When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Reaper - thanks for the comments and I've been having a great time exploring the car and learning a lot about C3s.
It was so great to finally take it out of a nice 30 min drive the other night and it's really comfortable! I could see logging some serious miles in this car.
The system was really easy to install. All the bends were spot on and matched up well. The system was totally stock before with some holes in it and at least one of the mufflers was falling apart so I don't know about prior noise levels. I was originally going to throw a set of Flowmasters on and then I saw this complete system for a good price. Thinking more about it now I have a feeling that the Flowmasters would have droned a bit. Overall it think it sounds awesome and isn't too loud. I got out on the highway for a bit and they are really nice. No drone in my opinion.
As for the CCC, the car runs ok (for only one trip out) but it stumbles a bit off idle. I don't think it's the accelerator pump so I'm going to check out some other potential areas. My plan it to get it running nicely as it and then build a healthy 383 in a year or two.
Thanks for the exhaust info. That may need to be my fall project.
The 81 is a one year only with the electric carb. If you need some help tuning let me know. I rebuilt my engine and then had a local professional carb place rebuild the carb and had to take it back 12 times before asking for my money back. I finally picked up a Monitor 85 scan tool, checked out all the other computer control stuff, rebuilt the carb again myself and have not touched it again for the the last 2 years. The car runs great and gas mileage is right at 17 Mpg combined Highway/City.
The stumble you have can be from the accelerator pump, float level needs adjustment or the carb just needs to be either cleaned real good with some carb cleaner and run some Chevron Techron through the tank. One thing I found is the Monitor 85 is a necessity to get the settings of the rich/lean and TPS adjusments right. Some Voltage meters will read the dwell settings and TPS, but I think the Monitor 85 is more accurate and has more scanning features. If that does not work then it may be time for a carb rebuild.
There are a lot of good threads here on the forum that will walk through issues and settings too.
Reaper - thanks for the reply and info on the CCC and Q-Jet.
I forgot to answer one of your questions - Yes, it has a bung welded in for the O2 sensor. It comes with a plug that you can simply unscrew if you're using a sensor. BTW - my O2 sensor didn't look great so I've ordered another that's coming tomorrow just to rule anything out there.
On the stumble, the accelerator pump looks to be working well. Just the slightest touch of the throttle by hand (when leaning over the carb) and I can see both jets spraying fuel. I'm not sure about the floats but this car sat for YEARS and was only fired up a few time each year. I've sprayed the carb with carb cleaner and I've only run about 5 gal of 93 octane through her so far with my two test drives. I actually expected it to be worst so if I can bring her back without a full rebuild I'll be pumped.
I'll try some additional fuel system cleaner along with checking all vac lines and report back.
Reaper - thanks for the reply and info on the CCC and Q-Jet.
I forgot to answer one of your questions - Yes, it has a bung welded in for the O2 sensor. It comes with a plug that you can simply unscrew if you're using a sensor. BTW - mine didn't look great so I've ordered another that's coming tomorrow just to rule anything out there.
On the stumble, the accelerator pump looks to be working well. Just the slightest touch of the throttle by hand (when leaning over the car) and I can see both jets spraying fuel. I'm not sure about the floats but this car sat for YEAR and was only fired up a few time each year. I've sprayed the crab with carb cleaner and I'm only run about 5 gal of 93 octane through her so far with my two test drives. I actually expected it to be worst so if I can bring her back without a full rebuild I'll be pumped.
I'll try some additional fuel system cleaner along with checking all vac lines and report back.
Thanks again for the info!
Khibbs
That O2 definitely looks shot. From the looks of it your engine may have be running rich for a while. When I got my car it was running in limp home or full rich due to a bad O2, coolant temp and thermostat. You may want to change the oxygen sensor, the coolant [temp] sensor, and the thermostat. O'Reillys has the Bosch O2 for the 81. Are you getting any error codes?
Here is a site that shows how to check codes without an analyzer.
That O2 definitely looks shot. From the looks of it your engine may have be running rich for a while. When I got my car it was running in limp home or full rich due to a bad O2, coolant temp and thermostat. You may want to change the oxygen sensor, the coolant [temp] sensor, and the thermostat. O'Reillys has the Bosch O2 for the 81. Are you getting any error codes?
Here is a site that shows how to check codes without an analyzer.
No error codes so that's a good thing. I'll put in the new O2 sensor this week and the temp gauge is one of the last things I need to get working so I may start with the sensor.
No error codes so that's a good thing. I'll put in the new O2 sensor this week and the temp gauge is one of the last things I need to get working so I may start with the sensor.
Khibbs
Really enjoy following your Vette project. Hope you will continue posting.
Really enjoy following your Vette project. Hope you will continue posting.
Glad you like it and I'm certainly having fun getting her back on the road and leaning about C3s.
Just out of curiosity I pulled a plug to see what they look like. As I mentioned the car actually has pulls pretty well (better than I expected) once over 1800 rpm but it never hurts to check.
Here is the plug:
It doesn't look too bad and someone commented on a little oil reside but the car has reasonable miles and doesn't smoke at all.
It sounds like installing new plugs is a total pain but I may look to get a set of AC Delco spark plugs and ditch these platinum units. People are recommending the R44ts which is strange to me as the online guides spec the R45ts. I'm trying to figure out if that's a heat range thing or what.
Thanks! I heard it's not as fast as black but I really like it...
Someone gave me a little camera filter to clip on your iPhone that acts as both a wide angle and fisheye lense. I was playing around with it last weekend.
I gotta find better light and make sure it's really clean and I'll take some more. We need to get of the show up here in Boston so I can get out and drive!
Wide angle:
Fisheye: -- Think I need to clean this side of the lens
Khibbs,
Congratulations from Sudbury MA on your very nice looking new toy.
Enjoy it.
The local mechanic here told me that after 15 years you are exempt in Massachusetts for emissions testing.
My 68 Corvette and 2000 Audi were tested for safety checks only (horn, lights, wipers, turn signals etc)
Hope you have many trouble free miles with your Vette
Kurt
Khibbs,
Congratulations from Sudbury MA on your very nice looking new toy.
Enjoy it.
The local mechanic here told me that after 15 years you are exempt in Massachusetts for emissions testing.
My 68 Corvette and 2000 Audi were tested for safety checks only (horn, lights, wipers, turn signals etc)
Hope you have many trouble free miles with your Vette
Kurt
Thanks Kurt. You're right down the road and I'm frequently enjoying a nice ride down 27 or better yet heading West on 117. I had no issues with inspection and knew I'd be exempt from emissions.
I just did plugs and wires... which was a bit of a task but she's running a lot better so I'm looking forward to a bunch of miles this summer.
I'm hoping to make it out to Kimball's in Lancaster one Friday where there is a decent turnout of cars or maybe Bass Pro Shop's cruise night down at Patriot Place some Thursday.
Ok, I'm just going to say it..... I love driving the C3! Even stock it's got some good punch, it's comfortable, and I'm definitely glad I got an auto. The CC exhaust system sounds great with the Magnaflows and I've been driving it every chance I can.
I've got two main issues that I'm still working to resolve.
1) Battery light is still on. I know there are a ton of post on here which I'm working through. Tested the alt. Replaced the diode trio, pulled the brown wire from the alt plug, and I'm still chasing it. I might be looking into the choke relay next.
2) I replaced the tach board with a Wilcox unit and the tach came back to life. Now when I operate the power windows the tach wants to bounce off the redline. It jumps when I turn on the fan as well so there has to be some issue going on there as well
I recently picked up a GoPro and decided to play around and get some footage of the C3. Just a few quick clips I put together with some music but I think I'm going to have some fun this summer.
2) I replaced the tach board with a Wilcox unit and the tach came back to life. Now when I operate the power windows the tach wants to bounce off the redline. It jumps when I turn on the fan as well so there has to be some issue going on there as well
I had the same issue. It's probably a weak ground. Mine was mostly solved when I found a wire on the horn relay that was not snugly tightened. I still have a very slight blip (<100 rpms) when the parking or brake lights go on. My interior is apart at the moment and I'm hoping when I get all of the under dash wiring sorted, this remnant blip will be gone as well.
Ok, a quick little update on my C3. Below were the two most pressing issues on my list.
Originally Posted by Khibbs
1) Battery light is still on. I know there are a ton of post on here which I'm working through. Tested the alt. Replaced the diode trio, pulled the brown wire from the alt plug, and I'm still chasing it. I might be looking into the choke relay next.
2) I replaced the tach board with a Wilcox unit and the tach came back to life. Now when I operate the power windows the tach wants to bounce off the redline. It jumps when I turn on the fan as well so there has to be some issue going on there as well
With a little coaching from SwapeastMike (thanks again) we zeroed on a possible grounding issue with the alternator even though it was putting out good voltage. $75 for a stock replacement and not only is my battery light finally off, but the jumping in the tach when I operate the power windows is gone.
Next on the list will be figuring out why my heater controls (switch from vent, to defrost, etc) don't work. Sounds like they are vacuum operated so I'll have to dig into that.
The heat has finally arrived in New England so I don't have to worry about needing heater anytime soon.. I'll keep picking away but for now it's time to log some miles!
I don't know how I missed this post this long. When I saw your first picture I said hey that intersection looks familiar, then I saw the Dunkin Donuts. I knew you were in local. Nice C3!! congrats. You'll have to come to the show in Billerica Vettes to vets. It's a huge turn out and it's for a good cause. If you ever cruise out to central mass a bit give a shout.
You'll have to come to the show in Billerica Vettes to vets. It's a huge turn out and it's for a good cause. If you ever cruise out to central mass a bit give a shout.
I made it up to the event and it was awesome I actually remember seeing your car (out of the 647) and it was great to see so many C3s.
I'll try to post up some video of the cruise (although very slow) over to the Bedford VA as I had my GoPro attached to the roof.
which was a bit of a task but she's running a lot better so I'm looking forward to a bunch of miles this summer.
