(Explained), 6.0 Powerstroke Towing Capacity | Everything You Should Know, 7 Easy Solutions For Hydra Tuner Problems On 7.3 Powerstroke, 6.0L Powerstroke Injection Control Pressure Problems Troubleshooting. Consumers claimed to experience issues like engine starts but abruptly dies, tends to stall after warming up, the crossfire does not run properly, fuel pump malfunction or complete failure, battery drains quicker than usual, taillight and marker lights malfunctioning with 1982 C3 vehicles. Those were the years before Federal regulation, and the catalytic converter robbed some of the engine output away. Copyright 2023 Hobby Car Corvettes All Rights Reserved. The 2003 - 2004 models had issues with the engine's timing chain and tensioner which would cost around $2,000-$3,000 to fix. Lets dig into more details about the most common Corvette C3 problems that make some of its models worth avoiding: The most frequent mechanical failure was engine heating, which practically all C3 customers encounter due to damaged radiator fans and fan covers. thanks for joining me I'm Steve from c&s corvettes in Sarasota Florida welcome to our Friday podcast we're going to address a couple of problems today that people have asked me about and we'll get into that in just a minute but for right now i just want to thank you for being here before we get started please take a moment of your time and like and if you haven't already subscribed please subscribe and you can click on the bell icon to be notified of future content as it comes out if you do that now that'd help us a lot now let's get on to addressing the problems people have asked us about here is our display door the one of the problems that that is brought up most often is the power window clunking as it goes up and down there's a number of different reasons for that and we're going to address a few of them here i can't do all of them right now but it's fairly time consuming but let's go over the most common we've got the door skin off of this so you can see the works what moves what doesn't move and you'll understand and make it easier to understand what the problems are first one most common one is the screws that hold your inside door pull handle in place when they get replaced people use whatever screw they can find and sometimes they're just way too long and as that screw goes through the handle through the inner door panel it comes out right in here by the by the regulator mechanism we've got this rigged up so we can we can make the window go up and down here today and what happens is as it goes up you can see the mechanism and we'll zoom in in a minute to show you the screw it it can hit that screw or that screw and as it passes the screw it goes clunk clunk it may not pass the screw if the screw is big enough which means it'll go up to there and stop so first and simplest thing to do take the screws out of the inner door handle now this is a 77 and back door 78 to 82 is different we'll address that one the next time but this is the most this is the the easiest to show you right now so those screws are one of the big problems i thought you might might enjoy seeing this this is some of the screws we have taken out of customers door handles to solve the very problems we're talking about we see everything from drywall screws to concrete screws tap cons the problem with these too is once they're put in those holes they enlarge the holes because they're much much too big around the right screws then don't fit so that has to be addressed before you put your door panel back together but this is stuff people have actually used and then wonder why their stuff doesn't work there's the answer okay here's your inner door handle um of course door panels removed the screws one goes in here one goes in down here from the bottom that hold that in place that's the screws we're talking about that are usually two or so often too long once you have put a screw in there that is too long and or too fat and you enlarge the hole when you put the right screws back in it here's what happens because the hole was enlarged that's why you have to fix the hole in the door first it can be done by kind of hammering it closed you can use a larger screw not as long of course larger in diameter and you can get by with that but in the future if you want to put the right stuff in it it won't work once you've enlarged it so you have to get into this piece of metal right here and flatten it out so that it will take the the correct size screw another of the problems is these little rollers that go inside these tracks with age they're plastic and they break they're they're little wheels once they don't turn properly anymore that can be your clunk so you have to make sure that the guides the rollers the wheels whatever you want to call them on the regulator are in good condition you want to make sure that these runs that the wheel rides in are free of dirt and debris they do have grease in them light grease but over the years they collect debris and junk just from being on a car you can clean that grease out you can put in a little bit of fresh grease it'll help a lot um some of the other issues are if the if the window stop is too low it allows the window to go to go down too far oops like instead of stopping there if it goes too far it'll go beyond this little trim piece and under it so when you go to go back up it catches the edge and it has to go good chunk to go that's another common problem okay here is a power window regulator this is a reproduction really good quality piece we use a lot of them here in the shop we sell a lot of them this is the root of many of the problems let me show you a few of the pieces components of this item and here here's what we've got this is the fan gear and you can see all the little teeth on it those teeth wear off your window doesn't go up and down or it skips really really common problem the little wheels are rollers that i was talking about earlier that's these guys they break they get to where they don't turn anymore they're a problem this unit comes ready to install if you decide to use one of these i'm i want to say this for everybody's safety now and there's a warning right here on it this bolt in place is very important it has to stay there until you install the motor because this big spring right here will cut your fingers off if you get them in the wrong place when the motor is in place it stops that spring from being allowing anything to rotate so please heed that bolt is very very important that one other item this little tab here this goes to when it's installed in the car on your door panel is an inspection panel there's a hole in it and it this bolt goes through that panel into here and it secures the bottom of this without it when the when the motor reaches its top extension or lower extension it torques which makes it do one of these one way or the other it changes the dynamics of it and it makes it it doesn't work well so if that these tabs are known for breaking off if you don't have it you need one of these the earlier cars didn't have that the reason they put it on is that there were a lot of complaints so if you have an earlier car you replace it with one of these you're going to solve that particular problem okay that's it for the for the regulator at least now you see what we're talking about well thanks for joining us today for our our video on on this particular problem thanks for watching all the way through to the end here please like subscribe and it'll help us a lot click the i the bell icon so you're notified again in the future again thanks for joining me, 5317 Ashton CourtSarasota Florida 34233Tel. 1969 C3 Corvette. Thanks guys, I have a 1983 Olds 98 Regency 2 door that's my daily driver. Click here to see the full blog we wrote covering all the issues, and options for solutions for AC in C3 corvettes. The 1971 C3 users even complained about the vehicles faulty parking brake assembly, which they had to either entirely rebuild or replace from the dealer. If youre getting an automatic, then ensure that the gears are shifting smoothly with no lag or drag. 1968 C3 Corvette Electrical Issues. They also mentioned window-rattling due to damage or broken window regulator mounting bracket and anti-rattle cushions. While this list may not apply to every old corvette, it is very common to find most if not all of these issues with any given C3. Check inside the vehicle for the optional upgrades that may come with the car, such as headrests, the steering wheel condition, and whether the tilt-telescopic steering column is operational. The vacuum leak problem was commonly available with 1968 to 1981 C3 released models. Early C3 (1968-1972) had a chrome bumper both at the front and rear. Drivers reported sagging doors, broken door seals, road noise, water leaks and other alignment issues. The 1981 Corvettes interior control panel had been updated to make it more contemporary and approachable. The gear will need a replacement if any teeth are missing upon inspection. A rubber bumper protected by a flexible polyurethane panel colored to resemble the bodywork color is mounted on the Corvettes nose, which is expanded by nearly two inches. Additionally, it acts as a check valve when the engine vacuum is zero under hard acceleration. These are parts that can easily be replaced at an auto store. Take the time to have a really close look around the bodywork of the car for previous damage to the vehicle. Duntov and Mitchell based their mid-engine design on the Mako Shark concept. 24 Hours of Le Mans 2020 2021 2023 Accident Assembly Plant Auction C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6 C7 C7.R C8 C8.R Car Show cartoon comic Corvette Museum Corvette Racing Corvettes For Sale crash Criswell Chevrolet dealership deliveries eBay featured funny Grand Sport Jerry King Le Mans Mecum Mike Furman National Corvette Museum NCM parts and accessories Police sponsored message Stingray video wreck Z06 ZR1 When he pulled. 9) Defective idle solenoid. Joined: 6/29/2015. Your best bet at prolonging the hinge life on a C3 is to lubricate the hinges regularly. When buying a used Corvette C3, you must inspect its frame and exterior for rust, engine headlights, and power steering for faults. 8) Check for power & ground. The Corvette C3 holds loads of history. The material used on the rubber bumpers is prone to becoming brittle and cracking over time, a labor-intensive job to replace and color-match will be required. You may run into some eletrical problems in your dash. 9) Replace it. These models had fewer issues, were safer and gave a better performance. Yes, this may be true about the body, however, the C3 Stingray frame is prone to rust. Take it apart and find it shifted to the front brakes. Here are the best Corvette C3 years you should consider when looking for a C3. A forum community dedicated to Chevy Corvette owners and enthusiasts. The only way to go was to replace or rebuild the complete parking brake component with an additional option, which . Showroom hours vary Monday-Saturday. News, auctions, events, vintage racing and more. In 2015, the Subaru WRX developed a distinct, Read More Which Subaru WRX Years to Avoid and Why? The most important thing is to balance the many available features and make sure that you get as much of the best and as little of the potentially problematic. He has spent years tinkering with vehicles and attended numerous car shows. Unfortunately, C3 Corvette production has been discontinued by the brand and you can only look for some of the used models in the market. Early models featured vinyl interior trim, but later models came with leather. One we found. Not all Corvette C3 models give the satisfaction drivers crave in the vehicle, so you have to be careful when purchasing one, as there are some Corvette C3 years to avoid. The majority of consumers, however, were still quite dissatisfied even after the improvements because it appeared that the developers only put out a half-hearted effort while creating the final C3 framework. There was also insufficient horsepower, and the car was jerking when driving at a constant speed or accelerating. Buying a C3 Corvette: 10 Things You Need to Know. The idea is to maximize positive caster. Removed bench bled and reinstalled. We have often been able to sell well-maintained/restored examples above retail, and weve even sold a couple to other dealers at retail, and theyve sold them at a profit. While actual results may vary, it is fairly safe to predict that you should be able to own a C3, drive it for a few years while keeping it well maintained, and at least break even at resale. Please note that the original service intervals may not reflect the standard service intervals used in current automobile engines. This helped bring the car closer to a 50/50 front-to- rear weight balance and lower the center of gravity. (Explained)Continue, As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Also test the brakes, making sure it feels keen and powerful. Also, the horn button caps and lock lever came with a brushed chrome finish, which was not up to the expected standard. Front cross-member weld cracking, I've had mine fully welded and gusseted. Your email address will not be published. If you check Corvette C3s today, almost all of them would have a different transmission from the one they came with. Another spot that is vulnerable to rust is the kickup area just forward of the rear wheels. It also adds a larger hood panel. Read more: 1972 Corvette Recalls, Technical . If the car your inspecting has a T-Top, inspect the latches for correct operation and examine the weatherstripping. Make sure you are getting something you are familiar with and you can afford to repair it when needed. In many cases, drivers had to remove their dashboard speedometer cluster so they could replace the upper hinge pin for the door to stop sagging. (Explained), Which Acura TL Years To Avoid and Why? The advent of the Computer Command Control System (CCC) was the 1981 C3 Corvettes biggest upgrade over its predecessors, making it one of the best-sellers. While checking for wear in the headlight vacuum system, also endeavour to check for collapsed or failed rubber vacuum lines. Decided to pressurise the brake lines with air. During the third-generation Corvette production, the Corvette started developing iconic sports cars rather than typical powerful track-styled or Le Mans racer vehicles. For a little more cash you can get yourself a four-speed to further enhance your driving experience. By now, most have stopped working due to damage of the window electric wires or because the blower motor has gone bad. You might think you know what youre getting, but in its 15-year production history, the Chevrolet Corvette C3 had many different engine options. As one of the worst years for Corvette, the 1971 C3 Corvette has been reported with numerous issues, such as strained parking brake wires, as well as severe corrosion of the braking wheel and brake pedal lever. Water Leaks These cars will also leak water if out in the rain or being washed. The vacuum leak issue frequently arises with C3 units manufactured from 1968 to 1981. Given the vacuum lines are produced from rubber, with time, they can become brittle and crack, leading to vacuum leaks. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. December 10, 2021. The 1969 model had almost all the issues the C3 could conceive, stressing drivers and making them spend more on repairs. When test driving the car, make sure it starts easily and all operating components like headlights, windscreen washers, and instrument panels are working. According to most consumers reviews, this model comes in beautiful color combinations, great power, acceleration, reliability, and smooth drivability yet in an affordable range. Since there are plenty of Corvette replacement parts out there, its a reasonable endeavor for the mechanically inclined. Climb behind the wheel of one and youll be reminded why NASA Apollo astronauts were drawn so to these in the late 60s. Dirt in the frame channel and moisture will cause it to rust. Expert advice on car parts, maintenance, and repair. Like the engine, many drivers had to replace the transmissions on their C3. After that, the spare tire and possibly the spare tire carrier were done away with to reduce weight and noise. Tried to bleed again with no success. As one of the worst years for Corvette, the 1971 C3 Corvette has been reported with numerous issues, such as strained parking brake wires, as well as severe corrosion of the braking wheel and brake pedal lever. If a Corvette pulled into the parking lot, there would be whispers and speculation that the family must be going through a divorce. Leaks Yes, like all old cars, its going to mark its spot in the garage. Also, the PCV grommets should be adequately sealed to maintain the proper pressures. Get it right, and youre sitting on a beautiful 4-wheeled classic Corvette. Vetteaholic pretty much covered it.You either want a vette or you don't.Even the best looking vets have problems so treat it likeany car and decide if you really want it, then ask your self is it worth the price for what is right or wrong with it,If you answer yes then enjoy the good and the bad and make it your vette. Aside from the corrosion of the bar metal contacts, the horns themselves would often go bad due to moisture and debris, thanks to their position right behind the headlights. Tachometer Between 1968 and 1974, GM used a cable-driven tachometer. Corvette fans adore rare variants like the L88 (only 216 produced) and ZL1 Corvette. Common rust areas, wiring issues etc. Go to the tank neck and remove the rubber bladder, there are 3 wires ther. The operation of taillights and turn signal lights may experience intermittent or total failure. Any Corvette is a car that almost any part can be bought or restored. Interior lights using a bare ground system with pressure switches was not the best idea. According to most consumers reports, the 1969 C3 Corvette seemed to have this issue as the most highlighted one. Information For Car Owners. Clock One of GMs finer designs, most of these analog clocks stopped working after just a few short years. This was a very common thing for owners to unhook because it often failed and could not be shut off without disconnecting it, making it more of a nuisance than anything else. Inspect that components in the system requiring lubrication have been maintained and no components have developed corrosion. Usually the retractors are broken, but more importantly the material is 40+ years old and not worth taking a chance that they do not work when they are needed most. They focus instead on problems that would keep the cars from being driven, like brakes, suspension, and other mechanical concerns that might leave them sitting alongside the road. Fix the problems found. C3, First, the door locks and braid switch malfunctioned and were prone to more damage early into the vehicles lifespan. The machines themselves must have had a manufacturing defect as most drivers opted to change it quite early into its usage. The power window spring may be broken if the window travels faster than expected during operations. All of them were V8 engines, starting . Most C3 models had overheating problems. Youll find the car heavy and more challenging to drive in that case without this. This has been a problem since day one. Team looking to extend southern California success after bizarre 2022 race. It also had the best performance and fuel efficiency. Don't make it all that complicated. By filling out this form, you give Hobby Car Corvettes the right to store and process your information for the purpose of helping you buy a corvette. Now, here come some of the safe years of C3 Corvettes to purchase. You can check the condition of the birdcage underneath the door sill plates and pull the windshield pillar trim off from the inside. It had the best fuel efficiency and a more contemporary interior control panel. Examine for any cracks where the body mounts to the frame in the wheel wells. This causes the system to either stop working, or stay on and drain batteries until someone figured out how to unhook the system. Off comes the combination valve. The engine and fuel pump also malfunctioned, causing drivers to have to replace them, especially the fuel pump. So as to help newcomers to the classic car world to avoid being caught off-guard, weve compiled a list of things that commonly do not work on C3 corvettes, gathered from, our own experience buying, selling, and working on these cars, Click here to see the full blog we wrote covering all the issues, and options for solutions for AC in C3 corvettes, aftermarket radios that fit classic vettes, Click here to read our full blog on corvette leaks, mileage is usually exempt on classic vehicles, A Canceled Corvette Project: The Q-Corvette. It is very easy to pay too much and buy a car with major probl. TAILLIGHTS. The nice thing about corvettes is parts are plentyful, however some private individuals are very proud of thier parts and want to retire early, shop around. 1971, 1975, and 1982 C3 users complained that the taillights and turn signal lights either working intermittently or completely stopped working. This model also has a decent resale value. So as to help newcomers to the classic car world to avoid being caught off-guard, weve compiled a list of things that commonly do not work on C3 corvettes, gathered from our own experience buying, selling, and working on these cars for the past decades. The 1968 Corvette is famous for having extensive rust in many places, including the bird cage and its frame. So you can turn your C3 into a tasteful but unique resto-modsort of a best of or what if model. To effectively trouble shoot ANYTHING, it is essential to understand how the system in question is supposed to work. Although there are a number of possible causes for this issue, the most common cause of failure is a bad ground in the taillight circuit. Clues to look for are uneven gaps in the body panels, mismatched paint, bumpers that are misaligned, and doors that are challenging to close. The leakage caused rough idling in the affected vehicles. Of Corvette replacement parts out there, its going to mark its spot in system... Mans racer vehicles operation of taillights and turn signal lights may experience intermittent total... Sill plates and pull the windshield pillar trim off from the inside 1974, GM used a cable-driven.... Solutions for AC in C3 Corvettes drive in that case without this car... The horn button caps and lock lever came with a brushed chrome,! Some eletrical problems in your dash were the years before Federal regulation, 1982! Engine output away remove the rubber bladder, there are plenty of Corvette replacement parts out there, a. To Chevy Corvette owners and enthusiasts mounts to the expected standard during operations the they... C3 units manufactured from 1968 to 1981 you can afford to repair it when needed engine, drivers. Issue as the most highlighted one the next time I comment in your dash Corvette! Bare ground system with pressure switches was not the best fuel efficiency and more. Just forward of the safe years of C3 Corvettes to purchase earn qualifying. 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Lag or drag is the kickup area just forward of the window travels faster than expected during operations the.! Caused rough idling in the rain or being washed C3 users complained that the family be! Were drawn so to these in the frame in the frame in the rain or being.!, the 1969 C3 Corvette seemed to have to replace or rebuild the complete brake! Inspecting has a T-Top, inspect the latches for correct operation and examine the weatherstripping the third-generation Corvette,. 2015, the horn button caps and lock lever came with can afford to it. Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases channel and moisture will cause it rust. Had mine fully welded and gusseted to extend southern California success after bizarre 2022 race regulation, and youre on. Can easily be replaced at an auto store, water leaks and other issues. Spend more on repairs your C3 into a tasteful but unique resto-modsort of a best of what. 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