Welcome David. Sorry about your dad 
You did the right thing by keeping the vette. 
as you already know, this is a 
Another New Guy
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 27
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Another New Guy
Just wanted to say hello. I have been lingering around this forum for years as I have always loved Vettes. However I had to be content with my 97 Firebird. I would like to say that I just found a great deal on this gorgeous C3 but unfortunately that is not the case. I am however the new owner of a 1978 Corvette (at least I will be soon). The Vette was owned by my dad who passed away back in May. I have been with him and the Vette since we first picked it up in Ft. Lauderdale. I will admit that I have not spent much time under a car but I am willing to learn. I just could not see my mom sell this Vette. It is not in the best of shape but it still looks great to me. I all ready have something to fix (rear spring) and I hope after that I can use her as an occasional driver. The ultimate goal will be to restore the car and maybe add a little more go. Here are a few pictures
And the first problem to fix
David
And the first problem to fix
David
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 4,312
Likes: 70
From: Clearwater FL
Welcom. I think the car look great. I wouldn't drive it though until you fix that spring. If it breaks while your driving, you better have AAA's phone number handy. Here's a link to my site w/composite springs. I think you'll like the ride much better w/one of these.
http://www.vansteel.com/index.cfm?fu...&SubGroup=1852
Dan
http://www.vansteel.com/index.cfm?fu...&SubGroup=1852
Dan
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 27
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Wow, I go to some other sections and all ready 6 replies! Thanks all for the kind words on the Vette. I did forget to add that the paint is not as nice and white as it looks. I had just given it a bath and mixed with a nice sunny day...the flaws are hidden. Again, thanks for all the kind words and I look forward to lots and lots of help 
David
David
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Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 27
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I do know about the wave and don't worry...I will wave
Unfortunately the car is not at my house anymore. I took it back to my mom's place after having it my house to dry it out...yeah it leaks too. I will be bringing it back to my place on the weekend (only lives 2 minutes from me) so would it be a good idea to just jack up the rear? I haven't ordrered a spring yet but plan on a composite one. That spring was put on about 1-1/2 to 2 years ago and it is all ready broken. My dad never did look at it and passed about a month later. I remember it was a pain to replace the first time but hopefully the second time will be easier. He had a nice air compressor and tools...but a strange thing happened to the compressor. My dad was also a micro brewer and had some minikegs sitting on a workbench next to the compressor (full minikegs). Well it got to hot and they expanded and rolled off the workbench and landed on the hose fitting for the compressor...shearing it right off. So until that is fixed it is hand tools only.
Thanks for the link to the springs...I have been at that page a few times all ready.
David
Unfortunately the car is not at my house anymore. I took it back to my mom's place after having it my house to dry it out...yeah it leaks too. I will be bringing it back to my place on the weekend (only lives 2 minutes from me) so would it be a good idea to just jack up the rear? I haven't ordrered a spring yet but plan on a composite one. That spring was put on about 1-1/2 to 2 years ago and it is all ready broken. My dad never did look at it and passed about a month later. I remember it was a pain to replace the first time but hopefully the second time will be easier. He had a nice air compressor and tools...but a strange thing happened to the compressor. My dad was also a micro brewer and had some minikegs sitting on a workbench next to the compressor (full minikegs). Well it got to hot and they expanded and rolled off the workbench and landed on the hose fitting for the compressor...shearing it right off. So until that is fixed it is hand tools only.
Thanks for the link to the springs...I have been at that page a few times all ready.
David
Racer
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 264
Likes: 0
From: Franklin Ohio
Welcome to the forum David. A bit of advice for you if you don't mind. Don't hesitate to ask questions on here but it is always a good thing to run a search on your topic first. Chances are very good you will find more info than you can imagine on the subject.
BTW I think it's great that you have your Dad's car. Someday my son will have mine.
BTW I think it's great that you have your Dad's car. Someday my son will have mine.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
Welcome, David.
Funny - I am "davemc" on our computer system at work.
It looks (from where I am) that your differential cover has
broken. The seperate leaves of the spring are twisted like that
because the spring bolts are missing. At least one of the ears
that the spring bolts into is broken off. The bad news is that
you will need to drop the differential to replace the cover.
The good news is that the rear spring might not be bad - just
needs to be straightened out and bolted back up.
When I bought my 75 - the rear cover was the same. I was
driving it around at first with only the two front bolts holding
the spring in. I'm lucky it didn't just pop out.
You can see the ear on the bottom left of my diff here:
http://NHvette.com/ftp/in/painted_pumpkin_2.jpg
... and installed with spring plate/bolts in:
http://NHvette.com/ftp/in/chassis_03.jpg
Funny - I am "davemc" on our computer system at work.
It looks (from where I am) that your differential cover has
broken. The seperate leaves of the spring are twisted like that
because the spring bolts are missing. At least one of the ears
that the spring bolts into is broken off. The bad news is that
you will need to drop the differential to replace the cover.
The good news is that the rear spring might not be bad - just
needs to be straightened out and bolted back up.
When I bought my 75 - the rear cover was the same. I was
driving it around at first with only the two front bolts holding
the spring in. I'm lucky it didn't just pop out.
You can see the ear on the bottom left of my diff here:
http://NHvette.com/ftp/in/painted_pumpkin_2.jpg
... and installed with spring plate/bolts in:
http://NHvette.com/ftp/in/chassis_03.jpg
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
Originally Posted by 1978shark
SNIP ... Don't hesitate to ask questions on here but it is always a good thing to run a search on your topic first. ... SNIP.
transfered to the new forum software. I had lots of informative posts
in there ... presumed lost. Also, I have not been able to find other
peoples posts that I recall seeing.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
Well I am new to the Vette world but certainly not to web forums. The search button is always a great tool as long as you know what you are looking for
One of the firsts post I saw when I first came to this section a few weeks ago was one of the members differential cover broke. I have yet to really take a good look to see if that is the case here or if something else failed. The spring could probably be put back together but I think pieces of it were lost on the highway when my dad was driving. So I will just order a new spring. Another thing to look at is a leaky manifold and what looks like an oil leak at the valve cover. The heads were done about 5 years ago so that is the last time the valve cover gaskets were replaced...it is probably time for new ones.
If there are any experts in the Hampton Roads area (Va Beach) I could always use their opinion.
David
One of the firsts post I saw when I first came to this section a few weeks ago was one of the members differential cover broke. I have yet to really take a good look to see if that is the case here or if something else failed. The spring could probably be put back together but I think pieces of it were lost on the highway when my dad was driving. So I will just order a new spring. Another thing to look at is a leaky manifold and what looks like an oil leak at the valve cover. The heads were done about 5 years ago so that is the last time the valve cover gaskets were replaced...it is probably time for new ones.
If there are any experts in the Hampton Roads area (Va Beach) I could always use their opinion.
David
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 210
Likes: 0
From: Missouri
Originally Posted by Van Steel
Welcom. I think the car look great. I wouldn't drive it though until you fix that spring. If it breaks while your driving, you better have AAA's phone number handy. Here's a link to my site w/composite springs. I think you'll like the ride much better w/one of these.
http://www.vansteel.com/index.cfm?fu...&SubGroup=1852
Dan
http://www.vansteel.com/index.cfm?fu...&SubGroup=1852
Dan
My car is modestly built everything but a good set of heads and a 373 rear-end. I like to cruse and step into it both. What would you recommend 330# 360#? Like I said I plan on going up on the hp in the future so I want to take care of this and get it right the 1st time. I'm going to try to get this done over the winter months with the exception of the rear-end. My wife likes my Vette but not when I'm spending tons of money on it. Women just don't understand.
