Automotive FAQ

Question:
Has anyone installed a T5 or any other 5 speed with an Overdrive in a 85 or a 1980’s series Corvette?
Answer:
I think Ecklers has a Doug Nash 5 speed and all the things you’ll need to stuff a 5 speed in (bell housing, clutch, shifter, bearings, etc). I’ve toyed with the idea for my 69′ [...]

Question:
My car is getting the plugs very black and sooty.  An emissions test showed the car to be running very good.  Actually, the hydrocarbon level was around 70.  This level indicates a rather lean condition. What could be causing the “rich-looking” plug condition?  Most of the ignition system has been replaced.  The gas mileage is [...]

Question:
I’m a newbie to sport cars but I’m hoping to get started.  I’m interested in buying a late 70’s or early 80’s Corvette.  Can some of you knowledgable helpful friends let me know of any common problems you may have encountered with these cars.  And if you have any tips when checking out a used [...]

Question:
Can anyone give me an aproximation on how much force a single piston exerts downwards during its power stroke?
I know this varies from engine to engine but an estimate would be appreciated (small and/or large engine).
Answer:
About 5 1/3 tons on a 4 inch piston (”normal” compression/fuel), which may vary depending on compression and/or fuels used. [...]

Question:
The AC Rapidfire plugs come “pre-gapped,” and with advice *not* to re-gap them. I think they’re at .045
I have a set in my 1985 Corvette, and followed this advice. The plugs get coked pretty badly, though, and I’m wondering whether setting the gap to .035, which is specified for this car, would help.
Answer:
It sounds like [...]

Question:
Last night a friend of mine asked me about modifying his ‘85 Vette (with TPI) and he showed me some cataloges with different high-perf. parts. I told him that the only way he would get any serious performance out of the car was if he replaced the sorry excuse of a V8 (ONLY 350 cid!) [...]

Question:
I have a 1985 Corvette with 14K miles that only gets driven in summer months. When I took the car out this april 1, I noticed my lights,…..Dash, interior, headlights, all of them, were flickering, but only at idle. When the engine speeds up, the flickering goes away.
Question? Is the Alternator going bad even though [...]

Question:
I have a 85 corvette and the battery will only last about a week if the car is not driven, I have replaced the battery but it still needs to be recharged after about a week. Anybody have any suggestions as to why ot is losing its power so rapidly?
Answer:
Do you have a battery drain [...]

Question:
I’m trying to put together an article for the car club’s website that I belong to, and seem to be having an inordinate amount of trouble finding what I think is a pretty simple and basic piece of information. I’m hoping the readers of this group can help.
GM uses (used?) a letter designation to signify [...]

Question:
Driving to work and the engine mysteriously shut down.  I had to coast to the side of th road.  The engine then would then NOT crank, but all accessories would work.  Five minutes later, the engine would crank and I would be up and going.  Within ten minutes, the same thing again.
If it were an [...]