Hi! I just purchased my first Corvette this spring. It's a '69 Coupe, Cortez silver, black interior, leather seats, 350/300hp, 4-speed with very few other options (no A/C, no power brakes, no tilt/tele which it desperately needs).

In getting to know the car, and about 'Vettes in general, I have a few basic questions.

1. Where do you safely jack and support these cars to crawl under them and check things out? I don't want to damage anything or support it somewhere that I shouldn't. I don't own a lift, and only have a floor jack and a few jack stands.

The reasons for wanting to get under the car lead to the next questions...


2. I'd like to verify if it has the original transmission. Are the code and VIN stampings on the side where it could be seen if the car is raised?

3. I'd like to determine what the rear end gear ratio and code is. I'm guessing 3.36, but don't know for sure. Where is the code located and how do you find it?

4. I've read about "tank stickers" and realize that they were attached to the gas tanks during the production process, and that some cars still have them on there. How can I go about checking to see if it has the sticker and possibly getting/saving it? Is it fairly easy, or difficult and not worth the effort in most cases?

Thanks in advance for all you help!

Allen

'69 Corvette coupe
'70 Nova SS 396

 

Welcome,

1. See this past thread

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...nts&forum_id=3

2. A steel tag with a pert # is affixed to the manual trans with one of the side bolts. 2 alpha-numeric sequences are stamped into the main case on a vertical surface at the front of the right side. 1 of these is the production code and date and the other is serial #.

3 CAM =3:36:1 positraction with 350 for '69

SEE
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...tio&forum_id=3

4 they are usually on drivers side top. You may be able to feel it or you can try looking around the over flow cup thru the gas door, you will have to drop the tank to get it if it's there. Most Photo before trying to remove.

see
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...ker&forum_id=3

 

WELCOME TO THE FORUM

 

welcome

 

yep.

 

as far as checking for tank sticker, you can also use an extendable inspection mirror and a flashlight to look at the top of the tank... though i just checked mine and it actually was too dirty to tell and my tank is original

 

Welcome!!

 

Welcome to the insanity!

Good Luck w/your new money pit!

 

Thanks!


I sure hope it isn't too much of a money pit. I just want to drive, cruise, and enjoy. I got to do that this past weekend, and took one of my daughters out on a Daddy-daughter date to putt-putt golf and Wendy's (she's only five, and that was her idea of fine dining).

The links and information were helpful. As far as jacking the car up under each frame rail side, how does one go about getting the whole back end or front end up. Is there a front or rear center part where it can be safely lifted so the jack stands can be placed under the frame behind the front wheels and in front of the rear wheels?

With that funky rear setup (I'm used to the standard solid axle of a Nova), I wasn't sure where it would be safe to put a jack.

Allen

 

Allen, here's another jack thread. Take note of the second post's referral to another thread that covers your question more fully.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...B&forum_id=119

Yes those trailing arms like to drop down and in, the biggest problem is you can't run the back wheels like that without risking damage to the u-joints.