Introduction, and advice requested...
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 632
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From: Harrisburg, PA 86 Vert w/ 89 wheels
Introduction, and advice requested...
Hi all, my name is Paul. I'm 25, I have a convertible '86, mostly stock. I have a couple problems that I don't know quite what to do with, as I'm not very experienced with servicing my own ride.
First off, I have a bent wheel. It's not all that bad but it doesn't hold air. Can they be bent back into shape or do I need to buy a replacement? It's actually not the original wheels, they are 17" from 90 or 91-ish I think.
Also, why is my speedo sticking at 0 when its cold out? Is this something that's normal for corvettes? It has happened in warm weather as well, but it is more pronounced when it's cold out. I also have an anti lock light on the center console that came in and never clears, does anyone have any experience with this?
I got a custom hardtop made by Smoothline, with vinyl covering, looks real nice.
I'll get some high quality photos loaded up sometime this weekend. (its too dark out right now) Talk to you all later!
First off, I have a bent wheel. It's not all that bad but it doesn't hold air. Can they be bent back into shape or do I need to buy a replacement? It's actually not the original wheels, they are 17" from 90 or 91-ish I think.
Also, why is my speedo sticking at 0 when its cold out? Is this something that's normal for corvettes? It has happened in warm weather as well, but it is more pronounced when it's cold out. I also have an anti lock light on the center console that came in and never clears, does anyone have any experience with this?
I got a custom hardtop made by Smoothline, with vinyl covering, looks real nice.
I'll get some high quality photos loaded up sometime this weekend. (its too dark out right now) Talk to you all later!
Large Impressive Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 65,811
Likes: 71
From: Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
Welcome to the obsession. A good wheel repair service can probably fix that wheel if it's not too bad. If not, factory wheels are frequently for sale here on the forum. Most at a very reasonable price. I've had luck at times cleaning and reinstalling speed sensors. It may just be a connection problem too. If anti-lock means the ABS, you'll just have to get it's codes read and see where to start. Mechanically, you can check and make sure there's nothing beyond very minimal play in your wheel bearings. I've seen loose bearings cause as many ABS codes as anything else. Good luck and welcome aboard! 
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,866
Likes: 60
From: Hellinois
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
Welcome to the group, you will probably be able to find a good used wheel cheaper than having your bent one fixed. I'm afraid I can't help you on the other stuff. Call Jason at Vette2Vette in Illinois at (815) 673-6200 and see if he's got a wheel for you. He can probably answer your other questions too.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,322
Likes: 249
From: Summerland B.C. Canada
Welcome aboard Paul 
I couldn't find any info on retarded speedos but i did upload ABS info for you.
http://members.shaw.ca/agent86/ABS.pdf
My wheels are 1990. Click on my corvette photos on the left side of the screen and you can see if yours are the same.
I couldn't find any info on retarded speedos but i did upload ABS info for you.
http://members.shaw.ca/agent86/ABS.pdf
My wheels are 1990. Click on my corvette photos on the left side of the screen and you can see if yours are the same.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 16,475
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From: Kingman AZ
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Cruise-In VIII
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
I would really like to see those hard top photos plus close-ups of where they connect to the car (both front and back). Welcome to the brother and sisterh 
ood!
ood!
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Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,793
Likes: 9
From: VA
Originally Posted by Midnight 85
you will probably be able to find a good used wheel cheaper than having your bent one fixed.
You can probably get a whole new set of wheels off ebay for a little more than the repair.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 13,793
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From: St. Peters MO Sometimes you have to prove yourself by doing alot of killing or alot of dying...
Hey Paul... welcome to our 
I have to agree with Steve9899 in that it may prove to be cheaper to replace your wheels rather than buy all new ones. You can usually find a member here that is selling their stock rims cheap. I have a set that I have been rather unsuccessful in getting rid of... keep that in mind.
I have to agree with Steve9899 in that it may prove to be cheaper to replace your wheels rather than buy all new ones. You can usually find a member here that is selling their stock rims cheap. I have a set that I have been rather unsuccessful in getting rid of... keep that in mind.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 632
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From: Harrisburg, PA 86 Vert w/ 89 wheels
Thanks all for the warm welcome. It's still not light out, so I don't have pictures yet, but I did find my wheel on EBAY. Anyone here think I should bid on this one?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...category=43957
It was the left front that I damaged so this would be a good fit but it looks to be in better condition than my other wheels. (I suppose i could just roll it up and down the curb in front of my house until it matches :p )
As for my location, I live in Mechanicsburg PA. I am about 20 minutes away from the Carlisle fairgrounds.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...category=43957
It was the left front that I damaged so this would be a good fit but it looks to be in better condition than my other wheels. (I suppose i could just roll it up and down the curb in front of my house until it matches :p )
As for my location, I live in Mechanicsburg PA. I am about 20 minutes away from the Carlisle fairgrounds.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,496
Likes: 1
From: alaska
wow thats a brand new in the box gm wheel.nice find.
but... i would be thinking about tossing in a little more cash and upgrading to something like these babies here http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...category=43957
c4s really look mean with 315's on 11 inch wheels in the rear.
welcome!!
but... i would be thinking about tossing in a little more cash and upgrading to something like these babies here http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...category=43957
c4s really look mean with 315's on 11 inch wheels in the rear.
welcome!!
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,322
Likes: 249
From: Summerland B.C. Canada
Originally Posted by illinest
Thanks all for the warm welcome. It's still not light out, so I don't have pictures yet, but I did find my wheel on EBAY. Anyone here think I should bid on this one?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...category=43957
It was the left front that I damaged so this would be a good fit but it looks to be in better condition than my other wheels. (I suppose i could just roll it up and down the curb in front of my house until it matches :p )
As for my location, I live in Mechanicsburg PA. I am about 20 minutes away from the Carlisle fairgrounds.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...category=43957
It was the left front that I damaged so this would be a good fit but it looks to be in better condition than my other wheels. (I suppose i could just roll it up and down the curb in front of my house until it matches :p )
As for my location, I live in Mechanicsburg PA. I am about 20 minutes away from the Carlisle fairgrounds.
Large Impressive Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 65,811
Likes: 71
From: Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
Originally Posted by illinest
(I suppose i could just roll it up and down the curb in front of my house until it matches :p )
Originally Posted by VinDogg003
haha...exposed nuts.. 
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 11,672
Likes: 20
From: Lake Wylie SC
Originally Posted by AGENT 86
If you are going to replace the wheel be sure to get the proper one. 88-89 have a hubcap over nuts, and the 90 has exposed nuts
Can't you get a ticket for that? You know, indecent exposure.
BTW, welcome to the place where we can spend your money faster than Uncle Sam can print it. If you are interested in working on your Vette, it's a real good idea to buy a Helm's Service Manual for your year Vette. If you can't figure out what this manual is telling you, just hop on this forum and ask.
Wheels, I'd buy one from the C4 parts/wanted section. Or, start looking around for a new set of wheels. Lots of pictures right here. It seems like most guys upgrade their wheels shortly after buying their Vettes, then comes the speed mods.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 632
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From: Harrisburg, PA 86 Vert w/ 89 wheels
Here is my car, I've actually had it for 3 years now, I have replaced the engine lower half, had the transmission rebuilt, (automatic), replaced alternator, fuel pump, and water pump. In the last month I have had it painted (titanium grey) and gotten the custom hardtop put on. The mismatched wheels are as discussed above. I have 3 wheels matching the rear wheel, and the extra that I picked up in a junkyard (vette was my daily driver at the time, needed a wheel fast). I had to get mismatched sidewalls on the front 16" so that the car would run straight.
I do prefer to stick with the '88-89 17" wheels rather than swapping out all four.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,496
Likes: 1
From: alaska
nice nice.the verts with the hardtop on are my favorite config of c4.
the rear wheel style looks a bunch better than the front.they actulaly set that color off nicely.think i would go for picking up 1 more of those too.
i have the facory sawblades on my 92 still and i would of course rather have a new set of zr1 style on her or maybe even z06 style,but a lot of the oem wheels are darn nice,are the same width and weigh less than the aftermarkets.plus theres always the "still stock" factor.
my rims have some rash on em too,but the only time it would be an issue is if it was getting judged at a show.its just not that noticeable a thing.
ive seen people replace rims for new ones due to rash and then let the installer hammer wheel weights on the outer lip.looks worse than rash imho.
that ebay rim at 175 is a decent price for a brand new gm rim but i was thinking that style of wheel you need should be easy to find around here at about 200 to 250 a set.maybe im wrong,i have been watching the sawblades mostly which fetch a little more dough usually than the older styles.
dang,kinda a tough one.if that ebay wheel was at 100 bucks it would be a done deal,but 175?i dunno,thats a lot really.
nice car man.its neat to see someone reserect one with blood sweat and tears like you have done.good job
the rear wheel style looks a bunch better than the front.they actulaly set that color off nicely.think i would go for picking up 1 more of those too.
i have the facory sawblades on my 92 still and i would of course rather have a new set of zr1 style on her or maybe even z06 style,but a lot of the oem wheels are darn nice,are the same width and weigh less than the aftermarkets.plus theres always the "still stock" factor.
my rims have some rash on em too,but the only time it would be an issue is if it was getting judged at a show.its just not that noticeable a thing.
ive seen people replace rims for new ones due to rash and then let the installer hammer wheel weights on the outer lip.looks worse than rash imho.
that ebay rim at 175 is a decent price for a brand new gm rim but i was thinking that style of wheel you need should be easy to find around here at about 200 to 250 a set.maybe im wrong,i have been watching the sawblades mostly which fetch a little more dough usually than the older styles.
dang,kinda a tough one.if that ebay wheel was at 100 bucks it would be a done deal,but 175?i dunno,thats a lot really.
nice car man.its neat to see someone reserect one with blood sweat and tears like you have done.good job
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 632
Likes: 0
From: Harrisburg, PA 86 Vert w/ 89 wheels
Originally Posted by mitymek
nice nice.the verts with the hardtop on are my favorite config of c4.
the rear wheel style looks a bunch better than the front.they actulaly set that color off nicely.think i would go for picking up 1 more of those too.
i have the facory sawblades on my 92 still and i would of course rather have a new set of zr1 style on her or maybe even z06 style,but a lot of the oem wheels are darn nice,are the same width and weigh less than the aftermarkets.plus theres always the "still stock" factor.
my rims have some rash on em too,but the only time it would be an issue is if it was getting judged at a show.its just not that noticeable a thing.
ive seen people replace rims for new ones due to rash and then let the installer hammer wheel weights on the outer lip.looks worse than rash imho.
that ebay rim at 175 is a decent price for a brand new gm rim but i was thinking that style of wheel you need should be easy to find around here at about 200 to 250 a set.maybe im wrong,i have been watching the sawblades mostly which fetch a little more dough usually than the older styles.
dang,kinda a tough one.if that ebay wheel was at 100 bucks it would be a done deal,but 175?i dunno,thats a lot really.
nice car man.its neat to see someone reserect one with blood sweat and tears like you have done.good job
the rear wheel style looks a bunch better than the front.they actulaly set that color off nicely.think i would go for picking up 1 more of those too.
i have the facory sawblades on my 92 still and i would of course rather have a new set of zr1 style on her or maybe even z06 style,but a lot of the oem wheels are darn nice,are the same width and weigh less than the aftermarkets.plus theres always the "still stock" factor.
my rims have some rash on em too,but the only time it would be an issue is if it was getting judged at a show.its just not that noticeable a thing.
ive seen people replace rims for new ones due to rash and then let the installer hammer wheel weights on the outer lip.looks worse than rash imho.
that ebay rim at 175 is a decent price for a brand new gm rim but i was thinking that style of wheel you need should be easy to find around here at about 200 to 250 a set.maybe im wrong,i have been watching the sawblades mostly which fetch a little more dough usually than the older styles.
dang,kinda a tough one.if that ebay wheel was at 100 bucks it would be a done deal,but 175?i dunno,thats a lot really.
nice car man.its neat to see someone reserect one with blood sweat and tears like you have done.good job
.....
its been a great car for me recently though.
I dont regret the purchase.I still do have problems to fix to get it proper.
Interior - Seats need replaced, carpets replaced, all the plastic on the dash has STICKERS that make it look like its carbon fiber. STICKERS!!!
Engine - check engine light, possibly due to a crack in the exhaust somewhere, (sometimes exhaust comes out from under the passenger side door, Im not experienced with this but I suspect thats a bad sign) A/C compressor and pipes are missing, and it is a VERY hard start when cold. I've been putting fuel additives in with almost every tank of gas but I cant get that problem fixed.... Im thinking of asking someone to take the cylinder heads off and clean them out.... And I need more power. I dont like not knowing if the WRX next to me is gonna show me up.
But here is a more focused question for yall, is a HELMS manual better than Haynes or Chiltons, or is it something else entirely?
