corvette-clock-rebuild-featured

The most common problem in 1963-1982 Corvettes is not something major like the engine or transmission. No, the most common problem in C2 and C3 Corvettes is a clock that does not work. While it may seem like a minor issue, it can be a major annoyance.

The electric clocks included in 1963-1982 Corvettes all seem determined to self destruct. If, by chance, your clock is still working, it’s probably so slow that it’s useless.  Thankfully, there’s an easy, affordable fix – and you can do it yourself.

The remedy is a 1963-1982 Corvette Clock Quartz Movement Kit from Zip. You’ll also want to consider needle paint, bezel paint and a new lens to complete your project. Follow along with our tech article 1963-1982 Corvette Clock Quartz Rebuild as we convert the clock in a 1964 Corvette from the old electric movement to the modern quartz movement. You’ll find step-by-step instructions with pictures so you can get the project done yourself. The whole conversion takes about 2 to 3 hours, a little mechanical aptitude and a few tools. But having a clock that keeps accurate time is well worth the effort.

The fist step is to remove your clock as per your Corvette shop manual’s instructions. We always recommend that you have your shop manual close by whenever starting any DIY project. A few additional tools and supplies will be needed for the conversion: small pliers, needle nose pliers, flat blade screwdriver, 5/16″ nut driver and a paint brush. Mechanical aptitude is always a plus, but remember, you have our 1963-1982 Corvette Clock Rebuild Technical Article to  guide you every step of the way!

For more great technical articles covering all Corvette generations, visit www.corvettemagazine.com, your online source for Corvette know-how!

 

 

corvette-window-regulator-tech-article-featured

Are you tired of fighting your 1968-1982 C3 Corvette’s door glass? When you roll up your window, does it go up at a severe angle, unable to completely close? Or perhaps you’ve experienced the most embarrassing of all: you start to roll it up only to have it drop down into the door with a resounding thud or worse, to the sound of breaking glass. It’s annoying..it’s infuriating…but thankfully, it can be easily fixed with just a few hours and the right Corvette Parts!

These problems can all be attributed to broken window and regulator roller assemblies. There are five nylon rollers that attach to the glass and window regulator and roll in the door and glass run channels. Those rollers allow the window to roll up and down freely. When they break, the glass has a tendency to roll up at angles or not at all, depending on how many rollers are broken.

Follow along with our tech article “1968-1982 Corvette Window Regulator Roller Rebuild” as we get the passenger door glass back on track in our project ’73.  The article includes step-by-step instructions and photos that will show you how to replace the faulty window regulator roller assembly in your C3 Corvette.

To complete the project, you’ll need front and rear glass run rollers, regulator rollers, glass bushings and washers and two anti-rattlers. You’ll also need a few basic hand tools, a helper and a shop manual for your year Corvette. Within just a few hours, your windows will be back on track and your Corvette will be back on the road, where it belongs!

For more technical articles and how-to project ideas, visit Zip’s corvettemagazine.com, your online source for Corvette know-how!

 

C6_corvette_kooks_headers_featured

We all know that Corvettes make a lot of power stock. But since when is stock power ever enough for the true Corvette enthusiast?

Corvette owners are always on the quest for just a little more sound out of the exhaust tips. To get that ever-so-sweet sound and the seat-of-your-pants rush that follows from your C6, Zip recommends a set of Kooks Long Tube Headers. They will help bring back that famous rumble from the 60′s and you’ll see upwards of an 25-30 horsepower increase at the rear wheels!

So what does that type of an increase really look like? Consider this: if your Corvette has 400 horsepower stock at the flywheel, you’ll enjoy a new rating of about 440-450 horsepower. What could be better than that? You get more HP than a 1967 big block Corvette and a distinctive growl while maintaining more than 20 mpg. It’s the best of both worlds!

Follow along with Zip’s technical article “2005-2013 C6 Corvette Kooks Header Installation” as we install a set of Kook’s 1-7/8 headers on a 2005 Daytona Orange C6.

No doubt about it – this is a tough install all the way around. We do not recommended this project for a novice do-it-yourself weekend warrior. But our article offers step-by-step installation instructions with photos that will help you get the job done. It’s well worth your time and hard work. Kooks headers are second to none when it comes to modifying a 6th generation Corvette. If it’s state-of-the-art sound and performance you’re after, you can’t go wrong with Kooks.

Ready to roll up your sleeves and get going? We’ll be with you every step of the way. For more great DYI projects, visit www.corvettemagazine.com, Zip’s online collection of technical articles and how to’s for every Corvette generation. And if you really get stumped, pick up the phone and call us. Our team has more than 150 years of collective Corvette knowledge and if we don’t have the answer, we know someone who does! Contact Zip today!

backglass_weatherstrip_lead

You shouldn’t have to plan your road trips around the weather – and you should NEVER have to don your rain gear while you’re inside your C3 Corvette! If you’re the victim of leaky backglass weatherstrip, don’t feel ashamed – it’s a major problem for 1973-1982 Corvettes.

The other problem is finding a weatherstrip kit to repair the leaks. When it rolled out of the factory, Chevrolet used a pliable adhesive or butyl sealer to seal the glass to the body. After 15 to 20 years, this sealer dries out and hardens which causes cracks to appear. When it rains, these cracks allow the water to seep down between the body and the glass, causing leaks.

For many years, a complete seal kit was unavailable, but Zip now offers Corvette Rear Window Seal Kits. No longer will you have to hunt for “something that will work” or go to your local glass installer and maybe have the weatherstrip repaired or replaced, if they’ll even agree to work on it. These new kits will allow you to repair the backglass weatherstrip right at home. The results are professional and easy to do.

Ready to tackle this as your next DIY weekend project? It should only take about one afternoon. Follow along with our technical article 1973-1982 Corvette Rear Window Glass Installation for step-by-step instructions and photos.

For other great DIY projects, visit Zip’s corvettemagazine.com, your online source for Corvette technical articles and how-to’s.

 

Purchase online at Zip Corvette Parts

 

corvette-parking-break-tech-article-featured

When you apply the parking brake in your 1967-1982 Corvette, you expect that the car is going to stay put…or so you hope. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. A typical problem in all 67-82 Corvettes, the design of the original parking brake allowed the cables to stretch and the shoes and levers to become rusted, grease covered or even frozen so that the whole system was inoperable.

Fortunately, a relatively simple rebuild can fix the problem. Follow along with our technical article 1967-1982 Corvette Parking Break Rebuild for step-by step rebuild instructions and photos.

Start with a new 1967-1982 Park Break Rebuild Kit to replace worn cables, pulleys, brake shoes and levers. All of the brake shoe levers, springs and brackets in the kit are stainless steel, so the problem with rust is eliminated. No more frozen levers or adjusters.

A complete rebuild including cables, shoes, levers and pulleys will take approximately 3 to 5 hours depending on your ability.  But it’s time well spent when you can have the peace of mind that your Corvette will stay where you parked it! It’s also a good idea to have a shop manual for your particular year available before you start the rebuild.

In addition to your new Corvette Parts, you’ll also want to gather a Phillips and flat blade screwdriver, electric drill, 2 pair needle nose pliers, 1 pair standard pliers, nut driver, sockets and ratchet, masking tape, marking crayon, and lubriplate or white lithium grease for this project.

Once the rebuild is complete, don’t forget to burnish (break in) your new parking brake shoes. Here are two different methods:

METHOD 1:
With the car traveling at 50 mph, apply the parking brake lever until a light drag is felt 6 to 10 notches. Operate the vehicle for approximately 50 seconds at this speed. Now return the handle to the full released position. Your new shoes are burnished in. When you park your car, apply the parking brake to see if it holds sufficiently after it has been burnished. Sometimes you may have to readjust the shoes after break in.

METHOD 2:
Apply the parking brakes three to five times at approximately 40 mph, slowing to 20 mph each time. Allow a cooling period between applications. As the applications progress, apply the brakes more gradually, since the brake effectiveness improves and wheel lock-up will occur more readily. Readjust parking brakes after the burnishing operation.

For other great DIY projects, visit Zip’s corvettemagazine.com, your online source for Corvette technical articles and how-to’s.

 

Purchase online at Zip Corvette Parts