Hi guys!!!

I just wanted to tell you my story:
Last week I finally decided to let my dream come true to own a Corvette. I found a nice affortable car via www.collectorcartraderonline.com and I went up from Richmond, VA to Pennsilvania to check a car out on Saturday. I had to go that far because I was looking for stick shift and these one are not so easy to find. I also have to say I'm not an Expert, I have never worked on any car before and my understanding of engines is pretty limited. Anyway I drove the car around, everything was nice, from the outside the car was looking ok . The engine looked like a dream . The engine was already modified with a Edelbrock Performer Intake and A Holley 650cfm Carburator . Finally I decided to take this baby and I drove it home (about 240 Miles, no problem at all). On this home drive I found out on what I have to work on the next time(the previous owner told me already a few things but not all). I got a list with 7 items (mainly minor things):
1. Handbrake doesn't work
2. Air Condition doesn't work
3. left Windows doesn't close full (stays open for about one inch)
4. right door doesn't lock
5. power locks doesn't work
6. dashboard light of speedometer and tacho doesn't work (I have no idea how fast I'm in the night)
7. dashboard sign of the turn sign doesn't work
Because the car is new to Virginia I had to get Viginia State inspection for it and I brought the car to a car dealer and told him I need the state inspection and the handbrake fixed. At this time I was sure everything will pass the inspection. I called him up and he told me it didn't because the whole Air Pump system and their valves are missing. I was shocked, there are parts missing on my pretty car. Because I didn't know what all this parts are about so I read some books to find it out. Now I also saw that this is not just a single thing and there are a lot of parts involved.
Right now I feel pretty bad about this and why didn't the previous tell me about this. I tried to call this guy but I didn't reach him. Anyway tomorrow I will find out at car dealer what to do to get this thing fixed. But I'm not sure what's next, maybe there are some more parts missing???

that's just my story

-zschunky

Hi and welcome. Sorry to hear about the car being a problem for you. If you need any help, ask the questions here, we are here to help. One thing, if your power locks don't work, it is probably one of the switches. If one goes out, neither will work

Chunky:
First, welcome to the club! Second, welcome to Corvette ownership and all the joys, heartaches and tribulations that entails! Third, you found out the hard way that Corvette's are often "messed" with detrimentally. Everyone thinks they can improve on the original design - and often they can, just look at some of the posts throughout this site! - but more often than not those improvements require other "features" of the Vette to be tampered with.

Lesson learned...next time you go to purchase a vehicle - especially a Vette - you'll go with a qualified mechanic who knows Vettes so he can give you the good or bad news before you lay the money down.

Don't fret, you're not the only one who has had this happen and I'm sure you won't be the last. I bought my Vette knowing it wasn't perfect (didn't have the money to spend on one that was) but over time she'll get back to near perfect, and it won't be a waste of money.

Know this...there are very few repairs that can be made to a Vette that will be cheap...especially when dealing with dealerships or local dealerships, or the so-called Vette experts. Get yourself a AIM (Assembly Instruction Manual)from MADirect or Corvette Central (not sure if Bair's carries them or not), then pick and choose your battles. Well informed means well armed when dealing with the people who are going to perform repairs to your "new baby". Don't settle for second best, because a mediocre repair job only means trouble down the road.

Save your money for those repairs you know you need to do, and ask for help, advice, knowledge, etc., from the people on this site. They are all willing to offer what they can when they can to those who need.

P.S. You never said what year Vette you purchased, and I'm not sure of the laws governing your vehicle in Virginia, but if it's a classic or historical vehicle you may get by with not having to have some of the features newer cars are required to have to pass inspection.

Good luck,

MArk, according to his profile he has a 1980. We (all of us) should be able to help him out with no problem

thanks guys for your support. Yes, it is a 1980 Corvette. Today I went to the dealer and he showed me what's wrong. The whole Air pump and there valves are missing, the EGN is missing (and the intake on it doesn't have a mount for the EGN). Also some connections under the car are missing which go to the muffler (I'm not exactly sure what this is). Anyway He will mount the original Intake and the original Carburator on it (the Holley carburator doesn't leave room open for the EGN) and the other parts like Air pump I have to get new. It's not that nice that this happens at the beginning but at least I get a well inspected car and I can start fixing the other stuff.
Right now I'm not ready to work on the engine and I feel better at this time if let the car dealer do this. By the way the car dealer is local one which I trust. Later with more time and some better knowlegde I will work on the engine but not yet.

-zschunky

Good luck with your new ( used ) Vette. This is just a thought but you might want to check with your Dept of Motor Vehicles about inspection. Once you cross the 25 year old mark and become an antique, you may be able to put the performance parts back on and get rid of the AIR pump again ( just save the parts cause the next owner ( if there is one ) will probably want them.

Hi and welcome to this great forum with the best people! I'll just say that these little jewels that we love so much, all have their problems. Some acceptable, some not. I've had mine about 2 years now, and there's always something wrong. Right now I'm kinda dealing with a vacuum problem, (among others) but haven't posted it yet...and I'll post it here (next week maybe, working shows this weekend so don't have time to post much) because these nice folks always give good advice! I hope that you have many years of cruising with your new Vette, and congrats to you!

Welcome to our world of fun, excitement... and frustration. Since you purchased the car in PA, the "antismog" parts where eliminated fairly easily, legally or not. Any vehicle with classic plates (15 years or older) or a vehicle which is driven less than 5K a year does not require an emmissions sticker. Many inspection shops overlook much of the emmissions systems on 'classic' cars and will put a sticker on the window. Thats how the previous owner got away with the different intake. You may want to search for the local 'hot-rod' mechanic instead of a dealer. I will attempt some mechanical work myself but many times I take it to the local guy. More times than not it always takes much longer to fix and more $$$$ to fix. I would probably have to get a second job to pay for repairs if it went to a dealer... Anyway, have fun and enjoy...

Welcome to the Corvette Experience. That includes the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly. Unfortunately, you have experienced all three in your first entrance here.

Others have given good advice so I will only ad my $.02 worth. Here in PA there isn't an emissions inspection for these classic cars, just a safety inspection. I suspect VA may be the same. If you absoluteyly MUST have this system, you can pick the parts up, often times the whole setup, from vendors who specialize in this area. I can recommend Bill Hodel at 330-295-4903. Give him a call and see if he has your parts. Caution here - he ain't cheap! He is honest though.
Gary

Howdy, and Welcome!! As a new member of the "Vette-World", and of this club, I can tell you that these folks will help you through any situations with your new baby.
I just want you to remember a couple of things:
1) It sounds like you really enjoyed your drive home...With all your improvements, IT WILL ONLY GET BETTER!!
2) Your 'Vette is your 'Vette....Learn that working on it is an enjoyable experience!! As you find and improve things, she gets better and better..
I wish you the best of luck, keep smiling!!

The GRIZZ