79 T-top Locks

[Jim T.]

A co-worker bought a 79 Corvette yesterday and the seller had never had the tops off because he didn't have a key to unlock them. My first question is what can be done to get a key? Looking for ideas on how to get a key for the locks. Second question is the vacuum motor operated heat riser valve on the 79. If there is no vacuum hose going to the the vacuum motor where should the vacuum hose connect on the engine? If the extended rod going from the vacuum motor to the heat riser valve didn't move when I tried to move it up or down the valve appears to be frozen. Is the heat riser valve normally always open and only closed by the vacuum motor? I have already told my co-worker about getting a service manual. Thanks

[bruce]

Re: 79 T-top Locks

Hi Jim ... Check and see if ther is a series of #s stamped on the lock somewhere, and then try a lock shop. The locks I've seen used a Briggs and Stratton key similar to the gas cap key

[Jim T.]

Re: 79 T-top Locks

Thanks Bruce I will mention this to my co-worker.

[Greg A.]

Re: 79 T-top Locks

Jim,

I'm away from home now, but can look at my '78 this weekend and let you know about the heat riser valve and vacuum hose connections. I do know that the tendency is for them to stick closed vs. open. I recently replaced my valve. I remember that looking at the valve installed on the car from the passenger fender, if the valve is to the full right (towards the front of the car) it is closed. As the exhaust warms and the valve opens, the actuator moves the rod down and the valve rotates to the left (rear) stop. When the engine is shut off, I believe the valve moves to the closed position.

Greg

[Jim T.]

Re: 79 T-top Locks

Greg thanks for the input. I only viewed my co-workers car for about 15 minutes and he wanted me to drive it to see what I thought about it. Overall it looked and ran okay and he paid $6,200 for it with 94K on it. My co-worker owned 65 and 66 Corvettes in the late 60's and isn't into working on them. The vacuum regulated temperature unit that is installed in the thermostat has three nipples on it and no vacuum hoses. It does have the original L82 block, that was easy to check on this car.

[Marv #33507]