New vette
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 48
Likes: 6
I am going to throw in my fitty cents worth of advice. It involves two different plans:
PLAN ONE: Diagnose first - don't throw parts at it. Either buy a used FSM (Field Serivce Manual) from the parts for sale section here or try eBay. Go to the section that is titled: Does Not Start. Follow the flow chart there and test to find out what your actual problem is. As an alternative you can do a Google search "84 Corvette will not start" and immerse yourself in all the advice you will find there. Use a logical system to find the problem - DON'T GUESS!
Go to the web sites of Corvette salvage yards and buy used parts. I like www.vette2vette.com. You can also advertise here in the parts wanted section. I would buy new carpets from Corvette America or Al Knoch Interiors and purchase the rest used.
PLAN TWO: As you add up the cost of the needed tools, parts and work that needs to be farmed out to a mechanic and discover that this project is too expensive then start stripping the car for parts to sell. Craigslist is your friend. The hood is unique to the 84 and should bring $150 or so, those wheels $120, doors $150 for the pair, rear hatch glass $100, windshield $100, engine $150, transmission $150, instrument panel $50, steering wheel $25, radiator $30 and so on. You won't be getting retail price on the parts - remember that this is Craigslist.
Then dispose of the car by having a junkyard haul it away. Where I used to live in Michigan we would tow old cars out on the ice after stripping them for parts and they would sink in the Spring to make a great fishing reef. Some resorts would even pay you a few bucks as they make great fishing spots and cool places to snorkel around in the Summer. The EPA probably frowns on that these days though.
Last but not least. It would be foolish and not worth the money to hot rod that engine. By the time you have spent enough money to make it a hot street car you would have spent enough to purchase a good used C5 Z06.
And no, you do not owe me anything for the advice. Just pass it on to the next person who is thinking of buying a cheap C4. You will be doing them a huge favor.
PLAN ONE: Diagnose first - don't throw parts at it. Either buy a used FSM (Field Serivce Manual) from the parts for sale section here or try eBay. Go to the section that is titled: Does Not Start. Follow the flow chart there and test to find out what your actual problem is. As an alternative you can do a Google search "84 Corvette will not start" and immerse yourself in all the advice you will find there. Use a logical system to find the problem - DON'T GUESS!
Go to the web sites of Corvette salvage yards and buy used parts. I like www.vette2vette.com. You can also advertise here in the parts wanted section. I would buy new carpets from Corvette America or Al Knoch Interiors and purchase the rest used.
PLAN TWO: As you add up the cost of the needed tools, parts and work that needs to be farmed out to a mechanic and discover that this project is too expensive then start stripping the car for parts to sell. Craigslist is your friend. The hood is unique to the 84 and should bring $150 or so, those wheels $120, doors $150 for the pair, rear hatch glass $100, windshield $100, engine $150, transmission $150, instrument panel $50, steering wheel $25, radiator $30 and so on. You won't be getting retail price on the parts - remember that this is Craigslist.
Then dispose of the car by having a junkyard haul it away. Where I used to live in Michigan we would tow old cars out on the ice after stripping them for parts and they would sink in the Spring to make a great fishing reef. Some resorts would even pay you a few bucks as they make great fishing spots and cool places to snorkel around in the Summer. The EPA probably frowns on that these days though.
Last but not least. It would be foolish and not worth the money to hot rod that engine. By the time you have spent enough money to make it a hot street car you would have spent enough to purchase a good used C5 Z06.
And no, you do not owe me anything for the advice. Just pass it on to the next person who is thinking of buying a cheap C4. You will be doing them a huge favor.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
I'm not really worried about overspending as I got the car in trade and what I traded was only 100 dollars I don't intend on ever selling and it will just be a fun hot rod so to speak. As for the cross fire the more I learn about it I lean more to a carb swap my main concern now is will the stock heads flow enough for about 300 hp maybe more
Last edited by mikewilson88; Dec 28, 2015 at 05:38 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,953
Likes: 550
From: Mission Viejo CA
My car starts good, runs good, and has no flat spots in the throttle response. If I behave myself, I can get 28 mpg. Bet you won't get all that with a carb set-up!
Last edited by Hot Rod Roy; Dec 29, 2015 at 04:10 PM.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 257
Likes: 2
From: high point nc
If you like major problems, go for the carb swap! The CFI is a huge improvement over the carburetor! As an early fuel injection system, it confused a lot of "mechanics" that were familiar with carburetors, who tried to work on them like they did on carburetors. That's when things got really screwed up! They are simple and reliable. Open up the intake manifold and the engine will come alive! I've got 240,000 miles on my '84, and the fuel injection adjustments are still welded into their original factory positions!
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
Thanks for the info. I really would like to keep it cfi as it would be cheaper than a swap and I like the way it looks under the hood. If I port the intake should I port match the heads? Also what will be a computer frindly cam? I'm assuming something off idel to 5500 range
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Racer
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 257
Likes: 2
From: high point nc
Thanks for the info. I really would like to keep it cfi as it would be cheaper than a swap and I like the way it looks under the hood. If I port the intake should I port match the heads? Also what will be a computer frindly cam? I'm assuming something off idel to 5500 range
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,143
Likes: 81
From: Finger Lakes Region, New York
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,173
Likes: 152
From: norway
pics of my ported manifoil https://www.corvetteforum.com/g/album/1347303 and read this http://www.digitalcorvettes.com/foru...=101038&page=3
Last edited by corvettenorway; Dec 29, 2015 at 04:34 PM.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
Wanted to post a update on the vette and ask a question I know it's been awhile since my last post also not sure if I should start a new one but anyways I pulled the fuel pump out the other day only to find the pickup and pump rusted and covered in slime I know the pump is bad but can I repair the pickup or do I need it replaced
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,143
Likes: 81
From: Finger Lakes Region, New York
Wanted to post a update on the vette and ask a question I know it's been awhile since my last post also not sure if I should start a new one but anyways I pulled the fuel pump out the other day only to find the pickup and pump rusted and covered in slime I know the pump is bad but can I repair the pickup or do I need it replaced
Honestly it's probably easier to just replace that sending unit. $253 with pump for a new one on rockauto fyi.
If it was me I would just clean it. Brake cleaner will do wonders! Just replace the pump for sure... (That's assuming it's not rusted garbage at this point)