This! This is my favorite of all the car channels, all them other kinds, like barn finds in Outer Mongolia (who-hoo!); been sitting 31 years will it run?; etc. They don't take the cars up into something nice. Restoration!
I don't know *anything* about mechanics, but this video (and your Caddy ones) hold my interest all the way through. It's great to see these things live :)
Glad I found this channel. I'm still a kid you could say and I do drive a mustang but these cars have always had my eye. Being a muscle car guy maybe down the road one of these could be in my future
Back off rocker nuts one at a time until it starts to tick, tighten back up until it stops ticking, then go a half a turn tighter. This is the right way to adjust the lifters, you can go 1/2 turn to 1 1/2 turns according to GM specs. You may have had no fire with the old distributor in it.
Great video for a rainy afternoon. My 78 is on the road and the fix to the pesky AC issue was a new upper hose as refrigerant was migrating through the old one. Two years later and this time I think we have it fixed. We will know more in August after we have some long term usage. Thanks again for your very educational videos.
Great job Ben. I would say its a combination of issues. You will have it all sorted soon. I like your organized parts room. I have a similar setup with my camaros
c3 Corvette's on Craigslist are pretty high here in Florida ... i looked at some other states & seen so many great deals ... looks like when I'd ready for a c3 I might have to do a bit of traveling ... great video ... thanks for sharing ...
You look like you have some really good compression on that engine cant beat those numbers so no engine rebuild needed. Looks like she is gonna be a runner for sure. Its great that you have parts cars to help out the old pocket book when putting these cars back together. Two thumbs up another runner
Awesome. Do a video on fixing leaks to the interior. That was a problem me and my dad both had years ago with our 74's love these videos I have watched all of yours my wife even knows about you and how much I love your videos. I now want a c3 again,
TheCorvetteBen, You and I have allot in common, we are both young guys that love old cars. It is really hard to find anybody of our generation that loves working on the classics. I myself have a 65 mustang 289 couple, a 1966 datsun spl311 roadster, and a very rust 1957 Plymouth Belvedere 4door, ht, as well as a myriad of classic Japanese motorcycles. I have been watching your channel for a long time and adore what you do. Just wanted to say Hi lol. Keep up the good work man.
Wow what kind of Gatorade is that!? It starts cars! Must be powerful stuff, lol. Excellent video as usual keep them coming please. You've given me a lot of helpful info. I just bought a 74,and I was, a little scared, but now I see it's not as hard as I thought. Thanks again!
I really enjoy your videos, as a 72 owner I love to learn about the car when I watch you, btw there is a great Facebook group on C3, you could get a few more followers if you were to post some content there .
learned a lot! now to get on my 1970 L-46 manual red on black convertible numbers matching survivor. would like to do a body off but i'm not that advanced
Hi buddy. I have Just subscribed. I have wathed `77 and really like the way You work on those cars. I am from Poland. I wish I could come to You and help You with one of those projects :) Keep up with good work!
A clutch fan takes 15-20 hp to run. A non clutch fan even more!! Lots more!! I run a 3 row aluminum with dual electrics. Runs cool and is the best power adder for sure!! Also. My electric fans use a 161 thermal switch which will run even after the motor is switched off. 5-15 mins in most cases. This is great as it prevents heat soak of my carb and engine components. You can get different thermal switches to calibrate how long you want your fans to run after walking away from your car. What makes this so great is when you come back to the car after dinner , you turn the key, and the motor lights right away!! No heat soak of the carb where it boils all the gas away. No need to crank and crank which is hard on the starter motor and battery charge system etc. I like my motor to run around 180-185 as it makes good power!! Also.. My corvette is a 74 LS4. A rare original bird to be sure! Heat soak is a killer for sure. More of a problem with big blocks. Still a problem with small blocks as well. A simple fix even if you still use the clutch fan, you can add a small electric to run after you walk away. Make a huge difference!! Enjoy the ride..:)
That one rocker arm needs the lash closed up, or you can even measure cam lobe lift against couple of other of the same cam lobes, either intake or exhaust to see if the cam went bad. It does sound as though the engine has somewhat of a performance 'grind' in it though.
L88 hood, side pipes, 15x8 ralleys NO TRIM RINGS!!, 67 discbrake centers OR bare with overlength studs w/anodised lug nuts. 275 60 15? 255 60 15? 255 50 15? Rubber bumper C3s look kick a$$ with some steel bumper era C3 details, IE the L88 hood/side pipes, fat steel OEM Ralleys. The OEM 15x8 Ralleys are really timeless on these cars. SCCA autocross etc back in the day youd see the C3 running bare Ralleys with fat radial tires. Add the fixed 4 round headlight pods like the 69 L88 Greenwood SCCA TA Corvettes and 78 Pace Car style spoilers fromt and rear. Theres lots a guy could do by buying an unloved rubber bumper smoger vette on the cheap.
OK, as you might know I'm a regular follower.... please please put a fire extinguisher near your work area. If the carb had backfired on you... well you know... be safe as none of us want it to be "the late" Corvette Ben...
I must have missed it but bring it up to the fender when you're doing stuff on a 10 year old car. I toasted a car once and all it took was about a minute and the entire engine was engulfed... Actually now I keep C02s around since I can't stand cleaning up white baking soda...
TheCorvetteBen:if you've got oil that is diluted with gas, check the fuel pump. The diaphragm is cracked or punctured which would cause that problem. You'll have to replace the fuel pump, not rebuildable.
There called go jacks, we use them sometimes when pple try to hide there cars when its up for repo. That and we drop the trans linkage to roll cars out
I would say it was ignition related and someone had tried to start it a lot and that is why the oil has gas in it. If you can get a full 20 or 30 minutes run time and recheck your compression I think you will be very happy. I would drain the old gas first. Run fresh gas. The smoke will stop too.
This is when you go get the wife to move the car around Ben! LOL Just tell her you want to get her involved in your project! ha-ha She will be happy you did for thinking of her! ha-ha-ha
Don't argue with success, it runs and the lifter is quiet/getting oil. That doesn't look to be the original engine, but who cares as long as it is solid. Looks like you have found another bubba project for sure!
I was wondering that. The engine looked really clean and had a lot of paint on it. You never know what a prior owner has done. Ben lucked out if it's a lower mileage engine!
Flat lifters are not really flat... there worn if there flat. They are convex, and run off center of the cam, that makes them spin. Roller lifters do not spin.
I wonder, do you inspect your C3's before you buy them as far as looking for frame rust behind the door pillar? I read the car is not really any good if it shows rust there?
few things more satisfying that getting a dead engine running again! really enjoying your several C3 series. When did Chev convert the small block to center bolt valve covers?
Hey Ben, love the videos. Seeing as you are an avid Corvette enthusiast, could you help me? I'm trying to replace a broken targa top mounting bracket and I can't figure out how to get the sunvisor off. Its on a 94 vette. Basically, there's a rubber washer looking piece on the end of the visor bolt that is threaded and doesn't seem to come out. Thanks!
+xKryptical Gaming honestly, I have never changed out the sun visors on a c4. A c3 would be a different story! I bet a quick search on youtube or corvette forum could get you your answer
I just went through some old videos where you said Vintage Air was hard to install but gave you so much room. Do you gain much space with Hydra Boost brakes?
I enjoy your vids a lot. BUT...Go to Home Depot and buy at least 2 -10 LB fire extinguishers spend the money you will never be sorry. When a fire happens Corvettes go up quick and theres nothing worse then running out, which in most cases happens Besides your shop looks like its attached to your house. Dont take my warning lightly...I know first hand.Every one that knows me is now very well equipped. I had commercial grade Powder & C02 .When the fire Dept got here we really didn't need them.They said If I didn't have the equipment I had, I would have lost everything.
Can I recommend changing your UA-cam acct name to just corvetteben? Getting rid of The. Only because I don't get down to the Ts very often. Just saying. Nice choice of music in the beginning btw. I know your name is a big deal and changing it because one random viewer mentions it is a little crazy. I know. But if other people mention it think about it.
The best C3 videos anywhere.
it really sounds like it's running great smooth for sitting for 10 years!
Your Videos are great! I learn so much from them. Thanks.
Your presentation is so satisfying. Well done on this project.
This! This is my favorite of all the car channels, all them other kinds, like barn finds in Outer Mongolia (who-hoo!); been sitting 31 years will it run?; etc. They don't take the cars up into something nice. Restoration!
Carb rebuild is what it took to get my C3 to start good. Dry gaskets and varnish buildup were the culprits. Good job so far!
Hey, Enjoy you channel and the videos of you fixing your Corvette projects. Keep up the good work.
I don't know *anything* about mechanics, but this video (and your Caddy ones) hold my interest all the way through. It's great to see these things live :)
Awesome Ben!!! My 65 Fury smoked like it was on fire the first time I got her running. She had sat for 43 years.... Runs great now, no smoke...
Glad I found this channel. I'm still a kid you could say and I do drive a mustang but these cars have always had my eye. Being a muscle car guy maybe down the road one of these could be in my future
it's great to see a car saved instead of junked or parted out.
Back off rocker nuts one at a time until it starts to tick, tighten back up until it stops ticking, then go a half a turn tighter. This is the right way to adjust the lifters, you can go 1/2 turn to 1 1/2 turns according to GM specs. You may have had no fire with the old distributor in it.
Great video for a rainy afternoon. My 78 is on the road and the fix to the pesky AC issue was a new upper hose as refrigerant was migrating through the old one. Two years later and this time I think we have it fixed. We will know more in August after we have some long term usage. Thanks again for your very educational videos.
Great job Ben. I would say its a combination of issues. You will have it all sorted soon. I like your organized parts room. I have a similar setup with my camaros
Nice job Ben ,as always !
c3 Corvette's on Craigslist are pretty high here in Florida ... i looked at some other states & seen so many great deals ... looks like when I'd ready for a c3 I might have to do a bit of traveling ... great video ... thanks for sharing ...
You look like you have some really good compression on that engine cant beat those numbers so no engine rebuild needed. Looks like she is gonna be a runner for sure. Its great that you have parts cars to help out the old pocket book when putting these cars back together. Two thumbs up another runner
Awesome. Do a video on fixing leaks to the interior. That was a problem me and my dad both had years ago with our 74's love these videos I have watched all of yours my wife even knows about you and how much I love your videos. I now want a c3 again,
I'm glad to see protection of hands withe the gloves.
TheCorvetteBen, You and I have allot in common, we are both young guys that love old cars. It is really hard to find anybody of our generation that loves working on the classics. I myself have a 65 mustang 289 couple, a 1966 datsun spl311 roadster, and a very rust 1957 Plymouth Belvedere 4door, ht, as well as a myriad of classic Japanese motorcycles. I have been watching your channel for a long time and adore what you do. Just wanted to say Hi lol. Keep up the good work man.
Garage cleaned up nicely
good job i am looking forward too starting my 75 vette after 6 year resto
You're really good at cars and the videos. if you were on TV I would watch it all the time.
Awesome video. I hope we can see some C4s soon
Great work man. Keep it up
great work! love the vids. I'm a fan of marvel mystery oil! take care!
Vettes are awesome. The garage has me most envious tho
Those wheels are screaming "HEY 1990's!" lol
It's like watching a suspense movie. Got really released when oil dripped from the pushrod into the rocker!!
Wow what kind of Gatorade is that!? It starts cars! Must be powerful stuff, lol. Excellent video as usual keep them coming please. You've given me a lot of helpful info. I just bought a 74,and I was, a little scared, but now I see it's not as hard as I thought. Thanks again!
Great video Ben
I really enjoy your videos, as a 72 owner I love to learn about the car when I watch you, btw there is a great Facebook group on C3, you could get a few more followers if you were to post some content there .
learned a lot! now to get on my 1970 L-46 manual red on black convertible numbers matching survivor. would like to do a body off but i'm not that advanced
I think distributor was the issue. You had fuel, the accelerator pump was working.
Hi buddy. I have Just subscribed. I have wathed `77 and really like the way You work on those cars. I am from Poland. I wish I could come to You and help You with one of those projects :) Keep up with good work!
Good video. I have a fine 79
Brother, your video's rock.
A clutch fan takes 15-20 hp to run. A non clutch fan even more!! Lots more!! I run a 3 row aluminum with dual electrics. Runs cool and is the best power adder for sure!! Also. My electric fans use a 161 thermal switch which will run even after the motor is switched off. 5-15 mins in most cases. This is great as it prevents heat soak of my carb and engine components. You can get different thermal switches to calibrate how long you want your fans to run after walking away from your car. What makes this so great is when you come back to the car after dinner , you turn the key, and the motor lights right away!! No heat soak of the carb where it boils all the gas away. No need to crank and crank which is hard on the starter motor and battery charge system etc. I like my motor to run around 180-185 as it makes good power!! Also.. My corvette is a 74 LS4. A rare original bird to be sure! Heat soak is a killer for sure. More of a problem with big blocks. Still a problem with small blocks as well. A simple fix even if you still use the clutch fan, you can add a small electric to run after you walk away. Make a huge difference!! Enjoy the ride..:)
That one rocker arm needs the lash closed up, or you can even measure cam lobe lift against couple of other of the same cam lobes, either intake or exhaust to see if the cam went bad. It does sound as though the engine has somewhat of a performance 'grind' in it though.
Nice split tail.
Good job, might need some carb work though.
good video
L88 hood, side pipes, 15x8 ralleys NO TRIM RINGS!!, 67 discbrake centers OR bare with overlength studs w/anodised lug nuts.
275 60 15? 255 60 15? 255 50 15?
Rubber bumper C3s look kick a$$ with some steel bumper era C3 details, IE the L88 hood/side pipes, fat steel OEM Ralleys.
The OEM 15x8 Ralleys are really timeless on these cars. SCCA autocross etc back in the day youd see the C3 running bare Ralleys with fat radial tires.
Add the fixed 4 round headlight pods like the 69 L88 Greenwood SCCA TA Corvettes and 78 Pace Car style spoilers fromt and rear.
Theres lots a guy could do by buying an unloved rubber bumper smoger vette on the cheap.
OK, as you might know I'm a regular follower.... please please put a fire extinguisher near your work area. If the carb had backfired on you... well you know... be safe as none of us want it to be "the late" Corvette Ben...
+RSBSTEADICAM there is one next to the doorway that you see in the background :)
+RSBSTEADICAM you can see it while im.moving the car around, right between the tool box and the door way
I must have missed it but bring it up to the fender when you're doing stuff on a 10 year old car. I toasted a car once and all it took was about a minute and the entire engine was engulfed... Actually now I keep C02s around since I can't stand cleaning up white baking soda...
TheCorvetteBen:if you've got oil that is diluted with gas, check the fuel pump.
The diaphragm is cracked or punctured which would cause that problem. You'll have to replace the fuel pump, not rebuildable.
RSBSTEADICAM Yes that would be a very smart addition. And maybe a fan to clear out the garage too.
I keep my 77 dry, cause I get wet seatbelts as you pointed out.
nice videos sir
There called go jacks, we use them sometimes when pple try to hide there cars when its up for repo. That and we drop the trans linkage to roll cars out
Looks like a good motor. Probably had a bad ignition module.
I would say it was ignition related and someone had tried to start it a lot and that is why the oil has gas in it. If you can get a full 20 or 30 minutes run time and recheck your compression I think you will be very happy. I would drain the old gas first. Run fresh gas. The smoke will stop too.
This is when you go get the wife to move the car around Ben! LOL Just tell her you want to get her involved in your project! ha-ha She will be happy you did for thinking of her! ha-ha-ha
Nice job on that lifter! But man, you got your work cut out of you on that interior! The wiring looks like a nightmare!
+The Dutch Texan it'll go in easier than you think, just wait
That top end looks really clean!! Very nice!! Looks like previous owner kept clean oil in that motor or its a new top end?
Don't argue with success, it runs and the lifter is quiet/getting oil. That doesn't look to be the original engine, but who cares as long as it is solid. Looks like you have found another bubba project for sure!
I was wondering that. The engine looked really clean and had a lot of paint on it. You never know what a prior owner has done. Ben lucked out if it's a lower mileage engine!
Ignition module or coil is what I would suspect, did it have spark before?
You should do a ford maverick one day!
I have a 1970 corvette. I am switching the engine to a 1996 corvette and need a conversion kit to convert the mechanical tact to an electric tact
willie j lee I went to Airco auto instruments in Sydney. I took them the entire tach and they modified it for me. You need a similar shop
Acceptable compression would have the cylinders within 10-15% of each other. A larger difference would indicate a possible problem.
All the push rods looked like they were spinning, so your cam and lifters are good. When they don't spin, then you got a problem.
+turbothrust348 I made sure that they were all spinning and spinning at about the same rate as well. I think this car will turn out.
Flat lifters are not really flat... there worn if there flat. They are convex, and run off center of the cam, that makes them spin. Roller lifters do not spin.
oh yeah, it run's ya.
I wonder, do you inspect your C3's before you buy them as far as looking for frame rust behind the door pillar? I read the car is not really any good if it shows rust there?
few things more satisfying that getting a dead engine running again! really enjoying your several C3 series. When did Chev convert the small block to center bolt valve covers?
If you still haven't got an answer, 1987 is what I've heard
I know this video is years old but you could’ve checked the oil pressure when you had to distributor out.
More of a question but my tach on a 79 l82 is not working is it cable driven
The fix was distributor. I think.
What year model corvette did they start putting the LS3 engine in them?
Hey Ben, love the videos. Seeing as you are an avid Corvette enthusiast, could you help me? I'm trying to replace a broken targa top mounting bracket and I can't figure out how to get the sunvisor off. Its on a 94 vette. Basically, there's a rubber washer looking piece on the end of the visor bolt that is threaded and doesn't seem to come out. Thanks!
+xKryptical Gaming honestly, I have never changed out the sun visors on a c4. A c3 would be a different story! I bet a quick search on youtube or corvette forum could get you your answer
TheCorvetteBen I'll take a look around and see what I can find. Thanks for the input :)
gas in the oil, sounds like a deteriorated float in the carb, lets the gas flow and over fuels.
I just went through some old videos where you said Vintage Air was hard to install but gave you so much room. Do you gain much space with Hydra Boost brakes?
+mcinkyt never heard of hydra boost brakes
How big is your shop?
Firing order.
Looks like the heads are from a TBI 350. Who knows what the short block is.
I'm guessing someone swapped in a whole different engine, center bolt heads are at least mid 80's or newer.
:::::Uploading fresh air supply to Ben's garage:::::: Those little car casters are kind of handy. An Amazon purchase by chance?
Did they, or do they have a fuel filter on them?
+Mac Fisher They have a filter in the carb stock, but someone added a in line filter afterward on this car
I enjoy your vids a lot. BUT...Go to Home Depot and buy at least 2 -10 LB fire extinguishers spend the money you will never be sorry. When a fire happens Corvettes go up quick and theres nothing worse then running out, which in most cases happens Besides your shop looks like its attached to your house. Dont take my warning lightly...I know first hand.Every one that knows me is now very well equipped. I had commercial grade Powder & C02 .When the fire Dept got here we really didn't need them.They said If I didn't have the equipment I had, I would have lost everything.
No worries I have five fire extinguishers
@@TheCorvetteBen Good......
You look and sound like a guy from dude perfect... but fuckin awesome series man!!!!
adjusting the valve while running? that's a first.
I have seen people get a crappy set of valve covers, cut a rectangle out of them and then do all their adjusting that way.
wow. thats a new level of lazyness.
I done that a lots of time!I Call that EARS VALVES ADJUSTERS
what would a person want for daily driver. ??...im torn of what i want c3 76-81 or a c4 85-91...anyone own both ...i cant afford a mitake buy ughh
What did you buy and how did it go?
Its a shame you don't have a friend to help you?
Your carburetor need to be primed
Can I recommend changing your UA-cam acct name to just corvetteben? Getting rid of The. Only because I don't get down to the Ts very often. Just saying. Nice choice of music in the beginning btw. I know your name is a big deal and changing it because one random viewer mentions it is a little crazy. I know. But if other people mention it think about it.
I think seeing you already had the plugs out,I would have done the compression check then..but that's just me ;_)