SO I'm new to vettes..I play with 914's with engine swaps and track days for fun.. I picked up an '87 convert on a trade for a older Jag XK8....ex's old car..

108k miles
air not working
interior tired
paint good, some scratches
mechanics seem good, runs a little hot in 90 degree and traffic (209-215??)
17 in saw blades
top good

I have about $4k in it and looking to spend $2-3k on it deciding on whether to keep it or not..

SO $6-7k in it keeps it in sale-able range??

Does it need an additional fan, upgrade to a new two fan ducted system?? Lower temp thermostat?? good engine flush??

Be gentle, ya never know when you might need help on a porsche!!

 

I don't think those temps are so bad. These model Corvettes run hot.

 

Welcome to the place for good advice and congratulations on your acquisition. Personally, I believe the 1987 convertible(s) to be the best ever in looks.....from original rims to body style.

Yes, your temps actually seem low, but then I live and drive in a desert. 220 is not unusual for my coolant temp especially when it is 106+ out of doors.

My interior is a little tired and I really do not know what to work on next. In the last year, I have spent on new tires (Falken=cheaper) $600, upholstery $90, dash display $300, 4-wheel alignment $168, and a few incidentals that add up to $1000. (like fluid flushes & changes, brakes, air filter box and detailing supplies)

Feel good about your $ expenditure; I paid $9,000 and she had 54,000 miles on the odometer

 

thanks, it ran find at those temps but I was wondering...So I ran with the heat on full for no reason!!! I guess I could have lost a few pounds any way!!!

I sold a 04 GTO awhile ago and was really missing it.. SO far this car is kind of fun.. AC as a backup would really be nice,, Atlanta summers can be hot!

 

Temps are normal, but remove the radiator and clean the 25 years of accumulated crap off the front and it will drop 10-15 degrees.

Interior parts are spendy. See if you can find a way to rehab it on the cheap....ie...used parts, DIY, etc.

If it runs good, don't spend a bunch....drive it and enjoy it until you're tired of it, then pass it on.

 

I agree with Friz!

 

that was my general plan... I don't drive my cars much, I get get rentals for work and travel 2-4 days a week.. SO get to buy fun cars and play..

454 ss sliverado to pull home the fun cars that don't work
914 with a wrx engine and tranny to scare the women and children
02 wrx to get me to the airport and avis

and now the vette, my new weekend car.. looking to have some fun.. I did miss that torque at the bottom end.. Just sold a 944 turbo and bought the wrx... both were fun but ya had to wait for the pressure to build....

Thanks for all the help..

 

I agree with Friz, too. These cars are bottom feeders, like giant vacuums sucking up road crap. Remove the radiator and suck the crap out that has accumulated between it and the condenser. I filled half my shop vac when I did that on my 88, dropped temps to under 200. Otherwise, do things on the cheap and enjoy the car. They are great fun!

 

I have an 87 vert as well, those are normal temps, i remember when i first got mine, i had the same concerns, and couldn't find a good answer. so here it is.

you do have 2 fans, the first fan doesn't kick on until 227 (second fan which is below the radiator pointing upwards, at 235). Or when the AC is on.

During the summer, you will spend most of your time around 215-227 (when the fan kicks in at 227 you should drop to the teen's, they it will rise again), you shouldn't ever go much over 227

Oil pressure will run between 15-50 warm, and 50-62 cold (depends a lot on oil), so don't freak if you see an oil pressure of 11 with a hot engine.. its ok.

The other poster is right, keep the radiator area clean, i do mine every time i change the oil, I'm always pulling walmart bags and all kinds of cr*p out of there.. even a bird once.

your fixes are cheap, i re-did my entire AC, costs where:

1) compressor ~$200
2) hose - $75
3) dryer - $20.

you will find that most repair costs are extremely low for the early c-4's. I remember changing the wires on my vette and in my daughters 2002 saturn.. the wires for the vette where $14, for the saturn $35 at auto zone.

at 100K, there are 2 bigger repairs you can expect to make.

1) rear-main seal leak - you will see oil dripping from the hole in the cover. you have to drop the tranny for this. i found a local transmission place that did it for $300, and i also changed all the tranny seals while it was out.

2) intake gasket - look for antifreeze leaking around the plugs.

3) you can also expect a lot of little, kind of expected stuff to go, like the starter, headlight motors, fuel pump etc.. but all real cheap (under $50) repairs.

Its just a standard 350 in there, parts are plentiful (except for the vette specific parts).

the other thing you will find is corrosion on all the connectors.. whenever something doesn't work, check the connectors and clean them first, 90% of the time that fixes it (at least in my case)

go to ecklers.com and buy something so you get on their mailing list. a couple times a year, they have a 25% off your entire order special (sometimes 20% off). thats the perfect time to buy things like interior door panels (I did mine that way, saved $200+).

But these cars are awesome, mine is a daily driver and i wouldn't trade it for the world, you got a fantastic deal on it, especially if the paint is good (thats the most expensive repair i did on mine, full paint job).

Car will be worth between 9K-12K in great condition. Early verts demand top dollar, no matter what anyone says around here. its hard to find a good early vert under 10K, there aren't many left.

 

wow,, Thanks, and yes I have the intake leaking issue, I was warned in advance.. Now I feel really dumb for running the heat at full tilt when it was 90 plus in Atlanta!!!! Saw those temps and wanted to play it safe until I got home..

SO far I thoroughly enjoy the car.. I love the low end torque and the look down that hood...I only get to play with on weekends, I travel way to much... I look forward to hanging around here for a little while!!

Greg

 

get the intake gasket fixed ASAP. it will get worse fast

its a common problem, and happens almost like clockwork at 100K (mine was at like 102K)

I'm surprised your not leaking oil underneath (rear main seal).

Get those things taken care of, and you will have the car for another 150K miles, these cars are built like tanks.