Target Audience:
Owners, restorers, mechanics, and enthusiasts of the 1968 Chevrolet Corvette.
Value Proposition:
Provides the essential technical information required to maintain, repair, and restore a classic 1968 Corvette, offering significant cost savings compared to professional shop labor.
Completeness:
Covers all aspects of the vehicle's mechanical, electrical, and body systems for the specified model year.
Accuracy:
Based on original factory service documentation, ensuring technical accuracy and reliability.
Engine Mechanical:
Full overhaul procedures, disassembly, assembly, inspection, and rebuilding of the 327 V8 engine (all variants).
Engine Electrical:
Ignition system, starting system, charging system (alternator), fuel injection (if applicable for specific engines), and associated wiring diagrams.
Fuel System:
Carburetor (e.g., Holley, Rochester) overhaul and adjustment, fuel pump, fuel lines, and emissions control systems.
Transmission Manual:
Disassembly, assembly, inspection, and repair of Muncie 4-speed and BorgWarner T-10 4-speed transmissions.
Transmission Automatic:
Disassembly, assembly, inspection, and repair of the Turbo Hydra-Matic 350 (THM350) automatic transmission.
Drivetrain:
Driveshaft, universal joints, rear axle (differential) overhaul, and half-shafts.
Suspension:
Front independent suspension (A-arms, coil springs, ball joints), rear transverse leaf spring system, shock absorbers, and sway bars.
Steering:
Steering box (manual and power steering), tie rods, drag link, and steering column.
Brakes:
Front disc brakes (calipers, rotors, pads), rear drum brakes, master cylinder, brake lines, parking brake system, and power brake booster (if equipped).
Electrical System:
Headlights, taillights, interior lighting, gauges, horn, wipers, power windows (if equipped), and radio systems.
Body And Frame:
Frame inspection and repair, body panel alignment, door and window mechanisms, weatherstripping, bumpers, and interior trim.
Heating And Air Conditioning:
HVAC system components, ducting, heater core, and A/C system (if originally equipped).
Preventative Maintenance:
Oil changes, filter replacements, fluid checks and top-offs, lubrication points, and belt adjustments.
Troubleshooting:
Diagnostic charts for common starting, running, electrical, and mechanical issues.
Repair And Rebuilding:
Detailed step-by-step instructions for overhauling all major mechanical and electrical components.
Component Adjustment:
Carburetor tuning, ignition timing, brake adjustment, clutch linkage adjustment.
Specification Tables:
Torque specifications for critical fasteners, engine clearances, valve lash, ignition timing settings.
Depth:
Comprehensive; covers everything from basic maintenance and troubleshooting to complete engine, transmission, and chassis rebuilds.
Diagnostics:
Detailed diagnostic procedures and fault finding guides for all major systems.
Wiring Diagrams:
Complete, factory-style wiring diagrams for all electrical circuits.
Engine Family:
Small-Block Chevrolet (SBC) V8
Displacement Ci:
327 cubic inches
Bore X Stroke:
4.00 inches x 3.25 inches
Engine Codes Variants:
L30 (327ci/300hp), L79 (327ci/350hp)
Horsepower L30:
300 hp @ 4800 RPM
Torque L30:
360 lb-ft @ 3200 RPM
Horsepower L79:
350 hp @ 5800 RPM
Torque L79:
344 lb-ft @ 3600 RPM
Carburetor L30:
Rochester Quadrajet 4-barrel
Carburetor L79:
Holley 4125 600-cfm 4-barrel (or similar high-performance carburetor)
Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded Gasoline (historically, leaded premium was used)
Block Material:
Cast Iron
Cylinder Heads:
Cast Iron (specific casting numbers vary by performance level)
Transmission Type Standard:
Muncie SM465 (4-speed manual, often with close-ratio gearing for performance models like the L79)
Transmission Type Optional Manual:
BorgWarner T-10 (4-speed manual)
Transmission Type Optional Automatic:
Turbo Hydra-Matic 350 (THM350) 3-speed automatic
Clutch Type:
Single dry plate, diaphragm spring (for manual transmissions)
Fluid Specification Manual:
GL-4 Gear Oil (e.g., SAE 80W-90)
Fluid Specification Automatic:
Dexron III/Mercon (or equivalent ATF fluid)
Oil Change Interval:
Every 3,000 miles or 6 months (recommended).
Tune Up Interval:
Every 12,000 miles or 12 months (includes spark plugs, points, condenser, distributor cap/rotor inspection).
Transmission Fluid Change:
Every 24,000 miles or 24 months (automatic and manual).
Engine Oil:
API Service SG/SH or later, SAE 10W-30 or 10W-40 (viscosity may vary by climate). Use oil with ZDDP additive for flat-tappet camshaft engines.
Engine Coolant:
50/50 mixture of ethylene glycol-based antifreeze and distilled water.
Brake Fluid:
DOT 3 or DOT 4 hydraulic brake fluid.
Power Steering Fluid:
Dexron II/III ATF (if equipped with power steering).
Carburetor Issues:
Vacuum leaks, sticking throttle shafts, fuel delivery problems with Quadrajet/Holley carburetors.
Electrical Issues:
Corroded wiring connectors, failing headlight vacuum actuators, alternator output issues.
Suspension Wear:
Worn ball joints, control arm bushings, and tie rod ends due to age and mileage.
Frame Corrosion:
Rust and corrosion, particularly in areas exposed to road salt and moisture, affecting chassis integrity.
Fiberglass Body Cracks:
Cracking of the fiberglass body panels, especially around stress points like windshield surrounds and wheel arches.
Chevrolet Legacy:
Chevrolet's long history of performance and innovation in the American automotive market.
C3 Introduction:
The 1968 model year marked the debut of the C3 Corvette, a radical departure in styling with its 'Coke bottle' profile and swooping lines, designed by Larry Shinoda.
Design Influences:
Aerodynamic styling influenced by the Mako Shark II concept car.
1968 Specifics:
First year for the C3 generation. Introduced body-color exterior door handles and vacuum-assisted headlight doors.
Production Volume 1968:
Approximately 28,566 units produced for the 1968 model year.
Manufacturing Location:
St. Louis, Missouri, USA.