Well, after 7 months of NO Corvette (had a C5 - 2000 Vert for the last 3 years), looks like I will be back in the game with a 1978 C3. This is going to be a "project" Corvette. The car has been in my family since 1982 (my fathers), but has pretty much sat for the last 10 years (gets started and run around his neighborhood 1 or 2 times a month for those 10 years).

The car runs well, but has a "quirk" it has had for at least the last 18 years (when she runs for a while and gets everything hot, she doesnt want to start again for an hour or so until she cools down), so I will be working on fixing that first.

She also needs A LOT of TLC with the chrome trim (it is peeling off around the rear fastback glass), and is in DESPERATE need of some paint.

This is a car I have hoped to get as my winter project car for years as she has bascially just sat in his garage for quite a while. Finally, he decided to give it to me so I can work on it and get her back into shape.

This was also the car I learned to drive a manual with, was the first Corvette I ever sat in as a kid (let alone drive).

Should be fun, will be asking alot of questions, as it has been SOME TIME since I have had a car like this.

 

Congrats on the '78. Good luck on the fixins.

 

You could always paint the trim around the back window ( and front windsheild for that matter) black. That's how they were done on the 79's. I know it's not factory, but probably a lot less hassle than getting what you have redone.

 

the heat soak problem is common. Have fun bringing it back to life

 

The heatsoak problem is very common, and is easily solved. You can wrap the starter in a heat shield bag to keep it from over heating, so it'll have an easier time at turning the hot motor...or you can replace it with a high torque mini starter. The latter is a good way to go because it used less amperage to start, has an easier time using gear reduction, and it's smaller so it's easier to get in and out with exhaust clearance problems.

 

Great info, thanks. Can't wait to get her to my house. Starting to look around for shipping companies to send her my way. Headed this weekend to my folks for a pre-planning trip.

 

Just for my reference, for the "shield" are you talking about something like this? http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?p...dept%5Fid=1769

Or this? http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?p...dept%5Fid=1769

 

Ya know I have the original starter in my '81 and I have full length headers and have never had a single "heatsoak" problem... I have had the problem where it lands on a dead spot a few times and I have to whack it with a wrench to get it to go. Those times were usually when it was cool, too.

 

It's true, some people NEVER get the problem. I've had three '77 Corvettes and only the black one I have now has that problem, and it really isn't all that bad. Neither of my other two had it. The difference? The starter in this black one is much older than the starter in the other two Vettes. Maybe as they get older they just don't have the strength to turn a swollen motor.

 

Welcome aboard! I just joined the C3 guys myself, got a 78 Pace Car a couple weeks ago and plan to fix it up over the winter. Good luck with yours, I'm sure we'll both have a great time!

 

My neighbor just bought his son a dark green 1969 vert big block manual. He had it delivered to the house a few weeks ago, and prepped it for gift giving. Then this last Sat was his son's birthday, and he was in from out of town. The car was hiding in the garage next to his '75, and I guess they brought it out for him sometime early evening, because I heard him start it and tear out. Never came back by the way...

 

welcome to the , there are a ton of smart people here.(not me, i just read). good luck with the new (old) rides

 

Welcome to the C3 family. The only advise I can give you is Take your time and have fun.