just got a 79!!!
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 45
Likes: 1
just got a 79!!!
hi everyone!! i just myself a 1979 corvette! my previous car was a WRX. it runs good minor problems but its going to fun working on. i just want to know if anyone know whats the widest tire size i can put on the stock rim. they are very bald!
right now im adding new calipers and pads. they are leaking really bad.
right now im adding new calipers and pads. they are leaking really bad.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,885
Likes: 1
To know for sure what size came on your car check the sticker on the drivers side door. Factory stock widest, as per the "Corvette Black Book", says 255/60r15. The other tire option available from the factory was 225/70r15.
Congrats on your purchase and welcome!
Congrats on your purchase and welcome!
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 984
Likes: 1
From: SAN FRANCISCO CA
i don't like anything over 18's for a c3.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 984
Likes: 1
From: SAN FRANCISCO CA
hi everyone!! i just myself a 1979 corvette! my previous car was a WRX. it runs good minor problems but its going to fun working on. i just want to know if anyone know whats the widest tire size i can put on the stock rim. they are very bald! right now im adding new calipers and pads. they are leaking really bad.
right now im adding new calipers and pads. they are leaking really bad.
car that always turns heads (in a good way
) and has a nice sounding 
v8 under the hood. as far as tires you should be perfectly fine with 255/60/15's on all four corners. welcome to the forum and, oh, did someone mention WE WANT PICS!!!!!
Racer
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 422
Likes: 1
From: portland or
grats from another 79 owner 
although i've modded my 79 to the point where you cant tell its a 79
as for getting rid of the wrx,
i was considering buying an 06 evolution but went with the corvette so much sexiness
where do you live/ how old are you?
im 22 and cant find anyone my age here with a c3 (portland oregon)
although i've modded my 79 to the point where you cant tell its a 79 as for getting rid of the wrx,
i was considering buying an 06 evolution but went with the corvette so much sexiness where do you live/ how old are you?
im 22 and cant find anyone my age here with a c3 (portland oregon)
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,224
Likes: 1
From: Clarksville Indiana
I put 255/60/15's on my 71, cant drive it yet to see how they do but I have sold/installed that size on a lot of various vettes over the years and nobody has ever had a big enough problem to want to go back with a smaller size. congrats on the new toy! 
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 45
Likes: 1
thanks guys! im 23 years old and ill get the pics soon. i just did my calipers but now looks like new bushings on the sway bar. yea i know WRX to vette. it was my dads. he just had it sitting and was going to get rid of it. i had to loose my subie didnt want to but the cops like giving me tickets lol. now when im riding in the C3 they throw the thumbs up not point to the curb.
the car has been sitting for like 5 years, i know all the seals and bushings are jacked up but what do you guys think i should repair next? the brakes are now good.
the car has been sitting for like 5 years, i know all the seals and bushings are jacked up but what do you guys think i should repair next? the brakes are now good.
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
From: Essex
hi, hope this helps
if she been sitting a while you going the right way by doing the brakes and bushings first, if you going that way, new shocks make for a better ride if they are getting tired and are cheap enough to change out.
Also, and I have lots of classics now and it's the silly things that can let them down if used as a daily driver.
So:
those tyres, 5 years sitting around (and they must of been used before that) is getting too long in the tooth for a high torque car such as a C3....for me I wouldn't go too large, wide for show, thinner for go
drop all the fluids....engine, coolant, brakes, tranny, rear end...if you can drain the old fuel out that would be very useful.
new rubber fuel lines help to stop the C3 becoming a mobile BBQ
new drive belts
new rad hoses
check the waterpump seal carefully, the seals can go hard when the cars sit around, and can fail soon after use, for me I'd change it, again they are cheap enough not to.
new fuel pump, as waterpump failure
and by then you should have a reliable runner.
PS, great to see you opting to go this way on car ownership, that Scooby would only loose money long term
and that 'vet is so much cooler
if she been sitting a while you going the right way by doing the brakes and bushings first, if you going that way, new shocks make for a better ride if they are getting tired and are cheap enough to change out.
Also, and I have lots of classics now and it's the silly things that can let them down if used as a daily driver.
So:
those tyres, 5 years sitting around (and they must of been used before that) is getting too long in the tooth for a high torque car such as a C3....for me I wouldn't go too large, wide for show, thinner for go
drop all the fluids....engine, coolant, brakes, tranny, rear end...if you can drain the old fuel out that would be very useful.
new rubber fuel lines help to stop the C3 becoming a mobile BBQ
new drive belts
new rad hoses
check the waterpump seal carefully, the seals can go hard when the cars sit around, and can fail soon after use, for me I'd change it, again they are cheap enough not to.
new fuel pump, as waterpump failure
and by then you should have a reliable runner.
PS, great to see you opting to go this way on car ownership, that Scooby would only loose money long term
and that 'vet is so much cooler
Last edited by 1conic; May 15, 2009 at 04:01 AM.
