Newb here.
#1
Instructor
Thread Starter
Newb here.
Howdy all to the board. New member, first time Vette owner. I'll be hoping every gremlin or bug I find as I put my newly purchased 1981 back on the road has already been discussed and diagnosed here.
1981
4-speed manual
350 HO Crate Motor
Dark Blue Metallic
Camel Interior
1981
4-speed manual
350 HO Crate Motor
Dark Blue Metallic
Camel Interior
#2
Race Director
Welcome and the first order of business is to post up pics of your ride.
Last edited by RMVette; 10-29-2018 at 03:28 PM.
#4
Instructor
Thread Starter
I'll get some pics later this week. The interior is in pieces. Not much to look at there. The body looks like an almost 40 year old car. Its complete, nothing is broken or warped, but it needs some TLC and some point for sure.
Let me ask, does anyone have a lead on getting a steering column rebuilt? I reached out to a few companies. Was leaning towards CorvetteColumns.com, but wanted to do my due diligence and see if anyone had any experience with them or anyone else.
Let me ask, does anyone have a lead on getting a steering column rebuilt? I reached out to a few companies. Was leaning towards CorvetteColumns.com, but wanted to do my due diligence and see if anyone had any experience with them or anyone else.
#6
Instructor
Thread Starter
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M A Fry (10-30-2018)
#11
Race Director
Welcome to the forum.
Congrats on your new Corvette.
First thing you should do is get yourself copies of the AIM, the service manual, a wiring schematic, and if you can find one a parts catalog.
These are must haves.
Unless you can't do the work yourself, you can save $$$$$ asking for guidance here and doing your research.
There are threads for everything here on the forum and if you can't find a thread, just ask.
Congrats on your new Corvette.
First thing you should do is get yourself copies of the AIM, the service manual, a wiring schematic, and if you can find one a parts catalog.
These are must haves.
Unless you can't do the work yourself, you can save $$$$$ asking for guidance here and doing your research.
There are threads for everything here on the forum and if you can't find a thread, just ask.
Last edited by OldCarBum; 10-30-2018 at 01:03 AM.
#13
Instructor
Thread Starter
I have the "How To Restore Your C3 Corvette" book on order. Looking into the AIM now. papawana was kind enough to send me the wiring schematics. Gonna snag a Haynes manual for it soon too.
First thing I hafta do is to get the steering column rebuilt or replaced so I can get it back in the car and start and move it. The previous owner yanked the column out, found the upper bearing in pieces and left it out, pending repair for a later day. That's how I purchased it. Have some calls out to a few places to get it re-built. Have a few more calls out to see about getting a used one too. I need to make up my mind soon.
First thing I hafta do is to get the steering column rebuilt or replaced so I can get it back in the car and start and move it. The previous owner yanked the column out, found the upper bearing in pieces and left it out, pending repair for a later day. That's how I purchased it. Have some calls out to a few places to get it re-built. Have a few more calls out to see about getting a used one too. I need to make up my mind soon.
#14
Instructor
Thread Starter
Pics, Finally
Finally got some pics.
Also got the car running. For some reason, I can't start it with the key, but jumping the starter, the car turns over.
Still trying to sort out some fuel delivery issues, we actually had to stick an electric fuel pump on it and pump straight off a gas can. A new mechanical fuel pump wouldn't fix it, nor would the electric pump pulling from the tank.
Presumably there's a problem with the fuel pickup screen, or a clog somewhere between the tank and the pump(s).
But, boy that 350 HO sounds mean when it's running (especially since its on open headers still).
Baby steps.
It was so cool firing it up and driving it around the yard.
Also got the car running. For some reason, I can't start it with the key, but jumping the starter, the car turns over.
Still trying to sort out some fuel delivery issues, we actually had to stick an electric fuel pump on it and pump straight off a gas can. A new mechanical fuel pump wouldn't fix it, nor would the electric pump pulling from the tank.
Presumably there's a problem with the fuel pickup screen, or a clog somewhere between the tank and the pump(s).
But, boy that 350 HO sounds mean when it's running (especially since its on open headers still).
Baby steps.
It was so cool firing it up and driving it around the yard.
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Jstan2014 (12-02-2019)
#15
Burning Brakes
Member Since: Mar 2014
Location: Dallas
Posts: 1,222
Received 795 Likes
on
387 Posts
2022 Corvette of the Year Finalist -- Unmodified
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Welcome from way up north here in Dallas... I am sure you will have a ton of fun getting your C3 exactly how you want it !
#17
Team Owner
Welcome - The first thing you need but buy is the Assembly Instruction Manual. Can be found at most major Corvette parts suppliers. Sorry, Oldcarbum beat me to it.
When we lived in Round Rock we called it P-flew-ger-ville.
When we lived in Round Rock we called it P-flew-ger-ville.
Last edited by theandies; 03-18-2019 at 10:09 AM.
#19
Instructor
Thread Starter
More Pics
Interior stuff.
The car came with extra door panels. They're repros with a manufacture date of 1989 on them.
They were in mostly good shape. There was a slight tear at the bottom of one and the plastic backing had some cracks along the curve at the bottom. I used some vinyl repair on the tear and a lot of plastic weld to re-enforce the panels. I dyed them (Camel) and they look really good now. I went with a darker color on the carpet.
The storage compartment doors were broken in a million pieces. I order new trim, re-covered the doors and re-assembled it all together.
The car came with extra door panels. They're repros with a manufacture date of 1989 on them.
They were in mostly good shape. There was a slight tear at the bottom of one and the plastic backing had some cracks along the curve at the bottom. I used some vinyl repair on the tear and a lot of plastic weld to re-enforce the panels. I dyed them (Camel) and they look really good now. I went with a darker color on the carpet.
The storage compartment doors were broken in a million pieces. I order new trim, re-covered the doors and re-assembled it all together.
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Jstan2014 (07-08-2019)
#20
Race Director
Looks good