Damned C3 !!! [rant]
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 366
Likes: 1
From: Houston Texas
Originally Posted by 82Vette'ster
I tried that a few weeks ago when my truck came up lame. Now I'm doing a rear bearing replacement my 82. I think somewhere after 150K the rate of repair increases rapidly.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,876
Likes: 1
From: Jersey Shore Exit 98
I've spent around 10k on it so far... and now this morning the damned car won't turn over.. I just drove it yesterday !!! and it drove perfect !!
It just clicks (Probably starter / solenoid) and after that there is no click , no sound whatsoever... dead !
Only $10K man your halfway there. Welcome to the ride. I agree it sounds like starter / solenoid .
It just clicks (Probably starter / solenoid) and after that there is no click , no sound whatsoever... dead !
Only $10K man your halfway there. Welcome to the ride. I agree it sounds like starter / solenoid .
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 2,231
Likes: 7
From: Fort Pierce Florida
Let me tell you a story...
Last night I was at a Toyota/Scion dealership with my gf because she wanted to test drive a TC. I never realized how out of place the Vette looked among all the "normal" cars of the world. As soon as I pulled in the questions started. What year, is it stock, what engine, etc. By the time I left I had literally an audience of six guys consisting of salespeople, customers, and a manager asking me everything from 1/4 times to is it for sale. One of the salesguys asked me to "turn it sideways" before leaving. So I did. Right in the middle of all those new cars I did a no-brake, all power burnout to the cheers and whoots of the guys I was just talking to.
About an hour later I tried to crank it and no spark. That's what owning a C3's all about.
Last night I was at a Toyota/Scion dealership with my gf because she wanted to test drive a TC. I never realized how out of place the Vette looked among all the "normal" cars of the world. As soon as I pulled in the questions started. What year, is it stock, what engine, etc. By the time I left I had literally an audience of six guys consisting of salespeople, customers, and a manager asking me everything from 1/4 times to is it for sale. One of the salesguys asked me to "turn it sideways" before leaving. So I did. Right in the middle of all those new cars I did a no-brake, all power burnout to the cheers and whoots of the guys I was just talking to.
About an hour later I tried to crank it and no spark. That's what owning a C3's all about.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
From: Morgan Hill CA
Originally Posted by SuprJames
Let me tell you a story...
Right in the middle of all those new cars I did a no-brake, all power burnout to the cheers and whoots of the guys I was just talking to.
About an hour later I tried to crank it and no spark. That's what owning a C3's all about.
Right in the middle of all those new cars I did a no-brake, all power burnout to the cheers and whoots of the guys I was just talking to.
About an hour later I tried to crank it and no spark. That's what owning a C3's all about.
Well yesterday mine was running great... I even got excited and pushed it to about 85 mph on El Camino Real... (40mph zone), broke one yellow/red stop signal, because I was driving too damned fast to stop.
THis guy in a red pickup truck pull next to me 3 stop lights later and gave me a thumbs up
and shouted "hell, didn't know those things went so fast" I got super loud mufflers too (flowmaster 40 series)Pride and tears swelled up, I swear...
Now the biatch refuses to start....
Last edited by Minge; Nov 6, 2006 at 07:02 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,143
Likes: 0
From: Leander Texas
Now quit whining, and go and tell the C-3 your sorry for having those feelings about it 
. It is like a child, or a really high maintainance woman. It just wants more of your attention. Once you give it what it wants it will be happy, and then you'll be happy, and hopefully less annoyed.
I've spent over 11k on rebuilding mine in less than 2 yrs, and keeping it happy is less stressful than trying to keep the wife, and two kids happy!!!
DR. Jay the patient.
. It is like a child, or a really high maintainance woman. It just wants more of your attention. Once you give it what it wants it will be happy, and then you'll be happy, and hopefully less annoyed. I've spent over 11k on rebuilding mine in less than 2 yrs, and keeping it happy is less stressful than trying to keep the wife, and two kids happy!!!
DR. Jay the patient.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
From: Morgan Hill CA
Originally Posted by DR.Jay
Now quit whining, and go and tell the C-3 your sorry for having those feelings about it . It is like a child, or a really high maintainance woman. It just wants more of your attention. Once you give it what it wants it will be happy, and then you'll be happy, and hopefully less annoyed.
I've spent over 11k on rebuilding mine in less than 2 yrs, and keeping it happy is less stressful than trying to keep the wife, and two kids happy!!!
DR. Jay the patient.
. It is like a child, or a really high maintainance woman. It just wants more of your attention. Once you give it what it wants it will be happy, and then you'll be happy, and hopefully less annoyed. I've spent over 11k on rebuilding mine in less than 2 yrs, and keeping it happy is less stressful than trying to keep the wife, and two kids happy!!!
DR. Jay the patient.
I feel much better now !I'm gonna replace the starter. and check the battery tonight..
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,143
Likes: 0
From: Leander Texas
Originally Posted by Minge
Amazing story !!!
Well yesterday mine was running great... I even got excited and
broke one yellow/red stop signal, because I was driving too damned fast to stop.
THis guy in a red pickup truck pull next to me 3 stop lights later and gave me a thumbs up and shouted "hell, didn't know those things went so fast"
Pride and tears swelled up, I swear...
Well yesterday mine was running great... I even got excited and
pushed it to about 85 mph on El Camino Real... (40mph zone),
THis guy in a red pickup truck pull next to me 3 stop lights later and gave me a thumbs up
and shouted "hell, didn't know those things went so fast"Pride and tears swelled up, I swear...
Now the biatch refuses to start....
I think it's just bad Karma
Hopefully it won't last long.Man the wife is reading over my shoulder again. Hope she doesn't see my last post.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,143
Likes: 0
From: Leander Texas
Originally Posted by Minge
I feel much better now !I'm gonna replace the starter. and check the battery tonight..
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 246
Likes: 1
From: west melbourne florida
i had that on my vette. my battery was being drained over night and couldnt find it. so i installed a battery kill switch behind the driver seat. and i flip it off when i park it. has been working great that way for 2 yrs
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
From: Ocean Gate, New Jersey
I love this car...
I spent the last 3 months fighting vacuum advance, timing, carburetor and choke problems and two week ago it finally began to run fine 
- today I took it out for a spin and noticed there was no oil pressure! God I love my C3 - it keeps me engaged and learning new mechanical skills.
- today I took it out for a spin and noticed there was no oil pressure! God I love my C3 - it keeps me engaged and learning new mechanical skills.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 564
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh PA
Originally Posted by iNdigo
Anytime you are working on a project car like that, you have to expect problems... don't let it frustrate you so much.
I've built MANY old cars... and this isn't an issue about C-3 Vettes, it's gonna' happen with ANY old car... Whether it's a '68 Camaro, a '70 Riviera or a '71 Skylark convertible... All of these, I've built from garbage, and as you drive the car, you'll keep finding these things... That's why they call such drives after you've built the car a "shakedown" period... When everything still needing attention becomes apparent...
But do NOT give up hope...
As time goes on, and you get the kinks worked out, it'll be better and better, until you one day realize, "hey, this is a FUN car to have..."
Getting there takes patience... but it WILL be worth it...
EDIT: BTW, check the battery cables, especially the ground strap to the frame... This will cause the exact problems you describe.
I grounded my electrical system with a heavy cable to the frame, and a second heavy cable from the frame straight to the engine block... The car ALWAYS starts...
Last edited by breathial; Nov 6, 2006 at 10:17 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 196
Likes: 0
From: Burlington WI
My 81 haunts me for a new part every week and it only had 60,000 when I bought it. If I keep for 10 years that will only be 520 more parts and I already put over a 100 in one year. My 87 vette with 81,000 only accept 10 parts the first year and 2 the 2nd year.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 647
Likes: 22
From: Norwalk CT and Boynton Beach FL
Over the years, here's what I've learned "THE HARD WAY"
Whenever you buy a vintage hot rod (Corvette, GTO, Camaro, etc) that's a "bargan", what you end up buying is a car that's had multiple owners that have beat the **** out of the car and modified the car in ways that make any repair job an impossible challenge. Bargans end up costing more in time and out of pocket $$$ than if you "pay up" and acquire a car in top condition in the first place ---- preferrably from someone who has owned and babyed the car for 10 or more years.
I hope your experience turns out differently than what mine has been ---- but abused cars usually end up needing to be completely rebuilt, you just end up doing it one piece at a time as each system fails and frustrates you.
Good luck
Whenever you buy a vintage hot rod (Corvette, GTO, Camaro, etc) that's a "bargan", what you end up buying is a car that's had multiple owners that have beat the **** out of the car and modified the car in ways that make any repair job an impossible challenge. Bargans end up costing more in time and out of pocket $$$ than if you "pay up" and acquire a car in top condition in the first place ---- preferrably from someone who has owned and babyed the car for 10 or more years.
I hope your experience turns out differently than what mine has been ---- but abused cars usually end up needing to be completely rebuilt, you just end up doing it one piece at a time as each system fails and frustrates you.
Good luck
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 9,996
Likes: 0
From: if you have a ? on my avatar, please contact me directly, you spineless twit
St. Jude Donor '09
Originally Posted by Minge
and i'm sure if Mr. C5 could talk, he'd whine about not getting as much attention..
And as mentioned above, Ms. C3 will drain your wallet, frustrate the crap out of you, but when you finally push all the right buttons, and she's ready to go....you know what I mean!!!!!!!!!!!
Welcome to the sickness.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
From: Morgan Hill CA
Thank You Guys So Much !!!!!!
I went home all upset and 20 minutes later my corvette was roaring in the garage... I was so happy !!!!
The problem wasn't the starter.. I brought home a tester from one of my friends and tested the battery, I was getting full voltage, but the gauge on the dash was dead.... so I opened the battery lid and looked in further... the black cable was loose... I jiggled it and the overhead light popped on !!! I started screaming in excitement once I turned the key and the garage rumbled !!!!!
GOD I LOVE YOU GUYS !!!
I feel a bit stupid actually..... I must be the dumbest guy ever
I kissed my corvette and felt really bad for thinking wrong of it... (never again)
I went home all upset and 20 minutes later my corvette was roaring in the garage... I was so happy !!!!
The problem wasn't the starter.. I brought home a tester from one of my friends and tested the battery, I was getting full voltage, but the gauge on the dash was dead.... so I opened the battery lid and looked in further... the black cable was loose... I jiggled it and the overhead light popped on !!! I started screaming in excitement once I turned the key and the garage rumbled !!!!!
GOD I LOVE YOU GUYS !!!
I feel a bit stupid actually..... I must be the dumbest guy ever
I kissed my corvette and felt really bad for thinking wrong of it... (never again)
Last edited by Minge; Nov 7, 2006 at 01:09 AM.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
From: Morgan Hill CA
Originally Posted by DVNTST8
And as mentioned above, Ms. C3 will drain your wallet, frustrate the crap out of you, but when you finally push all the right buttons, and she's ready to go....you know what I mean!!!!!!!!!!!
Welcome to the sickness.
Welcome to the sickness.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 326
Likes: 0
From: Rochester New York
AWESOME
Glad you got it running and it wasn't too much work. Now, because it let you get away with something easy, beware.... it has something in store for you... it's testing you..... waiting....... silently...... As you get to the stoplight, and doodman with 3 teeth gives you a thumbs-up, and the girl in the Honda stares at you on the expressway, and the Mustang with the 3 foot tall aluminum wing slows down and watches you rumble by.... rest assured, you will need jumper cables in the parking lot at 5 when you try to leave....... try to leave before someone else you work with leaves, that way she can jump start you and no-one will be the wiser....
Err, not that it happened to me.......
Glad you got it running and it wasn't too much work. Now, because it let you get away with something easy, beware.... it has something in store for you... it's testing you..... waiting....... silently...... As you get to the stoplight, and doodman with 3 teeth gives you a thumbs-up, and the girl in the Honda stares at you on the expressway, and the Mustang with the 3 foot tall aluminum wing slows down and watches you rumble by.... rest assured, you will need jumper cables in the parking lot at 5 when you try to leave....... try to leave before someone else you work with leaves, that way she can jump start you and no-one will be the wiser....
Err, not that it happened to me.......