Finally went for a ride!

[bill81vette]

Finally got the vette inspected and took it for a ride to albany and back to see how it would do under different driving conditions
i.e. city and highway
seems to have very nice power and rode well(I guess 1st time in a vette!! )
got a little hot(200+) in traffic on the hi-way but overall I was please with it has it had been several years(7+?) since it has really been run.I will keep an eye out for spots on the ground where it is parked for drips!

 

[kiwi vet]

Hey Bill

Good on you, good to see another L81 on the road again.
Its a buzz isnt it? :Twist

 

[Daryllawman]

Keep them going Bill......they are made to be driven......

 

[Tritium007]

Congratulations Bill! I remember looking at some of the resto pictures a few months ago. Great to see another L81 back from the dead.

Mike

 

[Jim Martley]

got a little hot(200+) in traffic on the hi-way

Bill,
200 is about the normal operating temp for your car. Check to make sure the foam seals are still between the radiator, radiator support & hood.

Email me and I'll give you directions to my house so if you are out for a ride you can stop by and show off your toy.

 

[oceangal]

Enjoy!
If you keep driving past NY to Boston let me know!
I have noticed that on longer rides my foot tends to get a bit hot. is that a common thing?

 

[Jim Martley]

Enjoy!
I have noticed that on longer rides my foot tends to get a bit hot. is that a common thing?

Yes it is. I put additional insulation on the floor when I replaced the carpets in my 82 and it helped. I also have moulded plastic carpet protectors the help insulate your foot from the heat. The exhaust runs pretty close to that area and the transmission is close also. That is where the heat is coming from.

Another thing to check for is to try to feel if the heat is coming out of the heater ducts. There is a vacuum controled coolant shut off valve that should shut the flow of coolant off to the heater core when the temp. slide control on the consoul is in the cool position. I have found the cable for this control streches and does not actuate the valve sometmes.

 

[gedmeyer]

Bill,
Email me and I'll give you directions to my house so if you are out for a ride you can stop by and show off your toy.

So we have another one in the area! I'm in Clifton Park. Cruise with any other vette owners? I've yet to do so. I'd really like to compare my '81 to other c3's...

-tim

 

[gedmeyer]

The exhaust runs pretty close to that area and the transmission is close also. That is where the heat is coming from.

Side pipes would move some of this heat away!

I think I'm going to add some floor insulation during the winter. My feet get pretty warm. Especially during the day time. When it cools of during the evening, the cabin heat is minimal. I might also try to get my A/C in tip-top shape for next year as well. Although, this summer's heat is pretty ridiculous.

It's tough to drive the vette anywhere during the day...that swamp [butt] is killer.

-gedmeyer

 

[KANE]

....got a little hot(200+) in traffic on the hi-way but overall I was please with it has it had been several years(7+?) since it has really been run.I will keep an eye out for spots on the ground where it is parked for drips!

You could put in a 180 thermostat. I ran those religiously in my old C3.

Great to hear your shark is back on the road!!