Common Fixes To Get Your Corvette Going Again!

Here are a few "fixes" that we have learned the hard way over the past 35 years.

• Headlight motor turns on your 1963-67, but teeth won't always engage? Try pulling the motor out of the headlamp housing, rotate the motor shaft 180 degrees with the thumbwheel, and re-install. This should provide brand new gear teeth, as the motor rotates less than half-way when opening and closing the headlamps.
• When installing the nuts on a new nose emblem, put some double stick tape in the socket to hold the nut and make sure the socket fits tight on the extension. It is almost impossible to fish these out of the nose if they fall off.
• Sometimes well-worn shifters on earlier Corvettes get jammed in gear. This usually happens when you are out on the road and have no tools. Shut off the engine, make sure the car is level and will not roll, then try sliding under the driver's side as far as possible. If you can reach the shifter forks, pull or push both forks to the vertical position. This is the neutral position and should release the bind.
• Poor radio reception? Try a new antenna cable. They can look fine from the outside, but be corroded internally from water running down the antenna and into the cable.
• 1953-74 Corvette turns over and tries to start, but quits as soon as you release the key from the start position. It may be the ceramic resistor block on the firewall near the master cylinder. Try replacing this resistor. I have had this happen several times.
• Stuck seat belt bolts that go into the floor pan? Be sure to soak them with penetrating oil for several days. Then, try an Allen wrench socket on an air wrench. Turn the pressure way down. You want the vibrations to literally "shake" the bolt loose. Take your time and most bolts will come out. Sometimes, attempting to tighten a bolt first will break it loose, enabling you to more easily remove the bolt, and lssing the chance of stripping the head.
• Check the gas neck boot drain often. This can clog, and rain or a car wash can quickly back up into the gas tank. This is not good for the engine or tank!
• Add a heavy duty lug wrench to your jack compartment tool kit. The factory wrench is not very strong and may break when you really need it. Be sure to check that the wrench is the proper size, too.
• Without warning - no headlights! Try the firewall plug just in front of the fuse box. This can loosen over time and cut the current to the headlamps. Clean off the corrosion and press it firmly back into place.
• AND THE #1 TIP FOR CORVETTE OWNERS!
  No matter how mad you get at your car, resist the urge to sell it! Don't join the ranks of the "Sure wish I had my (insert your year here) back! Let's keep these great cars on the road where they belong!