Hi, I'm a new member here. I've had this 1976 Corvette for a few years because I just love the look of the older Stingrays. I had it mostly restored for looks (new paint, interior & emblems etc) and it's never been driven on wet pavement, so the body and interior are nearly perfect. My question is that I only drive it in the summer a couple days a week, but I'm not happy with the older brakes and headlight brightness, and is the old style AC worth updating...it doesn't work (too hot in OK in the summer without it). I had new brakes put on it 2 years ago, but I don't think the mechanic knew how to adjust them properly. I had to take it back a few times to have them bled again and I still really have to push on the pedal hard to stop the car. Is there anything special about these brakes that would cause a normal mechanic a problem? The headlights work perfectly, but what do you guys recommend to replace the older lights for a more modern brightness? I love this car, but some of the 1976 mechanics of it are not to my liking. Is there anything else you can recommend to upgrade it for a better driving experience? It also has side pipes on it that are very loud and I really prefer something more mellow. What would you recommend without taking the side pipes off to mellow the sound a little more...thank you so much ahead of time for dealing with my novice questions. Cindy

 

Welcome to the forum, there are a lot of members here that can assist with your questions. A couple tips:

• Include pictures
• Submit one post per question because there are a lot of variables
• Take advantage of the search feature

 

There may be air in the system depending on which method the mechanic used and what sequence he bled them and if he realized the rears have two bleed screws. Do you have halogen lamps currently, if not try them. Read the link below concerning the A/C

http://tech.corvettecentral.com/2008...4-ac-retrofit/

 

Almost all C3s need the brakes to be bleed if they sit for a few months but the hard pedal makes me think your boosted is bad or you have too much cam reducing vacuum to the booster. You should be at @12-15 lbs of vac. For the booster to operate properly.
The ac can be retrofitted with many aftermarket kits on the market. Headlights can be converted to modern H3 bulbs with a kit they sell in the speedway catalog for cheap. It's a headlight with a clip in the back to slip the H3 bulb in.
Good luck and welcome to the forum

 

Exhaust is a personal choice. Most venders here sell full systems that fit stock manifolds or headers. Your local muffler shop installs and can possibly make both side pipes and stock exhaust functional with an exhaust diverted valve. You may have state EPA hurdles to jump through to make it legal. Here in NJ historic QQ plates are all that's needed to avoid inspection.

 

It's good to know that you kept the car!

hugie82: Exhaust is a personal choice. Most venders here sell full systems that fit stock manifolds or headers. Your local muffler shop installs and can possibly make both side pipes and stock exhaust functional with an exhaust diverted valve. You may have state EPA hurdles to jump through to make it legal. Here in NJ historic QQ plates are all that's needed to avoid inspection.

Translation: A good muffler shop can install a special exhaust adapter operated by a toggle switch inside the car...the exhaust adapter will connect to the sidepipes and also to newly installed exhaust pipes and mufflers that exit at the rear bumper. That way, you can keep the looks of the sidepipes and also "turn them on" with the flip of a switch when you need to "make some noise"......or you can leave the toggle switch turned off and have the nice sound of the new standard exhausts and mufflers!

(Just make sure the new exhaust set-up is legal in your area)

WIN......WIN!!!

 

I am firm believer in speed bleeders. I put them on any vehicle I have had in the past. I can bleed them myself.

 

Welcome to the forum! Your car looks very good. If you don't do your own work, you need to find someone who is familiar with Corvette brakes. The brake system needs to be done correctly to get good performance. Many racing 'vette's used the stock system, so if it was good enough for them..
I also updated to halogen bulbs, they illuminate the road ahead much better.

 

Not sure of specifics here but people used to put aircraft landing lights on the high beams to brighten it up a bit on high beam.

 

This is all such great information. My whole intention of making these changes to this particular car to make it more driver friendly where I would like driving it as much as I like the looks of it. I was seriously considering selling it to get a 2004 Z06, but I can't part with the Stingray looks of the C3 era. I know a mechanic who builds race cars that should be familiar with the brakes on this car, and I will take your suggestions on the halogen lights and I love the idea of the switch on the exhaust. I I'm prepared to put more money in this car so I will feel comfortable keeping it....and I read the article on the AC...I'm sure that will be my biggest expense, but one I can't do without if I keep the car. I'll update with the progress as soon as this horrible weather clears up enough to take it in...

 

The air conditioning system on a 'vette is the same as the system on a pick-em up truck, van, station wagon, or whatever, of that era. Nothing "Corvette specific" about the basic design of it, so a good automotive A/C guy should be able to get that system up and running in short order.

Sometimes, (especially for women) you have to look presentable when you get where you are going, and so, you kinda have to roll with the widows up and the T-tops on. (after a good drive on the highway with the T-tops off, your hair probably looks like a mad scientist in a lighting storm!) You really need a working A/C unit blasting in that situation! Good luck!

Scott