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| Flashman | My Journey to perfection with a neglected C4 Corvette | ||
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Senior Guru
 
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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 |
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Posted on: 2008/7/29 2:40
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| Notorious | Re: My Journey to perfection with a neglected C4 Corvette | ||
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Elite Guru
 
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Sounds like you've done a top-notch job. Congrats!
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Posted on: 2008/7/29 3:05
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I hate sporks... |
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| Matatk | Re: My Journey to perfection with a neglected C4 Corvette | ||
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Webmaster
 
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Car looks great and I love reading stories like this. Makes you bond with the car so much more when you do the work.
Matthew |
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Posted on: 2008/7/29 13:32
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2002 EBM convertible, Magnusson supercharger, cam, headers, etc. 1989 Corvette...RIP |
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| biggrizzly | Re: My Journey to perfection with a neglected C4 Corvette | ||
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2011 Memorial Day Car Show Winner!
 
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Flashman,
Great story! We need lots of pics of that new paint too! |
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Posted on: 2008/7/29 14:38
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Don Haller Corvette Club of America 94Coupe, 383Stroka, PeteK Trans, 3000stall, 3.54rear, Konis and bigger sways. |
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| Flashman | Re: My Journey to perfection with a neglected C4 Corvette | ||
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Senior Guru
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Hey Guys,
Thanks for the compliments. Yeah, that car and I are a team now. I will take some pics this weekend. Although I am not yet done with the paint yet. I need to give it one last wetsand and buff that baby out. I still have a few odds and ends to fix. But, I think I am gonna take a break for now. I have been working on that car constantly, and I am getting a little burnt out. I will post pics soon. Take care. Joe-Flash man |
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Posted on: 2008/7/30 2:55
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| bogus | Re: My Journey to perfection with a neglected C4 Corvette | ||
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Grand Imperial Pooh-Bah
 
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Sweet!!!!!
Now... get that sucker insured! That same drug addled Florida population drive!! And many of them are old and can't see the hood ornament!!! |
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Posted on: 2008/7/30 5:16
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The single biggest problem with communication is the illusion that it has taken place. - George Bernard Shaw Education is the best tool to overcome irrational fear. - me |
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| Flashman | Re: My Journey to perfection with a neglected C4 Corvette | ||
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Senior Guru
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Hello,
Yeah, there are alot of rear end accidents down here. People dont pay attention on the road, whether its the elderly, or vacationers or drunks. I always keep an eye in my rearview mirror when I am stopped at a light. In 1999 I got rear ended in my delivery van by a lady that was doing 65 mph in a full size chevy pick up. She passed out and floored it. Never hitting her brakes. She totaled my van but the weight I had on the van helped with some of the impact. Saved the infant in the car seat in the front vehicle because I tried to hold back the impact as much as I could. Ripped open my fuel tank and all. Someone was watching over me that day, because I am still here to tell the story. Take care. Joe-Flash Man |
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Posted on: 2008/7/30 13:38
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| Oaklands | Re: My Journey to perfection with a neglected C4 Corvette | ||
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Senior Guru
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Congrats on the fix-up. Now you have much more than a $3500 vette!!
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Posted on: 2008/7/31 2:10
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If duct tape or baling wire won't work, it can't be fixed! |
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| C4DERF | Re: My Journey to perfection with a neglected C4 Corvette | ||
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Another love story with a great future!
 Like mentioned before, get her insured and post more photos! |
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Posted on: 2008/8/1 0:39
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94 C4 LT1 A4 Polo Green w/Lt Beige Coupe  Can I join the 600 club???? I can only round up 598 at present! :book:[IMG]http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s150/c4derf/CasualCorvettes-SonicAug07011.jpg[/IMG] |
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| Flashman | Re: My Journey to perfection with a neglected C4 Corvette | ||
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Senior Guru
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Hello Gentleman,
Thanks for the kind words. The car has to be cut and buffed, but I will give it a decent buff and take some pics this weekend and post them. I did wet sand it, but its not perfect yet. Still looks good though. Yes, I have to check and see how much I have that car insured for. I insured it a year before the restoration. Thanks for the reminder, Take care. Joe-Flash man |
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Posted on: 2008/8/1 2:16
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