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I recently posted pics of my newly purchased 1978 corvette. I have been trying to pick the car up for two weeks now but the car has had a couple of issues which the seller been working on. The first was the accelerator pump which was easily resolved but the second is a blown fuse that stopped the alternator from working. He replaced it and said he thinks it was just the fuse, so I was gearing up to leave this morning for pick up and he sends a message saying the fuse blew again and it must be the alternator. He says he will replace it and get back to me when its done, he also mentions that the radio does not work.
So my question is can the alternator cause a fuse to blow that would stop the charging system from working? Or is there a voltage regulator that could have failed allowing an overcharge which blows the fuse? My big concern/fear here is that its an electrical disaster and and I will spend more time tearing my hair out with schematics than driving it. Any thoughts/suggestions would be appreciated.
We are talking about a 40 year old car. With that can come problems and they will. Wiring gets brittle or develops shorts etc over time. Some owners change wiring harnesses to specific locations or complete. Issues will pop up that can be fixed as you see if you read the forum. Yes and alternator (which has built in regulator) can cause above trouble. Owner seems to be wanting to resolve issues for you. Radio if you want to keep stock is not hard to fix if only wiring. They can be rebuilt or replaced with newer style radio just know they are the **** style so you have to buy a center console with cutout for slide in type or a radio with ***** specific to car to fit.
Thanks henrikse, I was thinking the same about the owner, definately a confidence booster that he wants it to be right before completing the transaction. As for the radio i'll probably just throw it out the window and take the baffles out of the side pipes
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
you will have issues...either now or later...if this makes you skittish then maybe c3 aren't for you. I wouldn't walk away yet if everything else is operational. and those fender flares are pretty sweet
Last edited by bobs77vet; Jul 30, 2018 at 09:22 AM.
go pickup your car before, he gets tired of fusing with you.
and changes his mind, and says he can't fix it.
Alternator does not pop fuses. its a minor electrical problem.
When you get the car get a one wire alternator. Run a wire from battery lead on starter to alt. Alt. problem solved. On to the next one, and there will be more.
I generally agree with this statement that alternators do not blow fuses. If you're getting a good deal then it's no biggie. Hopefully you are able to do some minor repairs and maintenance--- otherwise it's going to be expensive to maintain this old car.
If you're getting a good deal, then use this to your advantage to try for a better deal.
And, if you're going to replace the alternator, then I would recommend a CS-144 (that's for later though, search the forum for info).
Originally Posted by 69Vett
go pickup your car before, he gets tired of fusing with you.
and changes his mind, and says he can't fix it.
Alternator does not pop fuses. its a minor electrical problem.
Last edited by carriljc; Jul 30, 2018 at 10:40 AM.
From: PHOENIX, AZ Yes, it's true. You are a good woman. Then again, you may be the Antichrist.
Originally Posted by bobs77vet
you will have issues...either now or later...if this makes you skittish then maybe c3 aren't for you. I wouldn't walk away yet if everything else is operational. and those fender flares are pretty sweet
Good looking Vette. But old car = problems you will have to find solutions for. Are you willing? Is the price right? If so, plenty of resources on this forum to help you get this car sorted out.
you ask the question should you walk..
depends on how much you have into it already. if you paid a 'everything should work' price, and you can get your money back, then yes.
Go get her...I've been messing around with electrical issue on my 78 since I got it, but I'm a little guy so I fit well under the dash while troubleshooting.
you ask the question should you walk..
depends on how much you have into it already. if you paid a 'everything should work' price, and you can get your money back, then yes.
Joe
Were at 11,500 now so i am on the fence, i think for the money it should be a most things work but it has a worked 350 making about 425hp with a doug nash 5spd, Ricaro interior, slightly upgraded suspension and few other things I am sure I am forgetting. Thats my non vette expert opinion, I could be way off base in either direction. Would appreciate any thoughts. Ill include some other shots in the post, I cant seem to add attachments right now
Lot of the hard work is done, if you like the color, flares, stance then maybe its worth it to you. Digging the 80s era Enkeis(?)
Wiring isnt complicated dont let that scare you off. Perhaps a minor short somewhere anyone wiht a multimeter can figure it out.
If you like it just grab it, throw a few $ at it and go play. not every car can be the deal of the century. Look at it this way, building motors, suspensions etc aint cheap and hes done it.
Mine was 10.5 and needed whole interiour and all new suspension soft parts, nothing was upgraded, stock turbo 350 tranny, bone stock l-42 and wore out tires...
yeah the interior was ok, but you know how wrenching on cars is... never stops
BUT... it was the most rust free vette ive personally seen that wasnt fully restored
Last edited by naramlee; Jul 31, 2018 at 09:43 AM.
From: PHOENIX, AZ Yes, it's true. You are a good woman. Then again, you may be the Antichrist.
Originally Posted by cuisinartvette
Lot of the hard work is done, if you like the color, flares, stance then maybe its worth it to you. Digging the 80s era Enkeis(?)
Wiring isnt complicated dont let that scare you off. Perhaps a minor short somewhere anyone wiht a multimeter can figure it out.
If you like it just grab it, throw a few $ at it and go play. not every car can be the deal of the century. Look at it this way, building motors, suspensions etc aint cheap and hes done it.
AMEN.
Originally Posted by sixx27am
I agree cuisinart, I love the look, stance wheels and so on. I cant wait to get it home and figure out what those wheels are!
I think Cuisinart nailed it.... Enkei's
Also, look like there's a random piece of metal strapping hanging in a rear wheel well?
P.s. The 80's called, and they want their chromed A-arms back. Just kidding...sort of.
Good looking vette. Even if you already had a '78 to work with, and then had someone drop a built engine in it, as well as doing all the body work to mold in fender flares and glass in the front and rear bumpers and then painting BLACK, you'd be north of $11,500, unless you have a buddy that owns a body shop?
Surely you know that the car is highly modified and thus there is no way to answer your original questions regarding fuses blowing. Great looks but as you suspect it might be an "electrical disaster". If the current owner is the one who did/had the modification done and says they don't know why fuses are blowing then either hone your bargaining skills or walk.
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Slideshow: A Jaguar designer's personal project imagines what a modern front-engined Corvette might look like if Chevrolet revisited the golden age of the Stingray.
Should I walk?
Good looking Vette. But old car = problems you will have to find solutions for. Are you willing? Is the price right? If so, plenty of resources on this forum to help you get this car sorted out. 
