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Hi folks/ladys and gents
I just purchased my first Corvette.A 1978 L82.I have had several classic cars in my life but for some reason have always put off buying a Corvette.Any way I have one now and love it.
I new it needed a little work going in so I was ok with the steering slop and the pulling to the left.I fixed the slop with just a little steering box adjustment.So I moved on to the pulling to the left.
Took it for a alignment and found out the worst.The front frame is bent.I missed it all because I got in a hurry to buy.
Any ways, is the Corvette frame some thing that can be pulled by a frame shop.
They found that the power steering pump pulley is rubbing the frame a bit and that the passenger side has several shims for the camber adjustment.
At this point I don't think driving it is a good idea so its just sitting in my garage.
Any advise would be greatly appreciated.
At this point Im just wanting to kick my self for not paying attention and trusting a seller that I thought I could trust because he seemed to be a straight up guy.
Sent him a text no reply as of yet
I see how that could happen, I like the looks of it too. These are Old cars, plenty of time for them to be screwed up, or "Bubbaized" before we get them. When I got mine it was in "Great shape, he did all kinds of work" , which I am still finding and fixing. I even found a crack in my frame, which I fixed.
Someone else may chime in, but I see no reason a frame could not be straightened, just need to find someone that will do it. Are you anywhere in north Il? I am a tick north of Rockford
Yes. These frames can be straightened. Takes the right skill as all things.
Did they say if it looked to have been wrecked? I’m curious where the bending is occurring. There is a “known” A-Arm sagging issue (one I’m actually currently calling out the legitimacy of in another post I started lol). Is that what they are seeing?
After spending the better part of last night eye balling the engine bay I found the passenger side upper control arm had one missing bolt on the front and the back one loose as a goose.I had to pull the radiator shroud to get to the front one so I just kept moving on and pulled the radiator to get it checked out for peace of mind,Then went on to pull the ac components.
Im thinking at this point that it may not be bent.The power steering pulley seems to be very close to the frame and is not inline with the crank pulley.That will need to be shimmed out for alignment.And why the heck did they mount the alternator directly over the power steering pump seems like it could be in a better location.
Bla bla bla any way the upper control arm is fixed now.I don't think I payed any attention to the drivers side because the passenger side looked so good.And one a good note the seller did get back to me in a text saying he had it at a (alignment shop) and they said nothing about it......Im learning quick about Corvettes. I guess at 61 this up and down crawling, bending, kneeling is making these old bones say ....glutton for punishment.
Thanks for your thoughts Strokemyaxe I will try and keep you all posted
He did get back to me 540 vette Im thinking he truly didn't know about the problem.Its defiantly a work in process and im going to get to the bottom of it believe me.Thanks for you in put
Chuck
Hahaha small world Im in Rockford.I bought the car in Janesville.The seller told me he only had it a couple of years.He stated he bought it in Rockford and the car came for Dixon.It is clean and thats why I was drawn to it,and I got him down to what I thought was a fair price.Thanks for the input.
The alignment shop- if not familiar with Corvettes- might not know that the engine from the factory - sits an inch offset closer to the passenger side.
And here's the measurement across the front- should be 26 3/8"
Wow! thanks for that info Richard.I saved the photo and will defiantly do some measuring.I guess that would explain the power steering pump pulley so close to the frame then?
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
My power steering pump is close to the frame and the stack of shims may be normal as others have posted about them as well. Measuring yourself is the best way. I wouldnt trust many of the new shop owners these days becuase they just say sttuff to make a buck or get you out the door. My bet is yor frame is fine and you need a differrent alignment shop or align it yourself afer you get the front end all tightened up. Good luck
My next question is.Should I have my old stock radiator checked and re-fabbed or get a new aluminum one and use electric fans.
Im a direct fit kind of guy not a almost fits one..hahaha!
it's the radiator doesn't leak in the engine stays cool, I would consider spending that money on something else. Now back to that alignment shop. They said the frame was bent. They didn't even notice that the control arm they were supposed to be aligning wasn't correctly and completely attached? I would definitely not go back to that alignment shop.
No doubt about not going back.Exactly why Im taking it all on by myself.Very! hard to find good auto mechanics in this day and age.
Its just that some time I feel like a crippled blind guy.Guess I just have to suck it up and move on.hahahahaha!
And of course there's that darn MONEY THING!!!!
I would flush it out- see what comes out-before spending several hundred dollars and a weekend swapping it out.
You can also go to the local auto parts chain and use their loaner tool program -Then you can do a pressure check for any leaks.
I thought I would pass this on.I made a couple of shims for my power steering pump.
I bought some 1 3/8 x 1/16 strap with the holes already in it at Menards.Then cut them on my band saw so I could hold on to them while I got one of the bolts started.With the ears I left on I was able to get it centered for the lower bolt.
It is now inline with the crank pulley.So far so good.
Well done and welcome to the forum. Nice looking car!
before you go too far down the path of shimming, please make sure your engine mounts are good and properly hooked up. Easiest way to check is to put a piece of stout wood under the oil pan and gently raise it. If the car lifts, you’re good. If the motor separates from the frame, you found your problem. Easy fix too.
10-13-2018, 01:12 PM
New Corvette owner with a problem?
I noticed your 2x4 wheel blocks in the back ground.I made me a set of 4 some years back.They work great 
