| My Journey to perfection with a neglected C4 Corvette |
Subject: My Journey to perfection with a neglected C4 Corvette by Flashman on 2008/7/29 2:40:50 Hello All, I have a long & interesting story to share with you. Its about a 1986 Black Corvette named Frankenstein. My wife named him Frankie for short. I purchased the car on ebay for 3500 on 12-30-06. The car had a brand new built up engine built by Napa. They put in a comp cam. .030 pistons, injectors, headwork etc. They guy that was selling the car did not do the work. Previous owner did it. The only problem is that the car would not shift out of first gear. 700R4 auto transmission. The kid that owned figured it needed a transmission. The car was faded and needed paint and interior work. Cracked winshield etc. But I figured the engine alone was worth 3500. I drove/tested the car and it felt fast in first gear. But, seeing thru all the dirt, spider webs & broken parts, I just had to save this Corvette. I had a vison for it. I trailed the car home across the state and started working on it. I thought I may have to replace the transmission but the fluid was pink and not brown & burnt.So, I talked to an old friend on mine that was an auto mechanic for GM for 25 years. He only worked on Corvettes from 1970 to 1995. He told me that if your 700R4 auto transmission will not shift out of first gear, you need to check the Governor gear. Its located on the drivers side of the tranmission behind a metal bubble cap. If that gear is worn or broken it will not shift out of first gear. I popped the cap off and the gear was in pieces. I dropped the pan, replaced the gear, I also had to replace the plug for the lock up convertor because it was broken off.I changed the fluid and the transmission shifts beautiful. Now, the deal just got better. Napa did not install the engine the owner that got it rebuilt did. What a frigging jackas.. The car was running like crap and would not keep an idle. I replaced all the dry broken vacuum lines, tune up etc. But this guy left bolts loose and missing. I am talking big bolts, ac, alternator etc. They did a real half as.ed job. They were probably drunk or on drugs like half the people that live in Florida. Anyway, I just got done painting Frankie, new interior,weather stripping, lights, wheels and just finished the new air conditioning system this weekend. I still could not get the car to idle correctly but I found the problems. The inside plug was broken for the IAC valve and the plug was broken for the coolant tempature sender.I installed new plugs,new wire loom and finished the car right.I also got rid of that leaking metal heater control valve and installed my own heater control system. I got a pretty good deal, but I worked my as. off for it. I am into the car for just under 10k. The reason I am telling you all this is that I am never gonna sell it. So, all in all I feel that I now own an almost new 1986 Black C4 Corvette. Its been a long Journey, but I made it. Take Care. Joe-Flash man |
