Do you work on your Corvette or do you take it to the shop?
Hi, I have two questions. Do you work on your Corvette at home in the garage, or do you take it to the shop to have work done?
For those who work on their Corvette I have a follow up question. Where did you learn to work on cars? Is it much more difficult to work on a fuel injected car than one with a carburetor? I'm going to buy a 76-82 Corvette or a 93+ LT1. Which one is easier to work on?
Do you have any tips for a person who wants to learn to work on cars? Is a basic tool set from Sears good enough? What tools would you recommend a newbie buy?
I do most all of my work on my 79. The C3's are pretty easy and just a good set of Craftsman sockets and wrenchs are all that is needed most of the time. You might want to consider also getting a bar-type torque wrench, timing light, floor jack and jack stands. The newer Vettes have too many electronic gismos for me.
I've worked on all my Vettes since 1966. No prior experience except for changing plugs and points for tune-ups and adjusting star wheels on the drum brakes of my Dad's car growing up. I started out using the factory service manual since it gave a step by step approach, had decent exploded views of the components, and sufficient b&w pictures to give me a clue what I was doing. (I used a Haynes manual for my 1980 Vette instead of buying a factory service manual. It was excellent although it covered serveral model years, and you had to make sure the section you were reading pertained to the car year you were working on.)
As far as working on EFI models, I was afraid to work on my 1989 when I first got it and had the dealer do all the work on the electronics. After paying for a couple of tuneups, I decided to bite the bullet and buy the necessary testing equipment and software to maintain the car. (Since I own two 1989s now, the factory service manual is well worn and paid for itself several times.)
Since you are just starting out, I would recommend the C3's w/o ECMs (1969-1980). The 1993 LT-1 is a great car, but changing out #8 spark plug is a bitch; and that's not the only Corvette Adventure waiting for the DIY owner.
As far as tools go, I would recommend the addition of a dwell meter (if you buy a pre-1974 Vette with points ignition) to the list of tools already recommended. Have fun!
Although mr.beachcomber raises many good points, don't be afraid to tackle a C4. As he stated, the factory manual has great info and should you get stuck on a problem, there is always the dealer and this forum for help. My experience had been on pre 1980 Corvettes but dove into the C4 and have never looked back.
I haven't taken my C4 to a shop yet. I took four years of auto shop in high school. I helped my dad when I lived at home and since I was real young, work on things. I'm no expert but I have found that two things really help, the right tool for the job, and patience.
For tools, I don't have anything special. Socket sets, box/open end wrenches, a swivel head wrench for the plugs, timing light, digital multi-meter, jack, torque wrench, torx bits. Hmm what else, my shop has old power to it so I can't use air tools for the time being. Oh yes, get the factory service manual for your year! I have that, plus a Chiltons. Both come in handy.
I have an '88 and having made a few mods, find it's pretty good to work on. The stock coolant to the TB, EGR, AIR, and a few other things really turn some simple tasks into long ones.
I can't imagine taking my C3 to a dealer (or any shop). To start with, the kids working in most dealers today weren't born in '69. And then trying to explain how to adjust the valves? Or why the timing needs to be at 36*3000? Or even how to adjust the carb.. I wonder how many of them have ever even seen a real carb or a solid lifter cam.
I do everything myself, but I started way back in the '60's, and once WAS one of those kids at the dealer.
Location: Was New Orleans but swam to Baton Rouge LA
I do most of my work on my vettes. If there is something where I do not have the tools or time is a constraint I send it to a shop. On my C3 I do everything on the car except body work. I am currently disassembling the car for a complete frame off rebuild. Now my Z06 I will send to Futral Motorsports down here since they are close and do great work. I also lost most of my tools in Katrina and am slowly replacing them so they are the best choice for speed and quality work for my Z06.
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Its fast cause I threw lots a dollaz at it!!
"I set my standards low so I am never disappointed."
No one has ever wrenched onany of my 'Vettes since 1976, only warranty work was done by someone else on my C-5. (I have a shop and lots of tools and equipment.... )
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Honey, I don't know how those black marks got on the driveway!
I bought a vette I could afford. It came with a bad clutch, it was do or die and I was broke. Since then I taught myself to build motors and have done tons more work. Get a Helms manual and read READ read and you'll figure it out. Scares the crap out of you the first time firing up something you built though!
Have done all my own car related stuff forever, reguardless of brand.
The gm people in my town are ok, know what they are doing but prefer to do my own stuff. I work on machines all day anyway.
I did 99% of the work myself, most of the stuff I didn't do was becuase it required specialized, expensive tools.
How did I learn, by doing it, seraching the web, haynes manuals and asking on here.
Now I am at the point where I get more enjoyment out of working on my cars than driving them!
Nick
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1969 Retro Road Race Coupe. A tribute to the Heinz and Johnson #4 race car.
I've been turning a wrench professionally for many years. I really don't feel like one fuel system is harder than the other. You can try your local community college for some classes in automotive technology.
I do my own work. If I am confused or stuck I can always ask my dad who has been turning wrenches forever. The newer cars aren't bad to work on, they are a lot tighter and you definitly need a scan tool! I worked in an auto repair shop for 3 years and learned a lot of stuff there but most of it came from my dad growing up over the years. A good set of wrenches, metric and standard, a good set sockets, 1/4 and 1/2 metric and standard, timing light, battery charger, good screwdrivers, assortment of pliers, test light, voltmeter, and of course Chilton's and you should be set for just about any project.
I think the best part about owning any car is learning how to do things for yourself. That's always a factor for me when I buy any car, new or old. It saves a ton of money over the long haul. You just need to know when you might be getting in over your head.
I think the community college reply above is a good idea. One thing you will get out of formal training is how do do things safely.
As far as tools, you can get by with Craftsman, SK, etc.
Last edited by Zimo; 05-02-2007 at 06:53 AM.
Reason: sp
When I was 14 One of the high school kids drove up in a 1970 chevelle SS with cowl induction, 396 big block and a 4 speed. he came by the house to visit my older brother. He noticed me drooling over his car and took me for a fast ride. As I watched him banging the gears I was hooked. I worked and saved my money and bought a 1955 chevy for 300 dollars. 3 years latter I had it fixed up and could drive it to high school. I am self taught and learned from reading books and hanging out with the older gear heads. I am 47 years old and I am still learing new tricks that make the job go easier. Good luck Glenn O
The Vettes and the others are stored at our own shop and everything including parts, repairs, [body, chassis, engine, interior] and even paint is done in house right with the customers.
I started out years ago just doing tune ups (plugs, points, cap, rotor). Today I have a C4 and a BMW both with FE. I also have an 86 carbed V8 Ford pickup. I do everything, with the help of manuals, forums, good tools and a whole lot of patience for making mistakes as I continue to learn. I gave it up for several years in between, until I discovered that taking a car to a shop was no assurance that the job would be done correctly. It is rewarding to know your cars inside and out. Don't be afraid to learn DIY.
Corvette Store
Do you work on your Corvette or do you take it to the shop?
I do my own wrenching 
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