A few more C3 questions...a little long

[mike budra]

tomorrow im going to reroute my water lines to bypass the heater core until i can get up the nerve to fix it.I did get a shop manual off of ebay and am just awaiting for it to arrive.I figured i would ask a few more questions about some other issues im having.
What would be causing only the right headlight to go back down after turning them off?They both come up just fine,but when you turn them off,the right one will finally go down but the left one never will.
I had posted in the earlier post about needing to replace the strut arm bushings in the rear.The corvette guy i know also said the rear spring is worn out because of the ride height and suggested the replacement of the fiberglass spring.It looks easier to put in and is alot lighter,does it help with the ride too?
I planned on putting in an aftermarket cd player and just cutting the dash bezel.I know you can buy a new one for like $80 is why im going to cut it.My question is,is there really room down in the kick panels for a speaker?It has holes in it like a speaker would go in there,but will a 4x6 fit?I guess there is room in the dash for some but i really dont want to tear all of that apart when there may be somewhere else i can put some.Have you guys ever did something in the back and still had room for the t-tops?
And lastly,how hard is it to rebuild the "windows"?Mine go down great,but wont hardly go back up.Is it the motor?And it seems like all of the bushings and rollers and everything that comes into contact with the side glass is shot because when the windows are rolled up they have alot of play in them.

Im sorry for asking so many questions,but i have never owned a corvette and im enjoying the hell out of driving it and im just wanting to get some of these little things fixed.Thanks for any help you guys can give me.
mike

[Kevin Whiteley]

Re: A few more C3 questions...a little long

Mike,

I really don't have any specific answers to your questions, but just wanted to comment on owning your first Corvette. Your question regarding the headlight is a common one. Either they both stay up, one stays up, one is slow up or down, etc. There are some repair "manuals" around, which explain the hose routing, canisters, etc. I put manuals in quotes because the one I have is really only a few pieces of paper stapled together. I think Doc Rebuild has this information. I would think there is room for a 4 x 6 speaker, but before you cut, you may want to ask yourself if you want a driver car or a restored car. For the latter there are other options. I would also think rebuilding the window system would be relatively simple (comparatively) if you have any mechanical skill. The most difficult part, I would think, is getting ahold of the correct components, etc.

I saw your earlier post about thinking about selling the car because of the various problems. I would advise that you don't immediately do this. It's kinda like remodeling a house. You have to live in it for a while before you make any decisions on what you want to do to it. And don't be afraid of expending $ on manuals, books, etc. They are invaluable and will same $ later on. When I bought my basket case 68, I spent alot on Colvin's books, Tripoli's suspension book, the NCRS judging guide, and various others. I know you haven't expressed a problem with spending $, but I just wanted to add it.

Good luck and your on the right track by coming to this Board.

[Patrick H.]

Re: A few more C3 questions...a little long

Mike,

the aftermarket now has a dash bezel with a larger radio opening so that you don't have to cut your original bezel like a Bubba to fit in a larger radio. Current reproduction bezels with correct original sized holes are not exactly like the original bezels, so I would never cut an original.

FYI, it's often easier to set up a CD changer in the rear of the car and run it through your stock radio. With a few removed wires you can quickly revert back to stock for shows if need be.

Reproduction window regulators are now available, but almost all the rollers and other pieces are available too if you wish to rebuild them yourself. I've done it both ways, and of course the repro regulators don't fit quite as well as an original. I think I'd rebuild my own if I were to do it again. Check the Dr. Rebuild catalog for great pictures of all the parts and also to purchase the parts themselves.

You can rebuild your rear spring by replacing the liners and installing new rubber bushings in the end links. Quanta has a nice rear spring rebuild kit. This will restore about 1 inch of ride height and I'll bet you won't need a new rear spring. Many of the new springs make the rear of your car ride about as high as a 4x4, so be careful what you wish for. I could show you "before and after" pictures of one of my cars with original and replacement rear spring. Currently the replacement is out and the original is back in, and it will stay that way.

Patrick

[Jim T.]

Re: A few more C3 questions...a little long

Mike I have a Vette Brakes fiberglass spring in my 68 and 70. I like them, but I can always return to steel spring. It is a easy swap. Buy new rubber for the end bolts. I have the 360# Vette Brakes springs. One thing you will not have is the traditional Corvette squat when you get on it with a fiberglass spring. The 81 automatics and all 82 Corvettes came from the factory with rear fiberglass springs, all the C4's and C5's have them. The one on my 70 has been on the longest, about 15-16 years. I also use the Vette Brakes rear adjustable struts with the poly bushings. If you are going to put in a CD, you could not cut up your original guage panel, just remove it and put it on ebay. Be very careful though since they break very easy near the top. Yours could already be broken and you have not noticed it. Good to read that you enjoy driving your Corvette, I enjoy driving mine also.

[mike budra]

Re: A few more C3 questions...a little long

guys,thanks alot.This is exactly what i need to help keep me going and keep the car.You mentioned Doc REbuild,how do you get ahold of that website or catalog?I too have seen the aftermarket dash bezel with the DIN opening at the bottom,i guess i will buy one of those instead of cutting mine.This car is just going to be a driver.I seriously doubt i will ever have it in any shows.As far as the rearend goes,i would like to do all i can myself.I already ttried to get that rear arm loose from the rear shock and couldnt get it to budge,that is why i was going to let this mechanic do it.He works on corvettes 80% of the time and he is a heck of a mechanic.He sugessted the adjustable poly links.But you guys have given me hope that i can maybe tackle some of these issues,like the windows.Im going to try and add a link to show that i do have a small bit of mechanical ability and hope to do the same with this car.Thanks again for the help and any future help.Im sure i will be full of questions

mike

[mike budra]

Re: A few more C3 questions...a little long

guess it didnt work




http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...172#post849172

[mike budra]

Re: A few more C3 questions...a little long

but that did

i did all of that myself,everything.With the exception of installing the new mufflers.