HELP - New owner - rebuild?
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Mountain View CA
HELP - New owner - rebuild?
Hi All,
I recently purchased a '75 Stingray from a retired man who took very good care of it. I don't know much about cars but I have always wanted a corvette and I love Chevy. I have been told that the engine and transmission was rebuilt and there is less than 3000 miles on them. I purchased the car so I could learn to work on them, so here I am.
I have what I believe is fuel / oil pooling on the manifold (less than a tablespoon) in front of the 800 4 barrell carb. Whenever the car is driven oil drips when it's parked (less than 1/8 cup (drip). I don't know where to start and I do not want to damage the engine. I think I should purchase an engine gasket kit and replace all of the seals to start; what do you think?
I would also like to find someone who knows what the hell they are doing so I can be sure not to damage the engine as I am learning. I am in Mountain View, CA and part of the Marine Reserves.
Please let me know what you think!
Best,
Felix
I recently purchased a '75 Stingray from a retired man who took very good care of it. I don't know much about cars but I have always wanted a corvette and I love Chevy. I have been told that the engine and transmission was rebuilt and there is less than 3000 miles on them. I purchased the car so I could learn to work on them, so here I am.
I have what I believe is fuel / oil pooling on the manifold (less than a tablespoon) in front of the 800 4 barrell carb. Whenever the car is driven oil drips when it's parked (less than 1/8 cup (drip). I don't know where to start and I do not want to damage the engine. I think I should purchase an engine gasket kit and replace all of the seals to start; what do you think?
I would also like to find someone who knows what the hell they are doing so I can be sure not to damage the engine as I am learning. I am in Mountain View, CA and part of the Marine Reserves.
Please let me know what you think!
Best,
Felix
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,482
Likes: 3
From: Carmichael ca
If its pooling in front of the carb its probably a fuel leak. With the air cleaner off and the engine running you should be able to see where its coming from. If it is fuel, don't drive it until you fix it.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,278
Likes: 4,372
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi Felix,
75 CORVETTE!!!
NICE!!!
I'd try to get under the car with it on a lift and try to see the source of the oil. It may be easy to trace or it may be difficult depending on how clean/dirty things are under there.
Don't be tempted to try this in your driveway using a jack. Way to dangerous!!!
Think about buying the GM FACTORY SERVICE MANUAL for your 75. It'll have lots of information you'll be interested in as you learn to love your 34 year old car. Many of the vendors on this site sell it.
Regards,
Alan
PS: A few pictures would be NICE!!!!
75 CORVETTE!!!
NICE!!!
I'd try to get under the car with it on a lift and try to see the source of the oil. It may be easy to trace or it may be difficult depending on how clean/dirty things are under there.
Don't be tempted to try this in your driveway using a jack. Way to dangerous!!!
Think about buying the GM FACTORY SERVICE MANUAL for your 75. It'll have lots of information you'll be interested in as you learn to love your 34 year old car. Many of the vendors on this site sell it.
Regards,
Alan
PS: A few pictures would be NICE!!!!
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Mountain View CA
All,
Thanks for your time, I'm not driving it until I know it's running perfect. Is it dangerous to run the engine without the air filter on it? I have been told that I need to replace my hoses with woven hoses (which is what I want to do) and that may resolve the issue.
I can see a LOT of dirt / grime / what looks to be oil on the block itself as well as the starter / that area of the vehicle. Would this be safe to do with jackstands etc?
How can I find out where the leak is coming from if the engine is in the vehicle?
I was thinking about purchasing the following gasket kit and replacing everything just to be sure:
http://cpwstore.carpartswholesale.co...versal:0)&sv=0
What do you think? Should I replace the metal fuel line that connects to the carb (that's where the liquid pools)?
Would you like pics of what I'm talking about? Do you have email I can send them to?
Thanks!
Felix
Thanks for your time, I'm not driving it until I know it's running perfect. Is it dangerous to run the engine without the air filter on it? I have been told that I need to replace my hoses with woven hoses (which is what I want to do) and that may resolve the issue.
I can see a LOT of dirt / grime / what looks to be oil on the block itself as well as the starter / that area of the vehicle. Would this be safe to do with jackstands etc?
How can I find out where the leak is coming from if the engine is in the vehicle?
I was thinking about purchasing the following gasket kit and replacing everything just to be sure:
http://cpwstore.carpartswholesale.co...versal:0)&sv=0
What do you think? Should I replace the metal fuel line that connects to the carb (that's where the liquid pools)?
Would you like pics of what I'm talking about? Do you have email I can send them to?
Thanks!
Felix
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Mountain View CA
Should I post pictures of the vehicle or of the issues that I stated?
I'm not going to drive it until it is 100% restored. The engine is in good condition and runs great (according to me) but I want to do whatever is necessary to ensure the vehicle is in perfect running condition.
Is it difficult to replace all of the engine gaskets? Should I?
Where do I start?
Do I have to remove the engine to do this?
Should I replace all of the hoses?
Are the hoses different?
I don't have AC in the vehicle, how many different hose systems are there?
Also, the headers go out to a straight pipe (I love it lol) but there is no gasket where they meet. I bellieve this is causing a leak on the driver side pipe.
-- Should I spray the area where they meet with silicon adhesive and wrap with thermal tape and then re-connect them with the brackets?
thanks,
Felix
I'm not going to drive it until it is 100% restored. The engine is in good condition and runs great (according to me) but I want to do whatever is necessary to ensure the vehicle is in perfect running condition.
Is it difficult to replace all of the engine gaskets? Should I?
Where do I start?
Do I have to remove the engine to do this?
Should I replace all of the hoses?
Are the hoses different?
I don't have AC in the vehicle, how many different hose systems are there?
Also, the headers go out to a straight pipe (I love it lol) but there is no gasket where they meet. I bellieve this is causing a leak on the driver side pipe.
-- Should I spray the area where they meet with silicon adhesive and wrap with thermal tape and then re-connect them with the brackets?
thanks,
Felix
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,709
Likes: 3
From: Savannah GA
I think the CHP and the smog police might take issue with open headers and no catalytic convertor... possibly no AIR pump or other mandated emission control systems as well. After you are certain it will not burn to the ground by repairing whatever is leaking, I suggest the test drive take the car to a registered repair shop with emission inspection capabilities. If I understand California laws, (I live in Georgia), the car is not road legal unless all factory provided emission control devices are present, and operational. There is probably a State web site which will say for sure what is acceptable for your year model car... I'm pretty sure an open exhaust system is not on the list.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Mountain View CA
I guess I should say Mountain View is in California
I think the CHP and the smog police might take issue with open headers and no catalytic convertor... possibly no AIR pump or other mandated emission control systems as well. After you are certain it will not burn to the ground by repairing whatever is leaking, I suggest the test drive take the car to a registered repair shop with emission inspection capabilities. If I understand California laws, (I live in Georgia), the car is not road legal unless all factory provided emission control devices are present, and operational. There is probably a State web site which will say for sure what is acceptable for your year model car... I'm pretty sure an open exhaust system is not on the list.
Thanks for the remarks though.
Felix
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 11,520
Likes: 13
From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
...
I have what I believe is fuel / oil pooling on the manifold (less than a tablespoon) in front of the 800 4 barrell carb. Whenever the car is driven oil drips when it's parked (less than 1/8 cup (drip). I don't know where to start and I do not want to damage the engine. I think I should purchase an engine gasket kit and replace all of the seals to start; what do you think?
Best,
Felix
I have what I believe is fuel / oil pooling on the manifold (less than a tablespoon) in front of the 800 4 barrell carb. Whenever the car is driven oil drips when it's parked (less than 1/8 cup (drip). I don't know where to start and I do not want to damage the engine. I think I should purchase an engine gasket kit and replace all of the seals to start; what do you think?
Best,
Felix
So far it sounds like a carb leak & it is easy to tell if it's gas or oil- there are plenty there who can tell the difference. Oil tends to be black & thick (feel the dipstick oil), while gas would look light yellow-clear & the scent will stay awhile.
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Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Mountain View CA
No, w/ "less than 3000 miles" forget about replacing all the engine gaskets- not needed!
So far it sounds like a carb leak & it is easy to tell if it's gas or oil- there are plenty there who can tell the difference. Oil tends to be black & thick (feel the dipstick oil), while gas would look light yellow-clear & the scent will stay awhile.
So far it sounds like a carb leak & it is easy to tell if it's gas or oil- there are plenty there who can tell the difference. Oil tends to be black & thick (feel the dipstick oil), while gas would look light yellow-clear & the scent will stay awhile.
Very helpful; thank you! I believe the fuel is coming from the fuel line into the carb.
Felix
