Hey guys. Haven't posted on here in awhile, but I know this forum is full of knowledge. My vette has several problems with it that are, I guess minor, but have to be tackled to be roadworthy again. Being the non-trusting individual I am with mechanics, I have decided to put the work in and fix er' up myself. Here are my problems.

1. Waterpump is broken. Needs to be replaced. I am looking for a place that sells a new one that isn't a piece of garbage. Basically I don't want to be doing this replacement again if I can help it. I also, need a pictures step by step on how to replace it or and help from you cats that have already succesfully replaced your own. Oh, if there is a place selling crome ones that would be nice. Eventually I am chroming this bitch out, the way I'm replacing engine parts I might as well right?

2. Roof has a long deep crack in it. Need a new one that is higher quality then the stock GM garbage. No big deal. Contemplating going with a hard top though.

3. Weatherstrip is beat to ****. Especially in the decklid area. I have a 90' coupe and am looking for a place that sells full weatherstripping kit that is hopefully going to impress me with quality rather than disappoint. Also, a pictured walkthrough would be nice if anyone has any.

4. The headlights have got to go. Almost drove off the mountain at night. They are so dull. Don't care if they're a little bit more money. What good is money to a dead man who drove off a cliff?

5. Lastly I am considering doing a few projects on my own. Looking for any feedback on these ideas from the do it yourselfers on this forum. Prepping my car for a paintjob. Tinting the decklid window. Deleting the beltline. Doing some kind of LED mod to the rear tailights.

Okay. I think that's it for now. I am an artist, a DIYer with ADD. I figure I can do these things myself. I just need to be pointed in the right direction and the mechanics aren't cuttin it with there half assed work. I would appreciate any help you guys can give me. Thanks as always. -Cooters

 

It sounds as if you do not own a factory service manual. If that is the case, the single most important thing for you to do is to purchase one before you start doing any work to the car. It contains a LOT of information

Summit Racing will have your water pump at a decent price. Mid America probably sells the weatherstripping kit, but their prices aren't the best. Maybe GMPartsdirect?

Good luck!

 

The easy one is the headlights. A few years back the Sylvania Silverstars were all the rage here. They are heavier than stock because they're glass, but those who installed them raved about the increased nighttime visibility.

 

Most of what you ask about are things that inspire debate.Top,weatherstripping,WP ,LEDs,beltline definately fall in that catagory.Do some searching in the archives since thay have been debated to death.Headlights however seem to have agreement that Sylvania Silverstars are the best and make a BIG DIFFERENCE.

 

You say your a DIY with "ADD." You mean you have Attention Deficite Disorder ? I,m accused of this condition because I have soooo many unfinished projects. I tell my wife who has a mono -channeled brain that we multi- channeled AADD individuals are the gifted ones.

 

As a fellow minion in Corvette Hell, I can sympathize with you! Take a deep breath. Do what Dan (Bye Bye) says, and get a Helms manual. You can also do a search on old threads on all those topics. If you need some basic help or commiseration, just PM me.



Mark

 

The solution to all your problems were on eBay. There is a conversion kit out there for halogen bulb replacement, not sure that was on eBay. Got a high output water pump there because my car was going to Arizona. Also have seen the small ralley lights are out. Has anyone tried placing these in the driving light area? The ones we used in my ralley days were unreal for their size. We would put a narrow beam on one side and a wide beam on the other. The navigator had to keep a finger near the switch at all times. The would absolutely blow up an oncomming car. Bet the heat from the bulb would melt the driving light cover, though.

Lastly, just got a set of GE replacement headlights that claim to have 40% more power. I don't think they are as advertised. Had a blown head light in the rain. It only took a cop 5 minutes to ticket the Vette. A few days later, was in Wal-Mart and, just for ducks, checked to see if they had a light that would fit and that is where I saw the GE set. Only replaced the blown light (lousy directions in those repair manuals -- need a long #2 phillips) and have not put the other one on. Just comparing the old one to the new one, I can't say there was a noticable difference. Hey, it was Wal-Mart, at least I'm legal :-) Maybe someone out there could comment on this for you. I agree the lights are pretty lame for a car that can do 150.

 

In regards to the rear led lights project....I have seen LED bulbs that fit into the stock sockets for the rear lights. I actually seen them at a motorcycle show, but know they are availble for cars as well. It might pay to do a google search for LED auto lights, should provide some hits for vendors.

Good luck with your projects

 

Already been said Silverstars are the way to go unbelievable difference.Like night and day.

Halogens are nice but depending on the kit may not be street legal and cost a couple of hundred bucks.So you choose a couple of hundred or $30.

 

thanks for all the help guys. i am gonna look for silverstars right away!

 

Before you spend good money replacing bulbs, check the connections for corrosion and test the voltage at the socket. Then have the headlight alignment checked. You would be suprised how much better things look when they are aimed properly. Most cars 10 years old or better could use an aiming. Regarding weatherstrip, nothing fits like gm. Nothing fall apart as quickly either. I would search this question. Many, many topics recently about w/s.
Also, look for a local retailer that sells Airtex brand water pumps. They are gm pumps with the casting number removed with a grinder. $60 or so for a brand new unit, last time I checked.

 

I just did my waterpump. Bought it from Stewart Racing Components. I ordered the hand polished version but apparently they have been discontinued. I had to go with the base model.. all in all it looks brand new and I was told it helps the motor to run cooler over the factory waterpump. I paid 117 dollars to my door.

 

Did you replace the upper and lower radiator hoses (if needed). Throw in a new T-stat and maybe clean out the radiator area for leaves and junk. Just something to think about if you havent put the pump in already. I bought some bright headlights from Autozone. They really helped out alot.

 

I'm still waiting for an answer . Whats your" ADD"?

 

Attention Deficit Disorder (spelling). But I am an artist and do it yourselfer.

 

Haven't replaced hoses. I don't know a thing about cars, but with the forums help and pictured walkthroughs I can probably do anything I will need to do. I did the fuel injectors myself. My mechanic friend said I would fry my engine cuz his dipsh*t friend did on his rice burner when he tried to change his fuel injectors. I told him I would be careful, line the clips up, put plenum gaskets back correct, and lube everything. Came out great! I really need to find a plce selling the Helm's Manual. The chilton's manual is a piece of garbage!

 

Helms Manual==Ebay. They had 3 on there yesterday.

 

WWW.helminc.com

 

Regarding your top: all I have to say is, the GM top seems to be the best one so far. I bought one of those Astro tops and my glass seperated from the frame like 3 years later. I fixed it last weekend with some of that black tar-like window strip stuff that comes in a roll. A few friends have aftermarket non-GM tops and they have all had issues too with frame seperation.