Saving an 84
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,130
Likes: 19
From: Arkansas
Saving an 84
Picked up this 84 today to try to save. Will be doing all of the work myself and using a lot of parts I already have.
It needs paint and interior, and all of the common things. I have a lot of parts that I have saved over the years that I will use to keep the cost down. I will also be doing paint and body work myself. I hope to be in it as cheap as possible and have a nice driver.
It needs paint and interior, and all of the common things. I have a lot of parts that I have saved over the years that I will use to keep the cost down. I will also be doing paint and body work myself. I hope to be in it as cheap as possible and have a nice driver.
Last edited by shawn 84&92; Dec 13, 2014 at 10:10 PM. Reason: content
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 6,332
Likes: 1,143
From: Vermilion OH
I personally love the 84's! They paved the way for a generation of Corvettes. I have owned a couple 84's and I can't wait to get my hands on another one! I brought one back to life last year. Here is my restoration thread. Perhaps it could be of some use to you with all of the pictures that I posted:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...k-to-life.html
Is your 84 a 4+3 or auto? Is it a Z51? Any more pics to share??
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...k-to-life.html
Is your 84 a 4+3 or auto? Is it a Z51? Any more pics to share??
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 3,493
Likes: 475
From: New Jersey
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 1,072
Likes: 48
From: Henderson Nevada
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,130
Likes: 19
From: Arkansas
Interior will all be replaced it is pretty worn and sun faded. It has a fiberglass targa, which I am very happy about. I am in Arkansas.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,130
Likes: 19
From: Arkansas
I personally love the 84's! They paved the way for a generation of Corvettes. I have owned a couple 84's and I can't wait to get my hands on another one! I brought one back to life last year. Here is my restoration thread. Perhaps it could be of some use to you with all of the pictures that I posted:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...k-to-life.html
Is your 84 a 4+3 or auto? Is it a Z51? Any more pics to share??
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...k-to-life.html
Is your 84 a 4+3 or auto? Is it a Z51? Any more pics to share??
The car is an auto, not sure if it is Z51, but I really hope it is. The rpo code sticker is not on the car. It is an early build, 4000 something. It has the early style hood seals that go back a couple of inches onto the side fenders, the early style inside door handles and PRND321 on the shift indicator instead of PRN O with a D in it D21. 129k miles
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 6,332
Likes: 1,143
From: Vermilion OH
Easy way to tell if its a Z51 car is by looking at the front spring. near the shock you will see a little silver tag with the letters BMB. Those were the Z51 springs. Also, another east way to tell is from the steering. If its a Z51 it will be 2.0 turns lock to lock and a non Z51 should be 2.4 turns lock to lock. Either way, its still an 84 and its still one amazing car!
How did you come across the car? Do you know any history on the car at all?
How did you come across the car? Do you know any history on the car at all?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,130
Likes: 19
From: Arkansas
Easy way to tell if its a Z51 car is by looking at the front spring. near the shock you will see a little silver tag with the letters BMB. Those were the Z51 springs. Also, another east way to tell is from the steering. If its a Z51 it will be 2.0 turns lock to lock and a non Z51 should be 2.4 turns lock to lock. Either way, its still an 84 and its still one amazing car!
How did you come across the car? Do you know any history on the car at all?
How did you come across the car? Do you know any history on the car at all?
Some history on the car, the guy had 5 Vettes. He bought this one in 2004. About 5 years ago a shed roof blew off on it a scratched it all up. At that point his wife didn't want anything to do with it anymore and the car sat just being sparsely driven for the next 5 years. The last time he started it, one injector was pouring gas and one wasn't doing anything. He took off the injectors a few months ago and didn't go any farther. I have a complete 84 motor, and also a new in the box cross fire set up, so if that is the only problem, it should be an easy fix to get it at least running. He also said the ac was converted to r134, so that is something I won't have to do.
It has tan interior, but I may switch to red or black because I can do either of those cheaply (black) or free (red).
I worry about the paint, it seems to have the dreaded bubbles in the paint and some bare fiberglass spots from the damage.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,953
Likes: 550
From: Mission Viejo CA
With all those '84 parts you have on hand, it sounds like you're already an '84 pro!
What size wheels are on the car? As you probably know, the Z51 had 16" x 8 1/2" front, 9 1/2" rear. The non-Z had 8 1/2" at both ends. The original '84's had black centers, so something's unusual about your wheels. (I doubt anybody needs to tell you about the fronts being backwards, including me.)
My non-Z '84 has 9 1/2" F & R, so strange things happen over the years!!
What size wheels are on the car? As you probably know, the Z51 had 16" x 8 1/2" front, 9 1/2" rear. The non-Z had 8 1/2" at both ends. The original '84's had black centers, so something's unusual about your wheels. (I doubt anybody needs to tell you about the fronts being backwards, including me.)
My non-Z '84 has 9 1/2" F & R, so strange things happen over the years!!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,130
Likes: 19
From: Arkansas
With all those '84 parts you have on hand, it sounds like you're already an '84 pro!
What size wheels are on the car? As you probably know, the Z51 had 16" x 8 1/2" front, 9 1/2" rear. The non-Z had 8 1/2" at both ends. The original '84's had black centers, so something's unusual about your wheels. (I doubt anybody needs to tell you about the fronts being backwards, including me.)
My non-Z '84 has 9 1/2" F & R, so strange things happen over the years!!
What size wheels are on the car? As you probably know, the Z51 had 16" x 8 1/2" front, 9 1/2" rear. The non-Z had 8 1/2" at both ends. The original '84's had black centers, so something's unusual about your wheels. (I doubt anybody needs to tell you about the fronts being backwards, including me.)
My non-Z '84 has 9 1/2" F & R, so strange things happen over the years!!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,130
Likes: 19
From: Arkansas
I hope to make progress this weekend. I will be sure and post pics. I am very excited about this car
Moderator Emeritus
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 46,133
Likes: 111
From: Maryville Tn
CI 5 thru 12 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '23
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Good luck with your find! Post pics up to keep us up to date on her progress. I'd love to get my hands on a '84. It hooked me on C4's! 
