Corvette Questions
December 22nd, 2009
Do you have a tech question about your Corvette that nobody can seem to answer? Do you often wonder “why?” about certain things Corvette related? Well CorvettePartsBlog.com can help:
Ask your Corvette related questions here! We are Corvette experts and we’ll answer your tough technical questions or any other Corvette related questions you may have. Don’t be shy, the only bad question is the one not asked.
We will pick one question each week and feature it, along with an answer, as the “Question Of The Week” to be posted on the front page of our Corvette Parts Blog and emailed to our subscribers.
Read below some of the previous questions we have received,
or click here to ask your question.
Are you able to tell me if side pipes were a dealer option on 1970 Corvettes?
Sam,
I ordered a new 1970 Corvette in late ‘69 and found out that side pipes were not offered on the ‘70 and ended up buying a ‘69.
Sam,
As Michael said the side exhaust option was not offered from the factory on 1970 Corvettes. You can install a 1969 Corvette Side Exhaust System on a 1970 but the car did not come with that option.
I have a 1981 Corvette. How do I know if it has a L82 engine?
Jim,
There were no L-82’s produced in 1981. Someone could have installed the emblems, but all 1981 Corvette engines were 190 horsepower 350’s.
What is the correct positioning for a 1972 Corvette nose emblem and the side “Stingray” emblems?
Eldon,
The Corvette has holes for the emblems, if you are using a new Corvette One-Piece Front End there should be dimples where to drill the holes. If there are no holes or dimples I am sorry to say that you will have to do it by eye. I do not know of any templates that exist.
How do you remove a 1966 Corvette Dash Pad?
I have a 1979 Corvette and have heard of a “tank sticker”. How can I find it if it is still on the car?
Bill,
I do not believe the 1979 Corvette had this particular sticker you are looking for. If it did it would have been taped right to the tank. If this Corvette has been stored outside or driven quite a bit I can assure you it is in very bad shape if it is even still there. In many cases a copy would be placed in the car somewhere but exactly where, who knows. We have found them under the carpet, in the seat springs, etc.
I have a 1960 Corvette. Where is the turn signal canceling switch flat spring (Zip part # SC-423) located, how is it installed and what does it do?
Larry,
This flat metal spring sits vertically into a slot inside your Corvette’s turn signal housing. It is located under the side of the switch where the turn signal lever threads in. The function is to keep tension on 2 pins cast into the underside of the switch so that when the switch pivots to signal a turn, pressure is applied on either pin (left or right).
The windshield wipers on my 1980 Corvette have stopped working. The fuse is ok and the washer pumps fluid. Do you know what I should check next?
D. Davis,
Without looking further and seeing your Corvette I would assume either a switch or the windshield wiper motor itself is bad.
I am thinking about buying a 1971 Corvette that needs restoration. What is a fair price to pay? It has good paint, the interior is in fair condition, steering has a lot of free play, motor runs but needs rebuilding, and chassis has just a little rust. Overall the Corvette is in good condition and is drivable. It is a automatic with a 350 motor. Just looking for a ballpark estimate.
Bill,
Obviously there are many little things that could effect the overall value of any Corvette. A rough estimate to pay for a 1971 Corvette as described would be 5-8k.
I have a base model 1990 Corvette coupe with the C68 Electronic Climate Control option. The control head always displays “—” and none of the control buttons work, except for the rear window defroster. I tried the diagnostic procedures available through the control head and I can cycle through the options but I can’t display any error codes or values. I swapped out the control head with another working unit but it didn’t change anything. I think it might be the programmer unit under the dash. Any idea what might be the problem? With the radio out, what kind of signal should I see on the E&C bus (pin J on the ALDL)?
Michael,
It sounds like the unit behind your Corvette’s dash could be bad. I am not sure what you are going to see on the bus line, do you have a Tech1? I don’t know if you can even read anything off of the bus line without the Tech1.
Do the 1969 to 1973 Corvettes have any vin numbers located on the firewall? I have all other number locations but am still looking to see if this location has any. Thanks in advance.
Randy,
There are no numbers on the firewall but there should be some on the Corvette’s windshield frame.
I have a 1965 Corvette that I am restoring. I have purchased new headlight motors and was wondering how to get the motor input shaft to align with the headlights output shaft. I am assuming that the motor is in the closed position and I need the headlights in the down postion.
Marc,
The headlight motor does not have a reference until you set it with the Headlight Motor Stop “Y-Bracket” . You can turn the knob on the back of the motor until the shaft lines up with the headlight. Then you will be able to set your “Y bracket” stop.
I have a 1971 Corvette and the rear window seems to be stuck in place. I have loosened both tighteners but the window will not come out. What am I doing wrong?
Dennis,
There is a very good chance that your Corvette’s rear window is stuck if it has been years since it was last removed. You may try soaking the seal with water and soap, but bottom line you are just going to have to work the window out.
The Corvette has a new battery, new wiring harness and no radio installed.
Dan,
Make sure that the ignition switch is not bad. There is not much in that year car to go bad. You could still have a bad battery, but I would check everything else first. Try installing a amp meter between the power cable and the positive post on the battery to see how much power is being pulled. You can then start unplugging items until the power stops and this will help you find the issue.
I have a 1962 Corvette which the battery goes dead on over night. I have removed all the fuses and still no luck. Any help would be appreciated.
Dan,
It is possible that you have a short somewhere, which is a really good chance if the Corvette has the original wiring. Also, it could be a faulty radio. Have you tried using a new battery?
How do I replace the battery on my 1987 Corvette?
Greg,
Your question has been chosen as the Corvette Question of the week and will be featured here: http://www.corvettepartsblog.com/c4corvette/how-do-you-remove-the-battery-on-a-1987-corvette/
I have a 1988 Corvette that starts easily in cooler weather but will not start immediately after driving for a while in hot weather. Also after driving in 75 degree weather and above it seems that after every 4 trips or so it will not start after turning off the motor. Makes no noise when trying to restart but accessories are on. After about 30min. to 1 1/2 hrs. then will start. There is seemingly no reason to when it will restart or not, but heat seems to influence it somewhat. Any idea where to start?
Gary,
Have you checked your starter? When starter motors get hot they will not turn over. It sounds like this is your problem.
I need to pull the engine out of my 1977 Corvette to have it rebuilt. Would it be easier to pull the engine out alone or with the transmission?
Scott,
It is easier to pull the engine without pulling the transmission. You will have to place some wood or pipe under the transmission to keep it in place without the engine.
How do you check the transmission fluid on a C5 six-speed Corvette?
Mike,
You can’t really check the level of the transmission fluid in your Corvette. If you think it is low you can add some on the side of the transmission. There is a fill plug and you fill the transmission with ATF fluid until it comes out of the fill hole.
I have a 1977 Corvette, I am trying to find the fuse panel but can’t locate it, any help in letting me know where it is located would be appreciated.
Al Schaerffer
Al,
Almost all pre-1982 Corvette fuse panels are located under the drivers side dash. In 1977 the fuse panel will be just to the right of the hood release lever. You will need a flashlight to get a good look up at your Corvette’s fuse panel.