Corvette consistent problems or defects
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,380
Likes: 1,740
From: Seattle Area Washington
As the Corvette evolved through the C3 years it did gain a few pounds but along with some of the weight gain the C3 Corvette also became a more comfortable vehicle to drive then earlier Corvettes.
Actually the base coupe in 1972 had a higher curb weight then the Corvettes built after 1976. And you can’t forget about the 1965 that weighed in at the same base model weight as the 1978 Corvette.
I hope if a chapter comes out with a related subject to a C3 Corvettes weight value I hope it also sheds some light of the advantages of the later C3 Corvettes and how the C3 evolved through out the C3 years.
There are some prospective new owners that just may want a nice ride to enjoy the scenery on a nice spring/summer day.
Actually the base coupe in 1972 had a higher curb weight then the Corvettes built after 1976. And you can’t forget about the 1965 that weighed in at the same base model weight as the 1978 Corvette.
I hope if a chapter comes out with a related subject to a C3 Corvettes weight value I hope it also sheds some light of the advantages of the later C3 Corvettes and how the C3 evolved through out the C3 years.
There are some prospective new owners that just may want a nice ride to enjoy the scenery on a nice spring/summer day.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 256
Likes: 0
From: Norfolk VA
I'll post pics when I get a chance. I still haven't seen all the problems in my 74, but I'm working on it.
-Cracked fiberglass on the top of the fenderwells
-Rusted radiator support and front nose sections - can be difficult to see if you're not looking for it
-Wrong windshield wipers - apparently they're corvette only and hard to find, the previous owner neglected this and when on I-64 it started raining heavily I nearly crashed into a wall on the bridge when the wiper flipped sideways due to the hood and bottom of the windshield. It also scratched my windshield
-Fuel sending unit malfunctioning / not working
-The shifter (automatic) had a broken cable, I think for a parking safety switch ?
-Broken Speedo cable
I'm sure there's more I'm not thinking of at the moment and I'll try to get some pictures soon...
-Cracked fiberglass on the top of the fenderwells
-Rusted radiator support and front nose sections - can be difficult to see if you're not looking for it
-Wrong windshield wipers - apparently they're corvette only and hard to find, the previous owner neglected this and when on I-64 it started raining heavily I nearly crashed into a wall on the bridge when the wiper flipped sideways due to the hood and bottom of the windshield. It also scratched my windshield
-Fuel sending unit malfunctioning / not working
-The shifter (automatic) had a broken cable, I think for a parking safety switch ?
-Broken Speedo cable
I'm sure there's more I'm not thinking of at the moment and I'll try to get some pictures soon...
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 10,189
Likes: 206
2018 Corvette of Year Finalist
2017 C3 of Year
I have not tackled it yet but I am sure I am not the only one that was shocked to find out that replacing rear wheel bearings is not a Saturday afternoon project. Looks like the trailing arm removal and rear wheel bearing proceedure is pretty close to doing a hip replacement on grandma.
Bill in RI
Bill in RI
The first one's my personal favorite and the reason I carry my heavy spare and jack, as well as a big, hefty breaker bar (sorry Panic!)
-Rusted bolt that holds the spare tire carrier up. It's really nice when you actually have a flat and you're stuck on the side of the road
-Wiper door problems
-Points ignition (I've got far too many stories about dad's 69 on that topic)
-Stuck shifter linkage when going into reverse
That's never fun
-Vacuum leaks
-leaks, leaks, and more leaks (interior, oil, coolant)
-horn malfunctions (seems to be actually the most common problem)
-rusted body mounts and floor pans (The car's made of fiberglass, it won't rust, so we can drive it in the winter
)
-The amazing parking brake you can fully engage while driving down the highway with no effect at all! (no, that's not how I found out mine didn't work)
-People and their stupidity (remember, I drive an 81, which is non-Stingray) "You drive a Stingray, not a Corvette!"
I'm sure there's more I'm missing. If I think of some, I'll post 'em
-Rusted bolt that holds the spare tire carrier up. It's really nice when you actually have a flat and you're stuck on the side of the road
-Wiper door problems
-Points ignition (I've got far too many stories about dad's 69 on that topic)
-Stuck shifter linkage when going into reverse
That's never fun-Vacuum leaks
-leaks, leaks, and more leaks (interior, oil, coolant)
-horn malfunctions (seems to be actually the most common problem)
-rusted body mounts and floor pans (The car's made of fiberglass, it won't rust, so we can drive it in the winter
)-The amazing parking brake you can fully engage while driving down the highway with no effect at all! (no, that's not how I found out mine didn't work)
-People and their stupidity (remember, I drive an 81, which is non-Stingray) "You drive a Stingray, not a Corvette!"
I'm sure there's more I'm missing. If I think of some, I'll post 'em
You're partially right. The late 70's vettes got heavy- peaking at 3572lbs in 1978- and slightly less in 79. But the diet started in 80 with thinner body panels and glass, and the aluminum intake manifold and rear diff cover- to 3336 lbs. The change to the composite rear spring in 81, further reduced weight to 3307 lbs. I've added aluminum heads. the new rear spring, and deleted the spare tire, carrier and jack, and figure about 3200 lbs for my 80- less than the 1970 rated at 3285 lbs. Uhhh, the rebuilt 355 helps too. Trivia: According to the Corvette Black Book, the 1971 vette, small block, at 3202 lbs is the stock fetherweight. Ya gotta eliminate unnecessary fat, and gain accelleration, speed and agility.
As the Corvette evolved through the C3 years it did gain a few pounds but along with some of the weight gain the C3 Corvette also became a more comfortable vehicle to drive then earlier Corvettes.
Actually the base coupe in 1972 had a higher curb weight then the Corvettes built after 1976. And you can’t forget about the 1965 that weighed in at the same base model weight as the 1978 Corvette.
I hope if a chapter comes out with a related subject to a C3 Corvettes weight value I hope it also sheds some light of the advantages of the later C3 Corvettes and how the C3 evolved through out the C3 years.
There are some prospective new owners that just may want a nice ride to enjoy the scenery on a nice spring/summer day.
Actually the base coupe in 1972 had a higher curb weight then the Corvettes built after 1976. And you can’t forget about the 1965 that weighed in at the same base model weight as the 1978 Corvette.
I hope if a chapter comes out with a related subject to a C3 Corvettes weight value I hope it also sheds some light of the advantages of the later C3 Corvettes and how the C3 evolved through out the C3 years.
There are some prospective new owners that just may want a nice ride to enjoy the scenery on a nice spring/summer day.
I'll post pics when I get a chance. I still haven't seen all the problems in my 74, but I'm working on it.
-Cracked fiberglass on the top of the fenderwells
-Rusted radiator support and front nose sections - can be difficult to see if you're not looking for it
-Wrong windshield wipers - apparently they're corvette only and hard to find, the previous owner neglected this and when on I-64 it started raining heavily I nearly crashed into a wall on the bridge when the wiper flipped sideways due to the hood and bottom of the windshield. It also scratched my windshield
-Fuel sending unit malfunctioning / not working
-The shifter (automatic) had a broken cable, I think for a parking safety switch ?
-Broken Speedo cable
I'm sure there's more I'm not thinking of at the moment and I'll try to get some pictures soon...
-Cracked fiberglass on the top of the fenderwells
-Rusted radiator support and front nose sections - can be difficult to see if you're not looking for it
-Wrong windshield wipers - apparently they're corvette only and hard to find, the previous owner neglected this and when on I-64 it started raining heavily I nearly crashed into a wall on the bridge when the wiper flipped sideways due to the hood and bottom of the windshield. It also scratched my windshield
-Fuel sending unit malfunctioning / not working
-The shifter (automatic) had a broken cable, I think for a parking safety switch ?
-Broken Speedo cable
I'm sure there's more I'm not thinking of at the moment and I'll try to get some pictures soon...
Thanks for the additions!
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 10,189
Likes: 206
2018 Corvette of Year Finalist
2017 C3 of Year
[QUOTE=panic;1562441811]
Is that a windshield washer bottle or an over flow tank that I see in the pic? If it's washer loose it there's 1 or 2 more lbs. Two more words for ya Carbon Fiber
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 20,715
Likes: 25
From: Sorrento Italy
[QUOTE=War Bonnet;1562441886]
windshield wipers (and its motor) went sometime ago, i think i still have the (plastic) washer bottle but it's empty
Thread Starter
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2018 Corvette of Year Finalist
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Team Owner
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From: Sorrento Italy
Thread Starter
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2018 Corvette of Year Finalist
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[QUOTE=panic;1562442314]It's a very small market and no one wants to step up and manufacture one, probably have to make it custom. I'd like to experiment with the carbon fiber materials it's the wave of the future right?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 845
Likes: 1
From: Columbus Indiana
I don't think this has been mentioned. The lower control arm shaft mounts on the front crossmember have a habit of fatigue cracking, or even tearing away altogether. Here is a pic of the right angled mount brace after I drove the car home.
This pic was just under the harmonic balancer.
This is after I refurbed the front crossmember with a new bottom and fabricated my own heavier control arm mounts and angled braces.
Mine isn't an isolated case. Here is a link to a thread which goes into this a little deeper and with more pics.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...405&forum_id=3
Hope this helps
John
This pic was just under the harmonic balancer.This is after I refurbed the front crossmember with a new bottom and fabricated my own heavier control arm mounts and angled braces.
Mine isn't an isolated case. Here is a link to a thread which goes into this a little deeper and with more pics.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...405&forum_id=3
Hope this helps
John
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: Woodbridge VA
Great Idea. 
Let me know when its published. Being a newbie my problems are still small, here is my list
Outside door handle sticking in the down position. If the door is open it won't latch. If the door is closed the lacth won't allow the door to open.
AC high fan relay (?) blown
Oil pressure gauge not register the proper pressure.
Bouncing tach.
Let me know when its published. Being a newbie my problems are still small, here is my listOutside door handle sticking in the down position. If the door is open it won't latch. If the door is closed the lacth won't allow the door to open.
AC high fan relay (?) blown
Oil pressure gauge not register the proper pressure.
Bouncing tach.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 360
Likes: 0
Here is a picture of a rusted late 1976 core support. It was like that all the way across except for about an inch on the passenger side, that bolt/nut was the only thing it was resting on.
Yes I was underneath there, without jackstands! I still haven't figured out what a '76 core support was doing on my '74 though. 
1. Previous owners named Bubba!
2. Rust? I am afraid to move it! Pretty sure it is original though.
Yes I was underneath there, without jackstands!
I still haven't figured out what a '76 core support was doing on my '74 though. 1. Previous owners named Bubba!
2. Rust? I am afraid to move it! Pretty sure it is original though.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,380
Likes: 1,740
From: Seattle Area Washington
If a vehicle had been in a major front end accident there are parts of the body that are not repairable without unsightly lines and mismatched body panels. The center engine cowl area is one of them. There should be one continuous body line from one side of the cowl to the other. The body seam from the cowl to firewall will have a continuous bead of filler protruding from the seam and may be a little uneven but that’s what to look for. There may be undercoating that has dried up and chipped off over time and this is normal. If the center cowls bottom tray is uneven and there seems to be a more then generous amount of overlapping filler, lines etc. then I would walk away for purchasing this vehicle.
In this picture you can see the cowl to firewall seam and the cowl bottom tray is nice and flat. This picture is of my 1977 so other models may appear to be different but you get the idea.
Brian
In this picture you can see the cowl to firewall seam and the cowl bottom tray is nice and flat. This picture is of my 1977 so other models may appear to be different but you get the idea.
Brian
Racer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 360
Likes: 0
I found it in the dark! I thought it was a piece of the frame/birdcage at first! I was very relieved when I found out it was just the jack. And shockingly enough it's right were the AIM says it's suppose to be. (I haven't figured out how to make the pictures smaller yet.)
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 10,189
Likes: 206
2018 Corvette of Year Finalist
2017 C3 of Year
Great Idea. Let me know when its published. Being a newbie my problems are still small, here is my list
Outside door handle sticking in the down position. If the door is open it won't latch. If the door is closed the lacth won't allow the door to open.
AC high fan relay (?) blown
Oil pressure gauge not register the proper pressure.
Bouncing tach.
Let me know when its published. Being a newbie my problems are still small, here is my listOutside door handle sticking in the down position. If the door is open it won't latch. If the door is closed the lacth won't allow the door to open.
AC high fan relay (?) blown
Oil pressure gauge not register the proper pressure.
Bouncing tach.
Here is a picture of a rusted late 1976 core support. It was like that all the way across except for about an inch on the passenger side, that bolt/nut was the only thing it was resting on.
Yes I was underneath there, without jackstands! I still haven't figured out what a '76 core support was doing on my '74 though.
1. Previous owners named Bubba!
2. Rust? I am afraid to move it! Pretty sure it is original though.
Yes I was underneath there, without jackstands!
I still haven't figured out what a '76 core support was doing on my '74 though. 1. Previous owners named Bubba!
2. Rust? I am afraid to move it! Pretty sure it is original though.
not funny! Hope you were not using that rusted up jack If a vehicle had been in a major front end accident there are parts of the body that are not repairable without unsightly lines and mismatched body panels. The center engine cowl area is one of them. There should be one continuous body line from one side of the cowl to the other. The body seam from the cowl to firewall will have a continuous bead of filler protruding from the seam and may be a little uneven but that’s what to look for. There may be undercoating that has dried up and chipped off over time and this is normal. If the center cowls bottom tray is uneven and there seems to be a more then generous amount of overlapping filler, lines etc. then I would walk away for purchasing this vehicle.
In this picture you can see the cowl to firewall seam and the cowl bottom tray is nice and flat. This picture is of my 1977 so other models may appear to be different but you get the idea.
Brian
In this picture you can see the cowl to firewall seam and the cowl bottom tray is nice and flat. This picture is of my 1977 so other models may appear to be different but you get the idea.
Brian
Thanks
Racer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 360
Likes: 0
I didn't jack it up at all. I replaced the core support and the radiator without using the jack or jack stands. I can fit under the car everywhere except directly below the seats! Who needs those new fangled four post lifts? All you need is to be skinny! 