1976 - Need Help (Where to Start)

[born2run]

I just got a 1976 Stingray.. It's been sitting in a garage for approximately 10 years (without being started). The back wheels locked up - I was told by a local mechanic that the bearings had locked and need to be replaced. He is charging me $500-$600 per side (I'm not sure if that's a good price or not).. After changing oil, emptying gas (and refilling) the car started right up - he said I also need a fuel pump. Ran the car for 1/2 hour, no leaks at all (sounded great). I am new to this forum - I got the car for nothing (it's been in the family).. I don't want the car to turn into a money pit, but I'm wondering where I should start - after getting the bearings replaced so I can at least move the car.. I know I have a lot to learn but I couldn't turn down the opportunity to take the car for nothing. It has 72,000 miles on it and looks beautiful - it's tan (I believe they call it Buckskin).. Any ideas on where I should start would be greatly appreciated as I am a rookie to the Corvette world.

Thanks..

 

[atmmac]

Wow this sounds exactly what happened with my impala. Been in the family since new and sat in a garage. Mine was 20 yrs though! Anyhow heres what you have to do. First off change all of your plugs, wires. Change your distributor cap and rotor. Drain your radiator fluid. And refill with new fluid. I would definetly get the radiator recored. Do an oil and filter change. Then you probably should replace the water pump, while your at it change out the hoses and put in a new thermostat. Now your getting there. Now you want to take off your carburetor and take it somewhere to be rebuilt. Carbs can be a fire hazard (I found out!). Also change your air filter. Then do yo urself a favor and have your brakes checked out by a shop you trust. Please do this i ended up crashing my impala because of this!!!

Have Fun!!!
-Andy

 

[born2run]

Thanks Andy

I appreciate the advice.. Does the price for the bearings sound reasonable?

 

[Ala75Vette]

I had my rear bearings done by a vette shop about a year ago, and had three of the four half-shaft u-joints replaced as well, all for just over $1100, so I'd say your price quote is "in the ballpark." The rear bearings are one of the more challenging repairs one can take on with an old vette.... if you're a mechanically adroit person, you can do it yourself, but it's not something you want to mess up and have to do over. It takes special tools which I didn't want to buy, so it was worth it to me to make sure it was done by a "professional."

Frank

 

[Copdogcorvettes]

I would be sure it is the bearings before having them changed. I have seen the brakes do the same thing. Check it out. Remove the rear tires and then the calibers; then try turning the hubs by hand. You can also remove the half shafts and try again.

Just a thought that may save you some money.

Gary

 

[Bob Chadwick]

I'm with Gary. E-brake can lock up and cause the same problem. If the bearings turn out to be the problem, make sure someone that knows how to do Vettes works on them. This is one of those areas that can cause you problems, such as air in the brake lines, if not done properly.

 

[born2run]

Thanks

Thanks guys.. As I said, I am new here and am not exactly sure where to start, so I appreciate all the advice. This seems like a great place and now that I'm a Vette owner, I'll definitely be here often.

As far as my problem, we did remove brakes and calipers and still couldn't get the wheels to turn at all - I was in the shop with the mechanic as he was trying to turn them.. The mechanic is convinced that this is the problem so at this point all I can do is trust him on this. Once the car is rolling (and I already know that it starts despite sitting for 10 years untouched), I will then have more options.. I'll begin by taking Andy's advice in terms of tuneup, plugs, wires, etc..

Thanks again for the advice..

 

[GATOR454]

Unless your mechanic is experienced with corvette bearings you may want to look into having someone like Bair's rebuild the trailing arms.

It's $299 per side, and look at what you get.
http://www.bairs.com/suspension.asp

They come back looking brand new.

At least look at what they do for $299 per side and compare it to what your mechanic intends to do.
Particularly:
Set up Bearings to GM Specs
Rivet & Machine Rotor to Match Spindle and Remove Run Out

Also for a reference here is what the hard parts cost on the net.
http://www.fastcorvette.com/SpindlesParkingBrakes.htm

Because if he is ONLY changing the bearings, it looks like under a hundred dollars in parts and $1,100 dollars in labor. For that I would buy a compressor and all of the tools and do it myself. Then I have new bearings AND tools.