VintageC73

Okay back in 1980 I purchase my 1973 Corvette, I did some work on it in the early 1980's and drove it for a short time. I have not started it since 2001 after moving it from my Fathers house to my home.
Have a some Q's Being you can't get Leaded Gas I was using an additive way back then but can you still find and buy this "Lead" Addative? Should I be concerned about the Anti Freeze that has been in the engine and radiator?
Should I need to change the motor oil? Just trying to determine if I should try and start it after it has been sitting for so long?

Way back I with a friend strip the Painted as it was scaling as someone paint it Red and repainted it Classic White. Tore the engine down and rebuilt it, had the 4 Speed Rebuilt as well as the Rear Axle. Not many miles on it since the rebuild? Asreplace the Suspension, the Brakes with Stainless Steel Calipers & Pads, Shocks, the Front Headlight Support Header and misc Headlight parts, had the Tach Drive Distributor rebuilt. All back in the early 1980's. Not 100% factory though. It needs the Drivers Side Seat Belft Retractor & Support Plate ( underneath) plus new rear Chrome Bumpers and Misc Bumper Brackets and might need to replace the parking Brake Cables as They might be rust and stuck in place.
As Lost time working and such but have more time to get back into my C3.
Looking for suggestions and directions on what I need to look at and get started on?
VintageC73

calwldlife

can you turn the motor with a wrench?

VintageC73

Not Sure? Will try that this week and see.
Thanks for the Suggestion!
VintageC73

VintageC73

Not to get ahead of myself but will need a new Battery, where would be the best place to find One? Corvette Central?
VintageC73

SEVNT6

Walmart...$140 bucks..

74Ken

I would NOT try to crank it over after 20 years of sitting.
The oil is on the bottom and has lost it's viscosity. Drain it and add new oil. Change the filter too.
If you are able, pull both valve covers off and spread the oil across the valves as part of your filling process.
The anti-freeze is probably crap too. Just drain it and refill. Check you hoses while you are at it. Probably dried out and cracked.
brakes are probably stuck and will POP when you move the car.
Forget about leaded gas. You are going to have to rebuild your carb because the float was not designed for unleaded gas.
Change the fuel filter and replace the gas with some high octane for now.
Depending on the location you stored it, there could be corrosion issues that will come up.
Tires are DONE. Use them to get it running but they are way passed their expiry date.

That's all I can come up with. Post your progress and we will help you along the way.
Ken

BKbroiler

All 1973 Corvettes were built to run on unleaded, regular gas. That all started in 1971.

Arg0413

As stated, change the oil and filter, then prime the oil pump to get all the bearings and valve train lubed up before you try to turn the engine over. of course you need to drain all the gas (better to replace the fuel tank) and blow out fuel lines and change fuel filter. Clean out the carb, and the car should start. All fluids , belts, rubber consumables should be replaced as well. Won't take much to get her back running!

Stormin_Normin

I would pull plugs, fog each cylinder with marvel mystery oil, let it sit for a day and slowly turn over by hand a few rotations. Change the oil, filter, coolant, and hoses. Pull the coil wire and turn it over until it gets oil pressure. I’m sure it’s going to need the gas purged and the carb cleaned also. Then you will probably need the brakes rebuilt.

Mr D.

All good advice above, bringing a car back to life after a 20 year nap isn't all that difficult, focus on getting the engine started first and move on to other areas of concern after that. No such thing as a stupid question so ask away, people on this forum will be a wealth of information as you pick through this.

Also, update your profile with your location you might have a forum member close by to peek in and give advice.

HeadsU.P.

Your engine will have dry cam, connecting rod & main bearings. Spinning it over using the starter is bad idea. Purchase a Primer Tool that installs in place of the dizzy.
It will require a heavy-duty corded drill to operate.

Every single cylinder wall will be rusty. While the plugs are out, spray some lubricant in there.

Don't bother adding coolant mix after draining the system. Real good odds there will be a leak at first anyway.

Make sure your new oil has Zinc !

And check the PS pump rez for fluid. If it runs dry, you will destroy the seals / bearing.

VintageC73

Thanks for Great Information! I wonder why back in the 1990's It was suggested adding an Lead Additive ? as back then talk was the Valve's needed the "lead as they were not made to use unleaded Gas? If I recall the Valves were not made with the material to run with Lead in the Gas. I was planning on removing the Valve Covers as well as draining the Oil (Replacing the Oil Filter) & Draining the Anti-Freeze. Just to be safe. Way back When I went to a Parts Supplier they had several Corvettes packed in a storage area and It did not looklike they were starting them often? But I can't say as tight as they were stacked next to each other? I also understand the Tires but most todays tires are no 70 Size but 78 in size and not that rim size either? Just thinking about the Suggestions?
I will need to Slowly collected all these things (includng Valve Cover Gaskets) to get started. Have not dealt with Auto Parts places much but once changed the Oil in my Chevy Silverado Trucks. But now dealing with recycling the Used Motor OIl has become a major pain as 98% of the time the places that mght take it their tank is Full! The places way back no longer accept It? But been out of the Auto Game so will have to get back into this! I was not planning on starting it but getting an outCarb rebuilt? no longer know anyone that does that with everything being FI. That might be finding a "rebuilt" new from a Corvette Parts Dealer like "Corvette Central" which is also including Paragon Corvette as part of them now. Dealt with Paragon and where I got my Neadlight Support Header back in the 80'S.
As for where I am at - SE Michigan - 5 Minutes from the GM Tech Center (& a family member works for GM and works at Milford Proving Ground". .

Again Thank You for All the Help & Information!
VintageC73 .

Kerschmolar

Everything as above to turn over the engine. Paragon is gone, but plenty of other venders. Get your year specific factory service manual; it’ll have a check list for maintenance items to attend to. Evaporated fuel crystallized in every part it’s sitting in; so flush or replace all along the way. If the carb worked well previously it just needs to be taken apart and cleaned out. If it’s a Quadrajet send it to Lars for a rebuild; email him at v8fastcars@msn.com for info. No replacement carb will give optimal performance right out of the box; needs to be tuned to your engine. Cooper Cobra tires give you great bang-for-the-buck; other guys like MIckey Thompson tires or BFG’s; lots of older threads on tires here. To research old threads google “73 Corvette” and the topic, look at anything that comes up “Corvette Forum”.
Welcome back to Auto and Corvette World and have fun; bet you can’t wait to drive her again!
Charlie

VintageC73

Paragon Just Recently Merge with Corvette Central. So not true they are "gone! "Their" Past Parts are still readily available. Some get old and tire dealing and would like to retired. Just what Happens in business especially specialize. Being Paragon and Corvette Central are know and in Mchigan is why I refer to these Part's Suppliers.
Maybe why I still have my Corvette always wanted one and still have one. I have seen some ads for C4 & C5's for barely 12K and look in decent condition. So It was not an "Investment for sure.But I always liked the C2 & C3's
Thanks for your Input and Info.
VintageC73

Mr D.

X2 on contacting Lars to rebuild your Q-Jet; email him at v8fastcars@msn.com

He rebuilt the original Q-Jet that came off my 73 Vette and it works flawlessly Don't overthink this if you need a rebuild, he is the go-to guy for Q-Jet repairs IMO.

BKbroiler

The talk about adding lead additive was for engines built before 1971. Not an issue in your case, assuming your engine is original.

VintageC73

How Things have changed some since I was involved last
Looks like I will be Playing some "Catch Up"
Thanks
VintageC73

Faster Rat

This cannot be stressed enough. Our wonderful government took the zinc out of motor oil around 2004. Your flat tappet lifters and cam still need it, rollers do not. Also referred to as ZDDP with needed phosphorous.

VintageC73

So Oil has Changed? I have always Used a "Valvoline" Brand Oil in all my Car's & Truck's. Does This Brand have the "required" Zinc for Older Chevy 350's? ( Even the Synthethic Base Oil?)
Never heard that zinc was a component of Engine Motor Oils & was removed?
VintageC73

DonnieP73

Donnie