Hey everybody,

I'm new to the forum but not that new to the car world. My grandfather bought me a 1989 Corvette when I was about 12 years old and then let it sit for about 3-4 years, Im 18 now. During that time it was invaded by rats, a dog laid on the convertible top broke the plastic rear window and scratched up the top. When I finally decided I was ready to begin working on it the car had deteriorated so badly that it wouldn't even start.

After 2 years of working on it back at my house I have it in fairly good operating condition but there are several problems that keep me from driving it.

1. The popup headlights don't popup. That creates a nice problem at night. They make a sound like the motors are spinning but the headlights make no attempt at rotating. I would someday like to replace them with the "LeMans" style headlights found on the C6 corvettes, but for now I need to figure out how to get them rotating again. I suspect the gears are stripped inside the headlight motor, but I don't know for sure, and suggestions are greatly appreciated.

2. I believe I might have a problem with my alternator/electrical system. I thought I had repaired all of the chewed wires but it is possible I missed a few, does anyone know how I might go about fixing that?

3. It is slow to start when cold cranking. Depending on how long the car has been turned off it can sometimes be very difficult to start. My best bet is that the fuel pump is not providing the correct fuel pressure, but that would cause hesitation when I stomp on the gas and there certainly isn't any hesitation. My next guess would be to check the starter, but I have no idea where to even start doing that, and I would really rather not. Any other suggestions.

4. I just noticed today that after it had been sitting all night, I started it up. When it was running there was a fairly steady stream of white smoke coming from the exhaust pipes. I think it is due to incomplete combustion in the chamber but I thought that would produce black smoke?

5. And finally, the one reason I can't drive it, insurance. I am a student with a minimal income. I need affordable insurance just so I can casually drive this car. It wouldn't serve as my main vehicle because I have another truck, but I would like to be able to drive this car over the summer especially on the wonderful summer days we have here in Arkansas and our perfect curvaceous roads. If anyone knows where I could find cheap insurance or would even like to help me pay for 3-6 months of insurance, please let me know.

Once again, any help is appreciated, thank you everyone.

 

 

Well, you have a handful of problems.

Start with one problem at a time. I would first start with a full tune up replacing everything. Then, start on the Alternator etc...

The white smoke is coolant leaking into the combustion chamber.

The headlight motors needs the plastic bushings replaced.

Check the fuel pressure at the schrader valve on the fuel rail, it should have 45-48psi. Also, check the Ohms on each fuel injector, they should all read around 16-17 ohms. If one reads low (12 ohms or less) replace them all.

 

I’m not trying to be a smart a$$ here and by the way welcome to the forum. The single best thing you can do is find your self a copy of the FSM for your year if you are going to be doing your own work which is great. Also lots of help can be found here. The FSM will give you an understanding of the systems and checking methods for doing repairs and maintaining your car it’s the same book the factory & dealers use. Like GGK stated pick one thing at a time then move to the next. Based on your age insurance will be hard to get at a good price I would look into insuring it as a second or part time vehicle with your existing company. Get those heads lights to work so you can enjoy a night cruse with the targa off until then there is a wire clip that you can undo and roll them out by hand look for the **** end of motor, disconnect the power to the motor though after they are open with your head light switch off pulg them in see if they go down there are 2 gears in motors this test will let you know which one is bad . Good Luck
The head light kit you would like toget is about $1000.00 gears are $40.00 or less.

 

Thanks GKK, I knew it would need a lot of work, as I have already put quite a bit into it. I didn't have any idea about what the white smoke was so thanks for that, everything else is pretty much what I expected it to be.

Do you have any suggestions on how I should go about fixing the coolant leakage? I have a Haynes and a Chilton's repair manual but it doesn't say much about that.



Also floridamale, I don't really see anything that would suggest you were trying to be an a$$ so no offense take I guess. Neither one of the headlights turn when I manually crank them which is what leads me to believe it is a gearing problem, and I know the "LeMans" lighting is expensive, that would be something I would like to do much further down the road, thanks for the assistance.

 

Do a compression test & a pressure test; check your oil to see if its milky colored. Is it blowing smoke all the time? You need to remove the head gaskets and replace them. Requires taking the top of the motor off about a 12 hour project parts & supplies around $250.00 with gaskets oil filter, coolant, RTV, thread lock, and some miscellaneous things

 

The Head Gaskets are a common problem on the L98 engine. GM fixed the problem on the 90-91 L98's.

The coolant is most likely leaking into the combustion chamber through a small crack in the head gasket causing coolant to be sucked into the combustion chamber and being burned with the air fuel mix causing the white smoke you see.

Are you having to top off the coolant level, which is a sign of a coolant leak somewhere in the system. Also, if there is no visible sign of a leak or puddle anywhere, it's most likely the head gasket since the leak will be internal.

 

Just that a lot of new guys come here and ask a question 1st answer they get back is buy a FSM
Your next project lookeds to be some head gaskets to get back on the road

 

FSM, Change ALL fluids, tune up, new vacuum hoses, check for leaks and of course the head gasket.

 

Welcome to the forum...You've definately got your hands full and this is the best place to be next to reading an FSM. The search engine here is a wealth of knowledge and experience.

You say you're a student with a minimal income so it'll take a while before you get her really up to speed. These (any) older cars love the smell of burning money. Prioritize your repairs as to what gets you behind the wheel, not what you think makes her look better. Case in point, that head gasket. You want to get that fixed ASAP before it can do any real damage.

 

I just want to make one last check, even though the white smoke doesn't always appear and it disappears after the engine warms up you guys still think it is coolant leakage? Lemme know.

But I want to thank everyone who has contributed to this thread, especially GKK. You guys have helped me prioritize my repairs and I have already started dismantling the car so I can rebuild the engine, I have the hood off and most of the PCV system detached and removed from the car, I will purchase the FSM tomorrow. But I think that pretty much wraps it up for this thread, even though I'm sure I will make several more posts in the future and let you guys know how it's coming along as well as asking more questions.

Thank you