Help for Beginner

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Apr 13, 2013 | 10:50 AM

Leerard

Thread Starter

4th Gear

Joined: Apr 2013

Posts: 4

Likes: 0

From: Buffalo New York

Help for Beginner

Hey everyone, I'm brand new to this game and I have a bunch or questions that I'd really need some help with. First off I have a 1975 L-48 automatic, I bought it last summer when I came home from Afghanistan and its not in bad shape and I was able to drive around in it for the remainder of the summer. Obviously all good things must come to an end and I had to start school but this summer I plan in starting to really fix her up. Like I said I really have no experience with fixing any kind of car so please excuse any rookie mistakes or obvious answers but for some of these I' m not even sure were to start. Some of the problems are...
1.Cracked Bumpers (front and back)
2.Interior lights buzz and get louder as they get brighter
3.Gauges don't work (only the speedometer works)
4.When I shift into drive back end drops (not really sure if that's normal)
5.It gets hot inside even when the heaters not on
6.Winking head light
7.General clean up of engine and inside the car
Also if there are any other things you can think of that I should do that would make her run a little better or make things easier that'd be really helpful. Thanks.

Apr 13, 2013 | 10:59 AM

ParisTNDude

Drifting

Joined: Jan 2012

Posts: 1,548

Likes: 15

From: Paris TN

Too much to answer possible fixes on most of your items. Obviously, the only real fix for cracked bumpers is to replace. Never heard of lights that buzz...sounds more like a relay issue or switch problem. Check fuses for the gauges. It's fairly typical for the rear to lower when you put it in drive, at least my C3 did. Sounds like the heater lever needs to be recalibrated through an adjustment. Put it in cold and make sure the heater valve is truly closed. No help for the winking head lights except that a plug is loose or corroded or a wire is broken and making intermittent contact. Good luck, but you feel good when you're able to fix your own problems.

Last edited by ParisTNDude; Apr 13, 2013 at 11:54 AM.

Apr 13, 2013 | 11:34 AM

drwet

Melting Slicks

Joined: Dec 2009

Posts: 3,229

Likes: 656

From: Thunder Bay

You're in the right place. You will find the answer to most of your questions on this forum. Take your issues one at a time and do a search. If you can't find the answer, then post a question. And include a lot more detail. For example, what do you mean by 'winking headlights'? What exactly happens and when? There's lots of knowledge and experience here. Use it wisely. And welcome to the Forum.

Apr 13, 2013 | 12:06 PM

IronMaiden

Intermediate

Joined: Mar 2013

Posts: 29

Likes: 0

From: Fremont CA

For the gauges
-1) check fuses
-2) check grounds

For shifting and dropping
-1) U joints?

My best guesses, similar things happened to me and this worked.

Apr 13, 2013 | 12:17 PM

Alan 71

Team Owner

Joined: Sep 2006

Posts: 31,200

Likes: 4,287

From: Westminster Maryland

Hi l,
I'll suggest to you what I often suggest to new owners.
Buy a copy of the 75 AIM (ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTION MANUAL), and the 75 G.M. CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL (CSM) these will give you access to the most 75 information in one place. These both are available from the larger Corvette Vendors shown on the side of this page. Try ZIP, Corvette Central, or Paragon.
The manuals will be a big help to you as you get to know this car and work on it's list of 'needs'.
Each model year had it's own CSM except for the 75 which used the 74 CSM and a 75 Suppliment , so you'll need both.
I think you'll find them well worth the cost.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan

Apr 13, 2013 | 02:43 PM

redman76

Melting Slicks

Joined: May 2006

Posts: 2,590

Likes: 403

From: Nashville TN

St. Jude Donor '09

First, I assume you are in the service since you spent time in Afghanistan, so THANK YOU VERY MUCH for your service! Rearend squatting is somewhat normal, but may increase with weak spring or bushings. The good news is that all your issues are common and fixable with time and money. As others have suggested, start with advanced search and post your questions individually. Have fun working on and driving that '75. Oh, and start posting pics ... We like those.

Apr 15, 2013 | 05:52 AM

terrys6t8roadster

Melting Slicks

Joined: May 2012

Posts: 2,192

Likes: 343

From: Allenton Wisconsin

Thanks for service

rearend squat normal for auto cars, interior heat usually comes from unplugged holes in firewall allowing engine compartment heat into interior, and or bad seals in heater control box on the fire wall. The foam seals inside the heater box degenerate into almost nothing allowing the heater to continuously heat the cabin. Hope this is not the case if your car is an AC but if it is check the vacuum operated heater control valve to make sure it actually stops the flow of water to the heater core. Hope it helps. T

Apr 15, 2013 | 03:03 PM

jph79

Intermediate

Joined: Apr 2011

Posts: 41

Likes: 0

Don't mean to be a downer, but I myself am pretty new at cars but have done small fixit things with cars but if I would do one thing differently it would be to not start learning on cars with a corvette.they are fairly complex for a beginner and takes fairly deep pockets,but hey if you love corvettes and are determined to start with a corvette this is the site to be on, spend your first 6 months just reading posts I did it for a year,and still don't know crap.take one problem at a time or you will get overwhelmed.Just my opinion