New 78, with questions
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
New 78, with questions
Hello, yet another newbie.
Just got a 1978, L-48, basic, no A/C, no tilt, etc. The car is in really great shape, and got a deal. The frame is near perfect. The only real mods, is the air cleaner and valve covers have been replaced with chrome, and the 2-1 exhaust is a now a dual. No crack or chips in the body, and the front and rear original bumper are near perfect. The engine is strong, but a little tired, 117,000.
The only problems with the car is that the clock in inop (I know, big surprise) the tach is inop, and the paint is faded. It was a repaint, some decades ago, from white to red.
Question: Did all Vettes come with posi-traction?
Question: Can you put tilt on a non-tilt wheel, I already hate sliding under the wheel.
Question: What would a good paint job cost. I know it is regional, and amount of work, etc. Not looking for a show car finish. Just wondering what people have paid for theirs.
Just got a 1978, L-48, basic, no A/C, no tilt, etc. The car is in really great shape, and got a deal. The frame is near perfect. The only real mods, is the air cleaner and valve covers have been replaced with chrome, and the 2-1 exhaust is a now a dual. No crack or chips in the body, and the front and rear original bumper are near perfect. The engine is strong, but a little tired, 117,000.
The only problems with the car is that the clock in inop (I know, big surprise) the tach is inop, and the paint is faded. It was a repaint, some decades ago, from white to red.
Question: Did all Vettes come with posi-traction?
Question: Can you put tilt on a non-tilt wheel, I already hate sliding under the wheel.
Question: What would a good paint job cost. I know it is regional, and amount of work, etc. Not looking for a show car finish. Just wondering what people have paid for theirs.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Yes, beginning with the 1970 models.
Yes. The 78 assembly instruction manual shows the factory installation and lists the GM part numbers for everything you will need for the swap.
Prices vary across the country. Call shops in your area and get estimates.
Congrats on the 78.
Question: Can you put tilt on a non-tilt wheel, I already hate sliding under the wheel.
Question: What would a good paint job cost...
Congrats on the 78.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,520
Likes: 11
From: Hinckley OH
Let me be the first to say: "WE WANT PICTURES".
There are a lot of good threads on here that will help you with repairing/replacing the steering column, clock and tach. Wilcox has a lot of good videos on troubleshooting ... especially the tach issue.
Congrats and welcome to the forum.
There are a lot of good threads on here that will help you with repairing/replacing the steering column, clock and tach. Wilcox has a lot of good videos on troubleshooting ... especially the tach issue.
Congrats and welcome to the forum.
Advanced
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 57
Likes: 1
From: Westby Wisconsin
Not bad at all!
Awesome to see another 78 L-48 owner in WI, I'm from Nekoosa (if you ever heard of it/even care- haha) 
Tilt wheel: Yeah that must suck, having the tilt/tele column makes it a bit easier but not much... Get ready for a sore neck/back working on that area, You might want to remove the driver's seat for a little extra space if/when you start swapping it out.
Paint: Expect to pay more for paint than your car is worth/will be worth after it's finished... It sucks, I know-
That's why my old man and I did it ourselves for $200, and we'll give it a touch up/ finish it once it warms up.
It's not a show car in any sense, but I wanted it to drive, not to park for other people to look at- Ya know? Besides, those huge WI bugs will be hitting the noses of our cars at highway speed anyway, making chips a matter of when, not if... Not to mention gravel that's kicked up everywhere.
You can check out some of my pics if you want...
Congrats on your "new" 78!
I almost forgot- the motor isn't tired, they came watered down from the factory, but it doesn't take much to wake it up!
Tilt wheel: Yeah that must suck, having the tilt/tele column makes it a bit easier but not much... Get ready for a sore neck/back working on that area, You might want to remove the driver's seat for a little extra space if/when you start swapping it out.
Paint: Expect to pay more for paint than your car is worth/will be worth after it's finished... It sucks, I know-
That's why my old man and I did it ourselves for $200, and we'll give it a touch up/ finish it once it warms up.
It's not a show car in any sense, but I wanted it to drive, not to park for other people to look at- Ya know? Besides, those huge WI bugs will be hitting the noses of our cars at highway speed anyway, making chips a matter of when, not if... Not to mention gravel that's kicked up everywhere.
You can check out some of my pics if you want...
Congrats on your "new" 78!
I almost forgot- the motor isn't tired, they came watered down from the factory, but it doesn't take much to wake it up!
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Instructor
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 103
Likes: 0
I'd like to get in on this thread. I'm also a "new" 78 L48 owner. First time Vette owner (finally at 60 yrs young) and need to learn a lot. I'll post pics as soon as I figure how.
My question: Where can I a "good" diagram for the ac? I've got an AIM from one of the supporters of this forum, but not happy with it. Thanks for any info. Mike
My question: Where can I a "good" diagram for the ac? I've got an AIM from one of the supporters of this forum, but not happy with it. Thanks for any info. Mike
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 202
Likes: 0
From: Sofia
Replacing the steering wheel column sounds difficult AND expensive to me. I just did some work on my 78 anniversary, adjusted the windows, the internal door handles were broken as the plastic in them is apparently not that strong at that age anymore etc.
Great cars and welcome to the 78 owners club
Great cars and welcome to the 78 owners club
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 807
Likes: 2
From: VIRGINIA BEACH VIRGINIA
Mike, welcome and here is a good link for what you probably want.
http://willcoxcorvette.com/advanced_...ioning&x=0&y=0
Dan
http://willcoxcorvette.com/advanced_...ioning&x=0&y=0
Dan
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Hey Cheapo78, I do know where Nekoosa is, near Rapids if I remember correctly.
Thanks for the kind words and advice so far from everyone. I am sure I'll be asking more question as soon as I start driving it on a regular basis.
Thanks for the kind words and advice so far from everyone. I am sure I'll be asking more question as soon as I start driving it on a regular basis.
TheCorvetteBen
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,987
Likes: 144
From: Van Alstyne, TX
Replacing the steering wheel column sounds difficult AND expensive to me. I just did some work on my 78 anniversary, adjusted the windows, the internal door handles were broken as the plastic in them is apparently not that strong at that age anymore etc.
Great cars and welcome to the 78 owners club
Great cars and welcome to the 78 owners club
Cruising
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
I think I may have looked at the 'vette you purchased. Was it an estate deal over by Amherst? It looks familiar. Ended up with a '79 out of Minnesota because DW wanted silver/oyster. I like the red...
The clock is probably the contact points that close periodically to power the motor that rewinds the clock spring. I used an old ignition point file to burnish them, got the clock working again.
Good luck with the projects!
Last edited by charlie_g; Feb 27, 2013 at 02:20 AM.