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Hello, I am a new C3 owner and it is my first Corvette. In fact, it's my first project car. It is a storage unit find where it has been sitting for the last 15 years. Overall its in very nice condition. The top half of the engine is missing, the rear bumper cover is pretty much disintitgrated and the driver's door pull strap is broken.
Looking for some help from the gurus. Whats the best way to get her back on the road with regards to drivetrain? Rebuild the existing engine, replace it with a like kind, go bigger, convert to fuel injected? What other things should I look to inspect/replace? I assume belts/hoses, weatherstripping, brake pads, tires, etc. Where is a good place to look for parts I will be needing. I am in the Chicago area.
I would like to get her on the road sooner than later, but I want to take the time to do what should be done and ensure it's done right...
Did any of the missing engine parts come with the car? Are you experienced with working on smallblock Chevrolet engines? Do you have space (shop or garage) where you can work?
Did any of the missing engine parts come with the car? Are you experienced with working on smallblock Chevrolet engines? Do you have space (shop or garage) where you can work?
Yes there's a box of the lifters, etc. but the heads themselves, the intake, carb, etc. are not there. I do not have much experience in rebuilding engines but have friends who do. I do have a nice large garage to work in though
Yes there's a box of the lifters, etc. but the heads themselves, the intake, carb, etc. are not there. I do not have much experience in rebuilding engines but have friends who do. I do have a nice large garage to work in though
Nice find
Do the #s stamped on the right front of the engine match the Vin # ? heads are pretty easy to find as carbs and intakes .Tou will be able to find most parts here on the forum and places like Wilcox and Eckler's corvette parts How much ridge on top of cylinder walls ?
Nice find
Do the #s stamped on the right front of the engine match the Vin # ? heads are pretty easy to find as carbs and intakes .Tou will be able to find most parts here on the forum and places like Wilcox and Eckler's corvette parts How much ridge on top of cylinder walls ?
The letters and numbers will look like this
I will look when I get home. I got the car for about 5 hours worth of labor so I'm way ahead of the game Thanks...
You should also drain the fuel tank and see if there is any rust inside. If there is, replace the fuel tank. You will also need to clean out the fuel lines to the fuel pump.
You should also bleed the brakes and check for leaks at all of the calipers. If they are not leaking now, they may start once you start using them after sitting for 15 years.
First thing I would do whenever posting is always state the year of your vette. Yes they're similar, but there are differences between each year and you avoid the question "what year". As far as parts go, I check 11 different vendors to compare prices and shipping costs. Since I am not too concerned about originality, I tend to go with price. I've never been disappointed with the items I've received from any of the vendors. Some vendors are much higher than other. Also, I've found if you call the vendor and order over the phone you save on the shipping cost. At least this is what I've found with Corvette Central. On line shipping is x amount, over the phone it's less.
This is also the best site I've found for advice, people are great and you get a lot of help. Also check the search feature. You will almost always find someone had the same questions you have. And you avoid another question " did you do a search".
Another suggestion, purchase the service manual and the assembly manual. You can't go wrong with those two items and this site.
Best of luck with it and keep checking back.
You should also drain the fuel tank and see if there is any rust inside. If there is, replace the fuel tank. You will also need to clean out the fuel lines to the fuel pump.
You should also bleed the brakes and check for leaks at all of the calipers. If they are not leaking now, they may start once you start using them after sitting for 15 years.
First thing I would do whenever posting is always state the year of your vette. Yes they're similar, but there are differences between each year and you avoid the question "what year". As far as parts go, I check 11 different vendors to compare prices and shipping costs. Since I am not too concerned about originality, I tend to go with price. I've never been disappointed with the items I've received from any of the vendors. Some vendors are much higher than other. Also, I've found if you call the vendor and order over the phone you save on the shipping cost. At least this is what I've found with Corvette Central. On line shipping is x amount, over the phone it's less.
This is also the best site I've found for advice, people are great and you get a lot of help. Also check the search feature. You will almost always find someone had the same questions you have. And you avoid another question " did you do a search".
Another suggestion, purchase the service manual and the assembly manual. You can't go wrong with those two items and this site.
Best of luck with it and keep checking back.
I just grabbed a '75 myself and I have tons of questions. I would definitely love any suggestions on good shops to use in the South Suburbs or South in Chicago. Window doesn't roll up without help. Also, I'd love to upgrade the suspension. It's a bit loopey.
Help a new C3 Owner
