Something always needs work on these cars
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
Something always needs work on these cars
Now matter how much you do and new parts there is always something else that can be updated or repaired. After getting the new Tremec in and road tested a few other things pop up. My oil pressure gauge was acting up a little last year. Just a lazy needle. Now it has stopped completly. I know there is plenty of pressure just the gauge is stuck. Back out with the center gauge cluster. I als o have a rattle at idle. The back Astro vent is rattling. Have to secure that back up. My side windows have needed to be adjusted for a number of years. Just never got around to doing it. Almost always have the top down and windows down. They just don't fit right and it is bugging me now. Just little things that make owning one of these older cars fun. Never a lack of projects to do.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,322
Likes: 1
From: Living in the Hartland
Re: Something always needs work on these cars (Gordonm)
I know what you mean, I cannot wait to get a garage that I can heat year round at about 45-50 degrees so I can do more during the winter. I have a torpedo propane heater now but everthing is so cold it gets condensation on it when I try to work when it is real cold out so then I waste a month or so of decent driving weather working on stuff. :nopity
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,390
Likes: 315
From: Belmont Michigan
Re: Something always needs work on these cars (Gordonm)
You're absolutely right. The brakes on my LT-1 need some attention, and the headlights on my '66 need to be taken out/disassembled/cleaned/lubed/reassembled/reinstalled. Also the front bumpers I have for the car have to be installed. All this while in the final stages of semi-restoring a '64 GTO I got this past summer. Oh well, I guess if I didn't enjoy it I wouldn't be doing it. Sometimes it piles up on you though!
Dick
Dick
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 19,659
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From: Lenoir City Tennessee
Ci 6, 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Re: Something always needs work on these cars (Gordonm)
I just keep trying to fix all of those little things. It is a never ending job with one of these older cars though. If you are a person who likes to tinker, then these are the cars for you. :thumbs:
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 157
Likes: 0
From: Greenbush WI
Re: Something always needs work on these cars (patsnitrovette)
I can relate with 20 years of putzing with my '69 BB. It just to got be no fun anymore so I sold it and bought an '01 C-5! OMG :eek: Died and went to heaven!
Just do the repair the best and the right way the first time so you don't have do an emergency on the road or before a big Vette outing! Remember that before we got spoiled with EFI and "build quality" constant maintenance was NORMAL! Two tune ups a year, oil and filter every 2000-3000, topping off the battery water, replacing belts and hoses, etc. Ask an under 30 mechanic if he knows what a dwell meter is?!
[Modified by geezer, 8:51 AM 3/14/2004]
[Modified by geezer, 8:52 AM 3/14/2004]
Just do the repair the best and the right way the first time so you don't have do an emergency on the road or before a big Vette outing! Remember that before we got spoiled with EFI and "build quality" constant maintenance was NORMAL! Two tune ups a year, oil and filter every 2000-3000, topping off the battery water, replacing belts and hoses, etc. Ask an under 30 mechanic if he knows what a dwell meter is?!
[Modified by geezer, 8:51 AM 3/14/2004]
[Modified by geezer, 8:52 AM 3/14/2004]
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,688
Likes: 202
From: Waterford Mi
Re: Something always needs work on these cars (geezer)
And if that isn't enough, Just becuase I fixed it last year doesn't mean I wont have to do t again sometime soon. Replacement parts never seem to last as long as the originals.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
Re: Something always needs work on these cars (Gordonm)
I would guesstimate that during the summer I spend 75% of my Corvette time fooling about/cleaning and 25% driving. Prepping/pampering is an enjoyable aspect of the hobby.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 3,255
Likes: 0
From: Manalapan FL
Re: Something always needs work on these cars (Gordonm)
Working on my car is theraputic and rewarding.
I would be bored silly if I only had to hop in my car, turn the key and drive away everytime.
Someone driving a new C5, whose only effort is to wash/wax, doesn't know this feeling.
D. Ocean
Miami, FLA
I would be bored silly if I only had to hop in my car, turn the key and drive away everytime.
Someone driving a new C5, whose only effort is to wash/wax, doesn't know this feeling.
D. Ocean
Miami, FLA
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 1,427
Likes: 1
From: Boxford Mass
Re: Something always needs work on these cars (paul67)
Well, I'm going to try and let the non-critical projects slide to the winter. Last year my car was off the road for must of the summer. My two pressing issues are a rad hose leak (hopefully not the pump) and getting the pullies setup as they wobble a bit now.
I'll spend the summer collecting parts for the winter... like a squirrel gathering nuts and twigs. :lol:
My problem is project scope. I can't just adjust the glass inside the door. Oh no... I end up with new panels, handles, lock cylinders and a million other things that turn it into a month-long deal.
My goal is not to do things twice. In practice, I'd be happy if I only do it three times. :lol:
I'll spend the summer collecting parts for the winter... like a squirrel gathering nuts and twigs. :lol:
My problem is project scope. I can't just adjust the glass inside the door. Oh no... I end up with new panels, handles, lock cylinders and a million other things that turn it into a month-long deal.
My goal is not to do things twice. In practice, I'd be happy if I only do it three times. :lol:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 3,365
Likes: 5
From: Lake Villa IL
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Contributor
Re: Something always needs work on these cars (Gordonm)
I know what you mean, I go through this too. But at some point, I have to remind myself I'm driving a car that's nearly 30 years old. Man, 30 years.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 862
Likes: 0
From: CT
Re: Something always needs work on these cars (Gordonm)
You are right. It is always one thing or another. I consider myself lucky though. I am still able to own a Vette plus I can do alot of the work with the help of forum members. If I had a newer Vette with all the modern touches I would not be able to do a darn thing on it.
Mike :auto:
Mike :auto:
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
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From: Forked River NJ
Re: Something always needs work on these cars (My69)
Don't get me wrong I do enjoy working on the car and I do everything myself but it would be nice as said here before sometimes the parts or work just does not last long. Driving a 30+ year old car will definitly require repairs. The new ones are nice and don't need much work but when they do it requires a lot more than the C3 cars. What other small projects do others have?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,030
Likes: 17
From: White Pine / Dandridge TN
Re: Something always needs work on these cars (Gordonm)
By day I drive a new Acura TL. Still enjoy working on and driving my vette more. I don't sit on the internet at night learning about the Acura. I don't read mags and books about the Acura. And I certainly don't drink beer while working on the Acura :D I bought my vette just for the purpose of having a hobby and something to tinker with. And now I'm starting to share my hobby with my 5 & 8 year olds boys. My 8 year old loves the vette and talks of the day when he too will own one. I use the car as a motivator to get good grades and do his homework. He never talks about growing up and driving an Acura. However, I do get tired of fixing one thing only to have 2-3 other things fail while fixing the previous problem. But driving with the top down, tunes on and listening to the sound of a carb at wide open throttle make it all better. :auto:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 2,157
Likes: 0
From: Pensacola FLA
Re: Something always needs work on these cars (Gordonm)
I know what you mean! List of things I've done in the past month include repairing a stuck oil gauge, repairing my ammeter gauge ( I rewound the copper coil wire and it works like a charm ) and replacing the upper steering column bearing. Just when I thought I had things about right, the dash lights quit working :crazy:
Pro
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 649
Likes: 2
From: Red Bank NJ
Re: Something always needs work on these cars (68rdstr)
I quess if I spent $40,000. and had issues I'd be upset. But most C3s aren't in that range. I love spending time on the car. Sure it would be fun to have the one that needs nothing but then I'd be standing in my garage with my wrenches looking for some to tinker with. Many of these cars at some point in their history were driven hard :reddevil. Just like we do it. When you get it on the road the garage time seems to fade quick. :steering:
