C3 General General C3 Corvette Discussion not covered in Tech
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

never do this again

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 28, 2014 | 06:28 PM
  #1  
namvet6869's Avatar
namvet6869
Thread Starter
Racer
Supporting Member
15 Year Member
Veteran: Air Force
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 431
Likes: 22
From: Chester Illinois
Default never do this again

Got the bright idea I would take my tail lights out and give them a good cleaning on my 81. It took me over an hour to get them back in. Anyone know of a quick way to align the light guide pin with the body. I got the job done but many four letter words and comments to the corvette engineers.
Reply
Old Jul 28, 2014 | 08:07 PM
  #2  
69Pman's Avatar
69Pman
Racer
 
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 468
Likes: 20
From: Warrenton VA
Default

Originally Posted by namvet6869
I got the job done but many four letter words and comments to the corvette engineers.
You know, they say the C3s are the easiest to work on…
Reply
Old Jul 28, 2014 | 10:25 PM
  #3  
Texas70's Avatar
Texas70
Instructor
 
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 170
Likes: 2
From: Alice Texas
Default

Originally Posted by 69Pman
You know, they say the C3s are the easiest to work on…
I actually think the design team were a bunch of sick SOB's that took joy in making the simplest task complicated. I cannot even begin to image the thought process that went into some things.
Reply
Old Jul 29, 2014 | 01:01 AM
  #4  
Les's Avatar
Les
Race Director
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 11,094
Likes: 990
From: Sierra Foothills CA
Default

If you ever remove & replace the vacuum booster for the brakes you'll be convinced that the tail light assembly was designed by the A team.
Reply
Old Jul 29, 2014 | 05:04 AM
  #5  
F22's Avatar
F22
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,842
Likes: 285
From: Palmdale CA
Default

I love how the stick shift plate has two to three inches of clearance behind the stick, but only a half inch in front of it. The stick hits the front edge unless you force the entire trans tunnel cover up against the center gauge stack. I gave up and now a split peice of 3/4 rubber hose cushions the plate against those moments when I'm really shifting hard. Go figure.
Reply
Old Jul 29, 2014 | 11:23 AM
  #6  
Dustup7T2's Avatar
Dustup7T2
Terrorizing Orange Cones
Supporting Lifetime
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,572
Likes: 17
From: Northern CO
Default

Originally Posted by namvet6869
...

I got the job done but many four letter words and comments to the corvette engineers.
Welcome to our world, namvet. I guess no one ever said any of this would be easy.

Reply
Old Jul 29, 2014 | 11:32 AM
  #7  
MikeDs73's Avatar
MikeDs73
Instructor
Supporting Lifetime
10 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
Photogenic
Liked
 
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 119
Likes: 2
From: Kennebunk, ME
Default

Reinstalling the Power Steering Pump (by yourself without a lift) is right up there on my list!
Reply
Old Jul 29, 2014 | 12:01 PM
  #8  
Tooonz's Avatar
Tooonz
Burning Brakes
Supporting Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Photogenic
Liked
 
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 992
Likes: 28
From: Sutton MA
Default

Removing it by your self isn't fun either, but now I know I'm in for a fun time reinstalling it
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-5

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

 Joe Kucinski
Old Jul 29, 2014 | 03:20 PM
  #9  
dochorsepower's Avatar
dochorsepower
Drifting
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,412
Likes: 50
From: Laguna Niguel California
Default

"If you ever remove & replace the vacuum booster for the brakes you'll be convinced that the tail light assembly was designed by the A team."

Amen!
Reply
Old Jul 29, 2014 | 07:31 PM
  #10  
doorgunner's Avatar
doorgunner
2026 Loser of the Year
Supporting Member
10 Year Member
Veteran: Army
Photogenic
Photoriffic
 
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 36,559
Likes: 7,006
From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
Default

Originally Posted by namvet6869
Got the bright idea I would take my tail lights out and give them a good cleaning on my 81. It took me over an hour to get them back in. Anyone know of a quick way to align the light guide pin with the body. I got the job done but many four letter words and comments to the corvette engineers.
And we thought 120F*plus with a bath every 30 days was the pits!

Stinking Politicians and Corvette Tail Light Engineers!
Reply
Old Jul 29, 2014 | 08:31 PM
  #11  
rmm82's Avatar
rmm82
Instructor
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 199
Likes: 35
From: USA
Default

I'm pretty sure I know which was the initial part on the assembly line. It was the headlight switch hanging down from a string and they built the car around it!
Reply
Old Jul 29, 2014 | 09:06 PM
  #12  
doorgunner's Avatar
doorgunner
2026 Loser of the Year
Supporting Member
10 Year Member
Veteran: Army
Photogenic
Photoriffic
 
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 36,559
Likes: 7,006
From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
Default

Originally Posted by rmm82
I'm pretty sure I know which was the initial part on the assembly line. It was the headlight switch hanging down from a string and they built the car around it!
Probably!

"How to reset the TPS (Tire Pressure Sensor) on a GM vehicle (per owner's manual): ......turn the headlight switch On and Off four times within three seconds.....then remove the driver-side valve cap from the wheel......"


Reply
Old Jul 29, 2014 | 10:13 PM
  #13  
qwank's Avatar
qwank
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,943
Likes: 61
From: Southern NH
Default

I never have a problem with them. I even converted to 4 brake lamps and had to drill new holes for the inner lamps
Reply
Old Jul 30, 2014 | 07:52 AM
  #14  
minitech's Avatar
minitech
Safety Car
15 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,518
Likes: 37
Default

Originally Posted by doorgunner
Probably!

"How to reset the TPS (Tire Pressure Sensor) on a GM vehicle (per owner's manual): ......turn the headlight switch On and Off four times within three seconds.....then remove the driver-side valve cap from the wheel......"



Yes in later years the engineers didn't get much more forward thinking for the owners and maintenance later sometimes:

My Cadillac STS 2005 headlight change:

1. Jack the front of the car up
2. Remove both front tires
3. Remove both inner fender wells
4. Unbolt and remove front bumper from the inside
5. Remove headlight assembly
6. Remove 4 screws from the panel on back of the assembly
7. Change headlight bulb.
8. Reverse procedure to complete.

Dealer time 3 hours.
Reply
Old Jul 30, 2014 | 08:01 AM
  #15  
F22's Avatar
F22
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,842
Likes: 285
From: Palmdale CA
Default

Originally Posted by minitech
Yes in later years the engineers didn't get much more forward thinking for the owners and maintenance later sometimes:

My Cadillac STS 2005 headlight change:

1. Jack the front of the car up
2. Remove both front tires
3. Remove both inner fender wells
4. Unbolt and remove front bumper from the inside
5. Remove headlight assembly
6. Remove 4 screws from the panel on back of the assembly
7. Change headlight bulb.
8. Reverse procedure to complete.

Dealer time 3 hours.


I was just telling a coworker yesterday, that my next car is going to be a '63 Chevy Nova wagon, with a straight six, a 700r4 and AC. For the exact reason of what you went through on the Cad!
Reply
Old Jul 30, 2014 | 09:19 AM
  #16  
qwank's Avatar
qwank
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,943
Likes: 61
From: Southern NH
Default

Originally Posted by minitech
Yes in later years the engineers didn't get much more forward thinking for the owners and maintenance later sometimes:

My Cadillac STS 2005 headlight change:

1. Jack the front of the car up
2. Remove both front tires
3. Remove both inner fender wells
4. Unbolt and remove front bumper from the inside
5. Remove headlight assembly
6. Remove 4 screws from the panel on back of the assembly
7. Change headlight bulb.
8. Reverse procedure to complete.

Dealer time 3 hours.
i want to work at the dealer that gets 3 hours to change those bulbs. we get an hour here if we have to remove the bumper, 0.3 if we don't
Reply
Old Jul 30, 2014 | 07:50 PM
  #17  
minitech's Avatar
minitech
Safety Car
15 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,518
Likes: 37
Default

Originally Posted by qwank
i want to work at the dealer that gets 3 hours to change those bulbs. we get an hour here if we have to remove the bumper, 0.3 if we don't
I was going to do it myself, all small tasks and possible at home but I would trade half a weekend day for it. Dealer said it was ridiculous that it costs so much to change it and did me the favor of changing the bulb for $90. I forgot to have him replace the other one though while he was there!
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To never do this again





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:18 PM.

story-0
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-2
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-3
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-7
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-24 16:12:42


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

Slideshow: 10 major Corvette problems from the last 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-14 16:37:05


VIEW MORE