Happy to help… 
1969 corvette stringray
Thread Starter
1st Gear
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
1969 corvette stringray
i dont know if this is the right place to post this i tried looking this is the closes ive found.. anyways ok being serious here im 19 years old no experence and wondering on how to go about fixing this corvette up cars been siting in the garage for the last 20 years would like to make a project out of it i have no mechanical skills at all the fan on the car wont turn its been in there so long but other wise that car in my opionion is in pretty good shape would love to get this car runing again so i can see my dad drive it again he put it away 20 years ago because he wanted a safer car to drive us in he replaced the engine 22 years ago had 200k miles on the old engine but the new engine is from like wallmart or target one of my friends dad saids if you could reremend something a class i want to get this runing again really bad and would reallly like some sujustion thanksi just want to get the car runing for now after its up and runing i can worry about what i need to replace
IB Staff
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 10,549
Likes: 4
You posted in the Help section, which is used for Help with the website itself (forum issues, account issues, website issues, etc.). You will receive a better response if you post Corvette technical questions in the appropriate Corvette section.
I've moved your thread to the appropriate Corvette section.
Good luck!
I've moved your thread to the appropriate Corvette section.
Good luck!
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 73
Likes: 13
From: Corpus Christi, TX
Cool.
First things first. Punctuation is your friend. Not a slam, just a suggestion to make posts more reader friendly.
Not run in 20 years? I just bought a '70 that hasn't been started in 10, pretty much the same things apply. Change the oil, oil filter, and spark plugs. Put a little oil into each cylinder then turn the engine over by hand ( if you need instructions for this just ask, don't know how much you do/don't know ).
If possible at this point it would be best if you could 'pre-oil' the engine. That means you pull the distributor and use a special tool (home-made ones work too) to pressurize the oil system to make sure the engine is lubricated.
Then crank that guy up....if it starts: AWESOME! If it doesn't: you get to acquire some new troubleshooting skills. The mantra is "fuel & spark" which one don't I have? Those are the only two things you need for an internal combustion engine to run...getting there is more complicated.
Good luck,
Russ
First things first. Punctuation is your friend. Not a slam, just a suggestion to make posts more reader friendly.
Not run in 20 years? I just bought a '70 that hasn't been started in 10, pretty much the same things apply. Change the oil, oil filter, and spark plugs. Put a little oil into each cylinder then turn the engine over by hand ( if you need instructions for this just ask, don't know how much you do/don't know ).
If possible at this point it would be best if you could 'pre-oil' the engine. That means you pull the distributor and use a special tool (home-made ones work too) to pressurize the oil system to make sure the engine is lubricated.
Then crank that guy up....if it starts: AWESOME! If it doesn't: you get to acquire some new troubleshooting skills. The mantra is "fuel & spark" which one don't I have? Those are the only two things you need for an internal combustion engine to run...getting there is more complicated.
Good luck,
Russ
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,112
From: Crossville TN
The 'Target' engine is a brand of rebuilt engines...has nothing to do with the discount store. What you are wanting to do is admirable. But you probably can't get enough instruction on this web site to educate you in the use of tools, the methods of repair, and the details of a '69 Corvette. At least, not in the next 2-3 years.
Your best option is to call around to a local Corvette car club. Tell them your situation and ask if there is anyone in the club who would be willing to mentor you on the Corvette. That means he/she would be willing to let you call and ask questions, maybe come over and advise you on how to proceed for specific repairs, and give you tips on what tools you need to use and how to use them.
As far as manuals that would be of great help to you, the following are absolutely necessary; others might be of additional benefit but not as valuable:
Assembly Instruction Manual [AIM] (factory document) for your year; the Chevrolet Chassis Service Manual for your year; and [if you are going to do major work on engine/transmission rebuilds] the Chevrolet Chassis Overhaul Manual.
Good luck on your quest!
Your best option is to call around to a local Corvette car club. Tell them your situation and ask if there is anyone in the club who would be willing to mentor you on the Corvette. That means he/she would be willing to let you call and ask questions, maybe come over and advise you on how to proceed for specific repairs, and give you tips on what tools you need to use and how to use them.
As far as manuals that would be of great help to you, the following are absolutely necessary; others might be of additional benefit but not as valuable:
Assembly Instruction Manual [AIM] (factory document) for your year; the Chevrolet Chassis Service Manual for your year; and [if you are going to do major work on engine/transmission rebuilds] the Chevrolet Chassis Overhaul Manual.
Good luck on your quest!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,040
Likes: 109
What part of the world do you live in ?
Does your father have any clue about car repair, any mentoring from your father about corvettes,and are tools available ?
AND we need pictures to see what you have,pictures of the interior,engine,outside of car the more the better.
Does your father have any clue about car repair, any mentoring from your father about corvettes,and are tools available ?
AND we need pictures to see what you have,pictures of the interior,engine,outside of car the more the better.
Last edited by 1971corvette; Oct 1, 2010 at 02:50 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,359
Likes: 15
From: Confusion
WOW, spelling and punctuation skills have dropped tremendously since I was in school!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
No experience or mechanical ability?!?!?!? Make some friends with people who do have those skills or get rid of the car, from your post (not a slam) I would guess funds aren't there to pay someone to work on it................
No experience or mechanical ability?!?!?!? Make some friends with people who do have those skills or get rid of the car, from your post (not a slam) I would guess funds aren't there to pay someone to work on it................
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,924
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
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Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,430
Likes: 324
From: Indy Indiana
1st, get you a couple of good auto repair general instruction manuals. get the kind that describe how brakes, electrical, engine, cooling systems , etc.. work. read them forward and backward. practice on the little stuff.. replacing hoses, bleeding brakes...
when I was a kid I made plenty of expensive mistakes learning.. but today, no one touches my vette but me.
I started out as a 18 year old auto mechanic making good money and was really on my way up.. but decided on college and worked 25 years in white collar. now today I would like to eventually get back into making money as a mechanic.
you have to really love it to get in deep and do the work.
DO NOT PAY SOMEONE ELSE TO DO THE WORK ON THE CAR... it kills any and all savings accounts, college fund, down payment on a house, etc..
when I was a kid I made plenty of expensive mistakes learning.. but today, no one touches my vette but me.
I started out as a 18 year old auto mechanic making good money and was really on my way up.. but decided on college and worked 25 years in white collar. now today I would like to eventually get back into making money as a mechanic.
you have to really love it to get in deep and do the work.
DO NOT PAY SOMEONE ELSE TO DO THE WORK ON THE CAR... it kills any and all savings accounts, college fund, down payment on a house, etc..
Racer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 270
Likes: 1
From: Niceville Fl
This, and the suggestion you not pay someone to work on the car are the best advice given. If you have no mechanical abilities or knowledge, you run the risk of being taken for a ride by an unscrupulous shop. Unfortunately, there are far too many of them and the word "Corvette" makes them all the greedier.
