Spare tire
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,547
Likes: 282
From: Scottsdale Arizona
Spare tire
I pulled down my spare tire today after owning this 77 L48 since July 2012. I know, it's been a while, but I really haven't driven it since I started the restoration. So, the tire is flat of course, but I was a little surprised to find a B. F. Goodrich radial TA mounted on a period correct rally wheel. The tire looks as though it's never been on the car. I was amazed to discover that the spare tire lock worked perfectly too. Sure glad this is an Arizona car. I don't guess the tire is original because it's a P225 70 SR 15. Luckily it held air so I put it back in the spare tire well and started looking around the rear end. I found that the driver side rear shock top nut was almost falling off the bolt and couldn't believe I was able to turn it with my fingers. I checked the other shock and saw that all was good, but was disappointed to see a hole in the exhaust pipe on the passenger side right around where it bends past the differential. That's awful. Now I'll have to put real duals on. Glad I looked around today.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 246
Likes: 0
From: Oklahoma City Oklahoma
St. Jude Donor '14
I pulled down my spare tire today after owning this 77 L48 since July 2012. I know, it's been a while, but I really haven't driven it since I started the restoration. So, the tire is flat of course, but I was a little surprised to find a B. F. Goodrich radial TA mounted on a period correct rally wheel. The tire looks as though it's never been on the car. I was amazed to discover that the spare tire lock worked perfectly too. Sure glad this is an Arizona car. I don't guess the tire is original because it's a P225 70 SR 15. Luckily it held air so I put it back in the spare tire well and started looking around the rear end. I found that the driver side rear shock top nut was almost falling off the bolt and couldn't believe I was able to turn it with my fingers. I checked the other shock and saw that all was good, but was disappointed to see a hole in the exhaust pipe on the passenger side right around where it bends past the differential. That's awful. Now I'll have to put real duals on. Glad I looked around today.
Hmmmm....Looks like it's time for a frame off....JOIN MY JOY!!!!
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,547
Likes: 282
From: Scottsdale Arizona
Yeah, aren't these cars great? I was looking around inside the rear compartments one day before I redid the interior and found the original jack, lug wrench and the socket that removes the locks for the aluminum wheels. When I bought it, it came with a complete set of silver Corvette luggage that had never been used. Pretty soon it'll be headed for the paint shop. Maybe I'll do a frame off on the next one. I'm already looking for an older C3.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,124
Likes: 140
From: Western New York
I drove around with the original spare tire in the carrier for more than 10 years before I removed it in '84 and put it upstairs in the garage. Never on the ground and the original narrow whitewall that came with the PO2 hubcaps. Don't remember what brand it is but I think it's something like a G70x15. It's zero degrees out right now so I won't be going out to the garage to check it.
Duane
Duane
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
I agree. If the exhaust is not 'Swiss cheese', already, just take it to a local muffler shop and have the hole patched. 10 minute job for less than $20. Then you can take your time about deciding what "new" exhaust system you want to have.
And, in the process, you can find out if that local muffler shop is any good!
Even if they are not, they can't do any significant damage for that small job. And you will know whether you can use them in the future....or not....
And, in the process, you can find out if that local muffler shop is any good!
Even if they are not, they can't do any significant damage for that small job. And you will know whether you can use them in the future....or not....
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,547
Likes: 282
From: Scottsdale Arizona
I agree. If the exhaust is not 'Swiss cheese', already, just take it to a local muffler shop and have the hole patched. 10 minute job for less than $20. Then you can take your time about deciding what "new" exhaust system you want to have.
And, in the process, you can find out if that local muffler shop is any good! Even if they are not, they can't do any significant damage for that small job. And you will know whether you can use them in the future....or not....
And, in the process, you can find out if that local muffler shop is any good!
Even if they are not, they can't do any significant damage for that small job. And you will know whether you can use them in the future....or not....Corvette Stories
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Michael S. Palmer
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 11,608
Likes: 780
From: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl
My first 81 was bone stock when I got it besides wheels,
I dropped the spare and in the center was a 1/2 bottle of Jack,
But now I don't use a spare or carrier I keep fix a flat and road side service on hand....
I dropped the spare and in the center was a 1/2 bottle of Jack,
But now I don't use a spare or carrier I keep fix a flat and road side service on hand....
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,030
Likes: 17
From: White Pine / Dandridge TN
I am so tempted to remove my spare and just got with fix a flat and/or road side assistance. My challenge is that living in the mountains I often drive on roads that don't have cell signal. And with my luck that's when I'll have a flat to severe for the fix a flat to work.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 11,608
Likes: 780
From: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl
I am so tempted to remove my spare and just got with fix a flat and/or road side assistance. My challenge is that living in the mountains I often drive on roads that don't have cell signal. And with my luck that's when I'll have a flat to severe for the fix a flat to work.
I knock on wood used an 81, 66, 86, 69 vettes as daily drivers and never a blow out, a few times I have come out of house to find a flat on a "family" driver but the air compressor and or fix a flat fixed that, and I wanna add I dont use "fix a flat" but rather the "Slime" version of it.....
I guess in your shoes or if I took longer trips I would carry a spare.....