At a Loss
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: Moody Alabama
At a Loss
Ok so most of you know I just bought my first 1978 Corvette. Im kinda at a loss of where to start restoring it. Mechanical, Interior then Exterior? So far the only things I can tell are wrong is the headlights wont pop up, I put a new bulb in the low beam but only certain ones come on, it needs some new interior but its not too bad, the door locks, the passenger door wont open and I have tried the inside lock but its like its jammed, then just a few other little things to get it going. But so far it drives really good. Needs a tune up. Suggestions welcome, I want to do this right.http://s1170.photobucket.com/user/Ba...?sort=3&page=1
Last edited by Bad Kharma71; May 18, 2013 at 10:07 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,541
Likes: 267
From: iowa city iowa
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C3 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
I cant see your pictures, but I would make a list of what needs to be done for a starting point. Then pick out the things that you need to do to make it safe and reliable. Then I would drive it and enjoy it and then prioritize the rest.
Congrat's on your first corvette.
Congrat's on your first corvette.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 420
Likes: 3
From: deposit new york
I wouldn't try to fix everything all at once, trust me you will never run out of things to fix, cus there will always be something else to work on, figure out what you need to work right first, if it drives good and is safe, I would start with you headlights, why wont they come up, vacuum?, actuator? mech stuck or broke? new plugs and wires? you will figure out what you need first as you continue to drive it.
I cant see you pics either it says you album is private on photo bucket.
I think the first thread I looked at someone said "keep oil in it and drive it like you stole it" enjoy it, your more than halfway there cus you can actually drive it now
I cant see you pics either it says you album is private on photo bucket.
I think the first thread I looked at someone said "keep oil in it and drive it like you stole it" enjoy it, your more than halfway there cus you can actually drive it now
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,241
Likes: 4
From: Okinawa Okinawa
Get a vacuum pump/gauge and start troubleshooting your headlights with this link.
http://www.corvette-101.com/vacuum.htm
As for where to start. My priorities, after figuring everything I wanted to do, are safety (brakes, etc.) driveability, interior, exterior.
Go through the car, figure out what you want to do, figure out your budget, start the work and enjoy. The good thing is it drives so you will be able to do projects and enjoy driving at the same time.
http://www.corvette-101.com/vacuum.htm
As for where to start. My priorities, after figuring everything I wanted to do, are safety (brakes, etc.) driveability, interior, exterior.
Go through the car, figure out what you want to do, figure out your budget, start the work and enjoy. The good thing is it drives so you will be able to do projects and enjoy driving at the same time.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 420
Likes: 4
From: Ft Myers Fl
I recently bought an original but rough 75 for cheap. I started by putting the car up on jackstands and taking a real close look at everything. I'm going to start with the hard stuff: take the body off and address and frame rot. I know I have to repair the frame around the windshield. So, before you start any cosmetic or paint projects, make sure that everything underneath is solid. That's my advice.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,018
Likes: 9
From: Winston Ga.
Pick an issue and start working on it. I promise when you start working down your list you'll start finding plenty to work on.
My list is prioritized :
Safety issues
Mechanical preventing my driving
Mech other than above and can wait
Aesthetics like interior, trim, paint etc...
My list is prioritized :
Safety issues
Mechanical preventing my driving
Mech other than above and can wait
Aesthetics like interior, trim, paint etc...
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: Moody Alabama
Not whining just want to make sure I do it right restoring this. I have been through this before with my first car 1966 Mustang and it was White/Tan.. Hmmm starting to see a pattern.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,456
Likes: 10
From: Somerdale NJ
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-‘17-‘18
Pick an issue and start working on it. I promise when you start working down your list you'll start finding plenty to work on.
My list is prioritized :
Safety issues
Mechanical preventing my driving
Mech other than above and can wait
Aesthetics like interior, trim, paint etc...
My list is prioritized :
Safety issues
Mechanical preventing my driving
Mech other than above and can wait
Aesthetics like interior, trim, paint etc...
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 215
Likes: 0
From: Sunshine Coast Qld
I'd keep it as a driving restoration, just do weekend projects for now. I've seen many major projects come to a grinding halt because the owner cant see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,745
Likes: 712
From: Lafayette Louisiana