Corvette not started in a decade. What now?
#1
Leeds.io
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St. Jude Donor '14-'15-'16
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Corvette not started in a decade. What now?
Someone has a very low mile M6 LT4 1996 Corvette that hasn't been started in a decade. Said person wants to get that car up and running.
I'm going to have it towed to my garage because I have the room. What do you guys think would be a reasonable charge, tires aside, to get it in running state? I'm not much of a mechanic but could give it a try. I may call a couple local Corvette shops to see what they say but I want to know what ballpark I should be looking at so I don't get completely ripped off.
Thank you all!
Best,
Gene
edit: The reason I'm asking is the goal is to sell the car. I'm trying to figure if it's best to simply sell it as it or if it's worth paying to get it up to speed and then selling it. As you all might imagine it's a GS coupe.
I'm going to have it towed to my garage because I have the room. What do you guys think would be a reasonable charge, tires aside, to get it in running state? I'm not much of a mechanic but could give it a try. I may call a couple local Corvette shops to see what they say but I want to know what ballpark I should be looking at so I don't get completely ripped off.
Thank you all!
Best,
Gene
edit: The reason I'm asking is the goal is to sell the car. I'm trying to figure if it's best to simply sell it as it or if it's worth paying to get it up to speed and then selling it. As you all might imagine it's a GS coupe.
Last edited by phantasms; 06-12-2017 at 05:31 PM.
#2
Melting Slicks
Someone has a very low mile 1996 Corvette that hasn't been started in a decade. Said person wants to get that car up and running.
I'm going to have it towed to my garage because I have the room. What do you guys think would be a reasonable charge, tires aside, to get it in running state? I'm not much of a mechanic but could give it a try. I may call a couple local Corvette shops to see what they say but I want to know what ballpark I should be looking at so I don't get completely ripped off.
Thank you all!
Best,
Gene
I'm going to have it towed to my garage because I have the room. What do you guys think would be a reasonable charge, tires aside, to get it in running state? I'm not much of a mechanic but could give it a try. I may call a couple local Corvette shops to see what they say but I want to know what ballpark I should be looking at so I don't get completely ripped off.
Thank you all!
Best,
Gene
You have an Open ended Question, How was the car stored? In a Nice clean dry Garage or under a oak behind the barn or field.
At minimum before the key is touched the Fuel tank should be Emptied and whole Fuel system cleaned/flushed out. oil changed.
With clean oil and coil unplugged crank until some oil gets around motor, you may even want to plugs spray a little Marvel Mystery Oil in the cylinder before oil prime run.
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#3
Safety Car
Depending on how it was prepped and stored: possible varmint damage, injectors, fuel pump. All the fluids will need to be changed along with belts and hoses probably. Tires. Probably some electrical issues. U-Joints probably dried out and seized. For all you know, every seal in the thing may leak.
Have you got a FSM on the car?
Go in with your eyes open, this could take some time and talent depending on what you find.
Have you got a FSM on the car?
Go in with your eyes open, this could take some time and talent depending on what you find.
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#4
Zen Vet Master Level VII
You have NO idea what you are getting yourself into. A flat fee would be dumb.
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#6
Leeds.io
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St. Jude Donor '14-'15-'16
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The reason I'm asking is the goal is to sell the car. I'm trying to figure if it's best to simply sell it as it or if it's worth paying to get it up to speed and then selling it. As you all might imagine it's a GS coupe.
Best,
Gene
Best,
Gene
#7
Team Owner
Pro Mechanic
Goal is to sell it?
Change engine oil, coolant, tires, prime oil pump, start it, drive it, sell it.
I'm seeing about 5 hours labor for all of that. Let the new owner worry about leaks, u-joints and other things that could be problematic, but probably won't be.
Change engine oil, coolant, tires, prime oil pump, start it, drive it, sell it.
I'm seeing about 5 hours labor for all of that. Let the new owner worry about leaks, u-joints and other things that could be problematic, but probably won't be.
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#8
im kinda leaning towards dogs suggestion.
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#11
Melting Slicks
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Agree with the others sell as is a Vette guy is probably going to buy it & will want to wake it up.
CAUTION: Be aware that on manual trans cars that have been sitting a long time the clutch disc will stick to the flywheel or pressure plate. Starting the engine with the trans in gear = the car will move/drive with the clutch depressed.
CAUTION: Be aware that on manual trans cars that have been sitting a long time the clutch disc will stick to the flywheel or pressure plate. Starting the engine with the trans in gear = the car will move/drive with the clutch depressed.
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#13
Advanced
I'd never buy a car that hasn't been started in 10 years (unless it's a heck of a deal).
Unless you are willing to take a hit, get that engine cranked before selling (IMHO).
Unless you are willing to take a hit, get that engine cranked before selling (IMHO).
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#15
Safety Car
It probably will not require much to get it going.
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#16
Melting Slicks
Pull the sending unit wipe it out. Otherwise it could be a 5000mile Bricket along with Garage
Last edited by s carter; 06-13-2017 at 12:23 PM.
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#19
Leeds.io
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St. Jude Donor '14-'15-'16
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Two LT4's in the garage as of today!
Thank you for all the replies. Please keep them coming as I've been paying attention to them all. The car was not parked in gear so that's good. I've ordered oil, oil filter, spark plugs, and much much more. It appears to be in way better condition than I was expecting!
Best,
Gene
Thank you for all the replies. Please keep them coming as I've been paying attention to them all. The car was not parked in gear so that's good. I've ordered oil, oil filter, spark plugs, and much much more. It appears to be in way better condition than I was expecting!
Best,
Gene
Last edited by phantasms; 06-14-2017 at 06:49 PM.
#20
Drifting
Two LT4's in the garage as of today!
Thank you for all the replies. Please keep them coming as I've been paying attention to them all. The car was not parked in gear so that's good. I've ordered oil, oil filter, spark plugs, and much much more. It appears to be in way better condition than I was expecting!
Best,
Gene
Thank you for all the replies. Please keep them coming as I've been paying attention to them all. The car was not parked in gear so that's good. I've ordered oil, oil filter, spark plugs, and much much more. It appears to be in way better condition than I was expecting!
Best,
Gene
Oil, coolant, leaking radiator replaced, starter, all hoses, filters, serpentine belt, air conditioner serviced and tires. Brakes were fine and I know that if they were a problem, the dealer would have nailed me. I suppose I could have changed plugs and wires, flushed the trans, maybe differential fluid but why mess with it if it ain't broke. I'm still on the original opti! Runs fine now, all temps seem to be where they should be, no smoke, starts right up. It also helps that I was the original owner and knew the cars history.
Point is that these cars are tough if well treated and you can probably get by doing just the minimum if you are going to sell it anyway.
Last edited by RIC96; 06-16-2017 at 02:40 PM.
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