CHEVROLET CORVETTE 1964 Service Manual

MINOR TROUBLE SHOOTING GUIDE
IfYDUrn~ performing in the following manner:
E~reinseqUen" shown for possible causes.
.....
See Page Number
CAR WILL :\OT STA RT: Engine Will Turn Over Engine \,Vill Not Turn Over CAR WILL START- BUT: Only Af(er Repeated Tries Stalls in a Few Seconds Stalls When HOT I d les Roughl y
Engine Overheats
No Oil Pressure Indicate d Ammeter Points to "Zero" or Negacive Side "'See Your AuthOrized Chevrolet Dealer
~ c ~ 1 E u ~ 0; ~ "ll ~ '" I ~ "8 ~ -" 0: "
15 41 42 42
~ .~ 0
·z
£ u
~ U '" eQj u ]
" ':~ j ~ 0; 0
I! .8.8 ~ ~ ~ ~j l ~ ~ 6 "'0
"'''' 14 35 and 36 43 and 42 30 42
! '" j 0; ~~
i ~ ~ ~~ 0 ~~ :e§ f-~~ ~ ~~
J
s:E ~~ !j
'" ~ ~~ 8i £ ~~ 0 ~ ~ ~ ~'i ~ o.s
'i3 c:.~ ~ ~~ 8 6l i:! ~~ ~~ f-f-31 42 42 and 31 36 32 32

MINOR TROUBLE SHOOTING PROCEDURES
T h e chart on the p reviou s page, and the information on the pages which follow, contains information designed to
aid th e average drive r to d iscove r, and possibly correc t,
conditions resu ltin g i n m inor m echanica l difficulties i n his
c ar. The chart, des igned to point out poss ible solutions to
s evera l of the most cQ,mmon autom otive malfunctions and point out a log ica l checkin g seq uence, will lead step by step to the most lik el y causes and corrective proc edures.
H, afte r makin g the checks and adjustments suggeste d, the source of the trouble has not been found and corrected, it is stro ngly recommended that an Authorized Chevrolet Dealer inspect the vehicl e and make whatever r e pairs or adjust me nts are necessary.
FUEL SYSTEM AND ENGINE If the ignition switch will cause the e n gin e to "turn over" or "crank" but the car will not sta rt, check Steps A through D below.
a
TE: ,l Continuol "flooding" of the carburetor is ev;de by 0 carburefor wet with fuel o r blade exhaust smoke
perform the operation suggested in paragraph D only
(A) T h e first and most obv ious , and one of the most frequently overlooked, items to check when you have difficulty in starting your car is the amount of fuel in the
tank. Make it a habit to chec k the FUEL GAUGE reg - ularly
a n d m ost especia lly
at a time when the engine _ "turn over" but will not start. (B) If th e fue l tank is not empty, you may check fur.=c to see whether the fuel is reachin g the carburetor. Disc:o&r neet the fuel line at the carb uretor. Place a jar or c:r
under the open line and brieRy "crank" the ~~e ... mean s of the st arter. ]( fuel spurts from the fiuiog.
may assume that the FUEL LINES are clear and the FeIl.. PUMP is operating properly. If n o fuel leaves the :me. either the fuel lines, fuel pump or the in-lin e filter art' 1-fault. See your Authorized Chevrolet Dealer. (C) Befor e recolln ecting the fu el line to me carbu..~ r emove the FUEL FILTER from the carburetor inlet ux! check its co ndition. !{ it appears to be clean , replace i~ a=. reconnec t the fue l line. If the filter appears to be p1!:s--;rt!
clean it as we ll as possible by scraping out the foreigt!~. rial and cleaning in a solvent. Then reinst all the filter ~== a new one as soon as possible.
(D) If the fuel seems to be reaching the carburetor prop­
erly , th e problem may be: a n EMPTY CA.RBL""RET O::" BO'VL caused by a "stuck shut" carburetor; a ROODE:> CARBURETOR caused by a "stuck open" condition 2r.C. ev idenced by gasoline flowing down the outside 0: :.2 carburetor ; or a stuck CHOKE valve. Remove the U:­cleaner from the carburetor. Check that the choke ~~ moves free ly and is not stuck . (Don't mistake no~ sp~~ tens ion for a stuck valve.) Tap the side of the carb~..lX sharply seve ral times with a light tool such as a sc::::-ew­driver handle or plie rs. R e p lace the air cleaner and a~?,­to start the engin e in the normal manner.

(E) If the car will start but sta lls w h e n hot or has a roug h idle, you can sus pect a f aulty IDLE ADJUSTMENT, a malfunctioning AUTOMATIC CHOKE or an extremely
dirty and blocked AIR CLEANER ELEMENT. Clean
your air cleaner element if necessary. If the above Fuel Syste m checks and the checks suggested under the Electr ica l System followi ng do not corre ct the malfunction , i t is recommended that you turTI to your Authorized Chevrolet Dealer for further checks, adjust­
ments or repairs.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM If, when the ignition key is turned to "Star t," the engine
will not turn over, you have good reason to sus pec t elec­
trical trouble.
(F) '
Vhen there is
no response at all to attempts to star t
the car , check the obv ious-your AUTOMATIC TRANS· M ISSION SELECTOR LEVER mus t be in Neutral or Park position befor e the engine can be started. Turning
the IGNITION SvVITCH rapidly back and forth several
times will sometimes correct a poor internal switch contact.
(G) The BATTER Y may be discha rged. If so, lights will
be dim and the horn will have a poor tone if it will blow a t
all. Usually a
garage recharge will be nece ssary to return the battery to operation. Occasiona lly, however, a p u sh start and long driv e will recharge the battery .
POOR BATTERY CONNECTIONS may be suspec ted if
th e car has operated prope rly a short time befor e and now not eve n the horn will operate. Check both ends o f both battery cables. If the connections are corroded, a car ma y
som etimes be restore d to operation by removing all cab le
e n ds, scraping all contacting surfaces clean with a pen
knife, and reassembling. If the cables a r e broken, they
must be replaced. The power supply should now b e restored
unless the battery is dead.
(H)
If, however, the lights and horn work properly but
th e starter will still not turn ove r , c heck the STARTER connections. A "click " from the starter soleno id indicates
th a t the wirin g to the starter is properly install ed. If the
wiring seems to be clean and tightly installed, the trouble
is proba bly in the starter itself and sho uld be referred to
your Authorized Chevr olet Dealer.
When the e ngine will "turn ove r " but will not start, [h e
foll owin g items may b e checked along with the Fuel Syst em
Checks listed previous ly.
(I) With a clean dry cloth wipe the ceramic portions o f
t he spark plugs dry. In particul arly damp or rainy weather dampness may be the cause of not starting, espec ially when the e ngin e is cold.
0) C heck the cables
at the top of the distributor and coil as well as eac h spark plug cable for tightness.
(K)
If the car w ill stilI not st art. ch eck for spark at the
spark plugs in th e foll owing manner:
Pull o n e of the spark plug wi res off its spark plug. Insert a
short piece of bare wir e (such as a bobby pin) between the

rubber cup at the end of the
spark plug wire and the tubular metal connector in­side of it. If the spark plug wire is wet or oily, wipe it
dry . Wrap a dry handker·
chief or facial tissue, folded
several thicknesses, around
the wire at least three inches
back from the end and grasp
the wire at this point. Hold the bare wire about Yi inch from the bare tip of the Checking Spork
spark plug fro m whidl you removed the wire or from any part of the engine. When the engine is "turned over" a
spark should jump ac ross the y.;, inch space , indicating ample current supply. If no spa rk jumps, th e d ifficult y is probably caused b y a defective ignition part and should be
cor rect ed b y you r Authorized Chevrolet Dealer.
COOUNG SYSTEM
'When the car will run but evidences serious overheating on the temp erature gauge in the instrument panel, there are
seve r al i tem s which may be check ed.
(L)
Engine overheating wjll occur when the OIL LEVEL falls dangerousl y l ow. Check the oil lev e l as a matter of
course.
(M) Low
WATER LEVEL will, of course, cause engi ne over
heating.
De termine the cause of the low water level and have it correc ted if necessary. (N) Check the RADIATOR CORE. Clean it if it is plugged with bugs, leaves or other foreign material.
(0) Condition o f the FAN BELT is very important, not only for engine cooling but also for proper generator operation. Check the condition of the belt. Replace it if i t is wor n or frayed. Loosen the generator bolts and move the generator toward the engine to remove and replace the belt. Tighten the belt, whethe r n ew or old ,
by loosening the generator bolts, prying with a bar on the generator until the belt is tensioned properly,
then re t ighten the generator bolts. Proper belt tension is
such that, when pressed hard at a point midway between
th e ge nerato r and fan pulleys, the belt will deflect about ~4 inch.
(P) Another ca use of en­
gine overheating ma y be an inoperative COOLING SYS­TEM THERMOSTAT. II the thermostat sh ould fail in the closed position, it will not permit wa ter to circulate through the system. In such an emergency the thermostat may be removed but should be replaced with a properly functioning thermostat as
soon as possible .
Thermostot Instal/ot;on
43

TECHNICAL DATA AND SPECIFICATIONS
Serial and Unit Numbers -Stamped on identifi cation
plat e located on instrument panel brace under glove
box.
Bore Engine Compo Disp. Fuel Cyls. X Exhaust Name Ratio (Cu. In.) Induction Stroke
Corvette V·8 4' x 3~' 10.5 327 4 Bbl. Dual Corvette V·8 4 .... x J~1;. 10.5 327 H.B.4 Bbl. Dual Corvette V·8 4" x 31;4 ~ 11.1 327 Holley 4 Bbl. Dual
ENGINE IDENTIFICATION - Stamped on righ t
front engine boss next to water pump.
Gross Trans. Octane Horsepower Ufters Torque ReQ'menl
350 @ 2800 RPM 250 @ 4400 RPM Hyd. 1·2·4 99·101 360 @ 3200 RPM 300 @ 5000 RPM Hyd. 1·2· 4 99·101 360 @ 4000 RPM 365 @ 6300 RPM Mech. 1·3 100·102
'I. 3·speed 2. 4·speed regular 3. 4·speed close ratio 4. Powerglide
CHASSIS DIMENSIONS
Wheel base Length (Overall) Width (Overall)
Height Loaded-Folding Top Up. Loaded-Hard Top Loaded-Sport Coupe
Tread Front Rear 98"
175.3"
69.6"
49.8" .. 49.3" 49.8"
56.3"
57.00"
ENGINES Firing Order 1·8·4·3·6·5·7 ·2
AMA Horsepower-51.2 Distributor :
Dwell
Point Gap Breaker Arm Tension Spark Plugs .016"
used-
.O 19" new
19·23 oz.
AC
45 or AC 46-City Driving Only AC44 (Orig. Equip.) -Town and Country Driving
AC C43 COM-Heavy duty and h igh output AC C42·l COM-Extended and extreme high output Plug Gap .035"

Engine Timing and Idle Speeds:
250 H.P. Engine 4°
BUDC @500' rpm 300 H.P. Engine 8° BUDC @ 500' rpm 365 H.P. Engine (Solid Lifter
Camshaft Engine) 10° BUDC @ 700 rpm ·475 rpm for Powerglide
NOTE. The abo¥. ~nf1S mu" be III!lde with lhe vacuum Ii"" disconnected and ~.
Valve Specifications: SOLID LIFTERS: Intake Exhaust
HYDRAULIC LIFTERS:
.030" Clearance .030" Clearance
With engine idling. back off adjusting screw until tappet begins to click lightly; then tum screw down one full turn at both intake and exhaust.
CARBURETORS: 250 H.P. Engine-Carter WCFB 4.Barrel Downdraft with Integral Automatic Choke. 300 H.P. Engine-Carter A.F.B. 4·Barrel Downdraft carburetor with Integral Automatic Choke. 365 H.P. Engine-Holley special 4-Barrel Downdraft carburetor with integral automatic choke. Three
Speed RATIOS:
TRANSMISSIONS
First
Speed Forward Second Speed Forward Third Speed Forward Reverse
Four
Speed RATIOS: First Speed Forward Second Speed Forward Third Speed Forward Fourth Speed Forward Reverse
Powerglide
RATIOS: Maximum Torque Converter Maximum Overall
Low
Reverse
REAR AXLE RATIOS: Three speed Four speed (Regular)
(Optional) 2.58:1
1.48: I
1:1
2.58:1
Reg- Close
ular Ratio
2.56:1
1.91:1
1.48:1
1:1
2.64:1 2.
2: I 1.64:1
1.28:1
1:1
2. 27:1
2.20:1 3.70:1
3.70 to 1.76: 1
3
.70 to 1.76: 1
3.36
:1 3.36:1 3.08:1
45

Four speed (Close Ratio)
Powerglide Positraction (Available
with all
Transmissions)
(Available
with 4-speed
Transmissions only)
(Available
with 4- speed
Close Ratio Transmission only)
STEERING
Steering Gear Ratio Overall Ratio (with Fast Steering Adjustment)
WHEEL ALIGNMENT
3.70:1
3.36:1
3.36:1
3.08:1
3.55:1,
3.70:1,
4.11:1, 4.56:1.
16.0:1
20.2:1 17.6: I
{ Caster
.
Front Camber
Toe In (Total)
Rear
{Camber. . . . Toe In (Per Wheel")
Pos. 1%0 ± y.o Pas. %' ± y.' %6" to %6" . Neg. y.0 ± y.o (y'to JAG'" "Each whee l must be adjusted independently . Size
Pressures
Front and Rear
TIRES 6.70 x 15-4 ply rating-tubeless Cold" Hot" 24 29 • After car has been parked for 3 hours or mOTe or driven less than one mile. ··Pressures can rise as much as 7 pounds above cold
figures, depending on loads carried, length of
driving and car speed prior to check.
Fuel Tank Crankcase refill
CAPACITIES
250 and 300 h.p. engines Without filter With filter
365 h.p_ engines Without filter With filter Cooling System Without heater With heater Transmissions Three speed Four speed
Powerglide
Rear Axle
20 gallons
4
quarts 5 quarts
5 quarts 6 quarts
18 quarts 19 quarts
2 pints 2Y. pints 9 quarts 3.7 pints

Candle Power Number Circuit Breaker Circuit Ampere Rating or Fuse
HeadJamp-Outer-high. 37\ (watts») 5%" Headlamp. Headlamp Beam} . ..... 15amp. Circuit Breaker Outer-low. 50 (Watts) Indicator. and Parking light. Sealed Beam Inner-high. 311l (Watts) Headlamp Door Motors . . 40 amp. Circuit Breaker Headlamp Beam Indicator ... 1445 Power Window Motors . . 40 amp. Circuit Breaker
Parking
and Directional Signal. 4·32 1157 Parking Brake Alarm & Gas Gauge .. 3AG/AGe 10 amp. Fuse
Tail and Stop-Directional Signal 4·32 1157 Heater .. 3AG/AGe 10 amp. Fuse
Ignition Switch. 1445 Radio. 3AG/AGe 7 amp. Fuse
license Plate lamp. 1155 Instrument, Radio and Clock Ughts. 3AG/AGe 4 amp. Fuse
Back-up lamp. 32 1156 Tail and Back-up lamps . . 3AG/AGe 10 amp. Fuse
Instrument Panel. Stop. license and Courtesy or 1816 Dome lamp .. SAE 20 amp. Fuse Electric Clock . . 1816 Air Conditioning ... 3AG/AGC 20 amp. Fuse Courtesy or Dome lamp ... 90 High Blower Speed 3AG/AGe 30 amp. Fuse (In line)
Radio Dial.. 1816
Cigarette lighter . . 1445 Fuse Panel- All fuses ex-Parking Brake Alarm lamp . . 257 cept the air conditioning b lower in-line fu se are in Headlamp Motor Warning . ... 257 lhe [usc pane l loca ted on Directional Signal Indicators. 1816 t h e {-ire wall just above the
head lamp bea m s witch.

INDEX Page
Page Hard Top Care
. 29 Pushing Tips. .10 Installation .25 Radio .22
Headlight Operation .17 Rear Compartment 24
Page
Heater .20
Seat
Adjustment .23
Air
Conditioning . .21 High Beam Switch .... 18 Spare Tire Stowage .
33
Ammeter 14 Hood Release . 19 Specificat ions .44-47 Automatic Transmission 7
Ignition Switch . 6 Speedometer 13
Batter y Care .. 34
Jack Stowage . .... 33 Starting 6 Brakes . 19
Lighter 16 Steering Adjustments II Bright Metal Care . .... 27 Light Switch . .. 17 Tachometer .13 Changing
Wheels .34 Lighting System Trouble Checks. 18 Temperature Gauge . 15 Cleaning-Exterior .26-27 Locks . .... 23 T h ermostac .32 Interior
.28 Maintenance and Lubrication . .
35-40 Tire Care .
32
C l ock . 15
Manual Transmission .8-9 10 Tire Chains Cililch Adjustments . .... 11 Metallic Brake Linings 9
. . 10 Towing Tips . Cooling System Care . . 31-32 Odometer 13 Trailer Towing II Courtesy Lights. ... 15 Oil Pressure Gauge. . .. 14 Trip Odometer . .13 D e f
roster
20 Oil Requirements .... 30 Troubl e Shooting Guide .41·43
Doors ... 23 Parking Brakes 19 Turn Signal .18 Folding Top Care .... 28
Plastic \oVindow Care . .. 29 Ventilation 20 Operation ... 25 Polishing Your Corvette . .27 Washing Your Corvette .
26
Removal ... 24 Positraction Rear Axle. Waxing Your Corvette .26
Fuel Gauge ... 15 Power Brakes 19 Whitewall Tire Cleaning .27
Fuel Requirements . 30 Power
Steering . . 19 Windshield Washer .
. 16 G love Box
.24 Powerglide Transmission
7 Windshield Wiper 16

OPERATING RECORD
DATE MILEAGE GASOLINE OIL REPAIRS
s
1-----1-----1----1--1----------
1-----1---- - 1----1--1----11---1-----
1---1-----1----1-------
1----1----1---1-----------
1-----1----1------1----
1------1--------1-----------------
1--+----+----1-------
1---1-----1----1------ -
1----1----1---1-----------
1-----1----1---1-------
1-----1-----1----1-------
1-----1-----1----1-------
1-----1-----1----1-------
1----1----1----1-----------
DATE MILEAGE 1 GASOLINE OIL REPAIRS
s s
1-----1---- - 1---------------
1-----1-----1----------
1-----1-----1----1---1---1---1------
1-----1-----1----------
1----1,---1- ----------
~--I-----I----I---I----I---I--------
1-----1-----1----1---1---1---,­
---1----1---1--1----1--1---1-
1-----1-----1----1---1----1----I-
1---1----- 1----1---1---1---I­
~--I-----I--I--+---I----I-1-----1-----1----1---1---1---I-
1-----1-----1----1---1---------1-
1-----1-----1---1---1--------I-
1-----1---- 1---1----I--I----I-----l 1-----1-----1---,---1----1--- - I­1-----1-----1----1--1----11---1-----
1-----1-----1----1- - 1----11---1-----~--I-----I----I--+-------1-
~--I-----I---I--+-------1-