Lost my keys so I ordered a new ignition and door locks and was thinking maybe I should replace the starter as well since sometimes it doesn’t start up first try.
I’m not knowledgeable about cars and have been looking at other threads on starters and don’t seem to understand enough to actually confidently pick one. Could you guys send me links to affordable starters that would go well for my 78 corvette? I can provide any additional information as well but I’m pretty certain everything is stock outside of a cam but I don’t think that affects starting the car
thanks!

 

Can you better explain what "doesn't start up first try" means? If the starter spins the engine that's all we ask of it. If it doesn't spin the engine, what are the noises you hear when you turn the key?

 

Welcome aboard and tell us more about your car, how you came ot own it and why you would think to change out the starter. As 67:72 said above. if it spins then the starter is OK. If it spins but doesn't start, that could be a whole bunch of other problems. And just when you think you have it figured out, if it doesn't spin, that doesn't always mean the starter is bad. These cars are money pits to begin with so it helps your wallet if you can narrow down the problem before throwing money at something that wasn't the problem to begin with. We have all been where you are now. We are all here to help.

 

Welcome to the forum! Sorry to hear you lost your keys. Removing the ign. barrel requires turning the switch to the on position. Well, without breaking anything anyway. So you may wish to find locksmith anyway.
As per the starter, I agree with everything above. What's happening here that you think you need a starter?
These cars are a really poor choice for someone with zero knowledge about old cars. You can go broke real quick just throwing parts at a problem.
Your in the right place to learn if you wish to however.

 

Welcome to the Corvette Forum Calebrisc! This is the place to be for any issues with a C3 Corvette! We are glad you have joined us here!

Loosing your key can be a real PIA unless you keep a second key and lock cylinder that drops right in with the paper clip's help. I did this because I had a teenage son living at home at the time.

Starters are big clunky expensive parts and frequently are not the source of the problems you might be dealing with. Like the above posters I would try and spin the starter by putting 12 volts to the post and then applying 12 volts to the start tab. If it spins up and the Bendix jumps out and engages the flywheel then the starter might be working normally. There are so many ways for the starter not to be working properly. If you jump the power from the 12 volt post on the starter to start tab, the starter motor should spin right up as long as it has a good solid battery Ground connection as well as a good supply of 12 Vdc should be all it needs to work.

Many of the earlier C3's had "heat soaking" as an issue and would have issues starting when the engine was hot. I had this issue on my C3 as well so I switched to a Gear Drive Starter which is tiny by comparison but packs enough power to spin an 18-1 compression ratio engine. The gear drive was a bit more expensive but well worth it because the reliability is so much greater.

Unless you need to keep the original starter I would go to Summit or Jeg's and pick out a starter that will work for you. JUST be absolutely sure that the "starter" is what you need to fix your engine.

 

As previously stated welcome.
It's true these cars can be costly but fortunately the smartest thing you could have done is come here.you will find very good advice here and some of us actually know stuff😂 . Some of us can be a bit harsh at times but in the grand scheme you should be able to find at least a path to solving your issues.
I made a new years resolution to be nice to a new member this year and it's your lucky day!
See you jerks I actually can be 🙂 nice.

 

I definitely agree with about members .. check other areas, as well as just the starter . I own a 70 project car but not a vette person . I must say with all honesty these cars have to be the worse car GM ever pumped out 😩

 

Oh c’mon, there are much much worse ones…

 

Hey hey hey the Vega was a great car, with a small block 4 speed and an 8 3/4 Chrysler rear. Ye a Chrysler rear was always in mine a dana was next along with a 496.
But actually lawyers elected to public office with. Zero mechanical aptitude caused most of the problems with the cars of all brands. We can't fathom the damage these self entitled clowns have done.

 

Well Cam33, why do you own a 1970 "project car" ( a Corvette?) if you really believe that they are the "worse" car GM ever pumped out? Why would you want to hang out on the Corvette Forum with your disdain for Corvettes?

If I felt that way about a chrome bumper C3 like yours then I would give it away as soon as possible. Your 1970 "Project car", is it a Corvette? Is it complete and have you ever driven it? How many miles have you driven it?

The Corvettes I have are some of the most fun vehicles to drive I have ever had the pleasure to own. I bought a 1968 C3 with it's 427 and fixed it up after a few years in a barn. This car is a very desirable car because it was meant to go fast and handle moderately well doing it. It is a simple convertible C3 with a four speed and a solid lifter BB that displaces 7 liters... In this world very few get to enjoy the power of an engine like this in a two seat car.

As far as the "worst" car GM ever made, I would stick with the Pontiac Fiero as those things were junk from the get go. The Cosworth Vega, the Corvair, they made a few unpopular cars. The Corvette has been the "Flagship" that Chevrolet has to offer of a long time. There is a demand for Corvettes all over the world, so that leads me to believe that your statement is incorrect regarding the Corvettes.

You may dislike Corvettes and that is your right. Most of us here would likely disagree with you. Many of us believe that the Corvette is a very special car and unique in the world of "Blah" cars. Nobody has ever made a car that can compare to it until recently with all the new technology and go fast parts.

I had a buddy who owned a real 1970 LT1 and that was a very special Corvette. That engine was amazing being a SB with solid lifters and 370 horsepower. Even with the 4.11 rear end they were still fairly quick for a SB.

You can enjoy your Asian car but sell your "project car" to somebody who will appreciate and respect what they have to work with.

 

Wow, I'm new to the Vette but a seasoned mechanic - I am absolutely impressed with the build quality and engineering of the rear suspension and drive train of my 1974 big block. I still have a ways to go to make it a competent reliable driver - but I FRRAKING LOVE IT!
For those that may think C# vettes are expensive to repair - Try building anything with a Ford 390 FE (freaking expensive) or Chrysler HEMI...then you'll understand costs.
I will make one exception Brake Caliper $$$$ - just buy the o ring rebuild kits and save $$

 

As far as the "worst" car GM ever made, I would stick with the Pontiac Fiero as those things were junk from the get go.

CTM....Could not agree more with every bit of your statement - with one major exception above.
I bought a 1984 Fiero 2M4 SE 1rst one the dealer had - drove it out of the showroom.
4 Speed clunky shifter, 1rst gear so short you could out run it, and the 95 HP Iron Duke was fun.
Dang that thing was a chick magnet - All of us have a road, corner, section of curves that we identify with.
The Fiero for me holds the highest Top Speed through a tight section by almost 5 MPH. This "s" curve tightened on the 2nd, and tighted up more on the 3rd with a stop sign immediately after....total length was less than 100 yards. ......it highlighted by running under a bridge between the 2nd and 3rd corner with concrete pillars on both sides....no room for ANY MISTAKES.
Other cars through the S curve - 85 Turbo Coupe, 90 Tbird Super Coupe all with 5 speeds ,93 5.0 Mustang....not one could even come close to within 5 mph.
The Fiero was fun.....I liked it....dangerous it would snap on you and put you in the weeds.

Anyway this is about Vettes ....I CAN NOT WAIT to rip the 74 big block!
Thank you for defending what has always been my Dream Car the C3 - I finally got one that is NICE.
I'm done don't talk bad about the Fiero - LOL

 

I was never a fiero fan but, it would have been better with a good v6 and a 5 speed which would have made it a better car. Another car that was really pretty good was the corvair. With the turbo it had twice the power of the Porsche of the time.
I wonder if Nader was backed by Porsche to write his book that he had no qualifications to write, think on that.

 

Not to mention the whole “catch on fire” thing

 

Folks, with all due respect you know nothing of real expense. I drive my Corvettes for pleasure but I build Porsche engines. I can blow more money on a modest rebuild than most of you paid for an entire, very nice car. I love Corvette parts prices.

 

ok since you ask . I am not talking every model GM ever made I am talking muscle cars of that era.. back in the day GM put out in my opinion one of the best engines. I’m talking about the build quality of the corvette compared to other muscle cars .. the corvette rear suspension was a total disaster heck they had to rivet the rotors so you wouldn’t get end play not to mention changing the wheel bearing was a total debacle. The brake system another challenge you can’t bleed the brakes without using 40 gallons of brake fluid.
I can go on and on vacuum system, cooling system , constantly running hot, cabin heat , simple, simple things that become a major project. Now, why did I buy a Corvette well I been a mechanic and owner of many muscle cars back in the day for about 35 yrs . I currently own 2 Camaros and the vette I .never owned a Corvette but I have spoken to many mechanics and most of them didn’t want to work on corvettes so when I stumbled upon this very good deal for a 70 350/350 I decided to challenge myself with open eyes and see what this car was all about.. I joined this site because there were a lot of things I just couldn’t figure out… I have to say the people and members of this forum were very, very helpful and I appreciate them .. well get back to the car so I started working on it and quickly realized there was absolutely no planning on the build quality.. I can’t wait to get her done and hopefully sell it this spring . Whoever gets this car, will have a good driver until something else brakes .. and yes it is roadworthy now with many new suspension parts and it rides like a German tank .

 

There is a reason they riveted the rotors on the rear and the brakes at their time were state of the art and even today many of the very high end cars use similar brake calipers except they are aluminum.. bleeding the system is actually very easy if you find the right way ,, do a search. The headlight vacuum system is easy to diagnose again use the search function or go on you tube look up Wilcox corvettes. The wiper door same thing.
Just because you don't understand things doesn't mean they are junk.be smarter than the car.
These cars were very advanced for their time.
I have a 2028 expedition can you imagine 50 years from now restoring one of those? Your problems are small. Once you work your way through a few issues you may just like it more. I really do wish you luck but really you don't need it. You aren't the first one , you aren't a pioneer.
Omg that's twice this year I've been nice to someone, I must be losing it