Waking up old Vette
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Westport, MA
Waking up old Vette
I have just retired. My 1975 Corvette has been sitting in the garage since 1992. I now have the time to play with and use it. The last time I put gas in it was 1992. About 5 years ago I started it up but huge plumes of black smoke came out of the exhaust. Drove it around the block. Could not shift to 2nd gear. Car would want to stall out unless I put clutch in and revved it. Put it back in garage. Yesterday I drained the fuel tank by siphon. Today I used an inspection camera to check out the tank. The tank is clean as a whistle. Bladder is intact and looks great. Float and sock look clean also. Now what should I do? Need new battery. Will carb be OK?
Instructor
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 177
Likes: 35
From: pa
if it were mine I would do a complete fluid change on the car. engine, trans, diff, anti-freeze flush and fill and even brake fluid.tires are probably needing replaced.if you plan on doing any long distance trips replace all the rubber on the car.radiator and heater hoses. for sure the rubber fuel line connections and brake hoses.check the calipers for leaks.biggest expense would be tires.pull the carb and distributor and send it to lars to go over. money well spent.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 13,082
Likes: 3,399
From: SW Florida.
have somebody listen at filler neck for bubbles. or maybe get a cheap electric fuel pump and suck it out instead of putting anything in there back in the tank. possibly even an outboard fuel primer bulb. https://www.ebay.com/itm/MARINE-BOAT...sAAOSwI-BWHUQr then get a bunch of boxes from store dumpster. make a floor and drive on it. then step on the brakes hard. real hard. if gonna blow a line or cyl, better to do it in the driveway while not moving...
Last edited by derekderek; Jun 19, 2019 at 06:22 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,412
Likes: 50
From: Laguna Niguel California
Also check the rubber hose connecting the fuel return line to the top of the tank. It can loosen and you will wonder where the fuel smell is coming from. I know from experience.
And yes send the carb to Lars unless you are an expert at servicing a Quadrajet.
And yes send the carb to Lars unless you are an expert at servicing a Quadrajet.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,084
Likes: 96
From: Bowmanville Ontario
Sounds like the tranny is dry. I ran my 84 Trans Am to the cottage after pulling the car out of storage. By the time I got home there was only 1st and 4th left.
Complete rebuild needed.
Climb under there and check the fluid level.
If you don't have a lift, build some ramps like I did, makes the world of difference when working on these cars.
like mentioned before, change ALL the fluids.
The Carb is probably gummed up bad.
Complete rebuild needed.
Climb under there and check the fluid level.
If you don't have a lift, build some ramps like I did, makes the world of difference when working on these cars.
like mentioned before, change ALL the fluids.
The Carb is probably gummed up bad.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 720
Likes: 205
From: Michigan
Sounds like the tranny is dry. I ran my 84 Trans Am to the cottage after pulling the car out of storage. By the time I got home there was only 1st and 4th left.
Complete rebuild needed.
Climb under there and check the fluid level.
If you don't have a lift, build some ramps like I did, makes the world of difference when working on these cars.
like mentioned before, change ALL the fluids.
The Carb is probably gummed up bad.
Complete rebuild needed.
Climb under there and check the fluid level.
If you don't have a lift, build some ramps like I did, makes the world of difference when working on these cars.
like mentioned before, change ALL the fluids.
The Carb is probably gummed up bad.
You'll want to update your profile to that effect.
Although Oshawa is currently on the chopping block along with Lordstown assembly for GM.
I'm sure you're well-aware as it affects the community greatly.
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 20,242
Likes: 9,386
From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
Since 92, the fuel has changed. The ethanol gas will eat through any old rubbber hoses it comes in contact with including any internal rubber pump gaskets in the carb. Since the carb has sat with old gas in it, a rebuild would be a good idea and the new kits are made with rubber that will be usable with the ethanol fuels. I would change the rubber on either side of the filter as well, just to be sure you dont clog up the carb with disintegrating rubber.
if the tranny level is full the clutch arms could be a little rusty and not releasing as they should. They may loosen up as you drive it. I would try getting it into all the gears with the motor off to make sure the linkage is all working. Once you get into one gear they all should line up.
if the tranny level is full the clutch arms could be a little rusty and not releasing as they should. They may loosen up as you drive it. I would try getting it into all the gears with the motor off to make sure the linkage is all working. Once you get into one gear they all should line up.
Last edited by Rescue Rogers; Jun 19, 2019 at 01:02 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 2,788
Likes: 2,334
From: Central UT
Hey jar, congrats on getting to your '75! Some really good advice above. I would add this - it's been sitting for over 25 years and I would completely go thru the brakes. It costs a bit of time and $, but you'll have the peace of mind that it will stop when you want it to, every time.
Have fun, and keep us informed on your progress!
Have fun, and keep us informed on your progress!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 1,096
Likes: 213
From: The Buckle of the Bible Belt. Joplin Mo
Congrats on retirement....Sounds like fun. Get up every day and decide which project it will be. Hope I make it someday. The carb will be fine, but a rebuild will save alot of headaches. The gas turns into a green goo inside the carburetor after it sets for years. If your carb is a Holley, its a simple job for the DIY guy. get a kit from the local parts house. If its a quadrajet send it out for repair.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 360
Likes: 147
I look very forward to the day in the near future when I retire. My relatively nice 76 is going to need an engine rebuild at the very least, and that will probably be my first retirement project (after taking it easy for a while). Good luck, have some fun brother!
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Westport, MA
Wires to door ajar switch
Today I took the cover off the Vette. Lots of dust on her. Blew most of it of with leaf blower. Wiped the rest off with wet paper towels. Then noticed some mold spots on seats. Cleaned up the seats. Then I noticed the drivers side Door Ajar Switch hanging loose. I pulled on it and it came right out. Switch is toast and will order replacement. Went in thru access panel in wheel well and fished out wires. Only one had a spade connector. But there are three wires and all my wiring diagrams only show 2. White, Light Blue and Dark Blue. Diagram shows Light Blue and White but no Dark Blue. Also the backing plate for the switch is missing.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 13,082
Likes: 3,399
From: SW Florida.
the outboard primer bulb worked pretty good. sucked a quart thru the line in around a minute. really disgusting looking watery gas. get the 3/8 not 5/16ths one. car started right up after.
Last edited by derekderek; Jun 24, 2019 at 06:55 PM.
