phantasms

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.

s carter

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.

hcbph

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.

billschroeder5842

I'd see if the guy is agreeable to a fair T&M (Time and material) situation verses a flat fee.

You have NO idea what you are getting yourself into. A flat fee would be dumb.

phantasms

Stored in a non climate controlled detached garage in NY. No storage prep was done. Some people.

Car has something like 5k miles.

Thankfully I do.

Best,
Gene

phantasms

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

Tom400CFI

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.

VikingTrad3r

im kinda leaning towards dogs suggestion.

bac22

ghoastrider1

Churchkey

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.

jim2527

Clean fuel system. Squirt some oil in plug holes, let sit over night. Turn key, start.

Its a '96 not a '66. Its not a 'barn find'.

Ruger Brian

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).

Taylor Allen

If it was a standard vette I would just go for it.

Like others have mentioned - being a GS I would leave it alone and put it on Ebay or the like.

bjankuski

I agree, get it running and sell as a low mileage car, in my opinion it will be worth more. I would not buy a low mileage non running car unless it was a real deal.

It probably will not require much to get it going.

s carter

ok I don't care how Dead the gas is DO NOT SHOP VAC.GAS TANKS,
Pull the sending unit wipe it out. Otherwise it could be a 5000mile Bricket along with Garage

bob arrowsmith

also you will need to look for any evidence of varmits that may have made the car there home if they have ,,,,,,all bets are off

jpipx

If I was considering it, I would want it "untouched" and in the same condition it was discovered. Then I would go through it with a fine toothed comb.

phantasms

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

RIC96

I let my own 96 sit for eight years as I was transferred around for work and didn't do anything to prep it for the layup, except for a car cover. I didn't initially plan to let it sit so long but just kind of lost interest until I retired and returned to my home town. My mom started to dog me about getting it out of her driveway so I bought a battery and goofed around until I could get it to crank. Surprisingly it started right up, with eight year old gas, oil, etc. I shut it down and had it flat bedded to the dealership since I'm not a mechanic, for evaluation.

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.