OK fellas. We've had the car two days now and I've driven it a couple times only. I've managed to accumulate a "To-Do" list and would like you to review it for me. Please let me know if some of these problems are common Corvette problems and if there's also common "Fixes" for them. The intent here is to just get the car back to original. I might do some mods some day but since it's my wifes car I really don't care if it's fast. I just want it to be a respectable car. Don't want to constantly have to tell people "Oh that's broken...you have to wiggle it a little bit" Know what I mean?



1. There's trouble with the latching mechanism of the drivers door. I think that some lubricant will fix this.
2. The Power Locks don't work (electrically)
3. There are a few vacuum lines missing @ the air breather...haven't checked the carb but I expect it's affecting the idle
4. The Air duct and Air intake are missing from the dual snorkels on the air breather.
5. The heat stoves are also missing. My old Jeep (Nixon) had this same set up but with one snorkel of course.
6. The Factory AM/FM 8 Track Player doesn't work
7. The power antenae doesn't work
8. There are no speakers in the rear of it. Not sure if there ever were, but it could be that someone attempted to install them and left two small holes back there.
9. The clock doesn't work
10. The seats could be recovered but I can't afford it….covers alone are around $850.00 (first place I checked)
11. The dash lights don't work. They did when we drove it home, but for some reason they quit. Probably just the switch.
12. It has goofy looking rectangle shaped exhaust tips. I've got to get rid of those and have regular turn down tips installed.
13. The center console (if you could call it that…more like an arm rest) was rebuilt poorly and the plastic/rubber cover over it doesn't fit and it's black. Should be the same color as the car's interior (I think).
14. The horn button is also black and should be the same color.
15. The T-Tops don't fit just right and there's a small air leak. Probably a water leak as well. May have to buy new gaskets.
16. The turn signal doesn't lock into place for left turns. It'll blink if you hold it down, but it won't lock.
17. There's a large (about 2-1/2") piece broken off the top of the radiator shroud.

 

Been there. Done that. All of em. Welcome to the old C-3 club.

 

Where are you located? I have a 79L82 been through a lot of the same.
I have an extra snorkel piece that mounts over the top of the radiator if you need it.
On your power door locks clean the connectors before you buy new actuators.
Be careful on rear speakers, the only ones that will fit without modification can be purchase through Ecklers, the original speakers had square magnets, the new aftermarket ones have round magnets and will not clear. On your antenna you need to determine if your car is a 79E or 79L? Is your antenna bezel plastic? If so you have a 79E. I can go on and on!!!!! Good Luck

 

When I read your list I had to go out and have a look to see if you'd stolen my 79.

 

Yea, I thought he was talking about mine also!!!

 

Get the assembly manual and Haynes manual to determine mechanical
and electrical problems (Plus search the Forum). Get new hoses from
Dr Rebuild. Get new parts from Willcox. Get $85 seat savers. In regards
to console, dash, horn button - get dye to match interior - can also
do carpets with this. Get new radio & speakers. Clocks never worked.
Use local auto parts for generic stuff. Set up a priority list & budget.

 

the previous owner of yours must of owned mine too. i think people were into taking stuff off of these cars and disconnecting things rather than fixing them. i think you copied my list. i just fixed my clock, with one of the do it yourself quartz kits, works great.
my door locks still dont work, but i havent gotten around to them yet, some one disconnected them and laid the connector in the bottom of the door! my ant. doesnt work either because some one cut the wires. oh well warm up the old credit card. hello corvette suppliers. looks like you have the usual things wrong.

 

I don't have all of those issues, but; I have or had some.

Quartz upgrade the clock. Not too expensive and relatively easy.

The T-tops are adjustable. you can loosen all the bolts on them and get them to how they need to be. I found this out the hard way.
I broke a glass T-top (almost cried) this summer and bought one off a forum member. when I got it, it wouldn't latch. Too tight. I loosened all the bolts and found out that there is a lot of adjustment to them.
Give it a try.

Good luck and enjoy your '79. My favorite year. . .

 

The turn signal on my 79 did the same thing. I took off the steering wheel and repaired that with parts from either a Chevy dealer or a regular parts outlet, can't remember exactly. Whatever is broken will be obvious when you get in there. You'll probably need the turn signal switch assembly. You've got all the same symptoms as my 'ol gal, minus the funky exhaust tips.

 

My 79 also has the same turn signal problem. Jim Shea is the resident steering column expert here, do a search for his posts. I believe he was a factory engineer on the Corvette steering colunms. Rear speakers were an option, but I think you were saying there are holes there with no speakers. If that is the case, someone obviously has had them there. Mine has an aftermarket CD players, speakers etc, and a non power antenna. I think almost everone has or has had a non functioning clock. I've actually wondered whether it was optional for them to actually work. I plan to upgrade mine to quartz also. The dash lights, I would start with the fuse, replace it if it's blown and see if it blows again. I replaced the switch on mine and got them working but messed up the printed circuit board reinstalling the speedo cluster, so I had to go back and fix that. PM me if you need on specifically how to replace the switch. I hope yours isn't an L-82, becuase if so, good luck on the radiator shroud. DR Rebuild is the only place i've found that even lists a replacement in their catalog and it's $500. Mine also is broken at the top. I'm going to get one of those dress up pieces you see in catalogs that go over the top of the shroud for mine. Be sure to check to make sure your motor mounts arent shot to allow the motor to rock up where the fan would hit the shroud and break it.

 

Man! Great responses fellas. Thank a million. Sounds like my problems are common for the car and really wouldn't be all that embarrasing in a crowd of Vette Owners.

Plans are to just "one-at-a-time" these things till I get them fixed....well most of them anyway. Not really sure I need a clock, but I would like the power antenae fixed.

I was planning on picking up a Haynes Manual. It was pretty informative for my old Jeep.

I'll check the Antenae for the rubber thing....and Yes it is an L82. I had heard about a fancier trim piece that covers up that broken spot.

 

I would love the air duct. How much do you want for it shipped to zip 39114?

 

I will give you the piece, you pick up shipping. E-mail me your phone number to tedhalberstadt@yahoo.com
If yours is a 79E, the antenna bezel is a plastic piece and the fiberglass is recess around it. A 79L is different there is no recess, I have been through the antenna thing and can get you up to date.
Dont but the Haynes manual for your car it is junk, buy a corvette service manual and a assembly manual.

 

Well, not sure what was the problem, but this weekend, the power antennae and the radio started working. I know the antennae is powered by the radio so I'm thinking the antennae is good and there was just a short in the radio. I'm glad I don't have to fool with that antennae. Just need to get a new radio installed and I think I'll be good to go.

Is there any value to the old factory 8 track player?

Also....is there a kit for installing a new radio in this car that doesn't look like a hack job? I'm really not wanting a botch job. May even just get happy with the factory 8 track.

 

None of those are common Corvette problems.

It's normal that oiling a mech. clock can get it going.
Electrical problems can be the switch contacts or connections including fuse connections.

Since you are looking for some actual common Corvette problems, check for leaking brake calipers. It may already have the upgraded SS sleeves. Then the e-brake, return springs can be broken.