onto anything and keeps spinning? I don't know if it's stripped out something or what the situation is.
Third, Is it worth it and very difficult to convert to power brakes?
Thanks again for any help. I'm looking forward to reading on here, searching the archives, learning anything I can, and simply enjoying the ride.
Allen
A friend of mine referred me to this board and said it was a nice place and very informative.
I haven't hardly had the car 24 hours, and I'm all ready see things that I want to change or simply fix/figure out. Any help and suggestions would be appreciated.
First and foremost, how hard is it to change a steering column?
I don't have a tilt/tele column and definately need one (over 6'3", knees in the steering wheel whenever I work the clutch).
Second, is there a way to fix/tighten a luggage rack screw that doesn't seem to grab onto anything and keeps spinning? I don't know if it's stripped out something or what the situation is.
Third, Is it worth it and very difficult to convert to power brakes?
Thanks again for any help. I'm looking forward to reading on here, searching the archives, learning anything I can, and simply enjoying the ride.
Allen
04-13-2005, 09:30 PM
#2
Burning Brakes
Welcome to CF Allen. I have a 68' that is about to get a tilt/tele column. In the middle of updating the interior now. My manual brakes work excellently with updated calipers and rotors. I've read the upper bolts for pwr brakes are a "*****" to reach under the the dash. If i can help let me know.
04-13-2005, 09:41 PM
#5
Melting Slicks
I second manual brakes working excellent with updates. I wouldnt change them. after the first couple days of having the car I was used to it anyway. power steering on the other hand would be nice 
welcome to the forum and Vettes,I just got mine last month also a 69 and love it!
welcome to the forum and Vettes,I just got mine last month also a 69 and love it!
04-13-2005, 10:20 PM
#7
Team Owner
I hear ya bout the column...i can't stand the wheel sitting in my crotch all the time, but i live with it. As for the brakes, i'd leave them..they really aren't that bad compared to power brakes. You can buy better calipers and update what you got like what others have said.
04-13-2005, 10:43 PM
#9
Instructor
Thread Starter
Okay, it didn't take much to convince me to leave the brakes alone. I gave myself a reality check by remembering I drove around an old Nova with non-power four-wheel drums for years. I can live with non-power disks.
For me, the column change is a must. Every time I work the clutch, my knee is in the steering wheel.
How easy/difficult is it to swap?
Also, I was just giving it an overall inspection and found that a couple of the luggage rack screws spin in place. Is there a way to fix them so they tighten down?
Here's a picture.
For me, the column change is a must. Every time I work the clutch, my knee is in the steering wheel.
How easy/difficult is it to swap?
Also, I was just giving it an overall inspection and found that a couple of the luggage rack screws spin in place. Is there a way to fix them so they tighten down?
Here's a picture.
04-13-2005, 10:50 PM
#11
Melting Slicks
Member Since: Oct 2002
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Originally Posted by Allen_396
Also, I was just giving it an overall inspection and found that a couple of the luggage rack screws spin in place. Is there a way to fix them so they tighten down?
http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?p...165E4FFCN3A7B5
04-13-2005, 11:05 PM
#13
Instructor
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Welcome to ythe forum
i hear ya on the knees in the steering column.A cheap fix for now may be to change to a 79=82 steering wheel.They are smaller in diameter and may help untill you can locate a tilt tele .
04-13-2005, 11:38 PM
#15
Race Director
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St. Jude Contributor
Originally Posted by Allen_396
What is the average market price for tilt/tele columns? I was a bit shocked to see a $700 one on Ebay.
04-14-2005, 12:10 AM
#16
Race Director
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Welcome to the Brotherhood of the Insane....Since this is more a welcome reply, I'm moving your thread to teh General Section....
Start another thread regarding the steering column....
Start another thread regarding the steering column....
