I managed to acquire a 77' for $0. It has sat idol for the past 3 years. I was told by a very reliable source, the only things needed are a fresh tank of gas and a new battery. The body has some damage and it needs a new paint job, but I figured "a free Corvette, how could I go wrong?"
I have never touched a Corvette in my life, and know little if nothing about them, hence the name "Ignoramous".

I looked under the hood everything appears clean enough, but I couldn't seem to locate the battery. I don't know the layout of the engine compartment, could it(the battery) have been removed? I also need to know the best way to drain the gas tank.

If there are any other things I should check before attempting to turn the engine, let me know please! I need solid advice here.

Thank you...

 

Yo' battery sits behind you. In the driver's side compartment behind the driver's seat.

You better take a good close look at your calipers and master cylinder before you take off.

Stick around this forum. Hands down this has been the best resource for keeping my ol' vette running.

And by the way, welcome to the madness!!!!

 

Hey, Newbie, don't feel so bad. I'm in the same boat. Heck, I can't even get anyone to tell me how to replace the taillight bulbs. Can't figure out how to get to them. Seems there's always more that needs to be fixed than people tell you up front. Guess that's the used car biz...Anyway, enjoy your car. I know I'll enjoy mine!!!

 

If you're doing the outer taillights, its a breeze. Slide your hand up in there (under the car, not behind the back bumper), twist, pull, replace, push, twist, and you're done. If you are doing the inner taillights, gonna have to wait until someone comes along who knows how to fix them. I can't get my bulb sockets out of the assemblies.

 

Before you start the engine I think it would be good to change the oil. And check that the engine is not stuck. Put your gear to neutral and turn the engine from the crankshaft. It's not easy to rotate the engine, but you should be able to do it. But before doing that remember to take off the ignition lead from distributor, just to be sure that the engine will not fire itself up... When adding new oil add it to both both valve covers to be sure that the valves and lifters get fresh oil.

It's also possible to add gas to carburetor to make it easier to start. At the same time you can check if the seals are still ok in carburetor. If not change them and it will help you a lot of trouble...

I suppose that easiest way to drain the tank is to disconnect the fuel hose from the tank. But be careful not to get yourself covered with gasoline when doing that...

And as Stoge said check the brakes before hitting the road!

Congratulations for your "new" vette and I hope that you will enjoy it as much as most of us do in this forum!

PS. We also love pics!

 

Thanks so much people.
Getting this vette up and running is going to be my winter project, then insure it in spring and go crusin'. I'm so excited!

Does Chiltons have a book for classics of this age? If so, is it worth the purchase?

I will try to throw some pics on in a few days.

 

Welcome to the insanity!

I'd suggest you get a Factory Service Manual and also an Assembly Instruction Manual. These will prove to be invaluable to you along the way. Chiltons, Haynes, etc only offer the basic info and won't be nearly as helpful as the FSM and AIM.

Search eBay for these as sometimes you can pickup what you need at bargain prices there.

FWIW. Good Luck w/the project.

 

on pic's

 

Welcome to the addiction and congrats on your procurment what a great price, but just wailt once you get started its an obsession!

 

I am very happy for you getting a Corvette - The price seems a little high lol Feel free to come ask questions here anytime, there are some very knowledgeable people in here. post some pics! Change the oil and try and start that sucker I cant think of anything that could hurt it. If the motor is bad its bad. The tank should have a rubber bladder in it. I would put a few galons of gas in the talk and let it set for a few days and sifon it out to try and get any gunk out of the tank. I started my 77 after it sat for 15 years one thing I did is install a big inline fuel filter before the fuel pump in the engine compartment. change the thermostat also. make sure the tranny has fluid in it. all the normal car things. Side post battery. PICS PICS PICS

 

The two best books you can buy for your vette are the Corvette Assembly Manual (AIM) And the 1977 Chevrolet passenger car Service Manual. The AIM is available from all the Vette catalog vendors. The Service Manual includes Corvette.
Good Luck
Eddie

 

I just picked up a factory service manual for my 73 for $10 at a swap meet

Steve

 

Wow, a free corvette. You can't complain about the price, thats for sure. I agree with everything said so far. Change all of the fluids, brake, radiator, you name it. Turn the engine over by hand.

Removing the gas thank can be a challenge depending on rust in the back.

Hopefully, you've found the battery by now. Good luck.

 

I agree get the Factory Service manual. You can get it on Ebay on CD for about $15.00. Makes it real easy look up what you want and print this way you don't have to worry about ruining the pages. If you do just print another.
Welcome to the wonderful world of Corvettes!!!!

Kona

 

Welcome.dropping my gas tank was easy,getting it back was a lot more fun

 

Well folks I got into it today after work. Changed oil, flushed radiator, cranked engine by hand, NOT locked up! Whew. decided to wait to drain gas, darn thing is half full. (optimist)

I found the battery amongst other junk in rear compartment including the owners manual, pretty dry reading....
Tried charging it, no go. Got a new one, hooked it up and the electrical system fired up nice. Weak whistle/ hum with key in forward position, radio worked, clock worked but couldn't set it, gen light on, break light on, all six signals and both break lights functioning. Couldn't get the head lights to pop out, thought they might be pneumatically actuated...dunno.

I didn't want it to start, but I wanted to see if she'd turnover. So
I took a deep breath and turned the key..... all I got was a lot of solenoid chatter and a quarter turn of the fan blade.
I don't own a DC ammeter, but I hooked up my AC ammeter and gave it another shot, it jumped to 50 amps figured it didn't mean anything since it was DC. Soooo... experts, what shall I try next? And remember, I know nothing about this car..

Personal thoughts: Starter gone bad. or Cylinders dry.

Help!!!



BTW: wife is outta town and has digital camera, pics to follow with her return in a few days.

 

Did you turn it over (by hand) more than one rev? If not, I'd check again to make sure you haven't got an internal bind. Might want to squirt a little Marvel Mystery oil in the cylinders if it's binding

Given the solenoid chatter, I'd guess either the battery cables/connections or starter connections. Make sure they're all clean and tight.

The headlights are vacuum operated.

You might as well start buying tools now. You're gonna need them. Start with multifunction electrical meter (basically a pumped-up digital volt-ohm meter) that will test all the automotive elctrical systems. Get a timing light, too. Spend a couple nights thumbing through the big parts catalogs, too. Dr. Rebuild is my favorite, but there is also Zip, Ecklers, Mid-America, etc. You'll get an idea what stuff is out there and how much it costs, as well as lot's of good diagrams. The Assembly Instruction Manual (basically a small library of GM blueprints) and a good service book are both indispensible. After that, go to the book store and get all the books you can find for your model year. Give it a couple months and you'll know enough to get yourself in trouble with both your wife and creditors!

Good luck!

 

I would squirt some oil in the cylinders and turn the engine over at least TWICE by hand before attempting to start it.

As for it not turning over, it may well be a dead starter. Or perhaps a bad connection somewhere (corrosion maybe). Electrical problems suck.

 

unscrew the lenses and the light bulb socket twists out of the back

 

I got a free 73 vette from my cousin. 50,000 original miles interior is mint. Replacing ignition was broke and the only reason he put it up in 1978. Replacing brakes calipers rotors brake line steering wheel lock cable. Everything works lights clock even the a/c had a charge and blew out cold air. Just got it liscened titled and insured today. The big day is coming soon!!!!