Hi all, I am here looking for information that will help get the old C4 that I bought, back on the road. The car needs paint, weather stripping, new interior, instrumentation, and motor. I have started with the motor. I replaced the engine with one from Orielly Parts and I also purchased a cheap chrome dress up kit which included timing chain cover and valve cover. I put the motor in my self, OMG I never want to try that again. I have no shop! just a yard and lots of mosquitoes. I tried using the stock oil pan and had nothing but leaks so I purchased one online and sent the whole car to a local shop I have not used before. Well after 500 dollars I have more leaks than I started with. I also broke the oil dipstick tube getting the old engine out. The car sat all winter and now I want to try again. But so far I have been unable to find a factory pan an dip stick + tube for this car. I'm too vested in this thing now to give up and I'm not going to let the old wench beat me. So I'm hoping someone here already has the tee shirt for this mess I'm in and can guide me on my journey. What I am looking for at this point is OEM timing chain covers and dipstick tubes but it would appear that they are non existent unless you buy used ones from a salvage yard, who seem to never have them.

 

Hate to rain on your parade, but it seems like you should find another car and use that one for parts.$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ SORRY, I've been there done that

 

There are some threads here with some pretty amazing rescues. If you have the time and money, more power to ya!

I don't have a line on the parts but check the parts board here...

Good luck!!

 

This is going to be hard for you, but the best thing you can do is walk away from the 84'. Yes, you've invested money and hard work...."The car needs paint, weather stripping, new interior, instrumentation, and motor".

The kind of money that you'd invest in paint, weatherstripping, interior, instrumentation and motor, would easily get you into a late C4 (92'-96') that needs nothing (well, all C4's need something here and there, that's part of owning them), but we're talking relatively minor stuff, versus trying to rebuild an early C4 (and an 84' at that!).

 

Go to the Parts for Sale forum on C4's to see if you can dig up your parts.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-p...ale-wanted-55/
Those that post there are enthusiast so you generally are dealing with other forum users that have 1/2 a clue about vettes.

Also, post in the C4 technical forum, you're more inclined to get realistic answers rather then those who don't understand that sometimes a price can't be put on a hobby! Although at a minimal you really should work up a budget list for what needs to be done with the car and decide if its worth the money.

What I find amazing is how many people say not to waste the money trying to restore, yet when someone post a thread about a car they restored...they're the first ones sending congrats...go figure!

 

Shouldnt have a problem finding a pan in the parts for sale sec.


Also know that there are 2 different timing covers out there for Gen 1 sbc where the size of the front pan seal is different.

 

From a monetary standpoint, these guys are absolutely right....BUT.....if you want the challenge and enjoy doing it, GO FOR IT!!!!!!!!

I have done cars that everyoone shakes their head at when they see them.

Enjoy yourself and do what you like doing.

 

[QUOTE=bac22;1577946401]Go to the Parts for Sale forum on C4's to see if you can dig up your parts.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-p...ale-wanted-55/
Those that post there are enthusiast so you generally are dealing with other forum users that have 1/2 a clue about vettes.

Also, post in the C4 technical forum, you're more inclined to get realistic answers rather then those who don't understand that sometimes a price can't be put on a hobby! Although at a minimal you really should work up a budget list for what needs to be done with the car and decide if its worth the money.

Great advice and believe me, I understand, as we have an 87' that we've put double the amount of what it's worth! And we're going to paint it as well, but it didn't start out as a total hulk. You're right, a price can't be put on a hobby, but if I was faced with a car that needed not only the engine, but the exterior as well, add to that it's an 84' (not exactly rare there either). You can fall in love with a car, just be prepared to pay whatever it takes.

What I find amazing is how many people say not to waste the money trying to restore, yet when someone post a thread about a car they restored...they're the first ones sending congrats...go figure!

Sparky's 88' at least had a clean looking body, that only needed minimal work to get the body looking good. Plus it was L98, TPI powered, which is a plus over the Crossfire.[QUOTE]

Not knocking him and he might just do it for less than $3k to $5k, not counting personal time and labor, but at the end, like Sparky, it's going to be a heroic effort. Then you've got to ask yourself, at the end, with the same money, what would I have ended up with, if I would've just brought the best C4 for what he has into it? Heck we ask ourselves that question on the 87'!

 

The timing cover can be found off of just about any SBC dont worry about it being used or not clean it up and paint it. will cost you abaout $10 in the junk yard or any salvage on here. same with dip stick tube. Also get a oil pain the same way. You will probley have less then @50 in all 3 parts.

 

Well, if the advice above doesn't give you pause, then here's a couple of threads that might inspire:

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-g...-the-road.html

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-t...x-my-swap.html

 

My advice is to find a place to work on the car first that has a good floor, overhead cover and decent lighting. Ask me about my mis spent youth changing engines, trannys and rear ends in my Dad's back yard.
Is there a relative or family member that will let you use their space? If not then at least pour a cement pad and put up a canopy to keep the rain off of you.
Maybe Agent 86 will post a pic of his temporary garage from a few years ago.
Hard to understand the problem with the oil pan. If yours has a dinged up gasket surface then use a small hammer and dolly on a vise to take the dings out. I'll bet a small mom and pop body shop could do it for you if you do not have the tools.
Good luck man!

 

"Life ain't easy for a boy named Sue".

All these guys have given you very true,sound advice which comes from experience. You have a money pit, a very deep money pit which will suck the very life out of you if you let it. Smart move is to run away as fast as you can. However if you are like some of us here this can, and will be a learning experience you will cherish your entire life. When you are done( actually that's never) you will have a car that reflects your personality and will be something you will brag about the rest of your life. Your call.

 

As long as you realize you will never get near the money back you put into this car just enjoy yourself and you will become a expert on these cars in no time.

 

May sound obvious, but are you using the correct oil pan type? Dipstick on the proper side, and 1piece vs 2 rear? Right size gap in the front? And are you prepping the surfaces right? I'm using a pan from an 80s firebird, a block from who-knows-what, and the cheapest chrome timing cover summit sells, with no leaks.

Make sure you clean all the old oil and grease from the surrounding area. Lots of brake parts cleaner spray, paper towels, go back over the gasket surface with acetone on a clean towel. Use good sealer. Torque the bolts properly. Too tight and you'll split the gasket.

Go for the one piece rubber oil pan gasket! I tried those 4 piece sets with the cork a couple times on the firebird, nothing but problems. Spent the extra money for the good one and it forehead-slapping-ly easy to put on leak-free. I was kicking myself for not trying them years earlier.

Cheap dipsticks are fine too as long as they fit with your exhaust. Might take a little bit of bending the tube. And remember to put sealer where it goes into the block.

Sometimes you're better off buying the better car up front. But sometimes it's easier to handle the fixer-upper. Sure you pay more total, but it can break the costs into more manageable chunks. Deal with bad paint or worn interior for a year or two while you save up, at least you're getting to drive the car while you wait.

 

I am in the process of rebuilding an 84. So far used engine and wiring harness. I know it will never be worth a lot. but I am building it to have fun with and drive, not to make money on.

Good Luck

 

I knew a guy with a yellow 84 once. It needed a paint job but, had a new radiator.

 

I spent a little time looking around for dipstick tubes in the parts forum yesterday and didn't get lucky. I suspect the oil leaks at the pan are really being caused because of the timing chain cover. The original cover was about 3/16 of an inch shorter than the replacement. It allowed better clearance for the water pump. I don't really care if an 84 is not a diamond in a goats butt, its mine, its the first one I have ever owned and I will make it unique. What I am gathering from all the comments is that it might be better to make this baby a hot rod by getting rid of all the crossfire components and setting up a good naturally aspirated engine. This of course would make for some dead space on the dash as all the cool info panels would be useless, but who really cares how much mileage your getting instantly when she can test the tensile strength in you seat bolts. I payed too much for this car, like I have for my house, my wife, my harley and nearly every other thing I love or care about, so as you should be able to conclude, I'm committed. The thing I realize most now is that if I have a specific problem and need some guidance, there is obviously some folks weeding through all the text in this forum that can and will be glad to give useful help. This my new friends I am and will be, truly grateful for!

 

Don't let them get you down, once you start a thread with pics of progress they will all support you. Here is my poor 1990, got it for 1500.00 but it ran but had blown head gaskets and trashed almost in every way.





doors forward panels replaced all the white parts cost 275.00 just need to paint the back of car to get it one color again, final color will be arctic white.

I say mod it and have fun, !!!!!!!!!!

 

I added some pictures if anyone cares to see. The car has a crate motor and new A/C. Next is total wipe of old paint. Apparently it has had 4 different colors over the years. Its all off now. I have a C5 Duraflex kit coming and it will get an Atomic Orange coat. All black interior. Probably after that I will go back to the motor. Wondering what can be done to the Crossfire to make it more respectable. Sad thing is I have a 80 Z28 begging for some attention in my drive since about 1983. Have to admit that Vette is way more fun to drive!

 

man theres nothing wrong with 84s