Hi everyone,

I am buying a 1981 Corvette off a friend that hasn't had it running in about 2 years. The last time it was running it wouldn't start after it got up to running temp unless he let it sit awhile. He can remember if the starter would turn or if he just go a click. Unfortunately he's not mechanically inclined and his wallet is pretty thin.

Since it's been setting for 2 years, I plan on changing the oil and filter, charge and check the battery, prime the oil pump and see what happens. Is there anything else I should do prior to trying to diagnose his original problem.

Thanks,
Roscoe

 

I wouldn't worry about the oil pump priming but I would siphon out all the gas in the tank and change the fuel filter. Hot starting problems could be many things but most common would be weak starter or faulty ignition module. Good luck

 

Thanks, I'll put that on the list. I also plan on replacing the spark plugs, wires, rotor and cap. He said the starter was replaced but I'm not sure how soon the problem started after he had it replaced.

 

Check over all the battery cables and their ends to make sure there is no corrosion on them, check and clean the main ground on the pass side motor mount to frame.
Then once it runs:
Make it stop Safely
make it turn correctly
Then make Run Good!

 

Thanks, I would like to eventually replace the engine with a 383 and put a 4 speed manual in it but I want to first get it to the point where I feel the suspension, brakes, and other important things are checked out throughly.

My one concern is getting it to pass Colorado emissions. 1981 is not considered a collector vehicle unless you were grandfathered in before they changed the law in 1991. I will have to see if the EGR valve, smog pump, and cat convertor are in place once I get it home.

Thanks for your input

Roscoe

 

Everyone has mentioned the biggies, but for our '81 the brakes (everything associated w/ the rears) were the biggest issue, along with old spark plug wires.

 

Check battery lead to ground and to the engine.

 

Have had similar issues from starter in other older cars. My '81 had almost non-existent ground, but it sat for nearly 15 years before I began working on it.

Best of luck.

 

Thanks everyone, good advice, I really appreciate it. I can't wait to get it home to start working on it. I'll be sure to post pictures and let everyone how I'm making out. I'm sure I'll have some questions along the way.

Roscoe

 

Post up some engine pics, lets see whats missing

 

Will do, I should have it home on Monday.

 

Well I got it home on Sunday evening. The first thing I did was pull the battery and I saw that the green wire was loose on the terminal. I tightened the connector tried to charge the battery but it was deader then a door ****. I put a new battery in today and for the hell of it I tried to crank it over, I was getting spark but no gas. I sprayed the carb with some cleaner and after a while it started. It seem to run pretty smooth but was pretty rich. I'm sure the carb needs adjusted to deal with the high altitude here in Colorado

He did have stabil in the gas and it was only setting a year. I plan on changing the oil and coolant tomorrow along with the fuel filter and air cleaner and then check her over pretty good.

I did find out that the engine isn't stock. It has an Edelbrock manifold and 1406 carb. The EGR valve and smog pump are missing and it looks like the check engine bulb has been disabled. He doesn't know what else was done to the engine so I'll just have to wait and see what I can find. I have a feeling this was a replacement or rebuilt engine so I'll check the numbers tomorrow and see if they match.

I'm pretty excited, the car looks pretty good and I got a great deal. Looking forward to tomorrow.

 

Not what I was expecting for a car that sat up for 2 years. That thing looks sweet

 

Thanks, The interior isn't too bad. The seats look real good but the carpeting needs replaced. I just ordered the weather striping kit. He said that the T-top leaks a little when it rains. I also found that the windshield washer is not working, I'm not sure if it's clogged, bad fuse, or the motor is bad. I'll have to dig in to it tomorrow or over the weekend.

 

I changed the oil today along with the coolant and took her out for a drive. The steering is very erratic and sensitive, the engine had a lot of power and ran pretty well after tweaking the carburator. The engine is missing the EGR valve, air pump, emission control computer, catalytic converter, and the exhaust doesn't have the oxygen sensor. I contacted the Colorado Air Care office and they told me that I need all of those things on the car for it to pass emissions to get it registered in Colorado.

Does anyone know if I could pass Colorado emissions if I install an EFI kit with the computer, the catalytic converter and exhaust oxygen sensor?

Thanks,
Roscoe

 

Nice car and congrats on getting her running in such a short time. As others have said, the brakes are a weak spot on these cars - especially if they sit. Best advice I ever received was to perfect the whoa before the go! I'd pull every wheel and really inspect each caliper...not a bad time to do pads and check the lines. Then check condition of master and fluid. Then you can work on the Go with confidence that she'll stop when you need her to stop.

 

Really nice looking car! Good luck with the emissions police. Most states I have been in that require testing say that everything must be on the car that was there when built. Even if it runs cleaner with efi it would still be missing parts and they would not pass it. Pretty dumb, but that's lawmakers. Some states it is illegal to sell a car if the emission systems are tampered with or removed (federal laws too). Did the previous owner save any of the components? Don't tell, play dumb and just find a place and let them tell you if it is ok. Looks like you got a nice car, congrats on the find!

 

Contact your emissions testing folks and ask.

Looks like a nice car. Congrats.

 

Looks like a nice car! Hopefully you get lucky with the CO smog folks.

If you have to return it to stock, you're in for a rough time. The computer, computer controlled carb and distributor and all of the various other emission items are tied together and are 1 year, Corvette specific (carb was used on other GM cars too). Returning it to stock will be a chore and may cost a chunk of money unless you get lucky and find someone that has all of it in a box that he stripped off his 81.

 

Here is some information on CO

http://aircarecolorado.com/about-the...er/exemptions/