1977 advice needed
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 177
Likes: 25
1977 advice needed
Hi, I currently have a C5 had some C4's and am looking to add a 1977 to the madness, so perhaps you could give me some advice/suggestions.
Within last 2 years car has been painted eye-popping yellow and the black interior totally redone. New exhaust from headers back. Tires have 90% left. New alternator, front shocks. Trailing arms replaced. Car drives straight. Automatic shifts fine. Turn signals, stop lights work.
Here's where I need some help, esp. for repair $: headlights don't flip, owner thinks solenoids (?), what are most likely trouble spots? Can headlights be tested for beam even if doors don't flip? Stock carb feels to be on last legs--rebuild or replace? If replace, recommendations? Speedo, odo non-operational. Fix? Now, funny thing about the tach. It seems to be registering "double"--meaning, when cruising at an estimated 50-55 mph on a straightaway the tach is at 4000. Engine sounds normal, not laboring. Any ideas what could be causing this? I'm not sure of gears.
Thanks for your help. Much appreciated. Larry
Within last 2 years car has been painted eye-popping yellow and the black interior totally redone. New exhaust from headers back. Tires have 90% left. New alternator, front shocks. Trailing arms replaced. Car drives straight. Automatic shifts fine. Turn signals, stop lights work.
Here's where I need some help, esp. for repair $: headlights don't flip, owner thinks solenoids (?), what are most likely trouble spots? Can headlights be tested for beam even if doors don't flip? Stock carb feels to be on last legs--rebuild or replace? If replace, recommendations? Speedo, odo non-operational. Fix? Now, funny thing about the tach. It seems to be registering "double"--meaning, when cruising at an estimated 50-55 mph on a straightaway the tach is at 4000. Engine sounds normal, not laboring. Any ideas what could be causing this? I'm not sure of gears.
Thanks for your help. Much appreciated. Larry
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,161
Likes: 239
From: Southern CALIFORNIA
THe headlight doors are not electrical they are vacuum powered. there is a tank below the nose that uses engine vacuum through hoses that attach to vacuum relays tha control actuators for the doors. they usual culprit are old leaky seals on the relays/actuators. they can be replaced or rebuilt. Also leaks can happen from old hoses or missing parts etc.
sometimes if both doors are bad, the leak is before the tank.
You mention the carb is not tuned properly, if you dont have suffieicnt vacuum psi, the system will not work.
http://fedbizoppssearches.com/CFImages/Figure1.jpg
you can manual lift them by pushing them up from uunderneath on the pivot arm.
The headlights will work with the interior switch regardless if thedoor is up or not.
sometimes if both doors are bad, the leak is before the tank.
You mention the carb is not tuned properly, if you dont have suffieicnt vacuum psi, the system will not work.
http://fedbizoppssearches.com/CFImages/Figure1.jpg
you can manual lift them by pushing them up from uunderneath on the pivot arm.
The headlights will work with the interior switch regardless if thedoor is up or not.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
Likes: 263
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
so a rebuild of your carb will be plus or minus $250, a rebuild of your distributor will be $150...send both to Lars....new vacuum tubing is easily available and not a bad thing to replace .
the distributor controls the signal to the tach.
the vacuum cannisters on the headlights can be rebuilt and kits are available.
an H pipe does a good job eliminating drone from the headers and dual exhaust.
definitely get car up and pull on the rear wheels...3 and 9, 6 and 12 and in and out.
you want no movement. I liked my 77.
it does not drive like a C4 or C5 so be forewarned....braking is very good
the distributor controls the signal to the tach.
the vacuum cannisters on the headlights can be rebuilt and kits are available.
an H pipe does a good job eliminating drone from the headers and dual exhaust.
definitely get car up and pull on the rear wheels...3 and 9, 6 and 12 and in and out.
you want no movement. I liked my 77.
it does not drive like a C4 or C5 so be forewarned....braking is very good
Last edited by bobs77vet; May 30, 2018 at 07:59 PM.
