Learning from the ground up
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 51
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From: Litchfield NH
Learning from the ground up
I've had some pretty bad results using the search function so I'm posting.
What is a good resource to understand the working of the engine in a 69 Vette, or relevant, engines? And what is a good resource to learn about things specific to Corvettes?
I'm both a novice mechanic (I change my oil and rotate my tires
) and novice Corvette owner. I'm having a tough time finding material that isn't overly detailed in topics that aren't relevant to me as of yet; I want to be able understand the workings of the engine/car from a big picture and literal view. 
. I'm hoping to expand my DYI from oil and tires to oil, tires, brakes, carb, etc. And I'm also hoping to be able to recognize and diagnose problems with the engine.
Thanks in advance for pointing me in the right direction.
What is a good resource to understand the working of the engine in a 69 Vette, or relevant, engines? And what is a good resource to learn about things specific to Corvettes?
I'm both a novice mechanic (I change my oil and rotate my tires
) and novice Corvette owner. I'm having a tough time finding material that isn't overly detailed in topics that aren't relevant to me as of yet; I want to be able understand the workings of the engine/car from a big picture and literal view. . I'm hoping to expand my DYI from oil and tires to oil, tires, brakes, carb, etc. And I'm also hoping to be able to recognize and diagnose problems with the engine.Thanks in advance for pointing me in the right direction.
Last edited by ChrisJP85; Jul 22, 2010 at 09:09 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 860
Likes: 0
From: Stratford Ontario
One of Your best helping aids will be this forum. Usually when You have a problem there has been a dozen or more others that have had the same problem. I have found this forum a great help with My first vette. Keep watching the problems people have and how it was fixed. I have seen repeated problems come up with the same solutions so knowing ahead of time can help You down the road if something comes up. Im assuming You have a 69 vette? posting pics and completing Your info will get You noticed. Everyone likes the pics of others cars. Lots of manuals and especially the assembly manual or AIM will be a great help.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,458
Likes: 331
From: Indy Indiana
get you a generalized auto repair manual, it will tell you about brakes, electrical, starting, charging, tune up.. all how this works and read it back and forth...
a C3 will just kill you on repair costs if your don't know how to fix it yourself, and yes things will go wrong with the car...
a C3 will just kill you on repair costs if your don't know how to fix it yourself, and yes things will go wrong with the car...
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 51
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From: Litchfield NH
Pictures will be posted, definitely. I'm sure it will be embarrassing because there is a hose sticking out of the right side valve cover and I have no idea why it is going into open air (part of the ongoing effort to educate myself. I'm not driving it at the moment)
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
From: Litchfield NH
Thanks, I plan on doing 80% of the work myself to save the money and fortunately I can afford to let the car sit in the garage.
Any favorite brands or titles? Just pick one out of the lot at the bookstore?
Any favorite brands or titles? Just pick one out of the lot at the bookstore?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,352
Likes: 1
From: Westminster Maryland
Doing is the best teacher. Try to find a friend who wants some help on a project, they will be glad for another set of hands. Start with small things, like brakes and hoses. If you can buy an old engine at a junkyard, disassemble it and learn what goes where. Understanding the basic workings will help greatly in learning how to fix them. I started by tearing down my dirtbikes as a kid and putting them back together. 
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,871
Likes: 6
From: Sault Ste. Marie Ontario
In addition to buying & reading the above reference material, I'd suggest finding a few mentors.
Get some gearhead buddies over for a few nights in the garage and pick their brains.
You can gain a lot of knowledge (good & bad) with a few boxes of beer.
Get some gearhead buddies over for a few nights in the garage and pick their brains.
You can gain a lot of knowledge (good & bad) with a few boxes of beer.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 4,305
Likes: 1
From: Red city in deep blue Oregon
St. Jude Donor '17
First, tell us where ya are.
Most likely there are some folks nearby who can come over and shoot the breeze with ya and help ya out.
Next.....find out if you are near any Corvette Clubs. Check 'em out. If they're anything like our club, all ya gotta do is ask, and you'll have more help than you can believe.
If you're close to 97322, I'd LOVE to come and compare cars with ya.
Most likely there are some folks nearby who can come over and shoot the breeze with ya and help ya out.
Next.....find out if you are near any Corvette Clubs. Check 'em out. If they're anything like our club, all ya gotta do is ask, and you'll have more help than you can believe.
If you're close to 97322, I'd LOVE to come and compare cars with ya.
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Instructor
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 152
Likes: 0
From: Williston Florida
magazines
Subscribe to Chevy High Performance and Vette Magazine/Corvette Fever, etc. Buy a Chilton's "CHEVROLET CORVETTE 1963-83 REPAIR MANUAL"--- a very basic resource that will help you get started.
As other have said, post your location, buy some cold drinks, and invite us over!
David
As other have said, post your location, buy some cold drinks, and invite us over!
David
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
...And what is a good resource to learn about things specific to Corvettes?...
1969 Assembly Instruction Manual (AIM)
1969 Owner's manual
Any of the Corvette coffee table books for general histroy and info.
The Corvette Black Book by Michael Antonick
Birthplace of Legends by Peter LiCastro
NCRS Judging Guide for 68-69.
NCRS 1968-82 Corvette Specifications Guide
The 1969 Stingray Guide Book by Rick Bizocco 1969 specific.
Dr. Dobbins' book:
Is your '69 a white, small block coupe? This could be her.
Last edited by Easy Mike; Jul 23, 2010 at 11:23 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,992
Likes: 56
From: Antioch IL
One of Your best helping aids will be this forum. Usually when You have a problem there has been a dozen or more others that have had the same problem. I have found this forum a great help with My first vette. Keep watching the problems people have and how it was fixed. I have seen repeated problems come up with the same solutions so knowing ahead of time can help You down the road if something comes up. Im assuming You have a 69 vette? posting pics and completing Your info will get You noticed. Everyone likes the pics of others cars. Lots of manuals and especially the assembly manual or AIM will be a great help.
100% just get your hand dirty and ask many questions.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
In answer to your specific question, go to a local library and see if they have any books on the general/basic operation of the 'internal combustion engine', transmission operation and design (manual and automatic), engine ignition systems and carbuetion. This will give you the basic understanding of how those systems work.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,164
Likes: 1
From: Port Clinton Ohio
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
I am currently working on an old VW bug and have found Youtube to be quite helpful. There are a bunch of cool old videos out there on how engines operate, engine assembly, carb tuning, etc.
