Used engine maintenance.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
Used engine maintenance.
Since my automotive mechanical maintenance knowledge is a bit lacking, and I'm unfamiliar with SBC's, what would I need to change once I've bought a 78-82 C3?
So far I've made a list of the basics including (if it needs it):
Radiator with electric fans, hoses, new coolant.
New air cleaner if it comes with a stock one.
Air, fuel, trans and oil filters, new engine & trans oil.
New spark plugs & leads, coil & lead, distributor cap, battery.
New belts.
Brakes? Not sure on this, might leave it till I upgrade them.
Timing adjusted.
What else will I need to put some miles on it and hopefully see me around the States without any issues?
Brand recommendations would be welcome and upgrades advice while I'm in the process of doing all this would be greatly appreciated.
So far I've made a list of the basics including (if it needs it):
Radiator with electric fans, hoses, new coolant.
New air cleaner if it comes with a stock one.
Air, fuel, trans and oil filters, new engine & trans oil.
New spark plugs & leads, coil & lead, distributor cap, battery.
New belts.
Brakes? Not sure on this, might leave it till I upgrade them.
Timing adjusted.
What else will I need to put some miles on it and hopefully see me around the States without any issues?
Brand recommendations would be welcome and upgrades advice while I'm in the process of doing all this would be greatly appreciated.
Last edited by 666WMD; May 19, 2012 at 06:03 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,270
Likes: 4,362
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi w,
The things you mention are all just general maintenance items. Any car will need them while your driving it.
There will be a list of more specific and costly parts, (in purchase and labor), which will depend on the particular car you buy, that the car will need before you can have it "see you around the United States". I'd think the chance doing it "with out ANY issues" is slim.
There will then be another list of parts and labor that will be needed as you drive what you must remember is a 35 year old car (things will continue to wear out).
You might think about sending a pm to forum member Paul74. He certainly can talk to you about what it takes to have a dependable car that you can drive regularly.
Regards,
Alan
The things you mention are all just general maintenance items. Any car will need them while your driving it.
There will be a list of more specific and costly parts, (in purchase and labor), which will depend on the particular car you buy, that the car will need before you can have it "see you around the United States". I'd think the chance doing it "with out ANY issues" is slim.
There will then be another list of parts and labor that will be needed as you drive what you must remember is a 35 year old car (things will continue to wear out).
You might think about sending a pm to forum member Paul74. He certainly can talk to you about what it takes to have a dependable car that you can drive regularly.
Regards,
Alan
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,116
Likes: 5
From: Middleburg Florida
I think Mike's refering to brakes. In stock trim for stock applications when the system is operating correctly, their fine, no mods are needed. As for the the rest it's really going to depend on what car you end up with, how well it was (or wasn't) care'd for, where it came from, it's history, etc.. As you currently have limited knowledge of the cars, I suggest you find someone who can help you with the initial purchase (as in going with you to inspect potential purchases) and buy the best example you can for what you want. Keep in mind what you want from the car, are you looking for a daily driver, a car that's original and correct, a show car, a restomod, a hot rod, there are many ways you can configure these cars. You'll be money, time, and satisfaction ahead.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
Likes: 42
You mentioned also 'New air cleaner if it comes with a stock one.' If you're talking about the housing, again there's nothing to be gained with aftermarket bling.
Same comments apply to the brakes. Nothing wrong with the OEM stuff- better than what comes on many modern cars in fact.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,520
Likes: 11
From: Hinckley OH
I mainly want to replace the items that are most likely to fail or cause problems first. The new radiator is simply to improve cooling as I've read they can be finicky in hotter weather.
Care to elaborate on what those standard wear items might be? As I said in the first post, I know very little about SBC's.
Care to elaborate on what those standard wear items might be? As I said in the first post, I know very little about SBC's.
Standard wear items are pretty much what they are on any car. Brake pads, shocks, belts, hoses, batteries, tires, spark plugs, spark plug wires, distributor cap, rotor (in the distributor) etc.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,520
Likes: 11
From: Hinckley OH
I mainly want to replace the items that are most likely to fail or cause problems first. The new radiator is simply to improve cooling as I've read they can be finicky in hotter weather.
Care to elaborate on what those standard wear items might be? As I said in the first post, I know very little about SBC's.
Care to elaborate on what those standard wear items might be? As I said in the first post, I know very little about SBC's.
Standard wear items are pretty much what they are on any car. Brake pads, shocks, belts, hoses, batteries, tires, spark plugs, spark plug wires, distributor cap, rotor (in the distributor) etc. Any or all of those may be in good condition and relatively new depending on the car you buy. The standard wear items have probably all been replaced at some time or other on all C3's. That's why I said in my first post that you won't know what you NEED until you have the car.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
No disrespect 666, but why not wait until you make your purchase, get it home, drive it for a while, then make your list? You can sit down with any Corvette parts catalogue and find something on every page you might need and thousands of things you want, but it's nothing more than pleasant self entertainment until you know what you actually need.
