newbie
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Belpre Ohio
newbie
OK guys, this is my intro to the corvette forum. My wife and I just purchased a 86 coupe. Wife is as happy as I am! Been setting about a year, all original?, dark red met./graphite w/CLOTH SEATS, a/c, cruise, tilt/tele, delco boise, both tops, 50,000 mi., auto.,3:07 gears, probably missed some more. Had it about a month. Problems: bad tires, bad vibration, did I mention bad tires?, wax in every creavise imaginable (rubber strip all around car was a B#*%$), a/c needs charged (done yesterday). Sheepskin seat covers (gone now). Had it checked out at local shop, rebuilt rear end (bearings/seals), u-joints ok, balanced drive shafts,serviced trans, replaced bushing/real rear trans housing. Vibration alot better now, getting new BF Goodrich tires Wednesday. Have polished it shampooed it and removed dark window tint on all three windows (no rear defog!) Since this is my first vette, Is there anything I should be looking for. Don't plan on using in winter (southeast Ohio), plan to keep in garage till nice days to enjoy. OK guys have at it, any questions/comments?
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 17,066
Likes: 3
From: Milpitas ca
Welcome and congrats.
For starters I think the first thing I would do is get new tires and an alignment. That may get rid of your vibration. Then I would change all the fluids and check all the hoses to make sure they ain't crunchy.
Have fun.
For starters I think the first thing I would do is get new tires and an alignment. That may get rid of your vibration. Then I would change all the fluids and check all the hoses to make sure they ain't crunchy.
Have fun.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Nice color combo, graphite cloth seats-Dont think Ive ever seen one like that before. Just check the basics like you would any car, sounds like youre on your way. A common mainteneace item on these is to pull the radiator and from the backside blast the fins out to remove all the debris. The radiators are small but adequate---Provided they are clear .Let them clog up externally and they have heating problems.
Enjoy
Enjoy
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Belpre Ohio
Thanks Cuisinartvette, That is what i'm looking for, Info you wouldn't realize about the corvette unless someone told you. I've been reading several posts and trying to get an education, but thought i would se if there were other things like the radiator I need to know about.
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Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Belpre Ohio
Interior is pretty nice. I'll need to repaint the arm rests on the doors and the door sills. They are in good condition, just splotchy colored. Previous owner (had stroke and is nursing home now)
put a carpet on dash to protect it. Glad he did but now I'm trying to remove some glue
Got most of it off but may need to remove top of dash to get it any better.
put a carpet on dash to protect it. Glad he did but now I'm trying to remove some glue Got most of it off but may need to remove top of dash to get it any better.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 26,196
Likes: 0
From: Orlando FL
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
as with any old car, theres always stuff to look for. Just practice lots of preventative maint and you will be ok. Its a car just like any other car after all...
most of your vibration will go away with new tires I've found. if it still vibrates badly after new tires (you didn't say what speeds) then you got other issues.
most of your vibration will go away with new tires I've found. if it still vibrates badly after new tires (you didn't say what speeds) then you got other issues.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,198
Likes: 10
From: Homestead Fl
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14
Welcome, Enjoy the ride ....................
............ and the never ending project, one repair at a time. It's like owning a home; a work in progress.
............ and the never ending project, one repair at a time. It's like owning a home; a work in progress.
:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,705
Likes: 30
From: Chesapeake Beach Maryland
2015 C5 of Year Finalist
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 16,475
Likes: 270
From: Kingman AZ
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Cruise-In VIII
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
For new parts order up a C4 catalog from www.corvettecentral.com and for used go to www.vette2vette.com
There are others out there but I have had great service from both of them and have never been burned.
Do a search here on how to clean out the debris from between the radiator and AC condenser. The C4 is a bottom breather and picks up all kinds of road crud.
Congratulations and welcome!
There are others out there but I have had great service from both of them and have never been burned.
Do a search here on how to clean out the debris from between the radiator and AC condenser. The C4 is a bottom breather and picks up all kinds of road crud.
Congratulations and welcome!
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Belpre Ohio
Paid $10,000 for it and it has 50,000 miles on it. It was originally from Arizona and I have documentation on that. PO I bought it from (invalid in nursing home) bought it about 3 years ago. I'm at work right now and wife called to say it quit on her (dead battery) so her cousin (whom I trust!) charged it a little bit with his truck cables and got it to a nearby friends home. Looks like I will have to check it out in morning.
bought it about 3 years ago. I'm at work right now and wife called to say it quit on her (dead battery) so her cousin (whom I trust!) charged it a little bit with his truck cables and got it to a nearby friends home. Looks like I will have to check it out in morning.