I just picked up this awesome 1971 Corvette. It's a 350 with 270hp and 4spd transmission. Original car was Bridgehampton Blue. At some point in her life, someone painted her red, and then back to Bridgehampton Blue. Engine is numbers matching, but it looks like it's had some mods done to it. All manual everything - transmission, steering, brakes.

I'm very new to C3s - I used to have a 2000 Base Corvette and a 2003 Z04 (You can see my build thread here). I have a lot to learn. I always liked build threads, so I figured I'd do my own. My goal for this car is to just have a fun weekend cruiser. Not looking for any track days or to add much performance. Just want a comfortable car that's fun to drive around in.

Here are the current issues I've found so far that I want to fix.

#1 There are no interior lights.
#2 The headlights don't always go up/down. Probably need to replace the hoses/rubber gaskets. I'm going to try and stay with the vacuum system. Also, passenger side headlight doesn't turn on.
#3 The radio doesn't work. Maybe this is related to #1? Looks like a lot of of the interior electric doesn't work.
#4 There's a **** inside, near my right knee, and I have no idea what it does. I'll post a picture of it in the first reply. Apparently it's not stock.
#5 Small oil leak underneath. I'm guessing this is expected from a 54 year old car, but I want to find where it is and see if it's fixable.
#6 Seat belts are all messed up. I think they're just old - I can't adjust them.
#7 Cigarette lighter doesn't work. Probably related to #3 and #1. I don't smoke, but I'd like to use one of those cigarette lighter phone charger things.
#8 There's a plastic fuel filter on there. I feel like that's a fire hazard? If it gets too hot and melts, my very hot engine bay will be covered in fuel.

According to the previous owner, here's what's been done to it:
All new brake master cylinder, calipers, pads, and lines.
Carb, intake manifold, fuel pump and fuel tank are new.
Interior seat covers, padding, and carpet are all new.
#4 intake lifter and all push rods have been replaced.
Shifter boot has been replace.
LED headlights were added.
Rear diff fluid has been changed.
Set timing and tuned the carburetor. I also noticed that at some point, someone installed an Edelbrock Performer EPS Intake manifold on there.

Ok, that's it for now. I'm going to do my best to keep this as stock, or stock looking, as possible.

 

Here's that **** I mentioned. You can turn it and it clicks into position. There are 3 spots for it to click into. No idea what it does. Might have to take apart the interior anyway to figure out the electrical issues, so I'll try and trace its line when I do.

 

Nice looking car. Good luck.

 

That is the defogger switch.
Yours is round, other years have a rocker switch.

 

Awesome, thank you! I thought I heard a fan when I turned it earlier.

 

Took the car for a small drive. Came back to find this puddle. Looked kinda suspicious, so I went underneath and lo and behold - radiator is leaking.

Previous owner had said “no issues”.

Time to do some research on replacing the radiator.

 

Yep, that's the original **** - it's a rear window defogger, so the fan noise should be coming from behind the seats.

Fuel filters like that are pretty widely discouraged here. Better to have a solid steel line from pump to carb - that's the way they were done in '71. If you have a different carb then the inlet may not align with the steel line.

One last quick observation: your front emblem is from later C3s - '77 or so.

Can you take a couple more pics of the engine from each side without the air cleaner? They may help diagnose the headlight issue – does the wiper door open with the wiper switch or the over-ride valve under the dash? Try to compose the pics in the yellow box - no need to see the whole compartment.

 

#1 Check the fuse and clean the clips of corrosion.
#2 https://www.corvette-101.com/vacuum.htm
#2A Could be the relays but the rubber parts might be the problem.



#3 Check the fuse.
#7 Check the fuse

Check the terminal on the passenger side headlight for a good connection (is the bulb good?)
Also left headlight wires feed the right side so check that connection to.

Bummer about the radiator leak, maybe you need new hoses.

That should keep you busy for a while.

Get a 71 shop manual and the 71 AIM and get an owners manual.

 

Pretty color, sharp looking car.

 

I went with a Champion radiator, when it was replaced. Search thoroughly to buy one with the outlets you need in the correct location. It took me a couple of hours on E-bay to find the model I wanted. I had to 'adjust' for hose fitting size differences, but no big issues. I found one with the right dimensions, 3-core unit, and it fit in just fine and did a great job for engine, trans, and A/C.

 

Your coolant leak hopefully is a simple fix-loose hose clamp/old hoses/etc.
My '34 street truck radiator had a green stain on the metal tank.
I removed it/had it "boiled out" and the tank re-soldered at the leak 10 YEARS AGO!

 

For your information. Your Corvette has the factory aluminum radiator that is secured to the core support by two pins on the bottom. You may want to check into radiator repair shops in your area to see if your radiator can be fixed. Champion and all the other aftermarket manufacturers do not make a cheap radiator that will fit your car without changing the core support.

 

Not true. I did it with Champion and it fit great.

 

I used Dewitt’s for my ‘72 a few years back. Aluminum and very happy with it. I would have given Champion a try, but they did not make a direct fit rad at the time for a base, 4 speed non A/C car. Try to get that rad repaired. That is an original or original repo that is expensive to replace.

 

nice car!!

 

Nice indeed. 71 is a great year. The modest reduction in HP over '70 was due to a reduction in CR with dished pistons. But that makes it plenty friendly w/ modern pump gas too I suppose. I can't remember what year for sure but I think 71s started getting hardened valve seats - again modern pump gas friendly.

As someone pointed out - the front emblem is from a later year vs the 71 emblem. If you are OK w/ it - leave it of course - it looks just fine. But some of us nerdy types will point that out to you again (and again) and if at some point you get tired of hearing that - well, I'll apologize in advance!

Likewise steering wheel isn't original. But it looks good and complements the original nicely - appears to be of a slightly smaller diameter than original - not sure. Some trade-offs here. Without power steering, the larger original steering wheel helps turn the front wheels at slow speeds by giving more leverage. But by the same token the smaller steering wheel helps free up some much needed leg room (if you're tall) under the column. A bit of a trade-off here. The thicker wood steering grip on your wheel may be an advantage over the relatively thin original steering wheels - at least I find the thin wheels tiresome to grip over long periods. I probably wouldn't run out and seek to replace it with an original type of steering wheel. Just something to be aware of. (if interested, yes, you can retrofit PS - but I'm getting waaaay ahead of myself on that topic)

I like that it has the original radio - I dig old school vintage audio myself. If it's all original under that dash including speakers - those speakers may be deteriorated and shot. It's been a while since I sourced these but high impedance replacements can be sourced.

I don't think there's an immediate fire hazard w/ the plastic fuel filter since it's positioned well away from heat sources and appears to be well clamped and I assume that's proper fuel hose. Personally I wouldn't fret over it. But it's definitely not original. That car originally came w/ a Quadrajet and had a metal line supplying fuel form the pump up to the carb inlet. The fuel filter was installed inside the inlet of the Quadrajet. If you still have a Quadrajet under that air filter (can't see but I'm thinking you don't?) you can presumably replace the rubber hose w/ a correct metal fuel line from the fuel pump up to the carb and replace the fuel filter inside the carb at the inlet. Otherwise if the plastic filter bothers you - there are other options such for filters made with metal or even glass.

Check fuse(s). Those door jam plunger switches are another quick thing to check for the interior lights issue. There's a list of fuses (and bulbs) in the owners manual. If you're a DIYer a Chevrolet chassis service manual may be worth picking up. While some may malign it - the Haynes C3 service manual isn't half bad for basic DIY projects IMHO.

The separate shoulder belts should retract. Probably tired, old, corroded, who knows... The shoulder retractors can be CAREFULLY disassembled so as not to have the coiled spring pop out (but this is a risky project ruined if the darn spring pops out of it's holder). Replacements can also be had. Shoulder belt service is further complicated by their being installed thru the seat backs.

You actually have a nicely fitted center console and it doesn't appear to be cracked in half. Congrats! Now for the Warning: it's tedious as hell to get that thing out to get back behind the radio and center instrument cluster and wiring that's back there. AND it's VERY easy to crack that center console. So if you do need to get back there to service the radio - remove the console CAREFULLY.

You'll have to work thru the vacuum issues on those headlamps. But I can't remember the last time I drove mine at night anyway.

Nice indeed!

 

OP states he wants to keep the car stock or as stock looking as possible. A "CHAMPION" radiator is NOT the answer. The DEWITT'S is as close to original as your going to get & most can't even tell. They are not "CHEAP" but you will get what you pay for. One & done no other adjustments or parts needed, plug n play as they say !
Welcome to club "C3" where you & your wallet will part very quickly !

 

Really appreciate all the great information from everyone! I clearly still have a lot to learn with this car.

I might've posted the radiator pictures too soon. Shortly after I posted, I noticed that it had stopped leaking. I cleaned up the area underneath and haven't seen anything since. I took the car out for a few drives since - still no leaks. I'm wondering if there's an overflow valve somewhere? I checked the expansion tank and there was plenty of fluid in there. I'm going to monitor the car for leaks for a while.

I ended up changing the oil today. Nothing to report, fortunately. Didn't find any metal shavings in the oil, which is nice. Took the car for a spirited run afterwards and the temperature stayed right around 200.. would get up to 210 at a light, but then dropped as soon as I started moving. It was a blast to drive! A friend of mine asked me to record an exhaust video. I saw in the previous owner's note that exhaust work was done, but the manifolds look stock. I love the way the engine sounds:
Nothing else to report for now. I'm going to probably take on the headlight and wiper work soon. Need to find a free weekend for that. My kid just had her 10th birthday party this weekend, so my time has been pretty limited. I can also confirm that the little **** is the defroster fan. I can hear it behind me now. Kinda fun.

 

Sounds nice! Looks like the "standard shaped" mufflers have been deleted and possibly replaced with a chambered exhaust?

 

Yeah, I believe you're correct. Just noticed that after looking at pictures of other C3s.