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

Just bought my first C3

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 5, 2015 | 07:41 PM
  #1  
96Engineer's Avatar
96Engineer
Thread Starter
Intermediate
 
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
Default Just bought my first C3

So I just bought a 79 and drove it home. ($3500 solid frame running strong and all the gauges/lights and everything work) I'm super excited, but have a couple questions. One, the only thing that doesn't work is the horn, and was wondering if anyone had any knowledge about how I could go about fixing that. The second thing is about routine maintenance, is there anything special I should do to keep it going strong, or is normal car maintenance enough?
Thank you all in advance for your help
Reply
Old Aug 5, 2015 | 07:56 PM
  #2  
revneck's Avatar
revneck
Racer
 
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 336
Likes: 14
From: Upstate New York
Default

If you drove home a 79 home for $3500 and the only thing on the fritz is the horn you did pretty dam good!
Reply
Old Aug 5, 2015 | 07:59 PM
  #3  
96Engineer's Avatar
96Engineer
Thread Starter
Intermediate
 
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by revneck
If you drove home a 79 home for $3500 and the only thing on the fritz is the horn you did pretty dam good!
I know, only has 80k miles and it was a 125 mile trip back. The guy even threw in a new edelbrock intake and carb, a gasket set, and a set of heads from a '68 Camaro that I guess are pretty nice, I haven't inspected them too much yet though
Reply
Old Aug 5, 2015 | 08:00 PM
  #4  
Robert Thomas's Avatar
Robert Thomas
Army Hoist Operator
Supporting Gold
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 836
Likes: 17
From: OK
Default

Do the normal wiring trouble shooting for the horn. Check the fuse. Check for 12 volts at the horn the button is pressed. Check for a good ground at the horn wire connector. For a start.

Routine maintenance is like any car, regular oil, coolant and transmission fluid changes, good tune up. Drive it.
Reply
Old Aug 5, 2015 | 08:05 PM
  #5  
96Engineer's Avatar
96Engineer
Thread Starter
Intermediate
 
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by Robert Thomas
Do the normal wiring trouble shooting for the horn. Check the fuse. Check for 12 volts at the horn the button is pressed. Check for a good ground at the horn wire connector. For a start.

Routine maintenance is like any car, regular oil, coolant and transmission fluid changes, good tune up. Drive it.
Thank you, yeah I'll go through it all I just got it back home last night so I haven't had much time to go through everything
Reply
Old Aug 5, 2015 | 08:16 PM
  #6  
Jud Chapin's Avatar
Jud Chapin
Race Director
Supporting Lifetime
20 Year Member
St. Jude 15 Year Donor
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 10,560
Likes: 439
From: Wellington, FL
St. Jude Donor '11 thru '25
Default

Welcome to the Forum and good luck with the new ride.
Reply
Old Aug 5, 2015 | 09:36 PM
  #7  
3JsVette's Avatar
3JsVette
Race Director
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 14,948
Likes: 3,351
From: NYC NY
Default

Sounds like "well bought". Good luck with your new Corvette!
How about some pictures?
Reply
Old Aug 5, 2015 | 09:39 PM
  #8  
96Engineer's Avatar
96Engineer
Thread Starter
Intermediate
 
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
Default


Originally Posted by 3JsVette
Sounds like "well bought". Good luck with your new Corvette!
How about some pictures?


I'll upload more tomorrow, I've spent too much time driving around today to take a bunch of pictures
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

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

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

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

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Aug 5, 2015 | 09:40 PM
  #9  
96Engineer's Avatar
96Engineer
Thread Starter
Intermediate
 
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by Jud Chapin
Welcome to the Forum and good luck with the new ride.
Thank you, I've got a long drive ahead of me in it to get it where I need it to be so a little bit of luck couldn't hurt
Reply
Old Aug 5, 2015 | 09:51 PM
  #10  
The13Bats's Avatar
The13Bats
Race Director
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 11,608
Likes: 780
From: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl
Default

Originally Posted by 96Engineer

I'll upload more tomorrow, I've spent too much time driving around today to take a bunch of pictures
Time well spent....
Congrats...looks like a great car for the money.....
Reply
Old Aug 5, 2015 | 10:00 PM
  #11  
Doughan's Avatar
Doughan
Team Owner
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 24,592
Likes: 44
From: The Rock Arkansas
Elite Member
Cruise-In III Veteran
Default

Sweet! Congrats! Here's to many miles of smiles!
Reply
Old Aug 5, 2015 | 10:08 PM
  #12  
jr73's Avatar
jr73
Drifting
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,750
Likes: 268
From: Central Wisconsin
Default

Originally Posted by 96Engineer
So I just bought a 79 and drove it home. ($3500 solid frame running strong and all the gauges/lights and everything work)
you had me at solid frame runs great $3500

Originally Posted by 96Engineer
The guy even threw in a new edelbrock intake and carb, a gasket set, and a set of heads from a '68 Camaro that I guess are pretty nice
stop, no more
Reply
Old Aug 5, 2015 | 11:05 PM
  #13  
Strokemyaxe's Avatar
Strokemyaxe
Burning Brakes
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 831
Likes: 54
From: Arlington TX
Default

Wow. First off, welcome to a wonderful new obsession. Second, amazing car for the money. You robbed that guy from the looks of it.

Third. Does it have a new steering wheel? If so, it could be a small push rod inside the cap and under the contact asm is out of place or missing. It can fall loose upon reassembly. This can cause the horn to not ground properly, I believe.
Reply
Old Aug 6, 2015 | 12:10 AM
  #14  
cobrachuck's Avatar
cobrachuck
Pro
Veteran: Army
20 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 536
Likes: 87
From: SW Ohio
Default

Welcome
Great smile, enjoy your car, the horn will have a relay as well check for 12v power can you hear the relay clicking?
Good luck
Reply
Old Aug 6, 2015 | 01:29 AM
  #15  
mortgageguy's Avatar
mortgageguy
Burning Brakes
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 829
Likes: 131
From: Spartanburg SC
Default

That's called "grand theft auto"! Lol. Welcome to our world. It's a good place to be.
Reply
Old Aug 6, 2015 | 06:35 AM
  #16  
96Engineer's Avatar
96Engineer
Thread Starter
Intermediate
 
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by Strokemyaxe
Wow. First off, welcome to a wonderful new obsession. Second, amazing car for the money. You robbed that guy from the looks of it.

Third. Does it have a new steering wheel? If so, it could be a small push rod inside the cap and under the contact asm is out of place or missing. It can fall loose upon reassembly. This can cause the horn to not ground properly, I believe.
It has a tilt n telescope wheel now. I don't think those came stock but I have no clue how long it's been on there for. I'll take a look at that later
Reply
Old Aug 6, 2015 | 07:20 AM
  #17  
LS4 PILOT's Avatar
LS4 PILOT
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,091
Likes: 40
Default

Wow somebody wanted to get rid of that car , bad, There is 5 grand in parts easy .

You stole that car ...LOL .....must have been a divorce forces quick sell....

Wow ......I remember wrecked ones selling for 5 grand that wouldn't t run either .

Clean it up , and triple your money with a flip.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Just bought my first C3

Old Aug 6, 2015 | 07:35 AM
  #18  
4SPDL81's Avatar
4SPDL81
Racer
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 337
Likes: 6
St. Jude Donor '16
Default

Welcome!...the GM service and the factory assembly manual will be a real help in maintaining/troubleshooting your new to you C3...Good Luck!
Reply
Old Aug 6, 2015 | 09:54 AM
  #19  
bradleyb66's Avatar
bradleyb66
Burning Brakes
Supporting Lifetime
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 789
Likes: 129
From: Los Banos CA
Default

Originally Posted by 96Engineer
It has a tilt n telescope wheel now. I don't think those came stock but I have no clue how long it's been on there for. I'll take a look at that later
Congrats on the purchase, and welcome!

I'm pretty sure that all 79's came with Tilt & Tele steering columns. If it's not electrical (fuse, ground, etc), do a search on the forum for horn repair. You will find many threads with details on repairing the horn button stuff. Most vendors also sell repair kits that have all of the hardware required to rebuild the horn button.

What part of the country are you in?
Reply
Old Aug 6, 2015 | 10:24 AM
  #20  
96Engineer's Avatar
96Engineer
Thread Starter
Intermediate
 
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by bradleyb66
Congrats on the purchase, and welcome!

I'm pretty sure that all 79's came with Tilt & Tele steering columns. If it's not electrical (fuse, ground, etc), do a search on the forum for horn repair. You will find many threads with details on repairing the horn button stuff. Most vendors also sell repair kits that have all of the hardware required to rebuild the horn button.

What part of the country are you in?
Thank you, yeah I haven't diagnosed the problem at all past "it hasn't worked" yet and I'm in New Hampshire but will be bringing it down to Miami soon
Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 12:21 AM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
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-9
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