Thorough Maintenance Inspection
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Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 55
Likes: 13
From: Boise, ID
Thorough Maintenance Inspection
Does anyone know how to do a thorough inspection on an '81 Corvette?
Long story short, when I first got my Vette a year ago, I took it to a shop to get it inspected and it turns out my harmonic balancer was damaged and failure was imminent, which could have caused catastrophic damage had it not been replaced. I don't like the idea of knowing that there could be something seriously wrong with my vehicle and I don't have the expertise to foresee these things. Granted, I had 0 experience with cars when I bought my Vette and have since spent a great deal of time educating myself through YouTube videos, manuals, and familiarizing myself with all the components of a car and my Vette specifically.
If anyone has any links to videos or a complete readout of what to look for, that would be very much appreciated!
Long story short, when I first got my Vette a year ago, I took it to a shop to get it inspected and it turns out my harmonic balancer was damaged and failure was imminent, which could have caused catastrophic damage had it not been replaced. I don't like the idea of knowing that there could be something seriously wrong with my vehicle and I don't have the expertise to foresee these things. Granted, I had 0 experience with cars when I bought my Vette and have since spent a great deal of time educating myself through YouTube videos, manuals, and familiarizing myself with all the components of a car and my Vette specifically.
If anyone has any links to videos or a complete readout of what to look for, that would be very much appreciated!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 829
Likes: 131
From: Spartanburg SC
I don't know of any resource like that. My philosophy is the car will let you know when/if something is wrong. Whether it be sounds or function. Every spring when I begin to drive it I keep a close eye out for leaking brake calipers, since that seems to be when they begin to leak after sitting for the winter. You'll become attuned to its normal sounds and performance and will know when something is out of the norm. The hard part is diagnosing the cause and making the repair. But that is what this board is for.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 2,365
Likes: 428
From: Cape Girardeau Missouri
Welcome dude but let me say that YouTube and on-line manuals are of extremely limited value when, by your own statement, "had 0 experience with cars".
Buy an old car that you expect to drive and you need mechanical experience + tools and/or lots of money!
Buy an old car that you expect to drive and you need mechanical experience + tools and/or lots of money!
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 14,428
Likes: 8,232
From: Napa Valley California
When I purchased my 73, the first thing I did, was to find a respected, Corvette Specialty shop and had them do a complete safety inspection.
They gave me several little things that needed some attention.
I had them do the work and they took the cost of the inspection and traded the cost for labor to do what needed to be done.
I felt much better driving my new Corvette home.
They gave me several little things that needed some attention.
I had them do the work and they took the cost of the inspection and traded the cost for labor to do what needed to be done.
I felt much better driving my new Corvette home.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Your best resource would be one or more old guys who have real knowledge of C3 cars. You usually find that in car clubs that do NOT specialize in Corvettes but may have several of them among their members. Most of the Corvette clubs focus on C5/C6/C7 cars and the owners do little work on them. If you can find a C1/C2/C3 Corvette club, you are in business!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 5,236
Likes: 898
From: Myrtle Beach SC
I know what I would do and what I did but all posters here are suggesting the same...self-education! I would get the NCRS operations manual for your year and work through it. Learn first if all operational functions are as manufactured. Know the car yourself.
The second is this:
So true, the mechanical aptitude of C5/C6/C7 owners is limited but there is a core group that know how to improve performance. They may even own a C3! However, if you wish insight on an operation that you suspect from your mechanical study, then these guys can help figure it out and what to do.
The second is this:
Most of the Corvette clubs focus on C5/C6/C7 cars and the owners do little work on them. If you can find a C1/C2/C3 Corvette club, you are in business!
Last edited by hunt4cleanair; Jul 7, 2019 at 02:37 PM.
