Home page
SPONSOR AD

Support our Vendors!  |  Advertise Here

Topic: Age Maintenance - When parts are too old for long road trips or tracks

in Forum: C4 General Discussion


Already a Member?
Login
Not yet a Member?
Register for Free!

Age Maintenance - When parts are too old for long road trips or tracks (1/12)
 7/25/23 9:22am
terrdl28
Standard Member
Send Private Message

Green Bay, WI - USA

Vette(s):
1996 Collector Edition coupe with LT4


Joined: 4/11/2009
Posts: 20

A friend told me to replace the rubber brake lines on my '96 CE LT4 because they are approaching 30 years old.  My Vette is in great shape and well maintained but it got me thinking about what else that appears good and/or that mileage wouldn't dictate changing should be inspected or replaced on a car that old.  Since every C4 is equally as old, or older, I thought this forum would be a good place to ask that question.  What has went out on your C4 that surprised you? What should I think about before my next long road trip that I might be missing?  Any suggestions are appreciated.

Our Sponsors help support C4VR
Re: Age Maintenance - When parts are too old for long road trips or tr (2/12)
 7/25/23 6:20pm
Adams' Apple
Standard Member
Moderator
Send Private Message

Duncanville, TX - USA

Vette(s):
1985 Coupe-L98/Auto,Bright Red/Carmine. 1974 Coupe-L48/4speed, Medium Red Metallic/Black Deluxe.


Joined: 3/18/2009
Posts: 2245

Past experiences have shown me that I would NEVER take another trip in my '85 without a spare fuel pump. I've seen many other '84-'96 models at different events having the fuel pumps changed in parking lots....don't leave home without one! 

Other age related failures are hoses, serpentine belt, and headlight motors/gears, tho the later models have better headlight setups. Always check wheel/hub bearings for play before a long trip. Definitely do not want one of those failing on the road. 

 



______________

Joel Adams  
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"

Re: Age Maintenance - When parts are too old for long road trips or tr (3/12)
 7/25/23 6:52pm
terrdl28
Standard Member
Send Private Message

Green Bay, WI - USA

Vette(s):
1996 Collector Edition coupe with LT4


Joined: 4/11/2009
Posts: 20

I would have never thought of the fuel pump. The belt is done, but I bet those radiator hoses are old too. Thanks, appreciated! 

Re: Age Maintenance - When parts are too old for long road trips or tr (4/12)
 7/26/23 4:15am
Black Shark
Standard Member
Moderator
Send Private Message


Vette(s):
Black 1979 L-82 Black 1996 LT1 Black 1999 Coupe


Joined: 3/20/2009
Posts: 611

Tires, hoses and belts.

I too would replace 30 y/o rubber brake lines, and would consider replacing the metal brake lines if I lived in snow zones with salt on roads, rust belt.

Re: Age Maintenance - When parts are too old for long road trips or tr (5/12)
 7/26/23 5:31am
Adam Wartell
Standard Member
C4VR Founder
Send Private Message

Eagleville, PA - USA

Vette(s):
1979 Corvette Red T-Top


Joined: 3/18/2009
Posts: 4961

Anything rubber if you aren't sure how long ago it was replaced.

Re: Age Maintenance - When parts are too old for long road trips or tr (6/12)
 7/26/23 9:47am
manchester
Standard Member
Send Private Message

Equinunk, PA - USA

Vette(s):
1993 LT1 convertible triple black 4L60 2003 Zo6 Electron/Black 6 sp


Joined: 11/12/2017
Posts: 71

For what it's worth,  Make sure the water pump is not leaking, and or the optispark if it's on the car. It's a VERY expensive tow ride and repair. 

Re: Age Maintenance - When parts are too old for long road trips or tr (7/12)
 7/27/23 4:52am
Fjdietz
Standard Member
Send Private Message

Joined: 3/15/2014
Posts: 1

Important to check the age of your tires before long trips.  Old tires may be fine for short trips around town but might not hold up for long trips especially at high speed interstate driving.

 

Re: Age Maintenance - When parts are too old for long road trips or tr (8/12)
 8/6/23 11:04am
terrdl28
Standard Member
Send Private Message

Green Bay, WI - USA

Vette(s):
1996 Collector Edition coupe with LT4


Joined: 4/11/2009
Posts: 20

I’m happy to report that I replaced both of them already. And you are right it was an expensive tow😉



|UPDATED|8/6/2023 12:04:28 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
Re: Age Maintenance - When parts are too old for long road trips or tr (9/12)
 8/6/23 11:09am
Adam Wartell
Standard Member
C4VR Founder
Send Private Message

Eagleville, PA - USA

Vette(s):
1979 Corvette Red T-Top


Joined: 3/18/2009
Posts: 4961

terrdl28 said:

I’m happy to report that I replaced both of them already. And you are right it was an expensive tow😉



What exactly did you wind up replacing?


Re: Age Maintenance - When parts are too old for long road trips or tr (10/12)
 8/6/23 6:53pm
terrdl28
Standard Member
Send Private Message

Green Bay, WI - USA

Vette(s):
1996 Collector Edition coupe with LT4


Joined: 4/11/2009
Posts: 20

Sorry, I was trying to respond to Manchester that I replaced the Opti Spark and water pump about 5 years ago.

Re: Age Maintenance - When parts are too old for long road trips or tr (11/12)
 8/7/23 4:20pm
Norsky
Standard Member
Moderator
Send Private Message

West Burke, VT - USA

Vette(s):
SOLD - "The Beast" - '90 ZR-1 (#682)
SOLD - "The Toy" - '70 Convertible
SOLD - "Betty" - '28 Ford Model A Tudor
Still have - "BLKBRRD" - '78 Pontiac Trans Am


Joined: 3/18/2009
Posts: 207

Get a spare oil pressure sending unit and put it in a compartment.  Have it on good authority that GM had quality control issues with those units across all the engine lines in the late 1980s and into the 1990s.  While on a trek across the northern plains states had the oil pressure on "The Beast" drop to ZERO when miles from anywhere.  Turned out the oil pressure sending unit had failed but it caused a bit of momentary heart failure when the gauge dropped to nothing while running at 80mph.



______________

Jim Olson

 
"The Toys"...!!!  Save the Wave! 

 Where I've been in a Corvette...!!!

Re: Age Maintenance - When parts are too old for long road trips or tr (12/12)
 10/5/23 7:17am
Pete julien
Standard Member
Send Private Message

Derry, NH - USA

Vette(s):
96 collector edition LT1 automatic


Joined: 10/3/2023
Posts: 3

I found some dry rot on my tires and replaced them immediately. Treads looked good until you looked close!!

Our Sponsors help support C4VR