Some 84' questions!
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
Some 84' questions!
My name is John, and I recently bought my first Corvette, a 1984. Its in excellent condition, I bought it with 58000 miles on it. So far, it runs great, the only issues I've had with it have been with other things, such as the window motor. (Which I've already got the part to fix it).
After reading up though, I hear the 84's have all sorts of problems, leaks and engine issues. I'm not very car savvy at all, and just started learning when I got this one, so you'll likely have to talk step by step with me, because I don't even know what I'm looking at when I pop the hood.
I guess my question is though, is there anything I can do to nip some of these issues in the bud, while my Corvette still runs well? I know there are quite a few aftermarket parts available, as I got some assistance from my local Corvette Club.
After reading up though, I hear the 84's have all sorts of problems, leaks and engine issues. I'm not very car savvy at all, and just started learning when I got this one, so you'll likely have to talk step by step with me, because I don't even know what I'm looking at when I pop the hood.
I guess my question is though, is there anything I can do to nip some of these issues in the bud, while my Corvette still runs well? I know there are quite a few aftermarket parts available, as I got some assistance from my local Corvette Club.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,783
Likes: 15
From: Northern California
Your 84 Vette is just as reliable (or more reliable) as any other 30 year old vehicle out there!...
Most of the problems you read about are from owners of neglected 84's. The best thing you can do is drive your 84 often. Seals and Gaskets dry out when the vehicle sits for to long which cause oil and coolant leaks.
Since you're not "Car Savvy", I'd suggest (with the help of one of your corvette club members), you start with a complete engine tune up including, Distributor Cap, Rotor, Spark Plug Wires, Spark Plugs, Oil, Oil Filter, Transmission Fluid, Trans Filter, Fuel Filter, Air Filter, Coolant, Radiator Cap, Thermostat and add some Chevron Techron Fuel treatment to the fuel.
This should get you very familiar with your Vette.
.
Most of the problems you read about are from owners of neglected 84's. The best thing you can do is drive your 84 often. Seals and Gaskets dry out when the vehicle sits for to long which cause oil and coolant leaks.
Since you're not "Car Savvy", I'd suggest (with the help of one of your corvette club members), you start with a complete engine tune up including, Distributor Cap, Rotor, Spark Plug Wires, Spark Plugs, Oil, Oil Filter, Transmission Fluid, Trans Filter, Fuel Filter, Air Filter, Coolant, Radiator Cap, Thermostat and add some Chevron Techron Fuel treatment to the fuel.
This should get you very familiar with your Vette.
.
Last edited by GKK; Jan 12, 2014 at 11:35 AM.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
Its my daily driver, so it gets driven a lot. The only issues I've really seen have been either little things or cosmetic, which I plan to restore the cosmetic things. The manual sounds like a good suggestion, I'll look into that.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 10,036
Likes: 346
From: Anaheim CA
ANY car that's 30 years old will have problems. My car was perfect for 15 years and then things started breaking. My antenna was the most recent.
You only hear about the problems because the people who AREN'T having problems don't post.
You only hear about the problems because the people who AREN'T having problems don't post.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,953
Likes: 550
From: Mission Viejo CA
Don't spend your money on anything but the genuine Factory Shop Manuals (FSM). You'll need both the Mechanical and the Electrical books. The Corvette is a pretty exotic piece of machinery, and you'll appreciate the accuracy of the books (even though they do have a few errors).
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 23
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Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: Tampa Fl
i loved my 84 when it was stock crossfire. i drove it 30 miles a day for a year and outside of maintaining the throttle body balancing act and the Throttle position sensor every 8 months you will thoroughly enjoy your vette. you will notice when it needs to be balanced when the engine runs a little rough at idle and will "surge" (the idle will bounce). once you balance it though it will smooth out beautifully. it never broke down on me so long as i kept up on my maintenance. i would suggest you do the same. enjoy a piece of machinery ahead of its time, but unfortunately misunderstood.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
i loved my 84 when it was stock crossfire. i drove it 30 miles a day for a year and outside of maintaining the throttle body balancing act and the Throttle position sensor every 8 months you will thoroughly enjoy your vette. you will notice when it needs to be balanced when the engine runs a little rough at idle and will "surge" (the idle will bounce). once you balance it though it will smooth out beautifully. it never broke down on me so long as i kept up on my maintenance. i would suggest you do the same. enjoy a piece of machinery ahead of its time, but unfortunately misunderstood.
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: Tampa Fl
Regular maintenance as anyother car out there. Oil change grease the grease points on the suspension.
Google crossfire injection balancing and setting tps. U will need to build a "redneck monometer" do some research and make sure u have someone on hand that knows how to work on a car as u will need to use a volt ohm meter to set the throttle position sensor.
Google crossfire injection balancing and setting tps. U will need to build a "redneck monometer" do some research and make sure u have someone on hand that knows how to work on a car as u will need to use a volt ohm meter to set the throttle position sensor.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,953
Likes: 550
From: Mission Viejo CA
"If it ain't broke, don't fix it". I've got 240,000 miles on my '84, and it runs just fine, and the throttle bodys still have their adjusting screws welded in their original positions. They were welded for a reason! Of course, there are a few guys that get infected with the "whalepirot" virus! ;-)
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,173
Likes: 152
From: norway
"If it ain't broke, don't fix it". I've got 240,000 miles on my '84, and it runs just fine, and the throttle bodys still have their adjusting screws welded in their original positions. They were welded for a reason! Of course, there are a few guys that get infected with the "whalepirot" virus! ;-)
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
Well, I guess I'll learn as I go. Since its running perfectly right now, I'll start by learning how to do my typical maintenance, fluids, filters etc, and go from there. I'm excited at the prospect of slowly restoring it to its original beauty state.
4th Gear
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 4
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From: Lake Havasu City Arizona
Every year has its own set of quirks and owning a 'vette is like being married; you need to be able to get along with your car and be one with it....anything else just won't cut it.
My '84 and I have had our share of ups and downs and we're still together.....
My '84 and I have had our share of ups and downs and we're still together.....
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,173
Likes: 152
From: norway
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 124
Likes: 0
From: Buckhead GA
I have a 84 and a 85 and love them both. Bought the 84 new and the 85 two years ago to build a Saturday night cruiser out of and did. My 84 is completely original with 75K on it and the 85 I did with a 680 Hp 454 with six speed and low gears, Black on Black on Black with Black wheels and very dark windows. You will love the car when you get to know it. We also have a 94 convertible that is my wife's car and 4 others that are later models that never get driven since we love our C4's.