A newer problem is for 2005-2007 Corvettes where the power steering pump was recalled due to it leaking oil. problems on the engine. The 1981 C3 Corvette got 4 consumer ratings out of 5, and 100% of users recommend this model. Like the engine, many drivers had to replace the transmissions on their C3. All these mentioned years C3 Corvelle models are infamous for having engine troubles, Crankcase Ventilation/PCV valve, brakes, power window, interior, exterior, electrical and transmission-related problems. Engine. You totally lost me on the "blower". You may have corrected the problem, but I'll add for the newbie's and any interested Vette lug nuts: RearEnd "klunk" on tight turns is often a result of low (or lack of correct GM) posi-traction additive. Get it on our website with free shipping in the USA. If you're handy, for $5600-$6300 you can find a solid #4 car that needs . To launch them, the Bowling Green factory decided to provide a multiple-paint alternative on nearly every vehicle produced during that first year. Here are some examples of model years and the price you can expect to pay (prices are in USD): With the demand for these cars growing, now is a great time to snap up a bargain. The primary electrical faults C3 suffered from are rooted in taillight and turn signal failure. (Explained), Which Nissan Sentra Years to Avoid and Why? Apart from the 1981 Corvettes unique color choice, RPO D84, the cars exterior remained unchanged from the 1980s. Replacing the power window motor is tedious and consumes a lot of time because the inner door panel would need to be removed for the technician to access the inner workings of the door. In the automotive world, Corvette is a name that is synonymous with unique sportiness and dynamism. 6) Do complete tune up & diagnosis. Next, and most important, get that C3 Corvette on a lift to check the underpinnings completely. Design problems slowed production of the C3 car, and when the automaker took holdover orders from 1967, it could only make two tanker Corvettes. Watch as I give . Thorough inspections of all the areas we mentioned above are an absolute must for anyone seriously considering a Corvette C3. Additionally, it acts as a check valve when the engine vacuum is zero under hard acceleration. How much horsepower are you looking for? The Hagerty Price Guide supports the affordability argument, at least for later examples of the C3, as a 197578 in #3 condition carries a value of $10,500$11,500. Finally, if you observe the window-rattling when the door is closed, have a professional inspect the window regulator mounting bracket and anti-rattle cushions. At first glance it looks factory, but when you get inside and head down the road, and you realize this is something way better. Certainly no worse than the other Chevrolets. The PT Cruiser is a sedan that offers, Read More Which PT Cruiser Years to Avoid and Why? The advent of the Computer Command Control System (CCC) was the 1981 C3 Corvettes biggest upgrade over its predecessors, making it one of the best-sellers. This has been a problem since day one. For example, you could pick up a 1975 Corvette convertible, add a Chevy big-block crate engine (perhaps with a Tri-Power unit), factory side exhaust, and four-speed manual, and youd have a real ground pounder. Simply put, these cars are fun to drive, and theyre often greeted with cheers and thumbs-up as you cruise the local boulevard. Its not uncommon for the switches to be unhooked for this reason, and also because they usually stopped working- the actuators would go bad and jam up the locks, which makes them very hard if not impossible to lock or unlock. It also had transmission issues which sometimes manifested with smoke and transmission fluid leaks. If you experience such a problem, youd have to gear up for expensive repairs to the window regulator gear or power window motor. If you think about it, C3 Corvettes represent a great value for driving fun. Don't make it all that complicated. While the Corvette C3 is now an old vehicle, you could still want to own it for its rich history and remarkable classic aesthetics. Not only does this kill the cruise control, but usually led to corvettes being driven without turning miles for years before anyone would either bypass the box with a longer single speedometer cable or go through the hassle to replace the transducer. Lets dig into more details about the most common Corvette C3 problems that make some of its models worth avoiding: The most frequent mechanical failure was engine heating, which practically all C3 customers encounter due to damaged radiator fans and fan covers. Change everything out!Replaced hoses, actuator seal kit, and relays! The C3 has disc brakes on all four wheels and is prone to corrosion with time leading to potential failure. 1969 C3 Corvette. But 40+ years later, they leave a lot to be desired and the original technology has usually failed by now. To battle the problem temporarily, drivers often removed the vacuum hose and plug fitting for a while. A variety of transmissions were offered during third-generation Corvette production, including 3-speed and 4-speed manual transmission as well as 3-speed and 4-speed automatic transmission. These unique variants may not be your style, as a daily driver may be what you are seeking. It also had a unique colour, RPO D84, that made it stand out from many other vehicles of its time. Thanks guys, I have a 1983 Olds 98 Regency 2 door that's my daily driver. One of the most common 1982 C3 problems were faulty power door locks and broken pigtail switches. Come join the discussion about performance, modifications, racing, restoration, classifieds, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more! Corvette fans adore rare variants like the L88 (only 216 produced) and ZL1 Corvette. 1977-1982 Corvette steering columns have several advantages over the 1968-1976 units, the most notorious being the overall length of the assembly. Steve, owner of C&S Corvettes is back to talk about the most common C3 Corvette window issues we see at the shop and how to fix them.Need to purchase a windo. Since there are plenty of Corvette replacement parts out there, its a reasonable endeavor for the mechanically inclined. 9) Replace it. Do the trim codes on the drivers door post match the paintwork? The car was ok at cruise on a flat place but would not climb a mountain road (Monteagle, TN) except on the shoulder. The other wire is for the fuel relay which controls the guage too. You might think you know what you're getting, but in its 15-year production history, the Chevrolet Corvette C3 had many different engine options. I ran a B&M 144 on my '75 with an L82 engine for a number of years. Incidents like this are one of the many reasons why mileage is usually exempt on classic vehicles. Some people have even asserted that they saw smoke coming from the exhaust or observed a steep decline of transmission fluid and rough idling due to fluid and diaphragm leaks. Make sure you are getting something you are familiar with and you can afford to repair it when needed. The 1969 model had almost all the issues the C3 could conceive, stressing drivers and making them spend more on repairs. You should also check for faulty light bulbs, brake light switches, and turn signal switches, as there are other reasons why the tail light and turn signal lights are not working right. Rust may be all around the chassis, some will be minor rust, some not so minor. This causes the system to either stop working, or stay on and drain batteries until someone figured out how to unhook the system. Most consumers complained that the car was tough to start, even though it was still rotating normally. Get it wrong, and youre looking at an expensive mechanical liability. Many 1969. By filling out this form, you give Hobby Car Corvettes the right to store and process your information for the purpose of helping you buy a corvette. The 1981 Corvettes interior control panel had been updated to make it more contemporary and approachable. This model also has a decent resale value. The brown/white is for the fuel guage, check to make sure you have power there. The positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valves are essential for the C3s engine to perform as it helps the engine piston rings seal against the cylinder wall, causing a pressure drop in the crankcase. Started over with master cylinder. The causes could be any number of things, including clutch failure, out-of-balance flywheel or flexplate, torque converter, a bent or broken transmission input shaft or a failed transmission input . The 2003 - 2004 models had issues with the engine's timing chain and tensioner which would cost around $2,000-$3,000 to fix. 59566 Views 31 Replies 13 Participants Last post by 73 L82 VETTE . It seriously increases the fun quotient. It is one Corvette you should avoid so you can get your moneys worth. We built the car as a fun car for me and my partner to drive and promote the shop, but weve had some pretty serious offers to purchase it. Despite having a 15-year production history, the C3 Corvette has faced criticism for introducing a series of problematic versions. Steering Column Swap. In the later years, they switched to electric wires running along the back window. See you in the next post! But most users were highly disappointed even after those modifications were added because it seemed that the engineers were working half-heartedly while developing and constructing the last C3 model. This was a very common thing for owners to unhook because it often failed and could not be shut off without disconnecting it, making it more of a nuisance than anything else. Cigarette lighter Since they were used for things other than charging cell phones and GPS units, they are usually no longer in any sort of shape to charge or light anything. Weatogue, CT 06089, USA, CT - USA. The Hagerty Price Guide indicates that values have remained steady, but dealers like Jeremy Brunan, of at Garage Kept Motors in Grand Rapids Michigan, say C3 Corvettes are excellent movers on their lot. The worst year for the Corvette C3 is 1969. Since the battery is just right behind the drivers seat, I personally use one of these in all of my corvettes. (Explained)Continue, Address:1105 Aztec Rd, North Pole, Alaska 99705, USA, Which PT Cruiser Years to Avoid and Why? Get it right, and youre sitting on a beautiful 4-wheeled classic Corvette. (Explained), Which Northstar Engine Years to Avoid and Why? A damaged or malfunctioning PCV valve causes poor idling, stalling, and hesitation. C3 Corvette also contains innovative features such as fibreoptic cables from the lights to the dash panels to identify when any bulbs fail or the warning lights malfunction due to disconnected seatbelts, open doors, and low fuel levels. Vetteaholic pretty much covered it.You either want a vette or you don't.Even the best looking vets have problems so treat it likeany car and decide if you really want it, then ask your self is it worth the price for what is right or wrong with it,If you answer yes then enjoy the good and the bad and make it your vette. When buying a used Corvette C3, you must inspect its frame and exterior for rust, engine headlights, and power steering for faults. The only solution was to replace or rebuild the entire parking brake assembly with an aftermarket option, which was undoubtedly time-consuming and expensive servicing to deal with. It had the best fuel efficiency and a more contemporary interior control panel. Always remember to avoid the following worst C3 Corvette years unless you wish to spend extra bucks for several servicing and repairing tasks-. C3 Corvette. This years model users complained about several issues such as stretched parking brake cable and seizure of the parking brake shoes & levers due to excessive rust. You might have a relay that is going bad. On this 1968 C3, you can see corrosion at the lift arm at the rear corner, and it's a serious structural problem for the car. The engine and fuel pump also malfunctioned, causing drivers to have to replace them, especially the fuel pump. In this video I talk about the ten things you need to know when buying your first C3 Corvette. The Corvette C3 has been around now for decades and some vehicles will show their age. Inspect the headlight and ensure they are in working order. Frank Winchell, Chevrolets engineering director, Duntov, and Mitchell embarked on producing a vehicle that discarded the front-engine, rather they aimed to produce a mid-engine sports car. Check the carpets are dry. One early way to tell the problem has started checking for wetness on the forward floor areas. For cooling, forget the expense of the aluminum radiator, run a good high density core in the stock radiator with a Stewart water pump and 160 degree thermostat. I keep plastic under all of my cars and Pig Mat on top of that. 7) Check & adjust the fl oat level to factory specs. Power door locks became an option in the 1978 model year. All of them were V8 engines, starting with a 305 cu in (5.0 L) producing 180 horsepower all the way up to a 454 cu in (7.4 L) LS6. Site Map: My Bio: C3 of the Week: C3 Owners: C3 Forum: Guest . Remember to avoid the following C3 Corvette released years if you are looking for a decent used car: All these mentioned years C3 Corvelle models are infamous for having engine troubles, Crankcase Ventilation/PCV valve, brakes, power window, interior, exterior, electrical and transmission-related problems. You might also find other things not working that are not listed above. Copyright 2023 Hobby Car Corvettes All Rights Reserved. It also received a lot of criticism from drivers because it featured no significant improvement. Need to purchase a window regulator for a C3 Corvette? These models had fewer issues, were safer and gave a better performance. You can even get a lot of C3 for around $10,000. Reasons Why mileage is usually exempt on classic vehicles also received a lot criticism... 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