Garage find 82
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 395
Likes: 52
From: wilmington Ma
Garage find 82
I just acquired a 82 that has been sitting in a garage since 1989 , this car is on cement blocks located at the jacking points with the suspension hanging. I am a little worried about frame damage , it was in a weather tight garage and shows no signs of rust. Are the jacking points strong enough to hold the car for 35 years without the frame bending near the engine? Body lines look OK. Aside from cleaning fuel tank and new brake calipers what else should I expect? Thanks for any suggestions.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 4,759
Likes: 1,647
From: Fairfax Virginia
I might expect to find out "why" it has been stored so very long. There must be a reason for not driving the Corvette.
Check the fuel lines and brake lines for corrosion as a car sitting that long would have had ethanol in the gasoline and the brake fluid is supposed to be changed every five years or so.
Verify the condition of the fuel supply and return lines, look for what would appear to be an acorn in a snake. The fuel supply line on my 1988 C4 rusted shut below the passengers seat at the lowest point. The rusted section is swollen up like an acorn inside a worm or snake. I suggest that you do an inspection of the brake lines and the fuel supply and return lines for any corrosion of swollen up sections.
Bleed the brakes and flush the fuel system before starting the car. That is a great way to get a car going again after a few years of relaxation.....
Check the fuel lines and brake lines for corrosion as a car sitting that long would have had ethanol in the gasoline and the brake fluid is supposed to be changed every five years or so.
Verify the condition of the fuel supply and return lines, look for what would appear to be an acorn in a snake. The fuel supply line on my 1988 C4 rusted shut below the passengers seat at the lowest point. The rusted section is swollen up like an acorn inside a worm or snake. I suggest that you do an inspection of the brake lines and the fuel supply and return lines for any corrosion of swollen up sections.
Bleed the brakes and flush the fuel system before starting the car. That is a great way to get a car going again after a few years of relaxation.....
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,227
Likes: 51
From: Pomfret, CT
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Unmodified
I am no expert but I'd say if the frame has no compromised (rot) areas, it should be fine. Check the gaps at the doors and for cracks in the paint which could suggest possible stress points. I am starting a similar journey on an 81 which was in a storage unit for 16+ years untouched. Good luck!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 395
Likes: 52
From: wilmington Ma
The story is the guy that owned it had a baby at the time and he stopped using it as it wasn't practical, he has passed so I am working on second hand info. I am thinking either the guy cared for the car and put it on blocks thinking it would keep it nice or it was on blocks because it wasn't running and he wanted to get underneath. I will climb under and inspect lines before taking it off blocks. Also the tires are Eagle GT I doubt original with 54k miles but they need to go.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Chapel Hill NC
2025 c3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2025 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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Do a google search for 1982 Corvette frame measurements and you will find information regarding frame measurements to the ground at various points. Id put wheels on it and let the suspension settle a while before measuring.
Since you already purchased the car Id drive it and see if there any riding /handling issues. Id also keep in mind if there are door gap issues they may be caused by something else other than a bent frame.
Since you already purchased the car Id drive it and see if there any riding /handling issues. Id also keep in mind if there are door gap issues they may be caused by something else other than a bent frame.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 395
Likes: 52
From: wilmington Ma
I just started investigating this car I noticed the rear spring is not composite its steel with a antisway bar , is this a Gymkana option or did someone install this set up? If someone happens to know.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,953
Likes: 4,510
From: Virginia
If you have the VIN, you can order the dealer invoice from GM for $50-. Then you won't be guessing! Link in my signature.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 395
Likes: 52
From: wilmington Ma
Thank you I probably will do that, this car for 57k miles looks like it lived tough life, I plan on getting it running, brakes ect putting it up for sale .I thought it might be a better car than my 81 I was wrong. Buying sight unseen is a risk.
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Drifting
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 1,663
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From: Baton Rouge, Louisiana, metro area
Sounds like a great project.
If the frame is not rusted, definitely worth restoring. I loved my 82 Collector Edition. Hated to sell it, but we had to eat.
Add to your pre-crank list: I would put in some fresh oil, pull the distributor and spin that oil pump with a drill to get oil to those dry bearings before starting it. Some say you can also turn it over with no compression (plugs out) but the cam bearings still have pressure.
If it were mine, I would change all the rubber brake hoses. Those are probably so gunked up and set hard they are garbage. Those are cheap. Get new ones.
I would plan to rebuild your throttle body injector system. Maybe not??? The diaphragms are likely hard and gunked. I did it twice. I pulled the entire intake manifold and redid everything. Not bad.
Good luck.
Take and post lots of pics.
If the frame is not rusted, definitely worth restoring. I loved my 82 Collector Edition. Hated to sell it, but we had to eat.
Add to your pre-crank list: I would put in some fresh oil, pull the distributor and spin that oil pump with a drill to get oil to those dry bearings before starting it. Some say you can also turn it over with no compression (plugs out) but the cam bearings still have pressure.
If it were mine, I would change all the rubber brake hoses. Those are probably so gunked up and set hard they are garbage. Those are cheap. Get new ones.
I would plan to rebuild your throttle body injector system. Maybe not??? The diaphragms are likely hard and gunked. I did it twice. I pulled the entire intake manifold and redid everything. Not bad.
Good luck.
Take and post lots of pics.