New Kid on the Block
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
New Kid on the Block
Hello Everyone,
I need some advice from all of you knowledgable Vette peeps. I have a 68 Corvette that was passed down from the old man and the car has not been turned over since 1992. The Vette is a northern Vette and I am not sure if it has been exposed to a winter storm.
I am not a man of deep pockets, but a man that does a good job the first time. Any advice on where I should start?
Thank you!
Jason
I need some advice from all of you knowledgable Vette peeps. I have a 68 Corvette that was passed down from the old man and the car has not been turned over since 1992. The Vette is a northern Vette and I am not sure if it has been exposed to a winter storm.
I am not a man of deep pockets, but a man that does a good job the first time. Any advice on where I should start?
Thank you!
Jason
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 8,807
Likes: 1,947
From: LONG ISLAND
2025 C3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
open the hood & hurry.....................lets see ............welcome to the 68 club !!!
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 13,185
Likes: 99
From: West Chester OH
2020 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Cruise-In IX Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08 thru '13
Wow, what a barn find (so to speak) 
I'd start with draining all the fluids including gas tank if there is anything in it. You might have to flush the tank if there is rust & crud in it. Pull the spark plugs and spray some wd 40 in the cylinders, and turn the crank by hand if you can. Put a socket on the front pulley bolt and spin it over a couple times to make sure it turns freely.
Put in a new set of plugs, new battery, new oil & filter, new coolant, new tranny fluid, new differential fluid (don't forget the additive), new air & gas filters, what else did I forget?????
Crank it up and see if it starts. You'll probably need to rebuild the carb, calipers, master cylinder.
Good luck with it!!!
And yes, welcome to the '68 club.
I'd start with draining all the fluids including gas tank if there is anything in it. You might have to flush the tank if there is rust & crud in it. Pull the spark plugs and spray some wd 40 in the cylinders, and turn the crank by hand if you can. Put a socket on the front pulley bolt and spin it over a couple times to make sure it turns freely.
Put in a new set of plugs, new battery, new oil & filter, new coolant, new tranny fluid, new differential fluid (don't forget the additive), new air & gas filters, what else did I forget?????
Crank it up and see if it starts. You'll probably need to rebuild the carb, calipers, master cylinder.
Good luck with it!!!
And yes, welcome to the '68 club.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,023
Likes: 6
From: Austin Tx
It appears to be in wonderfull shape.
You say it's been stored since 92 - has it been stored that entire time in the same location? And, is the place in the picture where it's been stored that whole time?
Do you know if it was running correctly when it was stored?
Being stored that long, I would look at fluids, and lines. Drain all of the old fluids out, and check/replace lines.
There was probably fuel in the carb when it was stored, so I would rebuild the carb.
If you don't want to do the above, the below should to be done regaurdless.
Before trying to start the engine:
1) Pull the distributor, and pre-oil the engine.
2) Pull the spark plugs and shoot some light oil in (Marvel Mystery Oil, WD40 or similar)
3) Pull the valve covers and give each valve a light tap to insure that they are not stuck
4) Hand crank the engine to make sure it freely turns.
You say it's been stored since 92 - has it been stored that entire time in the same location? And, is the place in the picture where it's been stored that whole time?
Do you know if it was running correctly when it was stored?
Being stored that long, I would look at fluids, and lines. Drain all of the old fluids out, and check/replace lines.
There was probably fuel in the carb when it was stored, so I would rebuild the carb.
If you don't want to do the above, the below should to be done regaurdless.
Before trying to start the engine:
1) Pull the distributor, and pre-oil the engine.
2) Pull the spark plugs and shoot some light oil in (Marvel Mystery Oil, WD40 or similar)
3) Pull the valve covers and give each valve a light tap to insure that they are not stuck
4) Hand crank the engine to make sure it freely turns.
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Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 3,558
Likes: 4
From: Oakland California
Looks to be in OK condition. The engine will probably need a rebuild, or at least take the heads off and check for any rust around the cylinders. You will definitely need to rebuild the brake system. Change all fluids, and replace rotted out bushings.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,485
Likes: 7
From: Peekskill NY
Nice first vette!
Was your dad the original owner?
There's a number of issues this vette will have since it sat for so long.
First see if you can turn the crank by hand. You may need to pull the plugs and spray some WD-40, or another thin oil before you can turn it.
Change the oil & filter, replace the coolant, replace the gas. The carb will probably need to be rebuilt as the old gas turns to varnish. Replace the radiator hoses and belts.
Second, the brakes, calipers & master cylinder will most likely need rebuilding or replacing. If all these components are original, then rebuild them, or KEEP them if you replace them. The more original parts on the car the better and more valuable it is.
Third, replace the tires.
Now the possible bad, RUST in the frame & bird cage. Check the frame at the kickups in front of the rear wheels. Poke it with a screw driver and if you get a dull thud sound the metal is soft as apposed to a ping sound if solid.
The bird cage is the steel frame around the passenger compartment. The windshield frame is prone to rot. Also the #2 & 3 body mounts can rot out. I say to check these areas for safety, especially the frame. Some guys have had frames literally crumbling away.
Hope this helps and more will chime in with similar situations.
Good luck & have fun.
Glenn
Was your dad the original owner?
There's a number of issues this vette will have since it sat for so long.
First see if you can turn the crank by hand. You may need to pull the plugs and spray some WD-40, or another thin oil before you can turn it.
Change the oil & filter, replace the coolant, replace the gas. The carb will probably need to be rebuilt as the old gas turns to varnish. Replace the radiator hoses and belts.
Second, the brakes, calipers & master cylinder will most likely need rebuilding or replacing. If all these components are original, then rebuild them, or KEEP them if you replace them. The more original parts on the car the better and more valuable it is.
Third, replace the tires.
Now the possible bad, RUST in the frame & bird cage. Check the frame at the kickups in front of the rear wheels. Poke it with a screw driver and if you get a dull thud sound the metal is soft as apposed to a ping sound if solid.
The bird cage is the steel frame around the passenger compartment. The windshield frame is prone to rot. Also the #2 & 3 body mounts can rot out. I say to check these areas for safety, especially the frame. Some guys have had frames literally crumbling away.
Hope this helps and more will chime in with similar situations.
Good luck & have fun.
Glenn
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
Good news! I should have this beast by Saturday which means I will have under the hood pixs for everyone to see. 
Here is the 411 on it! My dad bought this car back in the 70s (so he was not the original owner) and drove it around MI where my parents were from. Word is that he did not drive it during the winter season, but I am still checking the frame out. I would love to have the frame powder coated, but I could live with out it if it is not needed. It was first stored back in the early 80s and it moved a couple times but the location of the storage areas were never to far from each other with trusted relatives. The last time the car was started was in the early 90s.
Unfortunately, the primary information source about the car past away several years ago which makes this a sentimental project.
My idea for this project is to keep the Vette as original as possible and bring it back to life. I am not planning to take this Vette out to shows, but maybe to pick up some single moms.
Here is the 411 on it! My dad bought this car back in the 70s (so he was not the original owner) and drove it around MI where my parents were from. Word is that he did not drive it during the winter season, but I am still checking the frame out. I would love to have the frame powder coated, but I could live with out it if it is not needed. It was first stored back in the early 80s and it moved a couple times but the location of the storage areas were never to far from each other with trusted relatives. The last time the car was started was in the early 90s.
Unfortunately, the primary information source about the car past away several years ago which makes this a sentimental project.
My idea for this project is to keep the Vette as original as possible and bring it back to life. I am not planning to take this Vette out to shows, but maybe to pick up some single moms.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,520
Likes: 11
From: Hinckley OH
The first thing I would do is check out the frame and birdcage. There's no reason to do anything else if those are rusted away.
The other thing I always wonder about is the reason a Vette has been stored that long. I always think there must be some major issue that the owner didn't want to fix or couldn't afford to fix. I would try to find out if one exists.
The other thing I always wonder about is the reason a Vette has been stored that long. I always think there must be some major issue that the owner didn't want to fix or couldn't afford to fix. I would try to find out if one exists.