If you are replacing your 1968-1982 C3 Corvette’s dash or are just trying to remove your Corvette’s Headlight Switch assembly, here is a helpful tip that will make the removal and installation much easier.
Every week we have at least one customer call and ask us this question, “How do I remove the knob and rod from my headlight switch?” It is a very common problem that everyone encounters the first time they try to do this.
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Careful preparation is the key to success when dyeing your Corvette’s interior. Cleanliness is essential, so begin by wiping the parts to be dyed with wax and grease remover. This specialty solvent will clean the parts of dirt, interior conditioning products that others may have applied, and the oils that naturally gravitate to the surface of vinyl and leather. Don’t use a strong solvent such as lacquer thinner or you risk damaging the underlying material. After cleaning, lightly but thoroughly sand the surface to be dyed in order to promote adhesion. Fine sandpaper such as # 400 grit is sufficient. Wipe the surface down again with wax and grease remover. Though not essential, it is highly recommended that you apply a coat of primer or Interior Dye Adhesion Promoter before spraying the dye. Besides promoting adhesion, this will lessen the possibility of a reaction between the new dye and the old finish. Good spraying technique is very important! Whether you us an aerosol can or a gun, spray the dye from 8-10″ away and apply uniform, overlapping coats that are wet enough to flow into each other but not so wet as to run. Since dye does not get sanded and polished it’s important to reduce the likelihood of contamination by spraying in a clean environment. It’s equally important to spray the dye in an warm, dry environment to avoid blushing.
For more information on how to dye the interior parts in your Corvette, read our technical article “Dyeing Plastic & Vinyl Parts” at Corvette Magazine.com.
The original Corvette shop & service manuals provided to Chevrolet service technicians for Corvette repair and maintenance are now available on CD in PDF format. The new Corvette Shop & Service Manual CD’s for 1953-1981 will run on both Windows & Macintosh if you have Adobe Reader 7.0 or higher installed.
Each shop & service manual is broken down into basic operating systems and shows how to remove, disassemble and rebuild major components on your C1, C2 or C3 Corvette. Step by step instructions are designed for the novice or professional mechanic and allow you to work on your Corvette at your own pace with the reassurance that you are getting the job done right. Each shop & service manual also includes diagnostics, troubleshooting, required tools, and Corvette wiring diagrams to assist with any aspect of your Corvette restoration. You will truly be satisfied with these manuals on CD as they are loaded with original factory photographs and illustrations from beginning to end.
These hard-to-find factory shop manuals are published by Detroit Iron. The CD contains the information as published in the original paper manuals for 1953-1981 Corvettes. Each CD has been completely revised meaning that all images from the original factory manuals have been re-scanned for clarity, and they even include easy search capabilities. No more flipping through a huge binder!
Common areas included in Corvette Shop & Service Manuals include:
Be it poor panel fit, seams showing, or even large-scale damage, the fact is most all old Corvettes have had some sort of body problem. Author Ray J. Shiro shares his 32 years of experience in the Corvette body repair business in this set of step-by-step guides for the do-it-yourself enthusiast. Written in “plain language”, these easy-reading Cd’s (with printable documents) cover location of body seams, seam repair, bonding adhesives, panel removal and replacement, complete front or rear assembly and more.
Volume 1 includes: 1963-1967 Corvette front body panel removal & replacement, headlight assembly removal, replacement & adjustment, body seam repair, body panel splicing repair techniques and a body restoration guide. This midyear body repair guide on Cd includes over 165 photos throughout with detailed explanations and 24 illustrations, which will help make your Corvette’s restoration much easier.
Volume 2 includes: 1963-1967 rear Corvette body panel removal & replacement, crack repair, panel splicing, body seam repair and a body restoration guide. This volume includes over 195 photos with detailed explanations and 17 illustrations that will help you repair or replace your C2 Corvette’s rear body panels.
Volume 3 includes: 1968-1982 Corvette complete front end replacement, door skin replacement, T-top panels, body panel removal and replacement. Over 180 photos with detailed explanations and 24 illustrations are included in this C3 Corvette Body Repair Guide.
Volume 4 includes: 1968-1982 Corvette headlight assembly, headlight adjustments, door jamb replacement, complete rear body replacement, crack repair, body panel splicing and body seam repair. The 170 plus photos and 11 illustrations are sure to help with the restoration of any C3 Corvette.
Volume 5 includes: 1984-1996 C4 Corvette headlight assembly & adjustments, door jamb splice, front bumper assembly, hood replacement, front lower fender, firewall repair, dog leg panel and a body restoration guide. Over 220 photos and 11 illustrations are included to help restore your C4 Corvette’s body to its original form.
Volume 6 includes: 1984-1996 C4 Corvette complete door skin & door removal and replacement, rear quarter panel removal & replacement, top panel removal and a body restoration guide. Volume 6 of the Corvette Body Restoration Guides on Cd includes over 280 photos and 10 illustrations with detailed instructions for a much simpler restoration.
The 1956-1962 Corvette Wiper Arms were cable-driven from the Corvette’s Wiper Motor. A drum behind the firewall rotated multiple cables to each transmission. Fortunately, these transmission cables do not require adjustment on a regular basis; however, when adjustment is needed, either from cable stretching or following a new installation, Chevrolet designed a system where cable tension can be increased by simply pressing on the outer end of the transmission shaft.
To illustrate, each transmission has two spools – one for each drive cable. The inside face of each spool has cast teeth locking them together. When the transmission shaft is pressed down, the two spools separate and an internal spring allows the spools to rotate to their tightest position. Once pressure is removed from the transmission shaft, the spools are locked together again and the cables are tight against the wiper motor drum. When removing the transmission, the operation will require the help of an additional person. With one person pressing down on the wiper transmission shaft to “unlock” the spools, the second person (inside the Corvette) must pull against the cables, rotating the spools against the pressure of the spring. Once all the necessary slack is obtained, the wiper transmission shaft can be released and the spools will lock together. This slack will allow the cables to be removed from the wiper motor drum. The Corvette’s Wiper Transmission can then be removed.
