85 Vette motor
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 3,599
Likes: 24
From: Orange County NY
St. Jude Donor '10-'11-'12-'13
Originally Posted by tb8125
Is there any common problems i should know about or weak point that should be check and changed on a 85 L98. Just want to save my self some trouble.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 141
Likes: 0
From: Tucson AZ
I just bought an '85
After a month of working on it and getting familiar, I would say it is a real solid setup and not too mysterious. I had to change a lot of weak tuneup, sensors and fuel injection parts and clean everything up (as well as a new radiator, cat converter, etc). But now it performs like new.
I couldn't be happier with it.
I couldn't be happier with it.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 586
Likes: 0
From: Schmuckville SA
Check your intake manifold gasket, oil pan and timing chain for leaks.. If you do any of this stuff, might as well do the timing chain, oil pump. If not done previously, it's good to do and cheap if you do it yourself. Other than that keep up with the maintenance and tune up stuff.. And remember, if it aint broke, DONT FIX IT.... Anything specifically wrong or bothering you with the car?
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
Change the timing set now if you've got 75K+ miles and don't have service records.
The intake base tends to weep coolant into the oil if you don't maintain your coolant system and keep it free of corrosion.
The same applies to the brakes and clutch cylinders. Keep that fluid clean and replace if its dark or corroded, or you'll be buying new cylinders... they're PRICEY!
The intake base tends to weep coolant into the oil if you don't maintain your coolant system and keep it free of corrosion.
The same applies to the brakes and clutch cylinders. Keep that fluid clean and replace if its dark or corroded, or you'll be buying new cylinders... they're PRICEY!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 6,341
Likes: 1
From: Shelton CT
On my '85 with 117k miles (70K of hard driven/raced miles by me over 9years), for maintenance I had to replace the timing chain at 88K,and 2 alternators. It has been the most reliable car I've ever owned.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,954
Likes: 2
From: Obama=death for America
This isn't a mechanical problem, but a cosmetic one that appears in all 85's and possibly other years. The 85's had a problem with the interior door panels becoming loose. Many shops have devised a fix for this where they actually attach a screw through the panel and this holds the panel in place. Normally the drivers side is the one that goes first because that door is opened much more frequently. For some reason, my passenger door on my 85 needed the fix before the driver's side.
If the car has a Bose sound system, it either had a problem and was fixed, has a problem or will develop a problem. They all in that era are crap.
The stock alarm system is also a known problem.
If the car has a Bose sound system, it either had a problem and was fixed, has a problem or will develop a problem. They all in that era are crap.
The stock alarm system is also a known problem.
