I recently acquired a 1980, l48 vette
03-18-2003, 02:51 PM
#1
Heel & Toe
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I recently acquired a 1980, l48 vette
I recently acquired a 1980, l48 vette, my baby now!
Anyways, I'm glad to become a member here, and look forward to both giving and receiving help (more of the receiving I'm afraid :lol: )
My first question is, the air in the tires is uneven. Ny that I mean that while it is in the garage, it tilts to the right...the tires on that side being 'flat' on the bottom from sitting there, ( I quite sure there are no holes in them.)
What I'm asking is, do I add more air to them, or what? Thanks. Just so you know, if you can't tell by this post, I know very little about cars, but I'm dying to learn!
Anyways, I'm glad to become a member here, and look forward to both giving and receiving help (more of the receiving I'm afraid :lol: )
My first question is, the air in the tires is uneven. Ny that I mean that while it is in the garage, it tilts to the right...the tires on that side being 'flat' on the bottom from sitting there, ( I quite sure there are no holes in them.)
What I'm asking is, do I add more air to them, or what? Thanks. Just so you know, if you can't tell by this post, I know very little about cars, but I'm dying to learn!
03-18-2003, 02:57 PM
#2
Drifting
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Re: I recently acquired a 1980, l48 vette (liquidmoments)
If the car has sat for a while and the tires have flat spots, then you'll probably need to replace them. If they are just low on air, then you can fill them up (around 30psi for radial, it should give you some info on the side of the tire as too the max inflation also), but if they go flat again after a little while, they still need to be replaced, if they don't then you're all set :cheers:
[Modified by Ryan77, 2:58 PM 3/18/2003]
[Modified by Ryan77, 2:58 PM 3/18/2003]
03-18-2003, 03:07 PM
#3
Le Mans Master
Re: I recently acquired a 1980, l48 vette (Ryan77)
Yeah - like Ryan said - definitely check the pressures before buying new ones.
Is it possible that the tires may be different sizes ? Check the sidewalls for
tire size info, like: P235-70R15. The specific size is less important than having
the 2 fronts the same and 2 rears the same. You could also have spring and
suspension issues that are letting the car lean to it's right.
Welcome - and keep reading - and keep asking.
The only stupid question is the one that goes unanswered (because it was never asked).
:seeya
Is it possible that the tires may be different sizes ? Check the sidewalls for
tire size info, like: P235-70R15. The specific size is less important than having
the 2 fronts the same and 2 rears the same. You could also have spring and
suspension issues that are letting the car lean to it's right.
Welcome - and keep reading - and keep asking.
The only stupid question is the one that goes unanswered (because it was never asked).
:seeya
03-18-2003, 03:28 PM
#4
Le Mans Master
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Re: I recently acquired a 1980, l48 vette (liquidmoments)
Sometimes, these tire & rim combinations will develop slow leaks. For example, my left rear leaks a couple of pounds of pressure every month or so. The others do not. If you don't have one already, get a digital tire pressure gauge and check pressures regularly. Recommended pressures are shown on the sticker on the back of the drivers side door.
And welcome! :seeya
And welcome! :seeya
03-18-2003, 03:40 PM
#5
Melting Slicks
Re: I recently acquired a 1980, l48 vette (liquidmoments)
Welcome to the Forum and congratulations on your 1980. :) You found the right spot on the net for information. Be sure to search the archives if you have questions - lots of good information there. Another useful link for information is Corvette FAQ.
http://www.corvettefaq.com/
You might check on the driver's side door for the tire pressure sticker. On my 1980, the sticker says 35 psi for the front and rear tires. (fuel economy).
When you say "flat" do you mean no air pressure? Is the wheel rim near/on the floor? If the tires just have low pressure, then fill them to the proper pressure. If they are flat (to the ground) fill them
If the tires are old you should check them carefully for age cracking (be sure to check between the tire treads for cracks). Any cracks and the tire should be replaced for your safety (IMO). You should also check the spare tire for cracks and tire pressure.
Some useful publications, if you don't already have them, are the 1980 Chevrolet Owner's Manual (came in the glove box when the car was new), and the 1980 Chevrolet Corvette Shop Manual (General Motors). There are generic shop manuals available for 1968-82 Corvettes, but, the specific year Chevrolet manual is a great reference if you are going to be restoring/maintaining the car.
After the Owner's Manual and 1980 Shop Manual you might consider a current edition of the Corvette Black Book (Mike Antonick). It is a useful reference for changes among years, available options, and production statistics. If you are going to be doing a major restoration of the car, then the A.I.M. for 1980 is a very useful document. The A.I.M. is the Assembly Instruction Manual - GM's instructions to the worker's building the car.
All these publications are available through Forum vendors. You might search the archives for "publications" - lots of information on Corvettes available.
If you have access to a digital camera take lots of "before" pictures of the area you are working on - easy to forget how things were after a few days. If you replace a part , don't throw the old one away. You may need it for reference later.
Enjoy yourself - my 1980 is currently in pieces in my garage. Some body work and I can start putting it back together. :hurray:
Again welcome. :cheers:
http://www.corvettefaq.com/
You might check on the driver's side door for the tire pressure sticker. On my 1980, the sticker says 35 psi for the front and rear tires. (fuel economy).
When you say "flat" do you mean no air pressure? Is the wheel rim near/on the floor? If the tires just have low pressure, then fill them to the proper pressure. If they are flat (to the ground) fill them
If the tires are old you should check them carefully for age cracking (be sure to check between the tire treads for cracks). Any cracks and the tire should be replaced for your safety (IMO). You should also check the spare tire for cracks and tire pressure.
Some useful publications, if you don't already have them, are the 1980 Chevrolet Owner's Manual (came in the glove box when the car was new), and the 1980 Chevrolet Corvette Shop Manual (General Motors). There are generic shop manuals available for 1968-82 Corvettes, but, the specific year Chevrolet manual is a great reference if you are going to be restoring/maintaining the car.
After the Owner's Manual and 1980 Shop Manual you might consider a current edition of the Corvette Black Book (Mike Antonick). It is a useful reference for changes among years, available options, and production statistics. If you are going to be doing a major restoration of the car, then the A.I.M. for 1980 is a very useful document. The A.I.M. is the Assembly Instruction Manual - GM's instructions to the worker's building the car.
All these publications are available through Forum vendors. You might search the archives for "publications" - lots of information on Corvettes available.
If you have access to a digital camera take lots of "before" pictures of the area you are working on - easy to forget how things were after a few days. If you replace a part , don't throw the old one away. You may need it for reference later.
Enjoy yourself - my 1980 is currently in pieces in my garage. Some body work and I can start putting it back together. :hurray:
Again welcome. :cheers:
03-18-2003, 03:52 PM
#6
Racer
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Re: I recently acquired a 1980, l48 vette (liquidmoments)
Before you buy new tires, if it is still going flat after putting air in the tires, have a tire shop look at the valve stems (where you put the air in). Those can have cuts/holes in them as well and are MUCH cheaper to replace than the tire. Welcome to the Forum....it's a vast wealth of knowledge. You will learn quickly by simply asking. :flag
03-18-2003, 04:05 PM
#7
Burning Brakes
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Re: I recently acquired a 1980, l48 vette (liquidmoments)
Welcome to the club! Have fun! Ask a lot of questions. You've come to the right place for answers!
:steering: & :seeya
:steering: & :seeya
03-18-2003, 04:13 PM
#8
Le Mans Master
Re: I recently acquired a 1980, l48 vette (liquidmoments)
You might also try contacting the "Southern Tier Corvette Club" if they're still in business. I was the president of that club just before I took a job outside of NYC and had to move. They're probably still around in one form or another.
Tom
Tom
03-18-2003, 04:23 PM
#9
Le Mans Master
Re: I recently acquired a 1980, l48 vette (liquidmoments)
Glad to have you here with us. I can't believe nobody has asked to see pictures yet. So I'll ask, pictures, pictures we want to see pictures.
03-18-2003, 06:08 PM
#11
Melting Slicks
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Re: I recently acquired a 1980, l48 vette (liquidmoments)
Welcome to the forum, just like everyone said, check the tire pressure first. My rear tires go a little flat from sitting during the winter, no big deal. :seeya
03-18-2003, 09:01 PM
#13
Melting Slicks
Re: I recently acquired a 1980, l48 vette (Avette4me)
Welcome, you just can't get enough of the forum - I'm hooked. :chevy
03-19-2003, 03:51 AM
#15
Re: I recently acquired a 1980, l48 vette (Rich80)
:yesnod: Welcome to the community and congrats on going with an '80 :seeya
[Modified by CorvetteKid82, 2:59 PM 3/19/2003]
[Modified by CorvetteKid82, 2:59 PM 3/19/2003]
03-19-2003, 09:00 AM
#16
Le Mans Master
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Re: I recently acquired a 1980, l48 vette (CorvetteKid82)
Welcome to the forum. Is your L48 by any chance a 4-speed? The L48 engine was the only one officially available with the 4-speed.
I know that the early (1976) aluminum rims had a bad reputation for porosity. In other words, air could leak slowly through the aluminum cast material. I would have thought that the quality control on the rims would have been better by the 1980 model year but who knows.
Welcome
I know that the early (1976) aluminum rims had a bad reputation for porosity. In other words, air could leak slowly through the aluminum cast material. I would have thought that the quality control on the rims would have been better by the 1980 model year but who knows.
Welcome
03-19-2003, 02:28 PM
#17
Racer
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Re: I recently acquired a 1980, l48 vette (liquidmoments)
I got an 81 vette that had sit for 7 years and of course all flat tires so i pump air in them and they look good with no leaking, but they will give you alittle pumpy ride like the tires are out of balance or the rims are bent i even thought the suspension are shot, but with the new tires in man i love the 81 handling. Get your car a new set of tires.
Wellcome to the forum ,this is my corvette class online. :yesnod:
Wellcome to the forum ,this is my corvette class online. :yesnod:
