First Drive
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Glouster Ohio
First Drive
I have a 1978 L-48 I just got last Friday. It was sitting for 4 years in a heated and cooled garage. I Trailered it home and changed all the fluids and gave the car a look over. I found the brake calipers leaking fluid so I replaced all 4 calipers. Brakes work great. So today I finaly got to road test. I have a few things.
Problem 1 While driving 45mph to 60mph the car wanted to run 220deg but if I keep it below it would run 185 to 190. The car has fan shoud and fan in half way. It has the factory fan and new rad hoses. Any idea what else to look at? I found the little spoiler in a box that goes on the front nose will this help that much?
Problem 2 car idiles very ruff but during acceleration run pretty good. Vacuum leak poss?
Thanks for any help. This car me and my 12 year old son are working on and he is in love with it. Its the olny thing he talks about.
Problem 1 While driving 45mph to 60mph the car wanted to run 220deg but if I keep it below it would run 185 to 190. The car has fan shoud and fan in half way. It has the factory fan and new rad hoses. Any idea what else to look at? I found the little spoiler in a box that goes on the front nose will this help that much?
Problem 2 car idiles very ruff but during acceleration run pretty good. Vacuum leak poss?
Thanks for any help. This car me and my 12 year old son are working on and he is in love with it. Its the olny thing he talks about.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,449
Likes: 0
from what I understand that front spoiler will make a lot of difference!
to get more air flow to it you could go with an indy style front spoiler, also check your "weather stripping" type stuff on top of your radiator support that connects with the hood when closed, dont want any of that air to go over that top
Miles
to get more air flow to it you could go with an indy style front spoiler, also check your "weather stripping" type stuff on top of your radiator support that connects with the hood when closed, dont want any of that air to go over that top
Miles
Intermediate
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 41
Likes: 3
From: Palm Springs CA
That spoiler will make a huge difference. It is critical to force as much air as possible up thru the radiator. Does it have a clutch fan? Is it spinning at full speed? Check that out as well.
Good Luck!
Good Luck!
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Glouster Ohio
Thanks for the replys. I will put the spoiler on. Today I found 2 vacuum hose broken. I pluged them and the engine idle smoothed right out. But from a dead stop when you gas it it falls flat and when cruising down the road and gas it it will fall flat any ideas?
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Glouster Ohio
Ya I have learned a lot just by reading the forum and searching function. The Vette is by far the coolest and funnest car I've had. The wife even likes it which is always good.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every Model vs Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)
Joe Kucinski
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!
Brett Foote
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)
Joe Kucinski
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!
Michael S. Palmer
5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Glouster Ohio
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,245
Likes: 470
From: Glen Allen, VA
first, when your setting the timing, the vacumn advance should be pulled off the distributor and plugged. The quick explanation is ideal timing with advance disconnected should be at 36 degrees by about 2500-2800 rpm. You'll probably have to change advance springs in the distributor to get this to happen, then you really can just let the timing at idle fall wherever it falls. It's very easy to do. Feel free to ask me questions, but I am by no means an authority. I would definiitely search for Lars' papers, he's the one you want to be getting info from.
Drifting
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,480
Likes: 2
From: Circleville Ohio
Vader vette
I have a 1978 L-48 I just got last Friday. It was sitting for 4 years in a heated and cooled garage. I Trailered it home and changed all the fluids and gave the car a look over. I found the brake calipers leaking fluid so I replaced all 4 calipers. Brakes work great. So today I finaly got to road test. I have a few things.
Problem 1 While driving 45mph to 60mph the car wanted to run 220deg but if I keep it below it would run 185 to 190. The car has fan shoud and fan in half way. It has the factory fan and new rad hoses. Any idea what else to look at? I found the little spoiler in a box that goes on the front nose will this help that much?
Problem 2 car idiles very ruff but during acceleration run pretty good. Vacuum leak poss?
Thanks for any help. This car me and my 12 year old son are working on and he is in love with it. Its the olny thing he talks about.
Problem 1 While driving 45mph to 60mph the car wanted to run 220deg but if I keep it below it would run 185 to 190. The car has fan shoud and fan in half way. It has the factory fan and new rad hoses. Any idea what else to look at? I found the little spoiler in a box that goes on the front nose will this help that much?
Problem 2 car idiles very ruff but during acceleration run pretty good. Vacuum leak poss?
Thanks for any help. This car me and my 12 year old son are working on and he is in love with it. Its the olny thing he talks about.
The second thing is have you ever owned a corvette before ? if not when you first start the car in the morning two or three pumps turn it over it starts the idle will be high for a couple of minutes I generally put my seat belt on adjust the mirrors and fiddle fart around then hit the pedal kinda hard and fast not real hi RPM just stab at the throttle if it then goes down to around 550 you can put it in gear and go. this will save alot of re-pair. on Half shafts and drive lne components.
The next thing I would do is swap out the rear end grease. two bottles of limited slip diff . fluid and top off with any good quality rear end grease. You can get the additive at almost any good Chevy Dealer or in the vett books that sell parts. I like Mid America and Paragon if you can afford Paragons shipping .Good luck and happy Vetting.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Glouster Ohio
I bought the car from a family member so I do know the back ground of the car. It has a 6 mounth old rear end. This is my first Vette. So far I am really happy with it. I will get some pics and post as soon as I can. Once again thanks for everyones help and keep the sugestions coming.
