73 coupe
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 9,257
Likes: 4
From: NJ
73 coupe
Hey guys, looks like I will no longer be vette-less soon. I had an 86 and in a few weeks I will be picking up a 73 coupe 4spd. Needs some work but if I pace myself and skimp a bit with used instead of new I can get it running again fairly quick. For some reason it has manual steering and brakes. I would have thought that with the 4spd it would have at least have one power option. So I'm a C3 guy now, how hard is teh vaccum system in these things? I do not think it works since the headlights are in the up position.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Hey guys, looks like I will no longer be vette-less soon. I had an 86 and in a few weeks I will be picking up a 73 coupe 4spd. Needs some work but if I pace myself and skimp a bit with used instead of new I can get it running again fairly quick. For some reason it has manual steering and brakes. I would have thought that with the 4spd it would have at least have one power option. So I'm a C3 guy now, how hard is teh vaccum system in these things? I do not think it works since the headlights are in the up position.
Welcome to the C3 section. Make sure you post a lot of pictures of your car...I personally LOVE the '73 and I know the next C3 I buy will be a '73.
The vacuum system really isn't that hard once you get a few vacuum diagrams. One thing I would suggest you get first off is an AIM for that year Vette, and Wilcox the vendor has them on CD, PDF version, and it will show you everything you want to know.
Wilcox also sells about everything you would need when replacing old or worn components. Once you get the car we'll help you trouble shoot the headlights to see what the problem would be.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 23,419
Likes: 22
From: In limbo
St. Jude Donor '13-'15, '17 thru '22
I have heard story of people "wiring" their headlights in the up position because they liked that look better. I have also wondered if that was an urban legend because I have never spoken to a Corvette owner who has said they have done this, nor seen an example of this behavior first hand. Regardless, if I bought a car where the headlights were up in all conditions, the first thing I would check would be to see if there was an auxilliary headlight vacuum switch that was engaged. Probably the second thing I would check would be to see if the system had been purposefully disabled in some way.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
I have heard story of people "wiring" their headlights in the up position because they liked that look better. I have also wondered if that was an urban legend because I have never spoken to a Corvette owner who has said they have done this, nor seen an example of this behavior first hand. Regardless, if I bought a car where the headlights were up in all conditions, the first thing I would check would be to see if there was an auxilliary headlight vacuum switch that was engaged. Probably the second thing I would check would be to see if the system had been purposefully disabled in some way.
Nothing really to wire, and anyone can lock their headlights in an UP position if the vacuum system isn't working but it's best to find the source of the problem, which may be a vacuum leak, which will also affect the performance and drivability of the car.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 23,419
Likes: 22
From: In limbo
St. Jude Donor '13-'15, '17 thru '22
I agree for the most part. If there was no vacuum switch engaged and the lights were not physically prevented from going down, I would move on to checking the "close side" of the vacuum loop. I am sure I am making up terms here, but I can only picture the system in my head, not the vacuum schematic to know what the parts are called.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,285
Likes: 4,374
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi LZ,
Congratulations on your new, old car.
My 71, 4-speed car, doesn't have power steering or brakes either. I see very few cars without one or the other or both.
You're in for some BIG fun!
Regards,
Alan
Congratulations on your new, old car.
My 71, 4-speed car, doesn't have power steering or brakes either. I see very few cars without one or the other or both.
You're in for some BIG fun!
Regards,
Alan
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,406
Likes: 418
From: Chester Virginia
Take a look at:
http://www.corvette-101.com/vacuum.htm
for the vaccum issues. There are other sites, but this ones a good start.
BTW welcome tot he 73 World.
I keep a database/registry on 73's. If you want send me the VIN, options and trim tag info for entry.
Roger
http://www.corvette-101.com/vacuum.htm
for the vaccum issues. There are other sites, but this ones a good start.
BTW welcome tot he 73 World.
I keep a database/registry on 73's. If you want send me the VIN, options and trim tag info for entry.
Roger
