I have recently purchased an 81 coupe that has 75,000 miles with no modification. It has sat a lot before I got it and sits a lot with me. Since I have it the water pump went (expected) the air con. comp froze bummer, and the cruise control went out. I have not checked out the cruise yet and have not fixed the frozen air because washington state does not have a big need for air but plan to get it all back working and maybe put it up for sale. Other than the mentioned the car is in real nice shape with no scratches or chips in the paint. Anyone have one with same problems?

 

I have one that had far more problems than that when I bought it. :lol: It was wrecked, the cruise, air conditioning, and water pump were all shot, but I considered that to be the least of my problems. Here's my site. It doesn't work just perfectly because I have been completely redoing it to show the finished car now that paint and interior are done, but it will give you an idea.
http://www.corvetteforum.net/c3/dalannex

 

Hi, Ken,

Welcome to the forum! :cheers:
Sounds like you picked up an above-average '81. Congrats!

Like yours, my '81 had sat a lot before I bought it, averaging only about 5,000 miles a year. For some reason, it seems most people who drive these cars only in the summer neglect the cooling systems. Old worn out anitfreeze leads to corrosion and inadequate water pump lubrication, so the pump fails. I'd expect that the radiator is probably corroded and/or somewhat clogged with carbonate scale, too. I had to pretty much replace my entire cooling system. New rad, new pump, new A/C hotwater shutoff valve. So far the heater core has held up, but it wouldn't surprise me for it to start leaking at any time, just from the old corrosion.

A/C compressor lockup is less common, I think. Mine's fine. I've got a leak somewhere, though, and I'm about to have the leak fixed and the system flushed, converted from R12 to R134a, and recharged. Your compressor may be repairable, but that'll take an A/C tech to tell you for sure.

Mine doesn't have a cruise control, but I understand that they are prone to failure. I've read that the most common problem is with the transducer, which can be replaced for about $100 from Mid-America, or Zip.

Good luck! :seeya

 

Inactivity is just as bad or worse than high mileage. When I bought my '80 it only had 47,000 miles on it. It sat for 7 years and was only driven once in awhile. I've had to replace every seal/gasket because it leaked ever possible fluid and was a rolling environmental hazard. I've also rebuilt or replaced almost any part that contained fluid, including the engine. :smash: All hoses and bushings have been replaced. It never ends....

I would buy a daily driven Vette over a stored one next time.

 

Thanks for the tip on the cruise. I haven't looked at it yet am am not quie sure where to start but I guess I will figure it out

 

does anyone know the easest way to trouble shoot the cruise?

 

What's Cruise control? :D

My 81 has it, but I haven't figured when to use it...
[It's broken too]

I guess cruise control is for when you're done accelerating,
but by then it's almost time to slow down for someone, something, etc.

Enjoy it - the cruise control is talked about in the shop manual. Haven't
looked at the section too much though.

 

welcome to the forum!!
You need to determine if it is the transducer or a power feed. Gturn key on and disconnect the electrical lead. Probe the wires with a test light and see if you have power, also check the fuse. If you have power, the transducer is probably bad. Mine is but I would never use it so I didn't fix it

 

Sorry had to delete this one. For some reason it posted 2x :confused:


[Modified by 82dukman, 9:26 PM 5/13/2002]

 

I have an 80 L-48. 140,000 and she runs like a clock. I get a little blue smoke out of the exhaust (once in a while) on start up and my air needs a recharge but everthing else on the car works. I cant believe that engine sounds that good with all those miles. I guess miles and use doesnt hurt em as much as letting them sit....