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I bought a beauty of a car today. 1978 pace car with 1800 original miles. Still has the original tires and airfilter. Serviced regularly. I got a bunch of extra parts the dude ordered. He was senile and had no idea what he was doing. She is in really good shape. Of course there are a few issues that I knew of going in. Such as the blinkers don't work on Right or Left but work when emergency flashers are on.. Not getting any fan at all for Heater/AC and of course the clock doesn't work. ia there a Place to have the clock repaired or replaced? Is there a particular manual you guys would recommend me to get so I can start trouble shooting these issues. BTW I am in Vacaville, CA. I figure I am going to have some questions, I am sure. First time Vette buyer here. My biggest issue is knowing where everything is located. Like the blinker relay.
Last edited by diverrick; Jan 12, 2022 at 07:21 PM.
I bought a beauty of a car today. 1978 pace car with 1800 original miles. Still has the original tires and airfilter. Serviced regularly. I got a bunch of extra parts the dude ordered. He was senile and had no idea what he was doing. She is in really good shape. Of course there are a few issues that I knew of going in. Such as the blinkers don't work on Right or Left but work when emergency flashers are on.. Not getting any fan at all for Heater/AC and of course the clock doesn't work. ia there a Place to have the clock repaired or replaced? Is there a particular manual you guys would recommend me to get so I can start trouble shooting these issues. BTW I am in Vacaville, CA. I figure I am going to have some questions, I am sure. First time Vette buyer here. My biggest issue is knowing where everything is located. Like the blinker relay.
Welcome to the world of C3 and this forum. You'll get a lot of help from this forum - some really good people willing to help.
Please take this in the way it is intended - no malice, just a bit of experience talking. If you have ever cared for a spouse, father, mother, sibling, or other close relative or friend who is suffering from dementia or Alzheimer’s - and were their caretaker and really understand what is involved, you would never refer to this gentleman as a 'dude' or 'senile and had no idea what he was doing'. People suffering from these insidious diseases deserve more respect - as do those who care for them. Some day that could be you - I hope not.
I bought a beauty of a car today. 1978 pace car with 1800 original miles. Still has the original tires and airfilter. Serviced regularly. I got a bunch of extra parts the dude ordered. He was senile and had no idea what he was doing. She is in really good shape. Of course there are a few issues that I knew of going in. Such as the blinkers don't work on Right or Left but work when emergency flashers are on.. Not getting any fan at all for Heater/AC and of course the clock doesn't work. ia there a Place to have the clock repaired or replaced? Is there a particular manual you guys would recommend me to get so I can start trouble shooting these issues. BTW I am in Vacaville, CA. I figure I am going to have some questions, I am sure. First time Vette buyer here. My biggest issue is knowing where everything is located. Like the blinker relay.
I bought a beauty of a car today. 1978 pace car with 1800 original miles. Still has the original tires and airfilter. Serviced regularly. I got a bunch of extra parts the dude ordered. He was senile and had no idea what he was doing. She is in really good shape. Of course there are a few issues that I knew of going in. Such as the blinkers don't work on Right or Left but work when emergency flashers are on.. Not getting any fan at all for Heater/AC and of course the clock doesn't work. ia there a Place to have the clock repaired or replaced? Is there a particular manual you guys would recommend me to get so I can start trouble shooting these issues. BTW I am in Vacaville, CA. I figure I am going to have some questions, I am sure. First time Vette buyer here. My biggest issue is knowing where everything is located. Like the blinker relay.
78 and 79 are about the most similar two c3 years out there. The 78 shop manual is for all chevy’s, so a lot of info in there on Novas and such you don’t need. Fleabay or used book store
The 79 shop manual is much better. Includes an electrical trouble shooting guide in color!
The blinker part you at looking for might be tucked up behind the passenger lower dash pad. That's where mine is on my '72. 78 could be way different though. Congratulations on your purchase and welcome to the forum.
My 78 had 17k miles on it when I got it. The clock on a low -mileage car is probably still good with a little clean/lube; shop manual recommends clean/lube the clock every two years. You’ll need to get it out for that; and replace any dash lights at the same time. Dash lights get dim before they burn out completely (new GE bulbs still available). Anything made of rubber is questionable after 40 years; including any seals and the harmonic balancer. Check date code on tires. Old catalytic converter get rid of or replace with high-flow cat, if needed. Tune carb and distributor for high performance; Lars’ papers for details. Stick some gauges on the AC before running it, if it’s been idle for a long time.
Last edited by Kerschmolar; Jan 13, 2022 at 12:14 PM.
Reason: Spelling
Welcome to the Forum and congrats on a great find!!!!! I would not drive with those tires as if the blow, it could take out a fender There are plenty of photos of this happening.
The blinker part you at looking for might be tucked up behind the passenger lower dash pad. That's where mine is on my '72. 78 could be way different though. Congratulations on your purchase and welcome to the forum.
I agree with this. The blinkers on my ‘73 didn’t work but the hazards did. Replaced a $7 relay fuse located behind / under the passenger dash panel. Easily accessible and replaced. Hope this is your situation. Enjoy the ‘Vette. Nothing like them on the road.
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
YOu need to get a color wiring diagram. You can find them at Willcox or on ebay. If you can get in touch with Doc Rebuild on the phone order the OhSoEz wiring diagrams they have. THey show the plug ends which is very helpful. Buy a reliable voltage meter. There isnt a book that explains how to troublseshoot wiring issues. ITs mostly experience and passed on knowledge. Check all your fuses, make sure the car ignition is on..etc Most issues are bad connections or bad grounds
My PC had 3K when I bought it in 2018. Count on a heater core. Check your printed curcuit while you are apart, they are problemmatic. Check your contol arm bushings, mine were reduced to fine gravel sized pieces. When you start driving the car, you'll have leaks in places you didn't know you had places.
Good luck with your project. Pictures???
Last edited by Pace Car BobH; Jan 13, 2022 at 11:36 AM.
I bought a beauty of a car today. 1978 pace car with 1800 original miles. Still has the original tires and airfilter. Serviced regularly. I got a bunch of extra parts the dude ordered. He was senile and had no idea what he was doing. She is in really good shape. Of course there are a few issues that I knew of going in. Such as the blinkers don't work on Right or Left but work when emergency flashers are on.. Not getting any fan at all for Heater/AC and of course the clock doesn't work. ia there a Place to have the clock repaired or replaced? Is there a particular manual you guys would recommend me to get so I can start trouble shooting these issues. BTW I am in Vacaville, CA. I figure I am going to have some questions, I am sure. First time Vette buyer here. My biggest issue is knowing where everything is located. Like the blinker relay.
Welcome to the world of C3 and this forum. You'll get a lot of help from this forum - some really good people willing to help.
Please take this in the way it is intended - no malice, just a bit of experience talking. If you have ever cared for a spouse, father, mother, sibling, or other close relative or friend who is suffering from dementia or Alzheimer’s - and were their caretaker and really understand what is involved, you would never refer to this gentleman as a 'dude' or 'senile and had no idea what he was doing'. People suffering from these insidious diseases deserve more respect - as do those who care for them. Some day that could be you - I hope not.
Welcome to the world of C3 and this forum. You'll get a lot of help from this forum - some really good people willing to help.
Please take this in the way it is intended - no malice, just a bit of experience talking. If you have ever cared for a spouse, father, mother, sibling, or other close relative or friend who is suffering from dementia or Alzheimer’s - and were their caretaker and really understand what is involved, you would never refer to this gentleman as a 'dude' or 'senile and had no idea what he was doing'. People suffering from these insidious diseases deserve more respect - as do those who care for them. Some day that could be you - I hope not.
I hope the OP gave the seller a fair price instead of taking advantage of his condition, which was my first thought when I heard the contempt he has for it.
People suffering from these insidious diseases deserve more respect - as do those who care for them.
110% correct... My dad went down that road, He was a WW II bomber pilot and ran the Tower at JFK airport, not bad for a depression era farm boy and he earned my respect every single day including his last.
I hope the OP gave the seller a fair price instead of taking advantage of his condition, which was my first thought when I heard the contempt he has for it.
I should clarify some. I am the third party owner. The original guy with mental health issues, sold the car to someone I know. They did offer a very fair price to the seller. I picked it up from him while he was getting a nasty divorce, I feel I got a fair price for it,considering the condition it is in.
Well I did it now.
There are plenty of photos of this happening.
