Corvette Parts Blog

This Corvette question comes from Jo Ann who inherited a 1981 Corvette.

I am inheriting my brother’s 1981 Corvette and it has been sitting in the driveway for over 5 years. It needs a lot of body work and a new passenger seat. The tires are slightly flat and are probably dry-rotted. We have not tried to start it up yet. Before we do, what advice can you give me before we try to start it up?

This is one of the most commonly asked questions in the restoration hobby. The real answer depends on your intentions for the Corvette. However, whether you are looking to make it a nice driver or a show winner, these initial steps will help you start the car and determine what you have to work with. All of this assumes the Corvette wasn’t parked for some serious motor issue, if you are unsure follow these steps until you hit a snag or need additional help.

We would begin by removing all of the spark plugs (remember to mark the wires so you get the firing order correct later) and pouring a table spoon or so of Marvel Mystery oil, motor oil, PB Blaster or any penetrent into each cylinder through the plug holes. Let this sit for a couple of days before you begin to rotate the motor.

Before reinstalling the plugs, try and spin the motor over by hand. If the motor does not turn by hand, remove the V-belts to check for a frozen accessory (Power Steering pump, AC Compressor etc.). If it still doesn’t turn over you may have a serious internal issue requiring professional help. If it does spin freely, replace the battery and try using the key to engage the starter to turn over the motor. If this works, great; if not then you need to begin diagnosing the Corvette’s starter system. For the purposes of this article we’ll assume the starter motor works. At this point you could reinstall the plugs or you could perform a compression check, which we recommend. Again, if the compression check reveals nothing out of the ordinary, proceed as follows. If not, more diagnosing is in order to determine what the problem is.

Before trying to start the engine, change the motor oil and filter, check that the throttle works properly (from the pedal to the carburetor, all of it, you don’t want to start a car and immediately rev it to the moon). You can check that there is coolant in the radiator, but plan on replacing it in the very near future. For now we are focusing on the start-up, once we get past that then draining and changing the coolant and checking the condition of the hoses and radiator will be a priority. If it turns out there are problems with the motor there is no need to spend money on these items now. Read more…

With so many different Corvette wheel designs on the market, finding the perfect set for your Corvette is not always as easy. At Zip, we take the guesswork out of the equation by listing the exact Corvette year a particular wheel set will fit. Of course this is assuming you Corvette has not been modified with aftermarket brake packages and/or body conversion kits. If your Corvette has been modified then you should be sure the wheels you are ordering are going to fit properly. To do so, you just need to understand wheel spacing terminology and use basic math skills. Let’s go over how to measure your wheels.

Wheel Back Space

Wheel back Spacing is very simple and is often confused with the offset. To determine a wheel’s offset you must first find the wheels back space. The back space can be measured in inches but should be converted to millimeters before proceeding to find the offset. To find the back space place a straight edge across the rear of the wheel and measure to the mount pad. The distance equals the wheels back space, which in this case is 6.75″. Multiply the back space by 25.4 to convert the back space to mm (6.75″ x 25.4mm = 171mm).

Wheel Offset

Wheel offset is the distance between the centerline of the wheel to the wheel mount pad. It is measured in millimeters and the outcome can result in a zero, positive or negative measurement. To have a zero offset, the wheel mount pad must be even with the centerline of the wheel. A positive offset means that the mount pad is shifted past the centerline towards the face of the wheel, while a negative offset means the mount pad is shifted past the centerline towards the rear, or the brake side of the wheel. To determine the offset of a wheel you must first measure the overall width of the wheel. Lets say the wheel measurements are 18″ x 9.5″. Now convert the width to millimeters by multiplying the width by 25.4mm (9.5″ x 25.4mm = 241mm). Next divide the wheel width by 2 to determine the wheels centerline (241mm/2 = 121mm). With the centerline and back spacing of the wheel determined and converted to millimeters simply subtract the centerline from the back spacing for the offset (171mm – 121mm = +50mm).

Remember, we take into consideration every wheels backspace and offset before we offer a particular wheel for your Corvette. Each wheel set is listed for certain year applications because they are designed to fit properly to those models and are not guaranteed to work on Corvettes with modified body panels, suspension, brakes, etc.. For more information on which Corvette wheels are right for you feel free to Contact Us today.

This weeks Corvette question comes from Ray who owns a 1972 C3 Corvette.

How do I remove the starter from my 1972 Corvette?

68-82 Corvette Starter Mount

The procedure for removing and installing the starter on a 1972 Corvette applies to all 1968-1982 Corvettes. It is not a difficult task to complete and only requires basic mechanical tools. To begin the removal first disconnect the battery cables (negative first) and raise the Corvette to an ideal working height. Next disconnect each wire at the solenoid terminals but be sure to reinstall the nuts after removing each wire as the thread sizes are different. If your Corvette has a big block, which included the starter solenoid shield you can now remove the front bracket upper bolt and remove the shield from the starter. For Corvettes equipped with the 350 engine you can now loosen the front bracket and remove the two mount bolts. You are now ready to remove the starter from the Corvette. After rotating the bracket away from your work space, lower the starter from the Corvette front first while holding it against the bellhousing.

Once you are ready to reinstall your Corvette’s Starter you can simply reverse the order of these instructions. Be sure to torque the mount bolts to 25-35 ft./lbs. first, followed by the starter brace bolt. Once correct operation of your Corvette’s starter is confirmed the removal and installation is complete.

This week’s Corvette question comes from Mike who owns a 1993 C4 Corvette.

How do I adjust the windshield wipers on my 1993 Corvette?

C4 Corvette Windshield Wipers

Despite their notoriety as a high-performance car and their innovations in design and technology, the C4 Corvettes had their fair share of imperfections. One common problem is with the C4 Corvette Windshield Wipers. Although only a minor flaw, the wipers on many of these Corvettes are not properly adjusted to rest beneath the hood when turned off. When the wipers do not park correctly, they can scrape the black paint on the window trim, resulting in unsightly scratch marks on the trim and blemishing the aesthetic appeal of the  vehicle. Fortunately, this minor problem can be easily corrected. All you need is a ratchet, 10mm socket, a flat-blade screwdriver, and no more than 20 minutes of your time. This simple adjustment will allow your Corvette’s wipers to rest below the hood line and prevent your Corvette’s window trim from being scratched again.

C4 Corvette Wiper Access Plate

After opening the hood of your Corvette, look in the direction of the wipers where you will see the wiper transmission access plate. Remove the plate with a flat-blade screwdriver by carefully prying up on it. Not all C4 Corvettes have this plate, if you don’t simply remove the entire grill. Once the access plate or grill is removed you will have access to four retaining nuts. Loosen them with a 10mm socket but be sure not to remove them as reinstalling the nuts can be very difficult. Last, gently push the wiper arms towards the firewall. You will need to adjust both arms to avoid interference between them. Adjust the arms until they do not hit the windshield molding or they are below the hood line.

Once you have your Corvette’s windshield wipers adjusted properly you can tighten them down. Be sure not to over tighten or you could snap the stud on the linkage. Now check the adjustment. Close your Corvette’s hood and have someone spray water on the windshield while you operate the wipers. (Don’t operate the wipers without water on the windshield or you could permanently scratch the glass). Make sure the wipers are no longer hitting the windshield molding. Switch the wipers to high to check that they are not contacting each other or binding up. If they are contacting, then readjust them until they no longer contact each other. The same applies if they are still hitting your Corvette’s windshield molding. Once your adjustment is satisfactory, replace the access plate or grill and your job is done.

This weeks Corvette Question comes from Scott who owns a 1972 Corvette.

How do you remove the original radio from a 1972 Corvette?

The procedure for removing a 1972 Corvette Radio is the same for all 1968-1976 C3 Corvettes. You will need to start by removing your Corvette’s RH Side Dash Pad. There are seven phillips screws that hold the dash pad in place; two in the door jamb, three on top where it connects to the top dash pad and the final two are on the side of the gauge console. Once the RH dash pad is removed you will gain access to the radio and gauge console.  Remove both radio side panels on the forward console, they sit under the radio and are held in with one screw. Once this is done, you will need to loosen the nuts on the bottom of the gauge console, they can be difficult to get to, but you should note that you will only have to loosen them not remove them. You can see these nuts by the radio side panels. After the nuts are loose, you can remove the two screws on the left side and then remove the upper screws that hold the wiper switch in place. Once all of the screws are removed, remove the radio knobs and the retaining nuts. The console will now pull out, but use caution because you still have wires and your oil line hooked up. If you can gain enough clearance to remove the radio leave these connected, if not then disconnect the wires and oil line and remove the console. The radio will now slide out so that you can disconnect the antenna cable and wiring harness.

This weeks Corvette Question comes from Kris who owns a C4 Corvette.

How do I replace the fuel pump & sending unit on my 1987 Corvette?

C4 Corvette Fuel Pump

Answer: Once you have troubleshooted your Corvette’s Fuel System and determined it is time to install a new fuel pump & sending unit on your Corvette you will first need to disconnect the negative battery cable and relieve the pressure in the fuel system. To relieve the fuel system pressure on a C4 Corvette you can simply remove the gas cap and let the car sit for 15 minutes. Once the pressure is relieved drain your Corvette’s fuel tank and remove the tank filler door attaching screws and bezel. Next, lift the fuel tank filler pipe housing and disconnect the drain hose from the nipple. Before disconnecting the fuel tank filler pipe housing, clean all fuel connections and surrounding areas to avoid contaminating the fuel system. Next disconnect the fuel hoses and EVAP hose from the fuel sender assembly. Plug or pinch the fuel feed and return hoses and remove the fuel sender electrical connector. To finish removal of your C4 Corvette’s fuel pump and sending unit remove the fuel sender assembly attaching screws, assembly, and gasket. You can re-install the old gasket but first check to see if your new C4 Corvette Sending Unit came with a new gasket. If it did then discard the gasket and thoroughly clean the gasket sealing surfaces. If you just purchased a new C4 Corvette Fuel Pump you will need to purchase a gasket separately or re-install the old gasket. Finally, cuts, nicks, swelling, or distortion is common on the fuel feed, fuel return and EVAP hoses so be sure to inspect these hoses before proceeding.

Once you are ready to install your new C4 Corvette Fuel Pump & Sending Unit begin by positioning the gasket on the fuel tank with the notch facing forward in the right hand corner of the tank. Carefully fold the strainer to allow it to fit through the opening in the tank. Next, install the fuel sender assembly into the fuel tank and re-connect the fuel sender electrical connector. Then connect the EVAP hose and tighten the hose clamps. Re-connect the fuel drain hose to the nipple on the filler pipe housing and place the housing around the filler pipe. Now you can re-install the filler door bezel, add fuel, and re-connect the negative battery cable. Before driving your Corvette away, be sure to turn the ignition switch on, off, then back on and check for any possible fuel leaks. If no leaks are recognized your Corvette fuel pump replacement was a success.

Chrome Corvette Wheels look great no matter what year, body style, or color your Corvette may be. They are not exactly the cheapest upgrade over the stock Corvette Wheels, but as most people would agree, the brilliance added to the Corvette from a new set of chrome wheels is well worth the cost. For those of you who have spent your fare share of money purchasing chrome Corvette Wheels here are a few recommendations that should help you get the most out of your purchase.

Corvette Chrome Wheels

Before your chrome wheels are installed on your Corvette for the first time we recommend purchasing some of Adam’s Americana Premium Carnauba Paste Wax. The paste wax is very important as this is what will ultimately protect your chrome wheels from contaminants. Once your chrome wheels have been installed on your Corvette apply the carnauba paste wax to the wheels as you would normally apply the wax to the Corvette. By waxing your chrome Corvette Wheels you are essentially filling in all of the small pores in the chrome, creating a protective layer between the wheel and brake dust or any other corroding substances. While in between waxings we recommend cleaning your Chrome Corvette Wheels with basic soap and water. Any special chrome wheel cleaner can strip the wax, which could do more harm then good as the wheels age. Every two months or so it would be good to re-wax the wheels so the protective layer is always kept fresh.

This weeks Corvette Question comes from Greg who owns a 1987 Corvette:

How do I remove the battery from my 1987 Corvette?

Answer: It is not as easy as it should be. You have to start by removing the inner fender panel behind the front tire. Once you have removed this, open your driver side door and on the lower rocker panel you will see some very small torx screws; they are silver. You need to remove the first two closest to the front. Once these are removed, on the very bottom of the rocker molding almost directly under the front door jamb will be a 7mm bolt head. You need to remove this bolt and then you will be able to lower the front half of your Corvette’s rocker molding. Once you have done this, you will see two 10mm bolt heads. One is on the top of the battery side cover and one on the bottom. Remove both of them and then you will be able to remove the battery side cover. Once you have done this, you can disconnect your Corvette’s battery cables (negative cable first). There is a bolt and retainer that holds the battery to the Corvette’s battery tray, you will need a 13mm socket and an extension to get it out. Once the retainer is off, you can remove your battery. This is also a good time to check your wiring that routes around the backside of the battery; these are all hot fuseable links. Just make sure they are in good shape with no visual damage. If there is noticeable damage, now is the time to fix them. Once everything looks good, you can install the new battery and just reverse the removal procedures.

Do you have a Corvette technical question that you need answered? Click here to submit your question.

This weeks Corvette Question comes from Bobby who owns a 1981 Corvette:

How do I remove and reinstall a 1977-1982 Corvette sun visor?

Corvette Sunvisors

Answer: Removal and installation of 1977-1982 Corvette Sun Visors is fairly simple and can be done with your basic hand tools (Note: the assistance of another person is recommended). Start by removing the Corvette’s T-Top Panel. Take a small screwdriver (jewelers type preferably) and lift the chrome access plug out of the header. Looking into the access hole, you will see the threaded portion of the sun visor rod that is being held to the roof of the Corvette by a tension spring and retainer. Take a small punch and tap the sun visor pin down – but be sure not to apply too much tension to the windshield (remember, this area is also supported by the windshield header which is part of your Corvette’s Birdcage). By lightly tapping the pin downwards, the sun visor and rod should fall into the Corvette. Make sure you keep your face away as the rod is under a lot of tension with the spring and retainer holding it to the roof. You will not be able to salvage the retainer as the star points will break off but you can order a new Corvette Sun Visor Mount Spring & Retainer Kit from Zip.

Do you have a Corvette technical question that you need answered? Click here to submit your question

This week’s Corvette Question comes from Tammy who owns a 1979 Corvette:

How do I install the wiper motor on a 1979 Corvette?

Corvette Wiper Motor & Arms

Answer: When the windshield wiper motor on your Shark quits, it’s a fairly simple matter to replace it. It takes well under an hour and no special skills are required. Once you have an understanding of the procedure, mounting any C3 Corvette wiper motor will be easy and quick to do. Follow along as we show you how:

As with any work you are performing; don’t forget to disconnect the negative cable from the battery, just to be on the safe side.

Step 1

1. If you have an aftermarket 1973-1982 Corvette Windshield Wiper Compartment Cover installed in your car, the first thing you’ll have to do is remove it so you can gain access to the wiper compartment. If you don’t have one of these covers installed, proceed directly to step 2.

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