VetteKitty

Hey all, just bought my 79 on Monday.. No pics yet, waiting for it to stop raining!

Its a 2-owner car with a rebuilt (original) engine-car has 90k on it, engine has about 22k.. exterior is practically perfect, no scratches, dings, dents.. t-tops, really nice. Interior could use a little work, but its not all torn to shreds. Engine sounds good, looks clean, no oil leaks or black/blue smoke. Drives good too, no sputtering, no wobble-has new tires, brakes.

I have noticed a few problems, have gone through some of the archives-found some info on a few, also taking it in for a full inspection Thursday morning.

1) It diesels after being driven
2) Tach stuck between 20 and 25
3) Driver's side door power window switch broken
4) Rear defrost doesnt work-probably the switch? (Switch does not light up)
5) Reverse light out (big deal-its a bulb)
6) Needs new oil pressure gage (unless its supposed to stay at 40-even when the car is off?)
7) Needs new power antenna (Still has the antenna, just doesnt go up/down)
8) Auto Trans needs something-it can be accidentally bumped into N from 3
9) Interior light does not work-might be a burnt out bulb

Any of these things normal?

Anyone have any tips on fixing/replacing the things that aren't normal?

Anything _else_ I should look for that could be a potential hidden problem?

Places to buy parts would be helpful too :)

thanks!

Cat Oliver




[Modified by VetteKitty, 12:57 AM 1/9/2002]

PatsLs1vette

welcome aboard vettekitty :cheers: when it stops raining post some pictures so we can see it...and most of that stuff on a older vette is normal..just got to fix it one at a time...good luck

VetteKitty

Hope so, its a really nice car :)

Thanks for the welcome

Binnie77

Welcome aboard. Whenever you think you have a problem there is always someone here with a worse one than you but eventually you will get them solved. There is a vast amount of expertise here and there is someone always willing to go out of their way to help. You certainly found the right place!!! Cheers! :cheers:

KB in CO

Welcome to the forum, great choice on a 78 ;)

Your problems are normal for a nearly 25 year old car. The fun part is finding them and fixing them.

I am sure you will get lots of responses to your questions, this is a great place for info.

SteveG75

Good places off the top of my head (8 years with Corvette on Whidbey) are:

Western Corvette in Lynnwood (restoration parts)
Pacific Corvette in Pyallup (good used parts plus shop, http://www.pacvette.com)

You can also get info on the local club (Corvette Marque Club of Seattle) at Western.

rmadlem

Welcome and congratulations VetteKitty!!! :seeya
Like someone said before......nothing unusual, just gotta take 'em one at a time. This is truly the right place for help!!
Good Luck with your '78. My first was a Silver Anniversary.
:cheers:

1Bad69

welcome..all are welcome..hey guys, is that thing about new members posting a pic of themselves still mandatory?? ;)

noxqsz

Cat;

Welcome to the forum and to the wonderful world of Washington Corvettes! I'm located on the other side of the Cascades, in the Yakima Valley. If you get hooked up with one of the clubs over there, I hope you'll consider coming over tot he Vette-A-Bration in June in Yakima. Great show and great people! I've done lots of business with Jim and Bob at Pacific Corvette - highly recommend them!

Re: your small problems - Check your fuses for the interior light and the rear defrost. I believe the shifter situation is normal. Any Chevrolet floor shift I've ever driven is that way. The dieseling problem could be anything from a simple carb adjustment to a tuneup. You have an electronic tach, so that problem probably will necessitate a rebuild or replacement. Might want to look into the oil gauge as soon as practicable, since it monitors such a crucial engine parameter. Good used gauges are available at a reasonable cost. Your antenna could also be a fuse or a loose/broken wire or bad ground. I'd check that before I removed the antenna assembly.

Do yourself a big favor, and buy an assembly instruction manual (AIM). They're availabe from just about any Corvette parts vendor and they only cost about $25. Best investment you can make. If you're pinched for funds after plunking down the money for the car, don't hesitate to ask for the Corvette stuff you want/need for your birthday, Valentines Day, Christmas, or any other pretext for gift giving. :D

Have fun!

jerryp58

Welcome :seeya

Some of the problems (3, 4, and possible 7) could be in your center console. It doesn't take much fiddling around in there to knock something loose.

As far as I know 8 is normal.

Agree 2 may require tach circuit board rebuild.

6 could also be sending unit or wiring.

Anyway, enjoy & be sure to ask more questions as you get into it.

0Mike69@ECS

:seeya Welcome!

ZD75blue

about the trans.... i think your lockouts might need adjusting... the thing where when you press the button on the shifter, it lets the shifter slip to the next gear, when its out of adjustment, it doesnt grab the shifter and stop it... hope you get the car together....

Oh and welcome to the forum :seeya

ZD

paso

Welcome to the forum I hope you enjoy your time here. Problems are easy fixed.:)

groovyjay

Welcome aboard! You'll find this place very useful and addictive!
Here is another nice website worth looking about vette related fixing problems:
http://www.corvettefaq.com/
Jay :cheers:

VetteKitty

I've kinda looked at some of the clubs around here-I'm rather young for the ones I've found (I'm 23) :)

VetteKitty

Whoops hit the wrong button. Its a 79 :)

VetteKitty

Hopefully I can get a pic taken of me and the car soon.

Since we live in an apt. building (until Jan 23rd when we move into the new house) its in covered storage-so can't really do much til the weekends. :(

73 LS-4

Welcome Aboard

:cheers:
Pat Kunz

bamavettes

Welcome aboard....

Just looked at your website.

Me and you don't even live on the same planet.
We don't even live in the same universe.

corvettemaster

Welcome to the forum :seeya
Nice choice on a late model C3. A lot of the problems you will encounter on 25+ year old cars is bad connections on everything. I had to clean and rebuild tons of switches and relays when I first got my '81. Everything works now :D