Corvettes are chevrolets 90% and have the same general problems other cars have. it's the 10% vett part that will cause you to loose your mind
Most Mechanics that have experiece with older cars without computor diagnostics can figure them out. It's when you get into other areas with the car that an expert is important to consult (restoration,Fiberglass,performance, ect)

Don't Insult the weekend warrior shade tree mechanics on this board that have taken their cars apart and put them back together again and again. They've learned for themselfs in order to save the $75 perhour, and put a little of their own pride into their ride.

 

Ahmen!!!
My schedual is full, and I'm 4 hours away, but I would drive up to the Dallas area for a day for good Italian pizza, and Cokes. I also would have brought all my own tools, and books.

 

I'll bet most of the shade tree mechanics on this forum can tell you from memory what size wrench or socket fits a specific fastner on their Corvette, and many can most likely tell you what color wires in the harness go to which terminal.

 

I am currious about WHAT HAPPENED that made you
so down on the place you took your car.?
Whats wrong with your car?
U-joints? Which ones? Half shafts? (those will cost ya)
Some problems are hard to find, period.
I find most Vette specialty places expensive, noses in the air,
but the have done enough of them to get it done.
Explain what your problem/s is/are

 

Brake and fuel line clips are 1/2 inch, Brake caliper bolts are 5/8 lugs are 7/8. The dash light wires are grey and the wire that powers the cig lighter is orange.
sorry I couldn't resist

 

i guess that my post was taken completely the wrong way. but before anyone takes what i said personally, you need to take a chill pill. i didn't direct my comments towards anyone in particular, and to no one on this forum. O.K.? anyone who has restored their vette should be proud. mr milner, i find its important to have a two way dialogue before i make a judgement about someones intent. unfortunately it has been my experience that many non-liscenced mechanics bite off more than they can chew. this is NOT a dig in any way to the people on this website who take pride in their ride and their work, they should. my clearly written, and entirely understandable point was to find a trained mechanic in dallas to help me(i will pay well), whether they only work on weekends or not. it has unfortunately been my experience, along with countless others, that many self proclaimed "experts" fall way short. let me make this as clear as possible. i do not know any of you personally, so how could you draw from my personal experience comments, that i was trying to offended ANYONE? i in no way drew into question anyones skill or aptitude for corvettes on this forum, ONLY my personal experience. that being said, sorry you took my font size as yelling, it wasn't in caps, thats yelling. and so sorry for the offense. to all those who were helpful, thank you thank you thank you. i spoke with mike, and he is TOP DRAWER. (excellent) to all those who seem to have an axe to grind, again, i did not nor will i draw into question, or insult anyone on this forum. the work i've seen here is outstanding.

 

 

???

 

The chief has taken exception to my BS flag.
send me a few PMs to acuse me of profanity and attitude.

 

Sometimes you just have to listen to what people say.

Electical problems were mentioned later but

PRICE seems to be the overiding issue.

therealfirechief just doesn't like the prices being charged.
It's common to see customer's like this in all types of business.

 

imagine that, a consumer willing to pay a fair price, but not wanting to be overcharged. what a crime eh? i have seen overcharging business owners like this before

 

Your statements are Crystal Clear, unfortuneately you insulted some members here.
You feel all the shops charge too much and you want a trained experienced mechanic to work on the Side for less.

This must be the mechanic you're looking for. I think his brother lives in Dallas.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1609897
Get a written quote first.

 

Good luck chief. Enjoy your ride!

 

I have to chime in here. I do own a Corvette specialty business, and take offense to being lumped in with "all" the shops that overcharge for diagnostics. It is a vital part of getting things right. It is true that 90% of the Corvette is just like any other Chevy. How many times has a mechanic mis-diagnosed problems with your regular everyday Chevy? Case in point: Last year we got in a C-5 that a Chevrolet dealership told the customer she needed a complete ECM harness (approx.$5,000 installed). We properly diagnosed the problem. It was loose grounds at the engine block. We charged her 2 hours diagnostic time, repaired it and she saved around $4,800. Another case: Customer with a C-4 had someone pull the "check engine" codes and it said a failure in the Mass Airflow sensor circuit. He brings me the sensor and says "change this for me". He nixed my suggestion on diagnostics, (about $85). Guess what? The new sensor didn't fix his problem. He blew about $300 by not having the problem properly diagnosed. I have hundreds of similar situation where we routinely diagnose and repair a 'Vette that someone else has tried the "shotgun" approach on. Please excuse the rant firecheif, but not all Corvette service establishments are out to rip you off.

 

guess my second statement, in an attempt to clearly explain that i was talking about my "personal" experience with specialty mechanics, even though crystal clear was still not heard, so i will try one last time. as i said before, i did NOT, have NOT, and will NOT bring into question ANY person on this on this forums abilities, or even what they would charge. (i have spent several thousand this last time) i was speaking to MY experience ONLY, (which did NOT involve ANYONE here)and my experience alone. and like it or not, after checking with other automotive businesses(several), the work, and the cost WAS overbilled in ALL of the specialty shops that I used. this is in NO way a dig on ANYONE here. o.k. is that finally clear? even a mechanic from one of the shops called me personally to apologize, and directed me to another "real" mechanic (a trained, certified vette mechanic) who repaired my car for a reasonable price. (i even paid him extra for doing great work for those who think this is about money!!!) i have read on many of these forums about people getting burned by shops, or even by "untrained" do it yourselfers (NOT ANYONE HERE. O.K.?) i was speaking as someone who has trusted many, and been burned several times, and that is why i came to this forum !?! if i didn't respect what i had seen and heard here, i wouldn't have asked for help from you guys. CLEAR ENOUGH? again so it cannot be mistaken, i have Not, will Not and did NOT cast dispersions on ANYBODY here. as i said, EVERYTHING i have seen and heard in regards to vette work has been EXCELLENT !!! OUTSTANDING !!!! AND I APPLAUD ALL OF YOU !!!! O.K. ?? and again, THANK YOU to those who helped and directed me to mike, he is a great guy. hope the attacks are finally done

 

Geez, I hope so. All this bold type is starting to freak me out!

 

Guys,

On a completly different note I took the plundge and bought a 73 coupe on Friday. I am working out the details now to have the car shipped to Dallas and am sure that I will be needing help in the near future and believe me, those of you that offered in this thread will be hearing from me, LOL.

 

Hi Guys,
After talking to firechief I have to admit what he has been going thru would have me pulling my hair out. The poor quality work that has been performed on his vette, both professional and discount, is by far outweighed by the damge that has occured. Some dumb little mistakes to large ones. Two particular instances that he mentioned is when the hoist broke and the engine fell on the body and then the mysterious body damage that appeared on the freshly painted front end while it was in the posession of another shop. We have all had these things happen at one time or another but I think he has had more than his share.
I've been in this business for 31 years now and there is a major drop in ability and quality being performed. Although I am an ASE Master tech I have very little faith in their certification. Any company that supplies cheat books for people to pass their test does not have customers in mind.
For many people here on the forum such as BIG G, Gary, and myself repairing corvettes is a business and a sense of pride having the knowledge, ability, and the desire to do the best work possible.
For the corvette owners that perform their own work in many cases they have more experience in certain repairs than the large majority of non-corvette-specific repair shops. When you combine all this knowledge into one group, the forum, you have a base greater than any shop or publication.
We have all seen it here. Good advice, bad advise, happy people, frustrated people. Major problems and petty arguements. But in the end we all get it worked out.
Mike

 

thank you mike, your awesome. know this, not only will you get my business, but i have many friends with vettes who will need you at some point. i'll call you in 2 weeks, i'm getting the body work re-done that the other body shop did. (it was a top end highland park shop, go figure, paid the most, got the worst) thanks again, to the forum and especially you mike!

 

xxxxx