Recent content by mr.beachcomber

I have a daily driver 89 Z-51 Coupe (w/o FX3 option). Although this suspension is very stiff and doesn't like rough, uneven surfaces, I've never had a vibration like you describe. Can you tell if the vibration is in the front of the Vette or in the rear? Can you isolate the vibration down to...

To really answer your question, we need to know which engine you have in your '73, base SBC, L82, or LS4 BBC and how many miles are on the engine itself. Secondly, what grade oil were you changing, e.g., 10W-40, 10W-30? How many miles were on the old oil when you changed it? Did the old oil...

I've used AC Delco Rapidfires for years with excellent results, i.e., long life, smooth idle, low emissions when tested. Using the AC Delco Parts Finder and plugging in your Vette's info, the recommended plug is a Rapidfire #2.

If you have the stock rims, the 8" width is too narrow for a 275 tire regardless of the aspect ratio. For example, the Hoosier A6 275/35R15 minimum rim width is 9" with the quoted tread width was measured when mounted on a 9.5" rim. You would have better luck mounting a 275 tire using the...

I'm going on memory here as I don't have a 90 FSM anymore. As I remember, you don't need to access the VATS module (located inside the passenger side dash) unless the module itself is bad (very rare in my experience). If you have a VATS by-pass assembly with the correct resistance, all you...

I concur with all of Schrade's recommendations above especially that of clean threads for the bolts and holes. I use a light coat of anti-seize on all steel bolts threaded into aluminum. Remember to reduce your torque values by roughly 50% to account for the less friction generated by the...

Interesting Tech advisory. My major recollection of the cause of the ignition pulse amplifier failure was blown germanium transistors due to heat build up during track events; although I'm sure that the units received a high concentration of rain water being mounted on the front of the radiator...

Thanks for the info. I did checkout the VIN/Options data for the 1965 and 1966 model years. Surprised to see the M22 offered in 1965, but the site said that 30 units were sold. (My old version of the Corvette Black Book (1953-1996) didn't show the M22 even offered in 1965. However, I did...

Just curious as to what source you are referring to for the 30 M-22's built in Model Year (MY) 1965. It's my recollection that the M-22 and M-21 close ratio transmissions weren't available until MY1966, and even then, the M-22 was relatively rare with only 19 units sold. Thanks! :w

The fuel pump relay is inside the engine bay next to the vacuum brake booster as shown in the attached diagram. (This is from my 1989 service manual, but it's the same for your 1985.) The windows and mirrors don't have relays per se, but their fuses are located in the fuse block located in...

My shop experience with pre-89 Vettes indicates otherwise. The cold start injector is necessary to provide the extra fuel needed for a cold start. (The '89 and later Vettes had the ECM lengthen the injector pulse for cold starts so the cold start injector could be eliminated.) If the cold...

No harm, no foul. I just wasn't sure if we talking stock TPI or an aftermarket setup. If you can't find a split hose or other obvious vacuum leak, try looking for a leak around a gasket on one of the TPI components, e.g., throttle body, runners, manifold base, etc. If you're careful, you can...

On my '89 auto coupe, I removed the metal air tube completely (it's hung off the passenger side exhaust manifold) when I switched to headers w/o AIR fittings. If you're retaining the stock AIR pump, I would remove the tube and block off the hose end coming from the pump that attaches to the...

This is the second time that you mentioned "carbs". Did someone convert the engine from fuel injection (TPI) to throttle body injection/actual carbs, or are you referring to the throttle body? This part of your post isn't clear. From your description of the problem plus the lack of symptoms...

First off, if you Vette will only start when you pour fuel down the throttle body, it sounds like you may have a faulty cold start injector or the fuel rail isn't being pressurized during the start up procedure. You need a fuel pressure gauge to measure fuel pressure at the fuel rail Schrader...