Sibre's first C3 Build
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Sibre's first C3 Build
To be more honest, it is my first Corvette build of any kind. And considering my tech knowledge, it will prove to be quite a learning experience I'm sure. Planning on using this thread to show progress. Any advice would be much appreciated.
A little about myself: I got out of a USMC a few years ago and am currently working on my degree. So, this will be a budget build too. At least the best I can manage.
About the car: 1980 Corvette. Stock everything it seems. Runs and drives, but needs work to get to being dependable.
Issues needing attention, in no particular order:
Weatherstripping! You can stick your finger over the top of the windows when closed.
Right headlight doesn't manage to raise all the way up 80% of the time
Headlights are about as bright as handheld flashlights
Parking brake doesn't work
Fuel gauge doesn't work
Tach doesn't work
Metallic clangs can be heard occasionally from rear when in reverse (thinking rear brakes)
When driving below 30 mph and off the gas, sound like an old spring mattress being bounced on (Thinking rear springs or rear brake again)
Slow oil leak
Slow power steering fluid leak
After 30 minutes of continuous driving, engine will start chugging and feel like it wants to stall.
Needs paint, bodywork, miscellaneous interior repairs.
Now for what everyone is waiting for. PICTURES!
My Help:
A little about myself: I got out of a USMC a few years ago and am currently working on my degree. So, this will be a budget build too. At least the best I can manage.
About the car: 1980 Corvette. Stock everything it seems. Runs and drives, but needs work to get to being dependable.
Issues needing attention, in no particular order:
Weatherstripping! You can stick your finger over the top of the windows when closed.
Right headlight doesn't manage to raise all the way up 80% of the time
Headlights are about as bright as handheld flashlights
Parking brake doesn't work
Fuel gauge doesn't work
Tach doesn't work
Metallic clangs can be heard occasionally from rear when in reverse (thinking rear brakes)
When driving below 30 mph and off the gas, sound like an old spring mattress being bounced on (Thinking rear springs or rear brake again)
Slow oil leak
Slow power steering fluid leak
After 30 minutes of continuous driving, engine will start chugging and feel like it wants to stall.
Needs paint, bodywork, miscellaneous interior repairs.
Now for what everyone is waiting for. PICTURES!
My Help:
Last edited by sibre2001; Apr 26, 2013 at 01:49 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Edelbrock valve covers and air cleaner are aftermarket.
Automatics do not have a reverse lock out. That said, the car should not start in any gear. Park or Neutral only.
Keep her.
If you do not have a 1980 owner's manual, order a reprint. Order an assembly instruction manual (AIM). You will find it to be helpful.
Good luck.
...Shift reverse lockout doesn't work...
...My Help...
If you do not have a 1980 owner's manual, order a reprint. Order an assembly instruction manual (AIM). You will find it to be helpful.
Good luck.
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 216
Likes: 0
From: Eugene OR
Love those rims!
As someone who is a few years into a project much like yours, my first-best advice is to keep an eye to engine cooling in anything you do that could possibly affect it. That was the first-worst gremlin I encountered on my '72 and took two years to sort.
-Good luck and rest assured that you've found the right place for advice!
As someone who is a few years into a project much like yours, my first-best advice is to keep an eye to engine cooling in anything you do that could possibly affect it. That was the first-worst gremlin I encountered on my '72 and took two years to sort.
-Good luck and rest assured that you've found the right place for advice!
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
...Is this what I'm looking for?...
CCentral will also have the owner's manual.
Clean the wiring terminals well before you pull the sender. Good contact might be all you need.
Last edited by Easy Mike; Apr 26, 2013 at 03:06 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,487
Likes: 83
From: Titusville Florida
Just did the sending unit in my 76 a few weeks ago, it's not too hard just takes a little time is all...
EDIT: Just watched the video, my send unit comes out through the top so I had to drop the tank, I'm pretty sure you will too!
EDIT: Just watched the video, my send unit comes out through the top so I had to drop the tank, I'm pretty sure you will too!
Last edited by AirborneSilva; Apr 26, 2013 at 03:12 PM.
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Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Yessir I will. Gonna drop it and check the terminals first though like Mike said. Trying to track down my multimeter to really check it out. Here's hoping it's in one of the boxes on top in my storage.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,541
Likes: 268
From: iowa city iowa
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C3 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
First and foremost: thank you for your service
The car looks like a good one to fix up. Really pretty actually. Please keep posting pictures as you progress and ask plenty of questions. There is a lot of good info here. Whatever you are getting ready to do, somebody here has done it and can give you tips.
Good luck
The car looks like a good one to fix up. Really pretty actually. Please keep posting pictures as you progress and ask plenty of questions. There is a lot of good info here. Whatever you are getting ready to do, somebody here has done it and can give you tips.
Good luck
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 987
Likes: 7
From: Surrey British Columbia
My uncle was a Marine; served in Southeast Asia. He loved to play tennis. I could never beat him.
Best of luck with the degree.
Your '80 looks to be in much better shape than the '80 the I'm doing a frame-off on. You've got a car with great bones there. Listen to Easy Mike. An A.I.M. is critical for the work that you want to do on "budget" because big savings can be had if you can do the work yourself. I bought a reprint of the Owner's Manual on Amazon. You can find them on eBay too.
Use this forum relentlessly. Lots of guys have been where you're about to go. I've always had my questions answered.
Best of luck with the degree.
Your '80 looks to be in much better shape than the '80 the I'm doing a frame-off on. You've got a car with great bones there. Listen to Easy Mike. An A.I.M. is critical for the work that you want to do on "budget" because big savings can be had if you can do the work yourself. I bought a reprint of the Owner's Manual on Amazon. You can find them on eBay too.
Use this forum relentlessly. Lots of guys have been where you're about to go. I've always had my questions answered.
Last edited by 80Baby; Apr 26, 2013 at 04:25 PM.