Corvette Power Steering Renew Kit

When the power steering system in your 1963-1982 C2 or C3 Corvette begins to leak it may seem as if you are constantly topping off the fluid level.

Our project 1974 Corvette had a power steering leak somewhere and after a quick degrease of the undercarriage, we discovered that the power steering control valve was the culprit. That’s not a great discovery because C3 Corvettes are known for leaking control valves. Since the control valve needed to be replaced, it provided the perfect opportunity to rebuild the entire power steering system with new hoses and a power steering cylinder.

To keep things simple Zip Corvette Parts offers Power Steering Renew Kits for 1963-1979 small-block Corvettes, 1965-1974 big-blocks, and 1980-1982 models. Available with new or rebuilt components, the renew kits include a steering ram and control valve (be sure to return your old ones for core refunds with the rebuilt kits), power cylinder, and hoses. When our box arrived with our new Corvette Power Steering Renew Kit, we headed to the garage…

Click here to learn How to rebuild the Power Steering System in a 1963-1982 Corvette.

Corvette Front Bumper Mask

The original “StetchBra” cloth Corvette Front Bumper Mask is tailored for an exact fit and is available in a choice of colors for your C4, C5 or C6 Corvette. The mask is convenient to use, easy to clean (hand or machine washable) and comes with a pocket-size storage bag which will fit in your Corvette’s storage compartments. Unlike other cheap Corvette nose masks our masks are Made in the USA and include a Lifetime Warranty. They are made of a polyester knit to get that great fit, without any gaps or warping even at high-speeds. The revolutionary material allows air to flow through, providing a clean look to your Corvette’s front end while protecting your Corvette’s finish from bugs and road grime. Its super soft material will not harm your Corvette’s paint.

The base model C6 Corvette Front Bumper Nose Mask, like the Grand Sport or Z06/ZR1 masks, installs easily in less than 30 minutes. Each “StretchBra” mask attaches with retaining clips across the hood opening area and snaps in the wheel well area. Once the snaps are installed the mask can be fitted to your Corvette in just minutes. A built-in stretch cord in the bottom of the mask pulls tight providing the clean, snug fit that can not be replicated with any other material.

For improved cooling efficiency, Z06 & ZR1 Corvette cloth bumper masks can be installed on Grand Sport Corvettes. The Z06 mask features a “screened opening” to improve airflow and reduce the potential for overheating problems common with Z06 Corvettes. While not required for Grand Sport Corvettes, the Z06/ZR1 mask will install without any modifications.

The “StretchBra” front bumper cloth masks are also available for C4 and C5 Corvettes. The masks fit all C4 and C5 Corvettes including the ZR-1, Grand Sport and C5 Z06. Installation and care of these bumper masks are just as simple as they are on the C6.

To show how simple the installation of these nose masks are we have included step-by-step instructions that show how to install the C6 Z06/ZR1 Corvette (Grand Sport if desired) Front Bumper “Stretch Bra” Cloth Nose Mask on a 2007 Z06…

Step 1

Remove the five (5) screws that attach the ground affects/fender liner to the front fender of your Corvette. Repeat for both the left and right side.

Step 2

Replace the ten (10) torx head screws with the ten (10) snap screws that are supplied with the front bumper mask. Repeat for both the left and right side.

Step 3a

Attach the snaps on one end of the nose mask to the inside of your Corvette’s fender (Note: The top of the mask has plastic retainer clips). Pull the bottom of the mask under the front bumper and stretch the mask across the bumper.

Step 3b

Attach the snaps on the opposite end of the mask to the inside of the opposite fender. Be sure that the bottom of the mask remains under the front bumper.

Step 4a

Anchor the top of the mask inside the engine compartment with the plastic clips. The two inner clips will attach just under the hood seal in the vertical position.

Step 4b

The two outer clips will attach on each end of the bumper mounting bracket in the horizontal position. Be sure to attach the outer clips to the edge of the mounting bracket as shown to keep the mask stretched tight.

Step 4c

Here you can see one of the inner clips has been attached to the bumper mount bracket. Make sure that each clip rivet is pulled away from the hood before moving on.

Step 4d

Here you can see both inner clips attached in the vertical position to the bumper mount bracket. Each clip rivet is inside the engine compartment allowing for hood clearance when closing.

Step 5

Place the Velcro strip supplied with the mask under your Corvette to mate up with the Velcro strip on the bottom of the mask. Attach the six clips in the center of the mask to the grill to complete installation.

After the front bumper mask has been installed check to be sure that all snaps are fastened securely and all clips are attached properly. It is not recommended to leave the front bumper mask on for extended periods of time. The mask may be cleaned by hand or machine washed in a laundry bag with a mild detergent (no bleach).

The project car shown in our Corvette Alternator Replacement Technical Article is a 1967 Corvette 427 coupe, which had an incorrect chrome-plated alternator in it. The procedures detailed in the technical article are the same for small or big block Corvette engines from 1963 through 1982. Follow along and see how easy it really is to do this Corvette alternator replacement yourself.

Click here to read the entire Corvette Alternator Replacement Article.

Corvette Wiper Motor

If you have a 1977 to 1982 Corvette you need to know if you have a pulse wiper system or not. Since this was an option in some of the years, not all of the Corvettes came with this system, which allowed the wipers to delay as most cars do today. If your car is equipped with the pulse system you will need the pulse motor cover along with a new wiper motor. The reason for this is that all new motors are set for non-pulse movement. Changing the motor cover will convert the non-pulse motor to the pulse system. Now with our new wiper motor and tools in hand, let’s replace that worn out wiper motor.

Click Here to read the entire 1973-1982 Corvette Wiper Motor Replacement Article.

Corvette Interior Cleaning

Cleaning your Corvette’s Interior can be a huge hassle but it is sure to pay off in the end. We will show you how to thoroughly clean all of the carpet, vinyl, chrome, leather, glass, plastic, and rubber that may be included in your Corvette. Just dedicate one weekend to this job and your Corvette’s Interior will once again shine like new. If you do not have a Midyear still follow along as most cleaning processes can be used on any Corvette.

Click Here to read the entire Corvette Spring Cleaning Technical Article.

Front Suspension

This project is a major rebuild job and will take some time, but your Corvette will feel like new and you know you will not need to worry about anything in the front suspension for years to come. This is the perfect project for the winter months.

We replaced the springs, power steering pump, ram, valve, hoses, idler arm, drag link, tie rods, sleeves, control arm bushings, bumpers, stabilizer bar bushings, end kits and shocks on this 1978 Corvette. All 63-82 Corvettes have very similar front suspension and steering parts.

Click Here to read the entire Corvette Front Suspension Rebuild Article.

New Corvette Magazine

CorvetteMagazine.com is your resource for in-depth Corvette technical articles including installation articles from 1953 to the new C6. Subscribe to CorvetteMagazine.com’s e-newsletter and receive updates when new articles are published or new features are added. Visit CorvetteMagazine.com today to learn more.

Corvette Rear Script

The rear script, along with virtually all other decorative trim and insignias on Mid-Year Corvettes, is made of chrome-plated pot metal. Over time, due to exposure to moisture and the elements, the chrome plating develops pits and pocks as the pot metal underneath the plating reacts to changes in moisture content and air-borne chemicals. While replacing this script is a bit more involved that one would think at first blush, it’s easy enough to do with some simple tools and a couple of hours worth of labor. Here’s how to go about it with a new script…

Click here to read our Corvette Rear Script Replacement Article

Corvette Power Window Motor

In the 1968 to 1976 Corvette power window motor design, GM used the same motors as the 56-67 Corvette, but they flipped them around. What was a left hand motor in a 56-67 Corvette became a right hand motor in the 68-76 Corvette, and vice versa. However, the manufacturer of the motor never changed and neither did their part number, so when you look at the right hand motor (passenger side) in a 68-77 Corvette, the motor is stamped “LH” for left hand. It is a left hand for a 56-67, but not a 68-77. This often leads to confusion when a customer receives a new window motor that is correct, but they think it’s wrong. Of course you always need to be aware of how GM determined what is left and what is right, it was from sitting in the car; RH=passenger, LH=driver. Also, GM changed the electrical plug midyear 1976, so all motors produced by GM after the middle of 1976 had the new design plug. In 1978, the motor changed again, but it was only by adding a bracket to the back of the motor, the rest of the motor and the plug remained the same as the late 76. The motors that are supplied now will work in all applications, but if you are installing this motor in 56-76E (E=early) then you will also need a power window motor conversion harness so that the motor will plug into the earlier harness in your Corvette.

Here’s a project that’s fairly easy to do and only requires standard tools. The entire replacement of the power window motor should be completed in about 1.5 hours from start to finish.

Click here to read our Corvette Power Window Motor Replacement article.

Corvette Interior Restoration

No matter how nicely the exterior of your Corvette is detailed, a complimenting interior is needed for the car to look completely finished. An interior makeover can do wonders for any Corvette. It can make a good car look outstanding. This 78 Corvette needed an interior makeover. The seat covers and dash looked excellent but the rest of the interior needed attention. Zip Corvette was able to supply everything necessary from large items like the door panels and carpet right down to the smallest pieces like interior mounting screws. Restoring an interior does not take a PhD. You do have to have some patience and a full set of common hand tools but the results are well worth the effort. Let’s get out our tools and start that interior makeover.
Click here to read our Corvette Interior Restoration article.

Corvette Winter Storage Article

Storing your Corvette away for the winter is more than parking it in the garage and forgetting about it until Spring. The car has to be prepared correctly to prevent things such as moisture and rodents from damaging your pride and joy. Your Corvette should always be stored in an insulated building with a concrete floor, but sometimes, you just have to take what you can get. Try to stay away from uninsulated and unheated garages because in colder climates the severe temperature changes promote moisture and moisture causes problems. You can help to prevent this by placing pie pans containing charcoal briquettes around on the floor. Also, commercial absorbents used for closets and damp rooms will help but remember to change these approximately every 30 days. Always use a quality Corvette Car Cover. Never use a plastic, rubber, canvas or waterproof cover. They all trap moisture…Follow along as Zip Corvette shows you have to get you Corvette ready for the winter.
Click here to read our Corvette Winter Storage article.