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.

We would disconnect and block off the fuel line from the tank to the fuel pump, at the pump. Whatever is in the tank is not worth pumping through the car and into the carburetor. An old lawn mower gas can, rigged and hung from a coat hanger and piped directly to the carburetor will work just fine for now. Gravity pressure is more than sufficient. Be Careful and have a fire extinguisher ready. If you are not confident in this then you may need to consult a professional.

Go ahead and install a new set of spark plugs, and reconnect the spark plug wires in the correct order. At this point you are ready to try and start the engine. Get a fire extinguisher ready. If everything is in order when you turn the key you will be greeted by the sounds and smells of an American V8 burning off years of debris and waking from its slumber. Be prepared for a lot of exhaust smoke from the oil you poured in a few days ago, this is normal. If you have not addressed the cooling system do not let the motor run for more than 10-20 seconds without turning it off and letting it cool down for 15-20 minutes. You could even add water now and see what leaks develop. Make a note of these leaks, as they will be addressed in the future.

On the other hand the car may not start, at which point further investigation is in order. You will need to check the ignition system for spark at the plugs, and make sure the distributor is timed properly. Again, you need to be careful, and possibly enlist the help of a friend or neighbor with the knowledge if you are in doubt. If the ignition checks out but the car still does not run then you may need to check, rebuild or replace your Corvette’s carburetor. Again, seek local help if in doubt.

At this point you could move in many different directions to get this Corvette back on the road and driving. Some folks would pull the entire car apart and do a complete restoration. Most people tend to perform what could be termed a “rolling restoration” wherein you go through the individual systems (Brakes, Suspension, Steering, Fuel, Cooling, Electrical, Exhaust etc.) on the car and in a logical order. Safety items first (brakes, steering, tires, fuel system) then drive-ability and reliability (suspension, exhaust, electrical, vacuum hoses, engine cooling) and lastly cosmetics and body work (interior, stereo, paint, wheels, accessories). Of course there will be many times where it is better to combine a couple more of these systems and jobs together to save time. How you go about it is up to you, though there has been plenty written and we do offer numerous Corvette Restoration Books and Manuals which will be invaluable along the way.

Before using the car regularly you should think seriously about replacing the tires, you should bleed the brakes until the fluid is clean, drain and change the fuel and change the fuel filter, check the transmission and differential fluids, make sure there are no overheating issues, and generally keep an eye on things, taking notes of weird noises, feelings, smells, and so on.

Good luck to you all, bringing a Corvette back to life can be a very satisfying and somewhat addictive endeavor. It can also be fraught with pitfalls and frustration. Remember that there is no pleasure without effort.

By Tom Richardson – Zip Sales Representative

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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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.

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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.

Step 2

2. Unsnap the wiring harness that supplies power to the wiper motor. The wiper motor is secured to the firewall with three nuts on studs. Use a 3/8” socket to remove these nuts, being careful not to let them drop down into the engine compartment.

Step 3

3. The nut and washer retaining the bellcrank arm in the wiper compartment is removed next. Gently moving the bellcrank arm back and forth will free it from the wiper motor shaft.

Step 4

4. Some replacement wiper motors do not come with the gear box cover on them, so if this is the case, you have to swap it from the old unit to the new one.

Step 5

5. The machine screws holding the gearbox cover on the old motor are removed using a socket.

Step 6

6. The cover is then installed on the new motor using the same screws removed from the old unit. The new wiper motor had an extra grounding tab, which had to be bent up, and secured with one of the gearbox cover screws. There are 3 mounting grommets that should be replaced before installing the new wiper motor.

Step 7

7. A new wiper motor seal is slipped over the shaft of the motor and the motor is reinstalled on the firewall, passing the shaft through the hole until the seal is firmly pressed to the both the firewall and the motor. The three retaining nuts are then installed and tightened using a socket.

Step 8

8. The bellcrank arm is keyed so it will only go on the shaft in the correct orientation. Wiggling it back and forth will help to seat it on the shaft.

Step 9

9.The retaining nut and washer are installed on the shaft next and tightened. This is a good time to remove any debris (e.g., leaves) that may have gotten into the wiper compartment.

Step 10

10. To finish the job, snap the wiring harness for the motor on next. The harness is keyed so it will only go on in the correct orientation. If you have a wiper compartment cover, reinstall it now. Switch your ignition to the accessory or on position, turn the wiper switch to ‘on’ to confirm proper operation and that’s all there is to it.

Note: The washer pump is in the washer jar on 1979 Corvettes, not attached to the motor.

Click here to read how to adjust the wipers.

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How do I adjust the T-Tops on my 1977 Corvette?

1968-1977 Corvette T-Top Latches

Answer: There are multiple adjustment points on the 1968-1977 Corvette T-Tops. All of the outer latches and center locks have adjustment points. To get your Corvette’s T-Tops to fit correctly, first loosen the latches and center locks. Next, fit the T-Tops to your Corvette, moving and sliding the T-Tops into the desired position. They should be flush from side to side and between 1/8″ to 1/4″ high at the rear roof.  The glass roof panels were designed to fit from 1/8″ to 1/4″ higher than the rear roof, so do not attempt to make the panels flush at the rear. Once you have them placed correctly, sit in your Corvette and begin to tighten the adjustment points. Both the latches and center locks have vertical adjustments in them as well. Your T-Top can be pulled down tighter by turning the adjustable bolt in the outer latches. When adjusting the bolt, take notice of the clearance from the roof panel to the windshield header; there should be a minimum of 1/16″ gap. You want the rubber weatherstrip at the front of the T-Top to compress so that there are no leaks, but you do not want it to be so tight that the T-Top actually lays on top of the windshield header molding. For the last adjustment, simply add or delete shims to the center locks until the desired fit is achieved. For additional information, read our Finishing Touches & Details technical article at CorvetteMagazine.com.

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How do you close the automatic headlights on a C5 Corvette?

C5 Corvette Headlight

Answer: If your automatic lights are on and you would like to close them, you have to go into your options menu. To do this you must use the buttons located on the side of the instrument panel. There is a button labeled options – it is button number 4. When you push it, the screen below your gauges will ask you a set of several different questions. Examples of these questions include: do you want your Corvette Headlights to open automatically depending on the light outside? Do you want the alarm to activate automatically when you leave your Corvette? Do you want the horn to chirp when you arm and disarm? You use the reset button to select which question you want and the options button to go to the next option. Simply choose for the automatic lights to be turned off while on this screen and they should close. If you choose to close them in the menu and they are still up, then obviously the headlight switch on the turn signal lever is on.

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How do you remove the wiper arms from a 1970 Corvette?

Answer: Original Corvette Wiper Arms are pressed on to a shaft, often referred to as a transmission that projects through the cowl of any 1956-1982 Corvette.  The fit is very tight and over time, the wiper arms can really become “stuck” to these transmissions. Removal is not difficult, if you have the correct tool. Many Corvette owners have found themselves on the short end of a nasty paint scratch while trying to remove the arms from the transmission with a common screwdriver. The process can

Wiper Arm Removal Tool

be done, but is not worth the risk just because you want to save a few dollars by not purchasing a Corvette wiper arm removal tool. With this tool, your wiper arm removal will be quick and easy without risking damage to your Corvette. The tool simply hooks on to the bottom of the wiper arm elbow. Grab in one hand the wiper arm and tool handle, squeeze together and pull straight up. The tool creates the correct alignment of the elbow in order to bypass an inner spring clip. Once correct alignment is received, the arm pulls off with ease.

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How do you adjust the “back” of the headlights on a 1977? I know where the front adjustment is, but mine rubs on the back when they are opened. I have several manuals and have looked everywhere on the car I can think of. Can you help?

Answer: There is no adjustment for the back of your Corvette’s headlights. If your headlights are rubbing the surrounding fiberglass, we would first suggest unbolting the headlights and changing their position within the opening. The bolts mounting the frame to the front and rear headlight bars on the fiberglass have some adjustment in them, loosen the bolts and reposition the headlight housing in the opening. An additional issue may be worn out or misaligned side bushings where the headlight housing mounts into the headlight frame. These bushings are plastic and once cracked and brittle, will allow the housing to move around in the frame. Verify whether the bushings are broken and if not, loosen the bolts and reposition the headlight housing within the frame. There is adjustment in those bolts as well that will allow you to control the headlight housing position.

Here are a few diagrams that may help:

Headlight Diagram 1

Headlight Diagram 2

Headlight Diagram 3

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How do I remove my Corvette’s windshield wiper motor?

Answer: The wiper motor is held to the cowl by three studs coming from the windshield side. First, gain access by raising the wiper door assembly to its highest position, this can be done by removing the plug from the wiper door vacuum canister and pulling the wiper door up. Additional access can

1969-1972 Corvette Wiper Motor

be gained by removing the (8) screws holding the wiper door grill in place. Disconnect the wiper arms from the ball stud on the back of the wiper motor; two nuts with attaching washers hold the arms to the ball stud. There is also a single nut that holds the ball stud bracket to the back of the wiper motor, this may need to be removed as well. Try to reach these components without removing the wiper door, as removing wiper doors typically cause other problems including broken bolts which typically require professional repair. Once the arms are loose, simply loosen the three nuts on the front of the wiper motor and the motor can be pulled straight forward and off the cowl. When replacing the wiper motor with a new or rebuilt unit, order separately the wiper motor mount bushings as these are usually dry and cracked due to engine compartment heat.

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How do I adjust the windshield wipers on my 1976 Corvette?

Answer: The wiper arms fit into a specific groove on the wiper arm transmissions coming through the top of the cowl, therefore no adjustment exists on the exterior of your 1968-1982 Corvette. The

Wiper Arm Adjustment

adjustments for your wiper arm locations are found on the backside of the Corvettes wiper motor where the link arms attach to the wiper motor ball stud. This can easily be found on 1973-1982 Corvettes where access is granted, but on 1968-1972 Corvettes the wiper door may need to be removed or lifted in the very highest position. Once the nuts are loosened, the wiper link arms will “slide” to allow for proper adjustment. The nuts can be tightened once the arm locations are adjusted enough to make sure the wiper blades do not hit when returning to their inside position.

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How do I remove the cluster from my 1965 C2 Corvette?

Answer: There is no step by step guide that I know of, but 1965 Corvette clusters are very easy to remove. You can start by disconnecting the battery. Then loosen the column and lower it. Once you have done that, you can remove the speedometer and tachometer cables. You will need to disconnect

Midyear Corvette Instrument Cluster

the oil pressure line and make sure you have a little plastic cup under it so oil does not get on your carpet. Once you have done all of this, you can unscrew the dash. To do this, unscrew all the perimeter screws around the top and the dash will come out. You will have to unplug all the electrical connectors as well. Once you have completed the following steps you should be able to remove the cluster from your Corvette.

For more information on restoring your Midyear Corvette’s cluster to its original state click here.

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How do I remove the body from my 1977 C3 Corvette? I have all bolts removed but cannot get the body to move.

Answer: With all the bolts removed from the body mount to frame positions (8 total for 68-82 Corvettes), as well as the steering column, shift cables, battery cables, fuel lines and ground straps disconnected, the body should be ready for removal. Often times the deterioration of metal shims and aluminum or rubber bushings (depending on year, 68-72 aluminum & 73-82 rubber) cause the body to seem “stuck” when trying to remove it from the frame. First, make sure the lifting process does not

1963-1982 Body Lift Kit

damage your Corvette’s body. We suggest using a lifting system such as our Corvette body lift kit (ZM-293). This system lifts the body from a single point and hooks onto the rocker channels pulling straight up from a solid point that will not cause any damage to your Corvette’s fiberglass panels (for body lift kit installation instructions click here). Even with a body lifting system, your Corvette’s body may still be “stuck” to the frame due to years of compression and corrosion. Next, as you apply pressure with the body lift system, gently pry with a large pry bar between the cushions and frame mount to break loose these connections. Make sure that when you remove the body you take notice of the various shims used at each mounting point. This will aid your reinstallation of the body, creating a fit just as the factory created when your Corvette body was originally installed.

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I own a 1967 Corvette convertible. When I turn on the radio, my dash lights go out immediately. FUSE BLOWN! I have checked most of the wiring for bare wires, but no luck to date. Would it be something in the radio itself? It is an original radio and it has never been touched. Thanks, I really miss those dash lights.

1963-1967 Corvette

Answer: With electrical issues, it can be very difficult to find the culprit. However, with the symptoms you described, I would lean towards a short in your Corvette’s radio. You have an interior light that is inside the radio on a midyear Corvette and I feel confident that you have a short in that circuit. The fact that the radio has not been rebuilt also makes me think the radio is the problem because it is 41 years old. The life span that GM put on the wiring in the car was originally 10 years, so I can’t imagine that it was much more or even less from the other components in the car. I think it would be best to have the radio restored. Then, you may want to consider replacing your Corvette’s wiring harness if that has not already been done.

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I have a 1990 Corvette convertible with 350 and 6-speed that I can only drive when the weather is cool because I cannot get the cooling fan to run. The fan motor is good (works when voltage is applied) and I have replaced all of the temperature sensors and the cooling fan relay, but still no fan operation. What else could be preventing the fan from running?

Answer: Your Corvette’s main cooling fan is controlled by the PCM. The PCM sends a ground signal to the fan relay when it sees the desired temperature to run the fan has been met. You need to check the relay and make sure you are getting your battery 12V and ignition 12V when the key is on. With the key on, jump the ground wire in the relay. If the fan turns on, you have an issue in the PCM and it may be time for a rebuild. If it does not turn on, then your problem lies in the fan circuit between the relay and the fans.

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