I love my vette, no question about it fullfilling the need, but I am reallt fustrated with it, wiper door problems since I have owned it, tonight now headlight problems one up one down, my fiber optics worked until I had the e brake worked on, granted temp here was in the 100's the last two days and traffic so hell, it ran about 200 degrees hottest I have seen it. wondering if it is time to sell my baby before it really starts to costing alot of cash? I am no wrench head, I just want to drive it and it has always gotten us from point A to point B, just don't want to have to experience of it not doing that, or to be so afraid to drive because something will go wrong that I stop enjoying it, it's not about owning a vette for me, it's about driving it. Anyway just not sure and needed to vent. thank for letting me whine.

Larry

Wiper doors and headlight doors are just vacuum problem that can be fixed with  hoses and diaphragms . If you have had them worked on before and they still give trouble,find another person to work on them. They seem complicated but are really a simple system.

Fiber optics probably fell out down into the console and that car can run 200 degrees  24 hours a day and its fine.

Now go wash  and detail your baby and fine a reputable Corvette mechanic to fix your problems and start enjoying it again.

Larry,

    These are minor things. I'm a jealous fool of anyone that owns a chrome bumper car. Take care of it and keep that baby! Too bad you don't live closer to NJ. I got very handy with these cars in a short period of time and I don't charge for wrenching with friends...

Really, these are easy things to tackle. Just takes time and patience. Got a buddy that's handy? Local vette club?

Now if black smoke was pluming from your tailpipes or you found trans parts in the driveway, THAT would worry me....

Good luck

Paul

Larry - I definitely understand. I've wanted a vette for as long as I can remember. I finally got my 71 vert in May, was able to drive it for a month and a half before the engine dropped a valve. It's been sitting in the garage ever since. Very frustrating. I haven't had time to work on it, and won't until August. I've ordered a new motor that will be delivered later in September, so I can have time to do some cleaning and replacing of other parts. My mechanic skills are modest (not a beginner but definitely not a gearhead either). I've contemplated just selling the darn thing and saving for a C5 or C6. But I just remember the feeling of driving down the road in the C3, and I struggle on. Btw, my wipers haven't worked since I bought the car. I avoided driving in bad weather and I put a nice coat of RainX on just in case. There are always options!

Larry my friend, it sounds like the heat has finally gotten to you. Its 110 here. So find some shade, sit down and pop a cold one. None of those items will keep you from enjoying your vette. Here is a vacuum diagram that may help. First check and make sure all the vacuum lines are connected and not broken some where. Once you have done that then maybe we can help you trouble shoot the problem.

http://www.stingray.nu/bilder/vacuum.pdf

Took a few tries but finally got the link right

30+ year old car = some problems down the line.  It aint a brand new sports car.  Little problems are easy to fix but can be frustrating.  All the comments above are extremely valid and you will be kicking yourself in the months to come if you sell.  I'm in the process of renewing the engine and I won't sell just because the heads my cars turns when it IS on the road.  I always see the light at the end of the tunnel and a new engine is a lot cheaper than buying another '71 C3.  I'd rather spend a couple of grand rather than 30K+$.

Hey Paul (LukesVette), just go out and buy a chrome bumper C3 and have two!