new 86 corvette
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 17,551
Likes: 26
From: El Paso Texas
OK, a Corvette that starts and runs for $1500....you're not doing too badly. All the regular parts outlets sell clutch components.....Mid America, Ecklers, Corvette Central. But before you do that, what exactly is the clutch doing or not doing? When you say "out completely", do you mean it won't engage, or it won't disengage, or it's slipping?
If it won't disengage, you may be a line bleed away from it working. If the car goes into gear but doesn't move when you let the clutch out, you're in for a new clutch (assuming the rear end gears are good). Make sure to get the flywheel resurfaced while it's out.
Congrats on getting it running.
If it won't disengage, you may be a line bleed away from it working. If the car goes into gear but doesn't move when you let the clutch out, you're in for a new clutch (assuming the rear end gears are good). Make sure to get the flywheel resurfaced while it's out.
Congrats on getting it running.
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
yeah im taking the tranny out tomorrow to see what shapes everythings in but yeah i can but it in all the gears but it doesn't do anything so ill prolly need a whole clutch kit. i dont think i could be that lucky and only have to bleed the line lol. I bypassed the neutral safety switch and started it without the clutch. prolly didn't have to do that but that was before i found the rats nest lol.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Sounds like youre on your way. Google Carolina Clutch me may have what you need, its a start anyway.
Good idea to replace the clutch hydraulics while its apart. For 1500 ya cant expect much so its a running/driving car cant be that bad.
Good idea to replace the clutch hydraulics while its apart. For 1500 ya cant expect much so its a running/driving car cant be that bad.
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 45,000
Likes: 586
Ok, so now that it is running SELL IT... for $2300.00. Take that $2300.00 and buy one for $3800.00. Wax the crap out of it, clean it up and sell that one for $4500.00. Repeat as necessary until you have worked your way up to a dependable daily driver. 
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,426
Likes: 229
From: Pennsylvania
[QUOTE=USAsOnlyWay;1573767930]Damn, some "tough love" in here. I just spoke with a guy who picked up a 89 Z51 6speed with 70k for 2k. It didn't start. It was VATS, reprogrammed the chip, now he has a mint C4 for 2k. Would you tell him to sell that car too?
NO WAY.
Sorry, but there is no such thing as a "mint" 89 Z51 6 speed with only 70,000 on the clock that sold for $2000.00. That car had to be in poor condition for that price. That guy definitely
you.
NO WAY.
Sorry, but there is no such thing as a "mint" 89 Z51 6 speed with only 70,000 on the clock that sold for $2000.00. That car had to be in poor condition for that price. That guy definitely
you.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
About any vette you buy for under 5-6k will be a heap in some respect, its a huge roll of the dice buying/flipping one. To go to that trouble and expense for the hopes of making 1000 not worth it.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 211
Likes: 0
From: Maimi ok
I bought my 85 for $2000 it had been in a wreck that got the whole front end. Nice thing is it was just body panels that got damaged, no frame damage at all. The engine had been gone thru about 15,000 miles ago. I wouldnt have bought this car if I wouldnt have known the history on it. Not all vettes under 5-6 are going to be heaps, but be willing to turn a wrench for sure
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,426
Likes: 229
From: Pennsylvania
A wrecked car for $2000.00 sounds more like it. The story of the 89 Z51 6 speed Corvette that only needed a vats problem corrected and then it was a mint condition low mileage car for $2000.00 is just someones dream. Kind of like the "1966 Chevy in the barn" story an old lady sold for $100.00 and then it turned out to be a 1966 Corvette convertible.
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Racer
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 342
Likes: 0
From: liberty illinois
just bought a 86 with the 4+3 in it for 1500. Its not even trying to start the guy i bought it from said that hes pretty sure the throw out bearing went out and thats the reason why is not starting or he said it might just need a new clutch. but im not sure thats whats wrong with it. Shouldn't it still start even though the clutch or throw out bearing is bad. has anybody ever had a throw out bearing go out and not be able to start the car.
In the words of Gilda Radner, .........." Never mind"
Last edited by poor boy; Apr 20, 2010 at 11:00 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 8,041
Likes: 2
From: EOF ★ Kaliforniastan ★
St. Jude Donor '10
yeah im taking the tranny out tomorrow to see what shapes everythings in but yeah i can but it in all the gears but it doesn't do anything so ill prolly need a whole clutch kit. i dont think i could be that lucky and only have to bleed the line lol. I bypassed the neutral safety switch and started it without the clutch. prolly didn't have to do that but that was before i found the rats nest lol.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 5,270
Likes: 3
From: Seattle Area WA
Glad you got it running. Sounds like not too bad of a deal now.
On the clutch kit, make sure you replace the throwout bearing and pilot bearing while you are in there. Also, depending on what you want to do with the motor you should either shop at a place like rockauto.com for a stock OEM replacement clutch kit or if you are going to add some power look at some stronger kits like the centerforce dual friction or spec stage2-3 clutches.
Good luck
On the clutch kit, make sure you replace the throwout bearing and pilot bearing while you are in there. Also, depending on what you want to do with the motor you should either shop at a place like rockauto.com for a stock OEM replacement clutch kit or if you are going to add some power look at some stronger kits like the centerforce dual friction or spec stage2-3 clutches.
Good luck
