79 Corvette just died... Need help
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,028
Likes: 1
From: SOUTH ELGIN IL
Hey dude, first - patience... you have a lot of information to collect. Look at the car as a system more than just a few components. Everything you buy has to go together or you will have more problems. This is going to take awhile to fix, especially on a budget.
Fuel Pump... you will have a mechanical fuel pump I would think. You can find this connected to the fuel line that you unhooked several pages back (I think that was this thread...). Look down on the passenger side of the engine at the front of the block. There will be a pump mounted down there with three lines hooked to it. One from the fuel tank, one to the carb and one vent or return line. If you have nothing there (delete plate) then you would want to look back by the fuel tank for an electric fuel pump. However, look closely on at the front corner of that motor... it should be there. Easiest way to find it might just be to follow the carburetor fuel line down. You should encounter a fuel filter and then the pump mounted on the side of engine.
-Dan
Fuel Pump... you will have a mechanical fuel pump I would think. You can find this connected to the fuel line that you unhooked several pages back (I think that was this thread...). Look down on the passenger side of the engine at the front of the block. There will be a pump mounted down there with three lines hooked to it. One from the fuel tank, one to the carb and one vent or return line. If you have nothing there (delete plate) then you would want to look back by the fuel tank for an electric fuel pump. However, look closely on at the front corner of that motor... it should be there. Easiest way to find it might just be to follow the carburetor fuel line down. You should encounter a fuel filter and then the pump mounted on the side of engine.
-Dan
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 262
Likes: 1
From: Central New Hampshire
Hey dude, first - patience... you have a lot of information to collect. Look at the car as a system more than just a few components. Everything you buy has to go together or you will have more problems. This is going to take awhile to fix, especially on a budget.
Fuel Pump... you will have a mechanical fuel pump I would think. You can find this connected to the fuel line that you unhooked several pages back (I think that was this thread...). Look down on the passenger side of the engine at the front of the block. There will be a pump mounted down there with three lines hooked to it. One from the fuel tank, one to the carb and one vent or return line. If you have nothing there (delete plate) then you would want to look back by the fuel tank for an electric fuel pump. However, look closely on at the front corner of that motor... it should be there. Easiest way to find it might just be to follow the carburetor fuel line down. You should encounter a fuel filter and then the pump mounted on the side of engine.
-Dan
Fuel Pump... you will have a mechanical fuel pump I would think. You can find this connected to the fuel line that you unhooked several pages back (I think that was this thread...). Look down on the passenger side of the engine at the front of the block. There will be a pump mounted down there with three lines hooked to it. One from the fuel tank, one to the carb and one vent or return line. If you have nothing there (delete plate) then you would want to look back by the fuel tank for an electric fuel pump. However, look closely on at the front corner of that motor... it should be there. Easiest way to find it might just be to follow the carburetor fuel line down. You should encounter a fuel filter and then the pump mounted on the side of engine.
-Dan
Also, that patience thing is really hard right now hah. I just want to go go go get this thing running, it's been consuming my thoughts. I go home to NH in a couple days and won't have this project for a few months so I'll have all the time in the world think about it, which I guess it's for the better, forces me to take my time looking around.
Last edited by Zapawaf; Sep 12, 2011 at 11:12 AM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 262
Likes: 1
From: Central New Hampshire
I just looked up "birdcage", so how to I look at it and inspect it? Do I need to take the carpet out of both the front and back? Or can I check from underneath?
Last edited by Zapawaf; Sep 12, 2011 at 02:03 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 202
Likes: 1
From: Millstone Twp NJ
Try this thread to see what you may be up against http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...dcage-rot.html
Last edited by BFI6603; Sep 12, 2011 at 02:12 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,570
Likes: 1
From: Algonac Michigan
"A quick check for a rusty frame is to remove the kick panels, those pieces just forward of the doors by your feet. Some rust in there is normal with a car that age, but make sure it is not rusted through"
Also your floor has been repaired at an earlier time. And not very well.
It appears you have a fiberglass floor with a metal patch riveted in and then sealed with Bondo. Not proper!!!
However I stress that you do a complete evaluation of the car prior to making any purchases to determine if the car is structally sound.
I know you said that someone has looked at the car and said it is in pretty good shape but there are Corvette specific areas that need to be looked at such as the "Birdcage" for starters.
I'm not trying to "rain on your parade" here,just trying to save you some money and trouble.
Good Luck!!!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 262
Likes: 1
From: Central New Hampshire
I think he is refering to the carb. and if so alot of reading is recommended prior to dissassembly.
As was mentioned earlier...
"A quick check for a rusty frame is to remove the kick panels, those pieces just forward of the doors by your feet. Some rust in there is normal with a car that age, but make sure it is not rusted through"
Also your floor has been repaired at an earlier time. And not very well.
It appears you have a fiberglass floor with a metal patch riveted in and then sealed with Bondo. Not proper!!!
However I stress that you do a complete evaluation of the car prior to making any purchases to determine if the car is structally sound.
I know you said that someone has looked at the car and said it is in pretty good shape but there are Corvette specific areas that need to be looked at such as the "Birdcage" for starters.
I'm not trying to "rain on your parade" here,just trying to save you some money and trouble.
Good Luck!!!
As was mentioned earlier...
"A quick check for a rusty frame is to remove the kick panels, those pieces just forward of the doors by your feet. Some rust in there is normal with a car that age, but make sure it is not rusted through"
Also your floor has been repaired at an earlier time. And not very well.
It appears you have a fiberglass floor with a metal patch riveted in and then sealed with Bondo. Not proper!!!
However I stress that you do a complete evaluation of the car prior to making any purchases to determine if the car is structally sound.
I know you said that someone has looked at the car and said it is in pretty good shape but there are Corvette specific areas that need to be looked at such as the "Birdcage" for starters.
I'm not trying to "rain on your parade" here,just trying to save you some money and trouble.
Good Luck!!!
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 262
Likes: 1
From: Central New Hampshire
Alright I'm sick of going through copy pasting every single link so here is a link to my album on facebook dedicated to this car.
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?s...2c9acb3&type=1
It goes oldest at the top, newest at the bottom
You can see areas around the birdcage I'm working on.
I've got around the windows, and the drivers side floor. Also there are some plugs that were not plugged together I'm not sure exactly what they go to, and also a plug that has yellow/purple wires and I cannot find the other end so I do not know what it goes to.
What do you guys think so far of the condition?
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?s...2c9acb3&type=1
It goes oldest at the top, newest at the bottom
You can see areas around the birdcage I'm working on.
I've got around the windows, and the drivers side floor. Also there are some plugs that were not plugged together I'm not sure exactly what they go to, and also a plug that has yellow/purple wires and I cannot find the other end so I do not know what it goes to.
What do you guys think so far of the condition?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,740
Likes: 3
From: Aurora Ontario
Alright I'm sick of going through copy pasting every single link so here is a link to my album on facebook dedicated to this car.
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?s...2c9acb3&type=1
It goes oldest at the top, newest at the bottom
You can see areas around the birdcage I'm working on.
I've got around the windows, and the drivers side floor. Also there are some plugs that were not plugged together I'm not sure exactly what they go to, and also a plug that has yellow/purple wires and I cannot find the other end so I do not know what it goes to.
What do you guys think so far of the condition?
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?s...2c9acb3&type=1
It goes oldest at the top, newest at the bottom
You can see areas around the birdcage I'm working on.
I've got around the windows, and the drivers side floor. Also there are some plugs that were not plugged together I'm not sure exactly what they go to, and also a plug that has yellow/purple wires and I cannot find the other end so I do not know what it goes to.
What do you guys think so far of the condition?
Jim
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 262
Likes: 1
From: Central New Hampshire
You could very well be right. Took off the passangers side carpet, looks similiar to the drivers side, a little bit better if anything, also directly under the seat was a pocket of water, which I pulled the little plug and water went away, no rust on that spot tho, so.... I guess that's a bonus.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,740
Likes: 3
From: Aurora Ontario
You could very well be right. Took off the passangers side carpet, looks similiar to the drivers side, a little bit better if anything, also directly under the seat was a pocket of water, which I pulled the little plug and water went away, no rust on that spot tho, so.... I guess that's a bonus.
The bird cage is what goes around the windshield and all the way down past below the lowest hinge where the doors attach. This is also a hard section of frame to replace. I see some rust through in one of your pictures. How bad it is can be determined by hitting it with a hammer.
Jim
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 262
Likes: 1
From: Central New Hampshire
Floors are easy compared to other things. Just make sure the frame isn't soft. I see some holes in your pictures. Makes me wonder how the frame is under the tar substance. Looks like camouflage to me. Looks like someone went to great efford to hide things. Frames can not be replaced easily.
The bird cage is what goes around the windshield and all the way down past below the lowest hinge where the doors attach. This is also a hard section of frame to replace. I see some rust through in one of your pictures. How bad it is can be determined by hitting it with a hammer.
Jim
The bird cage is what goes around the windshield and all the way down past below the lowest hinge where the doors attach. This is also a hard section of frame to replace. I see some rust through in one of your pictures. How bad it is can be determined by hitting it with a hammer.
Jim
I leave in a day so I really won't be able to do any more trouble shooting for a while. It won't be until sometime in December when I get back here. But then I should hopefully have my own place with a garage and I can tear it apart it do it all right.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 262
Likes: 1
From: Central New Hampshire
Hey, was looking up the Vortec Intake Manifold for giggles, and I noticed at the very bottom it says "They have no provision for an exhaust-heated choke."
I believe mine has a heated choke does it not? How could I be sure?
I believe mine has a heated choke does it not? How could I be sure?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,740
Likes: 3
From: Aurora Ontario
How hard would you have to hit it to find out?
I leave in a day so I really won't be able to do any more trouble shooting for a while. It won't be until sometime in December when I get back here. But then I should hopefully have my own place with a garage and I can tear it apart it do it all right.
I leave in a day so I really won't be able to do any more trouble shooting for a while. It won't be until sometime in December when I get back here. But then I should hopefully have my own place with a garage and I can tear it apart it do it all right.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 262
Likes: 1
From: Central New Hampshire
Racer
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 485
Likes: 1
From: Oakville ON
choke
Based on your rust, I would get an experienced Vette guy to examine your car. Your repair costs may want you to rethink this one.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Hey Zac, dont lose heart mate. Anything is repairable and some things don't have a dollar value
This car was out on a club cruise, when a tree took a dislike to it as it drove by ..
the same panelbeater and painter, that did my car (see new member intro) the owner and a mate returned it to this
it IS the same shell and if it turns up at a show in competition to you, you may as well just pack up and go home. At a GM versus Ford show here, the only trophy it didn't win was the one I won, and that was because mine is a different model.
If I had your car it would be back to a bare chassis and do the whole thing. That is how I did my GT ... not a single bolt left in the car. I spent 45k on it, A guy bought it for 110k and was absolutely blown away by how good a 1974 car drove, so much so he drove it eight hours home. I nearly died of a heart attack, he was supposed to tow it. The sale has allowed me to buy my Vette and a Delorean, I quit my job and having a break
Bill
This car was out on a club cruise, when a tree took a dislike to it as it drove by ..
the same panelbeater and painter, that did my car (see new member intro) the owner and a mate returned it to this
it IS the same shell and if it turns up at a show in competition to you, you may as well just pack up and go home. At a GM versus Ford show here, the only trophy it didn't win was the one I won, and that was because mine is a different model.
If I had your car it would be back to a bare chassis and do the whole thing. That is how I did my GT ... not a single bolt left in the car. I spent 45k on it, A guy bought it for 110k and was absolutely blown away by how good a 1974 car drove, so much so he drove it eight hours home. I nearly died of a heart attack, he was supposed to tow it. The sale has allowed me to buy my Vette and a Delorean, I quit my job and having a break
Bill
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 262
Likes: 1
From: Central New Hampshire
Hey Zac, dont lose heart mate. Anything is repairable and some things don't have a dollar value
This car was out on a club cruise, when a tree took a dislike to it as it drove by ..
the same panelbeater and painter, that did my car (see new member intro) the owner and a mate returned it to this
it IS the same shell and if it turns up at a show in competition to you, you may as well just pack up and go home. At a GM versus Ford show here, the only trophy it didn't win was the one I won, and that was because mine is a different model.
If I had your car it would be back to a bare chassis and do the whole thing. That is how I did my GT ... not a single bolt left in the car. I spent 45k on it, A guy bought it for 110k and was absolutely blown away by how good a 1974 car drove, so much so he drove it eight hours home. I nearly died of a heart attack, he was supposed to tow it. The sale has allowed me to buy my Vette and a Delorean, I quit my job and having a break
Bill
This car was out on a club cruise, when a tree took a dislike to it as it drove by ..
the same panelbeater and painter, that did my car (see new member intro) the owner and a mate returned it to this
it IS the same shell and if it turns up at a show in competition to you, you may as well just pack up and go home. At a GM versus Ford show here, the only trophy it didn't win was the one I won, and that was because mine is a different model.
If I had your car it would be back to a bare chassis and do the whole thing. That is how I did my GT ... not a single bolt left in the car. I spent 45k on it, A guy bought it for 110k and was absolutely blown away by how good a 1974 car drove, so much so he drove it eight hours home. I nearly died of a heart attack, he was supposed to tow it. The sale has allowed me to buy my Vette and a Delorean, I quit my job and having a break
Bill
When I come back in Dec/early Jan I will hopefully have my own house with a garage and will start taking everything apart peice by peice.
I'm going to order one of those AIM manuals? if I can find one. Then when I get back I'll revise this thread or create another and post the link here.