pff brakes, they only slow you down!
General Maintenence
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 570
Likes: 11
From: Lancaster PA
General Maintenence
First off let me introduce myself, I am in currently in college, and my car is a black 1980 with the glass t-tops. I am about to replace the belts and radiator hoses since I fear that they may be original to the car. Is there any other maintenance items that I should check out and replace if needed?
Thanks
Thanks
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,268
Likes: 2
From: Minnesota in the summer, Las Vegas in the winter
Welcome to the forum........
A good place to start is with any and all fluids, including the differential. If you are mechanically inclined, you will be better off doing all this yourself. If you are mechanically challenged, look around for a car guy or neighbor or someone who can guide you through your needs and concerns. Learn as much as you can about your particular car. This forum will pay you big dividends. The knowledge base here is amazing and they are mostly earger to help newbies. Probably half of what I know about corvettes I learned on the internet. The rest I learned by jumping in and getting dirty and asking local gearheads.
Professional mechanics will be of help but will empty your bank account quickly. All these old cars, corvettes included, really need a hands-on owner for their care.
Good luck and, again, search out that car guy who can help if needed!
A good place to start is with any and all fluids, including the differential. If you are mechanically inclined, you will be better off doing all this yourself. If you are mechanically challenged, look around for a car guy or neighbor or someone who can guide you through your needs and concerns. Learn as much as you can about your particular car. This forum will pay you big dividends. The knowledge base here is amazing and they are mostly earger to help newbies. Probably half of what I know about corvettes I learned on the internet. The rest I learned by jumping in and getting dirty and asking local gearheads.
Professional mechanics will be of help but will empty your bank account quickly. All these old cars, corvettes included, really need a hands-on owner for their care.
Good luck and, again, search out that car guy who can help if needed!
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 570
Likes: 11
From: Lancaster PA
Thanks. I am fairly mechanically inclined. Ive already changed out the fan clutch and the mufflers as well as attempting to get the smell of cigarette smoke out of the car. (The lady that originally owned the car was a smoker and the interior was filthy).
I didnt even think of the differential when i checked the rest of the fluids.
I didnt even think of the differential when i checked the rest of the fluids.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,747
Likes: 713
From: Lafayette Louisiana
agree with the above plus
Agree with the above plus I would consider getting a factory service manual from Helm, maybe 75$ but invaluable. Also Richard Newton has a C3 book plus Haynes is good to have too. You can also get an AIM or assembly instruction manual off ebay which is what the StLouis/Bowling Green techs used to assemble the car originally. All very useful books. And finally to echo the post above, this forum is just great and has been invaluable to me. Full of helpful and very knowledgeable people. With the books and the forum, you are on your way to becoming an expert! 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,028
Likes: 1
From: SOUTH ELGIN IL
Welcome friend! Bet I'd have got more chicks w/ a vette in college...
When you pull the hoses you are going to have to drain the coolant, there is a valve at the bottom of the radiator you can crack to drain it. Take a look at what comes out, if it's brown and full of sludge time to flush the system. You may want to search around a little here on the forum and look at various preferences for the correct mixture to put back in. A lot of guys use an additive called Water Wetter (or maybe Wetter Water...) to stay a little cooler. I did and it helped drop my operatign temp some. Might also check the thermostat since you'll have the upper hose off. Just remove the 2 bolts from the waterneck. You'll need a gasket and some gasket sealer (RTV) to put the waterneck back on after you check it. T-stats are relatively inexpensive but college budgets are tight so if you aren't overheating or having any problems you are probably OK.
Use the forum, hugely valuable resource.
When you pull the hoses you are going to have to drain the coolant, there is a valve at the bottom of the radiator you can crack to drain it. Take a look at what comes out, if it's brown and full of sludge time to flush the system. You may want to search around a little here on the forum and look at various preferences for the correct mixture to put back in. A lot of guys use an additive called Water Wetter (or maybe Wetter Water...) to stay a little cooler. I did and it helped drop my operatign temp some. Might also check the thermostat since you'll have the upper hose off. Just remove the 2 bolts from the waterneck. You'll need a gasket and some gasket sealer (RTV) to put the waterneck back on after you check it. T-stats are relatively inexpensive but college budgets are tight so if you aren't overheating or having any problems you are probably OK.
Use the forum, hugely valuable resource.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,125
Likes: 4
From: Flower Mound TX.
Welcome to the forum. I agree with everyone above. Plus, check all your hoses for cracks ( brakes , vac, fuel.... ). Almost anything you will need to know about your car you can find here. BTW... we all love pics. So, when you can post some pics of your car, we'd love to see it.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,224
Likes: 1
From: Clarksville Indiana
replace every fluid in the car except the washer fluid and the gas! you can do them all yourself but if its a auto, I suggest finding a shop that can flush it with a machine, replacing all 14 qts or whatever instead of just 3-4 qts with just dropping the pan, better yet do that first, with a new filter then get it all flushed.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,221
Likes: 665
From: Northeast
While you are waiting for the indepth manuals, go down to AZ and pick up a Haynes Repair Manual. It's very basic but there are 37 pages in chapter one which covers routine maintenance. Probably cost about $17 and can start your reading. Good luck.
As for the smell looks like Odor Bomb might do the trick.
http://www.autopia.org/forum/car-det...-interior.html
As for the smell looks like Odor Bomb might do the trick.
http://www.autopia.org/forum/car-det...-interior.html
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 2,675
Likes: 13
From: Sudbury MA
Smadoo,
Welcome to the Corvette Forum and congratulations on your new ride.
This will be one of the best sources for help with any project you want to do on your car. I used this forum extensively to restore my 68.
Lots of knowledge here and people are quick to help; you will usually get a reply within minutes.
Good luck and enjoy the Corvette experience
Kurt
Welcome to the Corvette Forum and congratulations on your new ride.
This will be one of the best sources for help with any project you want to do on your car. I used this forum extensively to restore my 68.
Lots of knowledge here and people are quick to help; you will usually get a reply within minutes.
Good luck and enjoy the Corvette experience
Kurt
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 570
Likes: 11
From: Lancaster PA
Thanks everyone,
I went up to Stoudt Auto Sales yesterday and picked up radiator hoses, as well as all belts but the AC belt, which they didn't have. While I was there I also picked up an assembly manual. Ill post pics tomorrow.
Jimmy
I went up to Stoudt Auto Sales yesterday and picked up radiator hoses, as well as all belts but the AC belt, which they didn't have. While I was there I also picked up an assembly manual. Ill post pics tomorrow.
Jimmy
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 235
Likes: 0
From: Orlando Florida
Welcome to the Shark tank!!
I have rebuilt everything on my 78, yours is very similar, except for the aluminum differential. Post some pics tomorrow and I'll see if I can help...lots of good people here...mine had 119k miles on it when I got mine...I also had an 81 when I was in college...good year IMO...good luck and continue to post here and I will keep a look out for you....DDBS
Doing the work yourself is the best way to learn and it's very rewarding in the long run...good to have access to a lift also- when you look under it, you can learn more in 15 minutes than in a book...hands on with a friendly mechanic who will help for cheap is a superior asset...DDBS
Last edited by Daddybugs; Feb 15, 2009 at 09:24 PM.
with above
