Topic: Question about 82' Vette
in Forum: C3 General Discussion
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mount airy, MD - USA
Joined: 8/27/2006
Posts: 71
Vette(s): 1981 Charcoal Met., Silver Interior, Gymkhana Suspension, 27K original miles. It's my daily driver.
Went and looked at and drove the 82 I looked at before going to Carlisle. Everything looks and sounds good with a few exceptions.
Adam said to make sure the elec. cooling fan works. Drove it for about 20 minutes, shifts good, runs good, sounds good. Got back to the owners home , popped the hood and the fan wasn't on. It sat there running for about 10 minutes and it never came on. How big a problem is this going to be? The only other issues are, needs belts, valve cover gaskets, and has a slight power steering pump whine when turning right only?
Owner is asking $13,800.00 I think I will probably offer him $12,500.00
What do you think? Thanks, Tom
1981 Corvette, 26K original miles, charcoal gray, gymkhana suspension, AM/FM/8 track.
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20229
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
The fan prolly won't come on until the engine temp is around 200 or so. If the A/C works, the fan should come on anytime the A/C is runnin. 
It it ain't working right, it's not that hard to repair the system, so it shouldn't be a deal breaker, but it should effect the actual price you pay for the car...use it as a bargaining chip, but make SURE there's a problem first!
It it ain't working right, it's not that hard to repair the system, so it shouldn't be a deal breaker, but it should effect the actual price you pay for the car...use it as a bargaining chip, but make SURE there's a problem first!
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56 
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"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
I have the electric fans in both my 79s and have NEVER seen them run. I do know they work, tho. They don't turn on til like 238degrees.
Try unplugging the connector, pass side between the last 2 spark plugs, and jump it to ground. Pretty sure the 82 is a 1 wire connector(79 is 2 wire).
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mount airy, MD - USA
Joined: 8/27/2006
Posts: 71
Vette(s): 1981 Charcoal Met., Silver Interior, Gymkhana Suspension, 27K original miles. It's my daily driver.
I thought it might come on if you turned the A/C on. I did, it didn't. I have a feeling this one is coming home. It has rallye wheels, and I love rallye wheels! Sorry I missed you on Sunday at Carlisle we were trying to buy a car. Unfortunately I didn't see anything that said "BUY ME. BUY ME! " Thanks, Tom
1981 Corvette, 26K original miles, charcoal gray, gymkhana suspension, AM/FM/8 track.
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Cramerton, NC - USA
Joined: 8/22/2006
Posts: 1094
Vette(s): black 1982 coupe slate gray interior, 350 crossfire, 1985 fuel pump, Steeroids R&P conversion
The fan on my 82 has never come on that Ive seen, even with the AC on. Ive checked it and know it does work and have replaced the temp sensor. As Mike stated above, the temp setting on the factory sensor is high. There is an aftermarket one from ecklers that will turn the fan on at a lower temp but Ive not seen the need to do this. My car has never ran hot and as long as Im not having overheating problems Im really not concerned that the fan has not come on. Crossfire1982 2008-08-29 04:20:30
Tom,
How many miles on her?
Does everything else work?
Is it stock?
Does the owner have maintenance receipts?
Any rust on the frame, birdcage?
Any parts recently replaced?
All of these will effect the price.
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Don't worry about the fan. It comes on at 238 degrees and mine only came on once and that was in Nevada last year and it was 119 degrees!
Good luck,
Dave
Lifetime Member #116
Dave's '82 
Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20229
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
You fellers up yonder in da frozen north sure have it gud...Fans run all da time around here!
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56
My Link
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
Former Member
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mount airy, MD - USA
Joined: 8/27/2006
Posts: 71
Vette(s): 1981 Charcoal Met., Silver Interior, Gymkhana Suspension, 27K original miles. It's my daily driver.
Well, hee didn't go for $12,500. As a matter of fact he wouldn/t come down at all. So now the wife says she saw a white, 77' 383 stroker motor, TCI trans, 3:73 posi rear, Vette at Carlisle and has the guys name and number. God I love my wife !!! Thanks again for the helpful suggestions. Like I said before I gotta upgrade to Gold membership if I'm gonna keep this Vette' thing going!! Tom
1981 Corvette, 26K original miles, charcoal gray, gymkhana suspension, AM/FM/8 track.
in Forum: C3 General Discussion
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