jimbo1972

Hello All,
I am new the the C3 world! I have had a C4 and few C5's and loved them but its time for a little project car in the garage.
I have a few to look at this comeing week and was wondering if there is anything specific I should really look for other than the usual stuff.
Mechanically I know what to look for but what are some trouble spots to look for (rust problems, electrical problems etc)
Thanks for the help and Happy Holidays!!
Jimbo

The Spark

Look for rust around the "bird cage" - windshild pillars are prone to rust. Also look at the frame where the trailing arms attach to the frame.

C3s use vacuum to open the headlights (and wiper door on 68-72). Vacuum problems are common. Headlights not going up/down are usually signs of 1) bad seal in actuator or 2) vacuum leak. It can be a bear to track down but usually a simple fix.

Any idea what years you are looking for?
Most things on the C3 are pretty easy to work on.

When you do get one, I'd pull the trailing arms and have the rear bearings replaced and set up correctly. I used VanSteel on mine. They found 1 TA bent a little and some other problems not noticeable with the naked eye. They replaced my parking brake (huge PITA) and bearings. Plus they powder coated the trailing arms and they look great.

Good luck on the search.

jimbo1972

Thanks for the info....
By 'bird cage' do you mean the blower fan for the heater?

I have a '74 I will be looking at this week. Asking price of $4500. Suppose to be clean, body in nice shape, decent paint and interior (has a new rear bumper installed but needs paint). Daily driver, 350 rebuilt 2yrs ago, was a 4spd car but now has a T-5 in it with a newer clutch.
A stack of recipts with the car, new ball joints, brakes etc. The guy needs room in his garage for another toy.
Does that sound like a decent deal? It was daily driven and he had the 5 spd installed because he used it to commute on the highway.
Thanks again for the info.
Jimbo

sly vette

Sounds like a decent deal to me!!!
The Birdcage is the structural member that starts at the top of the windshield and continues down to the bottom of the windshield(A high problem area for rust). Then the cage continues down to the #2 body mounts.(Another good place to look for rust. In back of the kick panels).
then the cage follows the floor pan to the lock pillars and up to the top of the door.
The other place you want to check for rust is where the frame starts to go vertical just before the rear wheels. And the rad. support.
The 5 speed would be a large selling point for me! As far as I'm concerned ALL Vettes should have come with a 5 Speed. Best mod I did to my car!!!
I hope this helps...
Good Luck!!!!
Mark

GD70

Another spot to check is where the front lower A-frames bolt to the frame cross member. This is another rust area and A-frames have been known to let go. I think from 75 on, the floors were metal and can rot out if the t-tops leaked, as most do.
Listen to the rear diff when making a slow tight turn for a clunking sound. Could just need the GM additive of worse, a new clutch pack or rebuild. Check all the universals as well.
The price sounds good, but be careful and don't rush.
Then check all the usual stuff you would on any other car. Get as much history about the vette as you can.
Good luck, Glenn

jimbo1972

Thanks for the info, I really appriciate it!!
Rumor has it the car is a big block 4spd car that was formally red.
Now its white, 350, 5spd.
How can you tell the options and where is the tag located?
Thanks again
Jimbo

C3 4ME

If the car isn't a rust bucket, it runs and drives well, then with a small block 5 spd, I would think the 4500 price is worth it, even if the interior is shot and it needs paint. Sorry, I"m not up on 74's to tell you where to look to see if it was a big block car or not.

The Spark

the 5th digit of the VIN will tell you the engine it originally came with
J= 350 190hp
T=350 250hp
Z=454 270hp

without a build sheet you can't really tell the options. There should be a paint/trim tag at the front of the drivers door opening. It will tell you what the original exterior and interior colors.

xCCTer

Thanks for the info....
By 'bird cage' do you mean the blower fan for the heater?


Dude. You're scaring me.

You need to read this post and look at the pics.



http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1842749

vetteguy75

you may want to refer to this link. I know it's been helpful for a couple of friends of mine looking to buy a classic Corvette.

Good Luck!

http://www.ehow.com/how_15590_buy-classic-corvette.html

jimbo1972

Thanks for all the great info! Like I said, I am new the to C3 world...but I have always loved em'
Thanks again and Happy Holidays
Jimbo

427-390

I'll say it again. We need a FAQ sticky on what to look for when buying a C3. Seems like once a week this question arises.

xCCTer

I don't feel qualified to do one for C3s, but here is one buyer's guide we've had on the C4 side for some time now.

http://www.corvettebuyers.com/c4vettes/prepurchase.htm