Help with an '85 4+3
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Joined: Oct 2015
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From: OH
Help with an '85 4+3
I am looking to buy my first corvette!
That being said, I have a good prospect. It is an 85 with the 4+3 transmission and 70k miles. The only issue I know of (going to see the car in person in a couple days) is that the owner says the shifter is broken. He says it will not shift into reverse due to this. Does this sound plausible? What should I look for? Is this really a transmission problem? Any and all help is welcome.
That being said, I have a good prospect. It is an 85 with the 4+3 transmission and 70k miles. The only issue I know of (going to see the car in person in a couple days) is that the owner says the shifter is broken. He says it will not shift into reverse due to this. Does this sound plausible? What should I look for? Is this really a transmission problem? Any and all help is welcome.
Last edited by bam4k; Oct 12, 2015 at 09:06 AM.
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Joined: Oct 2015
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From: OH
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
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From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Reverse is part of the OD unit; not part of the 4-speed portion. You can keep the OD from working, but the problem with reverse will still be there.
While an '85 with 70 K seems like a great deal, you could be facing a repair bill that could run to at least $1000 or more and you need to find a repair shop that has not only experience with repairing/rebuilding the OD but has a source for parts. I would expect that most shops would simply get a reman unit and replace it.
I would also be asking the seller f the clutch is original to the car or has been replaced. If the clutch assembly is original, I would definitely suggest that it be replaced when the trans is out for the repairs to the reverse gear.
I'll agree with Agent 86 here. Keep looking for another car. Repairs will be costly on this one.
While an '85 with 70 K seems like a great deal, you could be facing a repair bill that could run to at least $1000 or more and you need to find a repair shop that has not only experience with repairing/rebuilding the OD but has a source for parts. I would expect that most shops would simply get a reman unit and replace it.
I would also be asking the seller f the clutch is original to the car or has been replaced. If the clutch assembly is original, I would definitely suggest that it be replaced when the trans is out for the repairs to the reverse gear.
I'll agree with Agent 86 here. Keep looking for another car. Repairs will be costly on this one.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 266
Likes: 6
From: Elkhorn Nebraska
I have an 86 with a 4+3 and have owned and raced many without any issues. The trick is to change the fluids (and filter)in the transmission often.
Its hard to say what the problem is on the car you are looking at. I would leave it subject to sell based on what a shop or a mechanic finds as the problem.
Its hard to say what the problem is on the car you are looking at. I would leave it subject to sell based on what a shop or a mechanic finds as the problem.
Cruising
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 11
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From: Providence RI
Just because they're more common doesnt mean they are any less troublesome.
The automatics used in the early / mid C4 can be just as troublesome (and more so) than the Doug Nash seven speed manual.
If you really want a standard, look for an '89 or newer with the six speed. No, they arent perfect, but they are a huge step up from the seven speed.
That of course, is just my opinion, some guys love and swear by the seven speed manual.
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Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 4,328
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From: Jacksonville FL
Buying ANY car that is broken is NOT a good idea unless you are really lucky and you can do the wrenching yourself. I just bought a '97 Tahoe, one owner, highly serviced 138K miles for $500. PO thought he had trashed the engine. It needed 8 new plugs and now runs smooth as glass. That was lucky and the knowledge to recognized what was wrong.....priceless.
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Joined: Oct 2015
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From: OH
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 77
Likes: 9
From: OH
Buying ANY car that is broken is NOT a good idea unless you are really lucky and you can do the wrenching yourself. I just bought a '97 Tahoe, one owner, highly serviced 138K miles for $500. PO thought he had trashed the engine. It needed 8 new plugs and now runs smooth as glass. That was lucky and the knowledge to recognized what was wrong.....priceless.
I feel that I can do most "wrenching" myself. I would be confident that IF it was the shifter linkage, I could fix it.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 277
Likes: 3
They are not too difficult to repair, the problem is getting hard parts, seals and fiber plates are available. I have done two of these and each one cost me $500 in parts, minimum. One I needed the front adapter plate, another needed in addition to the normal soft stuff, it needed a planetary gear set. I was lucky in that I had access to parts. I can guarantee you will need the front annular bearing and a direct clutch thrust bearing. The thrust bearing has a tendency to break apart and cause the direct clutch for the OD unit to hang up, also a cause for no reverse.. Hope this helps, they are fun but there are better options out there.
Last edited by frank j. moran; Oct 13, 2015 at 09:14 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
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From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
The shifter mechanism is actually inside the floor tunnel. Looking at the trans from under the car, all you see are the shift rods. To access the shifter mechanism, the driver's seat has to be removed along with the console and the left side carpeted panel. There is a cover over the mechanism that has to be removed too. There is a cable going from the shifter to the steering column that locks the steering wheel and ignition switch. Check to see if the ignition and steering will lock once the key is out and the shift lever is in the Reverse position.
Reverse in the OD is operated by a clutch pack. If that pack fails or is worn out, no reverse. Also check to see if there is any grinding while trying to select Reverse. That could be a worn clutch disc. You might still be able to use the forward gears. Figure $750-$900 or so for a clutch R&R.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,426
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From: Pennsylvania
Just because they're more common doesnt mean they are any less troublesome.
The automatics used in the early / mid C4 can be just as troublesome (and more so) than the Doug Nash seven speed manual.
If you really want a standard, look for an '89 or newer with the six speed. No, they arent perfect, but they are a huge step up from the seven speed.
That of course, is just my opinion, some guys love and swear by the seven speed manual.
The automatics used in the early / mid C4 can be just as troublesome (and more so) than the Doug Nash seven speed manual.
If you really want a standard, look for an '89 or newer with the six speed. No, they arent perfect, but they are a huge step up from the seven speed.
That of course, is just my opinion, some guys love and swear by the seven speed manual.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 2,931
Likes: 127
From: Ashland Alabama
Umm if the guy bought the car and reverse never worked aka he cant get it in reverse it may just be that he doesn't know HOW to put it in reverse. Ive seen this quite a few times.
Go test drive it and lift the ring at the base of the shifter (best I remember) and then go to reverse. If it works fine then pay the man asap and run like heck
Go test drive it and lift the ring at the base of the shifter (best I remember) and then go to reverse. If it works fine then pay the man asap and run like heck