Hello from New York

[c4koh]

Hi All,

I used to have a 1991 ZR1 when living in the UK, but sold it - and I moved to the US a few years ago. I've just bought a 1992 red/red ZR1, so pleased to be back! Will get some pictures out soon. 59,700 miles on her.

I live in Fishkill, Dutchess County in NY, but got the ZR1 from Baltimore. Drives well, could do with an internal clean and a few scruffy bits, but bodywork and engine is all good - I do miss the sound of the LT5!

OK - first question, and I kind of anticipated it: the clutch needs replacing, beginning to slip under heavy load, but not far gone... I'd be happy to try this at home, but it's a bigger job, and while I'm fine to pull the plenum (done it a few times, some years ago!), the clutch seems like more of a pain.

So, does anyone know of any good, reputable mechanics or any more local contacts (should I ping the NE forum??), who can do the clutch for me?

Great to be back in the fold!

Steve

[Schrade]

Welcome onto the boards there.

[USAZR1]

Glad to have you aboard,Steve. Enjoy your time here.

[We Gone]

Welcome, check around here lots of great info. if you get stumped post up.

[G8nightman]

Hi All,

I used to have a 1991 ZR1 when living in the UK, but sold it - and I moved to the US a few years ago. I've just bought a 1992 red/red ZR1, so pleased to be back! Will get some pictures out soon. 59,700 miles on her.

I live in Fishkill, Dutchess County in NY, but got the ZR1 from Baltimore. Drives well, could do with an internal clean and a few scruffy bits, but bodywork and engine is all good - I do miss the sound of the LT5!

OK - first question, and I kind of anticipated it: the clutch needs replacing, beginning to slip under heavy load, but not far gone... I'd be happy to try this at home, but it's a bigger job, and while I'm fine to pull the plenum (done it a few times, some years ago!), the clutch seems like more of a pain.

So, does anyone know of any good, reputable mechanics or any more local contacts (should I ping the NE forum??), who can do the clutch for me?

Great to be back in the fold!

Steve

Welcome Steve

I have a guy I trust but he is in Queens NY.

[c4koh]

Well, Queens is not too far, straight down the Taconic and over the bridge! If he's a good guy, and you trust him, would be good to know...

[ZZZZZR1]

Hi All,

I used to have a 1991 ZR1 when living in the UK, but sold it - and I moved to the US a few years ago. I've just bought a 1992 red/red ZR1, so pleased to be back! Will get some pictures out soon. 59,700 miles on her.

I live in Fishkill, Dutchess County in NY, but got the ZR1 from Baltimore. Drives well, could do with an internal clean and a few scruffy bits, but bodywork and engine is all good - I do miss the sound of the LT5!

OK - first question, and I kind of anticipated it: the clutch needs replacing, beginning to slip under heavy load, but not far gone... I'd be happy to try this at home, but it's a bigger job, and while I'm fine to pull the plenum (done it a few times, some years ago!), the clutch seems like more of a pain.

So, does anyone know of any good, reputable mechanics or any more local contacts (should I ping the NE forum??), who can do the clutch for me?

Great to be back in the fold!

Steve

Steve,

Check the clutch level and regardless of the color I would replace it.

Do you have Maintenance records?

Check this before you purchase any parts.

:cheers:

David

[scottfab]

Welcome back Steve.
Definitely sounds like cluch wear.
Advise getting a FSM and start documenting variances from original that you find.

[Blue Flame Restorations]

Hi Steve, Welcome to our community. The best ZR-1 community in the land.

Good luck on your clutch replacement. Someone near you will reach out soon, I bet.

Brett :cheers:

[QB93Z]

Hi Steve,

Welcome back to the ZR-1 community.

How urgent is your clutch job? If you can hold out until after The ZR-1 Gathering in Bowling Green, and are willing to drive to the Baltimore area, I will be glad to schedule a Westminster Maintenance Day and we can replace your clutch. WAZOO loves doing clutches!

Jim

[c4koh]

All -

Thanks for your response.

Certainly great to be back - there can't be many "new announcing" members who joined in August 2006 lol. Still, a hiatus of 7 years of ZR1-free living has at least been fixed!!!

In terms of clutch, I'm going to look through it this weekend - check the basics, the fluid levels etc. (I'm traveling this week - spring break), but I do suspect it's just a worn clutch disc, as the mileage and feel of the issue would point to it. Still, I may be wrong...

I've also read a few things on changing the clutch, and it does seem doable at home (despite the offer to drive to Baltimore or Queens! I may yet decide not to do it myself lol).

As far as I can see, removal of the exhaust and then gearbox should be relatively straightforward ... except for the nuts and bolts that are hard to reach, or rusted and stuck fast (why do '5 minute' jobs take always 2 hours!!???), but it seems doable...

Part of the joy of the Z is doing these things and keeping on top of maintenance at home... so I may yet look into doing this myself... let me see.

Anyway, nice again to be with a ZR1. And that engine, I'd forgotten, just sounds awesome.

And as a final chuckle, my other car is a Prius! Let me say there's a slight difference in occasion between these two cars! :)

Steve

[KILLSHOTS]

All -

Thanks for your response.

Certainly great to be back - there can't be many "new announcing" members who joined in August 2006 lol. Still, a hiatus of 7 years of ZR1-free living has at least been fixed!!!

In terms of clutch, I'm going to look through it this weekend - check the basics, the fluid levels etc. (I'm traveling this week - spring break), but I do suspect it's just a worn clutch disc, as the mileage and feel of the issue would point to it. Still, I may be wrong...

I've also read a few things on changing the clutch, and it does seem doable at home (despite the offer to drive to Baltimore or Queens! I may yet decide not to do it myself lol).

As far as I can see, removal of the exhaust and then gearbox should be relatively straightforward ... except for the nuts and bolts that are hard to reach, or rusted and stuck fast (why do '5 minute' jobs take always 2 hours!!???), but it seems doable...

Part of the joy of the Z is doing these things and keeping on top of maintenance at home... so I may yet look into doing this myself... let me see.

Anyway, nice again to be with a ZR1. And that engine, I'd forgotten, just sounds awesome.

And as a final chuckle, my other car is a Prius! Let me say there's a slight difference in occasion between these two cars! :)

Steve
Welcome to the brotherhood, Steve!! This great group of guys is going to help you get your car sorted in no time.

BTW, you're not alone, my friend...my "work" car is a Camry Hybrid! Our weekday and weekend rides are polar opposites!

Cheers!
Chris

[c4koh]

All -

For the records, and any future person looking for the same info!

I have ordered the replacement clutch from Carolina Clutch and will have the ZR1 taken into Vette Doctors in Amityville on Long Island. While I looked into possibly doing this job by myself, in consideration (since there's only me to help, and I don't have a left) I figured it'd be better to get a pro to do it.

Both of these companies are known to the ZR1 community, and came highly recommended, so it's always good to repay a good reputation with additional business.

Will add a final update to the thread once all's done.

I realized after doing my own research on the forum that sometimes advice is given, but the original poster never closes the loop and tells you what route they eventually took! So I'll try and complete it here.

Again thanks all (and thanks also for the recommendation for the other shop in Queens!), and will provide an update later on.

In the meantime, reviving my ZR1 ownership, I've not gotten back my factory service manuals (a pleasant read!), and ... ahem... a few waxes and polishes. Maybe 5 or 6. Or more ;) ...

[Racinfan83]

And as a final chuckle, my other car is a Prius! Let me say there's a slight difference in occasion between these two cars!

Steve

Don't feel like the Lone Ranger. My DD is a 98 Honda Civic with 210k miles on it. Other one is an 01 Dodge Quad Cab 4x4 with 150k on it. Kinda a diverse group huh?

[lisounds]

I have ordered the replacement clutch from Carolina Clutch and will have the ZR1 taken into Vette Doctors in Amityville on Long Island

when you go to the vette doctors speak with Brad
he did alot of work for me over the years with all my vettes

[c4koh]

Hi Lisounds -

Will certainly mention it! Where in NY are you?

Not too many ZR1s around, no?

Steve

[lisounds]

new hyde park long island n.y.

[c4koh]

All -

To close the thread. I ordered the replacement clutch etc. from Carolina Clutch, who delivered it straight to Vette Doctors, who fitted it. Both companies were already recommended on the forum, and must say that both were great to deal with - good advice, options and professional approach. Will use both of them again, and would recommend them fully to any other folks here.

New clutch fitted, I can now chirp those back wheels from the lights - so next on to the few other little things to look at in the car...

... brake lights (except CHMSL is OK) not working
... plenum bolts rusted in a few places, so will pick up a new set
... slight vacuum leak somewhere, sounds like under the plenum (so will review this when fitting the new bolts)
... few rubber hoses look a bit degraded, so will replace those
... fit steel brake lines all round
... fit speed-bleed nipple valves all round
... upgrade stereo (see my other thread on same)...

4 weeks into ZR-1 re-ownership, loving every minute!

[ZZZZZR1]

Steve

Great to hear everything is going well!!!

Congrats and keep us up to date

:cheers:

David

[Vetman]

I have you all out classed. My dd is a very old, 48 HP diesel vw pickup. Ahh the z is a refreshing fix!!!!