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Sitting 20 years -What to replace

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  • Jeremy Locke

    Sitting 20 years -What to replace

    My 70 coupe has been sitting for 20+ years.
    What should I replace considering that many parts will have just disintegrated over time. I expect that the suspension bushes will all need replacing, but any advice would be appreciated.
    Thanks.




    Locke Guitars
  • Kevin M.
    Expired
    • November 1, 2000
    • 1271

    #2
    Re: Sitting 20 years -What to replace

    Where's the link to your Corvette on your site?

    Kevin

    Comment

    • Mike McKown

      #3
      Re: Sitting 20 years -What to replace

      My advice, which I'm sure will not be received well by the majority is to arbitrarily replace only what will leave you stranded.

      Brake calipers and flex hoses for sure.

      Points and condenser, maybe coil.

      Check your tires. They're probably not safe to drive on. Look for lumps/bulges in the tread and sidewall

      Stay close to home and and put a few miles on it and then take a look and see what is giving way.

      My '65 sat, unsed from 1980 until 2002. I put new hoses on it, changed the oil, filter, radiator, claipers, flex hoses, filed the points and set timing and everything seems okay since. Same tires but I don't drive it over 60.

      Still has the original fan belt and to be honest, the hoses weren't in that bad of shape.

      Your experience may be different. You can spend 100's of $$$$$$$$ arbitrarily changing everything if that's your bag. A lot depends on how many miles your car had on it before it was parked. My case, about 32,000.

      Comment

      • Patrick H.
        Beyond Control Poster
        • December 1, 1989
        • 11608

        #4
        Re: Sitting 20 years -What to replace

        I agree.

        My 72 sat for several years before the prior owner bought it. We replaced the exhaust (wasn't original anyway) and tires, plugs and wires, points and condenser, carb gaskets, and had the original calipers stainless steel sleeved, then reinstalled them on the car. It still has the original hoses and brake flex hoses. It runs fine, and I've driven it across a few states to NCRS meets.

        The car had about 55000 miles on it when the PO bought it. He actually drove it home, so none of the replaced items actually kept it from being driven.

        Patrick
        Vice-Chairman (West), Michigan Chapter NCRS
        71 "deer modified" coupe
        72 5-Star Bowtie / Duntov coupe. https://www.flickr.com/photos/124695...57649252735124
        2008 coupe
        Available stickers: Engine suffix code, exhaust tips & mufflers, shocks, AIR diverter valve broadcast code.

        Comment

        • Jim T.
          Expired
          • March 1, 1993
          • 5351

          #5
          Re: Sitting 20 years -What to replace

          If you change the suspension bushings don't use poly type.

          Comment

          • mike mccagh

            #6
            Re: Sitting 20 years -What to replace

            your advice was well recieved by me. i'd do what you suggested then delve further into it if problems arise/persist. mike

            Comment

            • Duke W.
              Beyond Control Poster
              • January 1, 1993
              • 15610

              #7
              Re: Sitting 20 years -What to replace

              You need to tell us what storage preparation the car received before anyone can really offer any worthwhile advice on what storage removal work should be done.

              Also, what was the storage environment.

              Duke

              Comment

              • Gerard F.
                Extremely Frequent Poster
                • June 30, 2004
                • 3803

                #8
                Save the original parts in anything you

                replace. Put them in labelled boxes don't throw any away (like I did with a carb in 1976). If you replace something like a master cylinder, brake calipers, suspension, or other functional part, try to stick with original part numbers or type, even on little miscellaneous parts.

                You never know when you have to go into one of those boxes of originals to pull a part number or want to restore a dated coded part.

                Jerry Fuccillo
                #42179
                Jerry Fuccillo
                1967 327/300 Convertible since 1968

                Comment

                • lyndon sharpton

                  #9
                  Re: Sitting 20 years -What to replace

                  I just got my car out after sitting for what seemed like 20 years but was about 10. just check out all of your car go over all the parts that look bad. if you put it up right you might not have to change out much. was the car kept in a dark garage that did not get much light? are the tires flat? all the fulids will have to be changed trans diff brake eng oil ect.. but it can be done an you should be on the way soon good luck

                  Comment

                  • Christopher R.
                    Extremely Frequent Poster
                    • March 31, 1975
                    • 1599

                    #10
                    Re: Sitting 20 years -What to replace

                    You'll probably spend most of your time and effort figuring out how to make the car go. Mistake. Spend your time and effort making sure the car will stop.

                    Tires, calipers, brake lines, brake fluid, wheel cylinders, master cylinder, brake hoses, gas tank, gas lines, carb, engine oil, battery, battery shut off switch.

                    Make sure the gas doesn't leak. Make sure the engine is not seized. Make sure the critters didn't eat wires and cause shorts in your electrical system. Before you electrically power up the car, make sure you have a means to disconnect that power if the starter sticks or there is a short.

                    When you start the car, have a friend nearby with a fire extinguisher.

                    Comment

                    • Jeremy Locke

                      #11
                      Re: Sitting 20 years -What to replace

                      I was converting the car to RHD when some jerks stole the motor. I pushed the car aside and have not touched it since. So I guess no preparation for storage was made.
                      The car is sitting with another motor in it, the front fenders are off as well. I am considering at the moment to convert it back to LHD as well, so I may be chasing a firewall.
                      All in all, I just figured that if I was going to fix this thing, I would do it once and do it right. I will probably put a ZZ4 motor in it to replace the stolen one and while things are easy to get at I will replace the brakes and suspension bushes etc.
                      Someone said not to use poly bushes, is there a reason why. I know nothing about them.
                      The car has 65,000 miles on it and is is great condition (at least it was).
                      I may replace the seats for something more comfortable.
                      Thanks for your help so far.

                      Comment

                      • Duke W.
                        Beyond Control Poster
                        • January 1, 1993
                        • 15610

                        #12
                        Re: Sitting 20 years -What to replace

                        If the car was sitting outside for 20 years there's probably a lot of deterioration thoughout the car.

                        The fuel system is likely clogged with gum and varnish. The tank should be removed for inspection, overhaul, or replacement as required, and the fuel supply lines should be flushed out.

                        The brake fluid should be flushed and the system tested for pressure holding and leaks.

                        If the cooling system was full, it should be drained and replaced with water just before you try to start the engine.

                        After the engine is run the cooling system should be flushed and filled with new antifreeze. Don't leave straight water in the system for more than a few days. If it won't start, drain the water out until you are ready to try and start it agan.

                        The tranmission and axle fluids should also be changed. It can be done either before or after the first drive, but at least check the levels before the first drive.

                        The suspension bushings are not necessarily "shot", but all mechanical systems will need a thorough inspection before the car is good for normal driving.

                        It does sounds like some major restoration and repair work will be in order depending upon how the car drives and what you find during inspections.

                        Duke

                        Comment

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