Messages

136

Originality / Re: Original Air Cleaner for 69 SS

« on: October 30, 2006, 07:00:27 PM »

I'll also throw some fuel on the fire.  I met the author of that book many years ago.  I wouldn't put all my eggs in that basket, just because he said that.......

137

Originality / Re: original big block heads

« on: October 21, 2006, 01:44:24 PM »

Hey guys!

This response is a little off target, but applicable.

Over the years, I've heard of a few cars having one '840 head & one '291 head.  Other than the spark plug seat, these heads are supposed to be the same ( functionally ). 
As was previously mentioned, the '291 heads were available ( in service ) with the older style spark plug seats.  As a matter of fact, the older seat style
was used on all aluminum BB heads throughout production.

There is an inherent mismatch from combustion chamber to combustion chamber on the same head.  This is due to machining, casting, etc..  So, using one
'840 head & one '291 head shouldn't pose any real problems.  As to the question of one of each being used on the same production engine, I would tend to doubt it.

I'm doing some research right now concerning manufacturing tolerances in the engine ( BBC in my case ) machining process.  I have learned some startling information
about how sloppy the tolerances really were on our beloved engines.  It has been reported that piston to deck height clearances ranged all over the place and out
by as much as 0.020 - WOW!  When you add combustion chamber volume variations, actual piston design fluctuations, rod centerline-to-centerline variations; then throw
in intake runner volume variations coupled with exhaust port variances, you start to see the real picture.  I was told that production engines were designed with these
fluctuations in mind.  It was just a matter of manufacturing reality in those days.  One very knowledgeable builder told me that an L/72 was pulled apart and upon
inspection it was found that the "as advertised" compression ratio of 11:1 was actually less than 10:1 - HOLY SCHNIKE-EES !  Another high-end race engine builder told
me that they took new engines apart, decked the blocks to get them more accurate, port matched the heads, milled the combustion chambers to like-volumes and
mixed rods to find 8 of the same centerline-to-centerline length.  Until I started to build an L/78 engine, I never considered these issues.

I guess this starts to explain why some cars ran better than others ( having the same engine HP ratings ).  Just thought I would share this information.

Steve

138

Decoding/Numbers / Re: engine block

« on: October 21, 2006, 12:36:24 PM »

I think maybe the guys over at ncrs.org may have that information.

Steve

139

Originality / Re: Turbo 400 and column shifter

« on: October 15, 2006, 12:32:28 AM »

Of the 50 '69 ZL1s ordered by Fred Gibb Chev 20 were T400 and all had column shifts.

I know this is true, but it just seems kind of strange to use a column shifter on a ZL-1.
Somebody's sense of humor - maybe......

140

Originality / Re: starter soleniod wire protector ????

« on: October 15, 2006, 12:27:34 AM »

Paul,

That is definately not a BBC item.  I believe the starter heat shield acted to shield the starter as well as the wires from the exhaust manifold.
It looks like you did a nice job on the resto, take that item off.  It's not stock.  Find the heat shield and make it correct - IMHO.

BTW, that trans bell housing looks sweet.  Is that painted, or re-skinned?

Steve

141

Restoration / Re: Bummer.........This wasn't a happy discovery

« on: September 25, 2006, 05:01:33 PM »

Hey GS STAGE 1 !  Where'd you get pictures of my restoration.  It's scarry how close that looks like the damage I found in the same areas during my restoration.

Join the club

Steve

142

Restoration / Re: Original die cast finish on Turbo 400 trans case

« on: September 25, 2006, 04:58:13 PM »

Talk to Jerry MacNeish about re-skinning the transmission.  I don't know if it's been done before, but why couldn't it.

If you're thinking about a new case, or a donor case from out west, money must not be that big of an object for you.
Try Jerry and see what he has to say.  I've heard good things about his re-skinning process.

BTW, what car are you restoring this THM400 for anyway?

Steve

143

Decoding/Numbers / Re: "-440" vs "-272" Block for 1969 SS 396

« on: September 12, 2006, 12:51:58 AM »

Ed,

A couple of things.  I currently have an L/78 with an early August cast date '272 , so that puts a small hole in the date theory of the '272 block.  BTW, this particular
engine assembly date was mid-february 1969 ( nearly a 6 month date spread ).  This date spread is not normal, but still valid.

I also have an L/34 that has an early November cast date '272 that was in a late November built Canada car.

Technically speaking, either casting number should be correct for your car.  I would however, shoot for the '440 block just to be safe.  You should probably look for
one in the late July, August time frame.  I found a 4-bolt main '440 block on eBay a few years ago that had a mid-August casting date.  I've seen others on eBay as
well, so they are out there.  Expect to pay between $750.00 - $1,000.00 for the 2-bolt main version of this block, depending on the over-bore.

I should ask you this:  Are you looking for a block with the proper casting date & assembly date still stamped & legible?  Good luck on that one!

144

Originality / Re: Original 69 z/28 trim rings

« on: September 05, 2006, 05:01:11 AM »

It was my understanding that the lip of the trim rings was different on originals as compared to service items.

I bought some of these NOS "correct" trim rings years ago.  I'll see if I can post an image of one for you.

Steve

145

Decoding/Numbers / Re: 1111480 distributor

« on: September 02, 2006, 10:05:43 PM »

What's the assembly date on the '2000 distributor?


According to MacNeish's "Definitive" book, all 69 Z's got the '480's.  Of course, I've already seen components on 69's that challenge Jerry's position.

146

General Discussion / Re: Your worst 1st generation Camaro fears - realized

« on: September 02, 2006, 09:59:28 PM »

Rick,

Send me the images, I'll post them for you.

Steve

147

Originality / Re: "TR" head bolts

« on: August 28, 2006, 12:23:43 PM »

TR head markings were used in a number of locations including accessory mounting and manual transmissions ( mounting to bell housing, side cover ).

Steve

148

General Discussion / Re: Your worst 1st generation Camaro fears - realized

« on: August 25, 2006, 12:31:15 PM »

Hair - welcome to the CRG!

'69 RS/SS - tell us more about it.  Big block or small block?  Details........

Your comments are sort of the reason I started this thread in the first place.  I understand that when finished, the '67 Pace Car featured didn't have the cowl or VIN tags
installed.  Probably a smart move on CCR's part.  However, they did indicate on the show that you could install "original" cowl & VIN tags from an original Camaro with no problem.  

Now I think I know the reason for the movement to re-pop cowl tags.  re-pop'd cowl tags for a re-pop'd car

Steve

149

General Discussion / Re: 69 z/28 what to with it?

« on: August 14, 2006, 04:54:52 AM »

Keep the car what it is - A Z/28 !    Low optioned Z/28's are still Z/28's.

The other post about a cloned Yenko or COPO is correct.  You need 5-leaf rear springs, special BB cross member, BB front springs, BB heater box cover, complete
BB radiator assembly, BB Z-bar assembly, BB 2-1/2" exhaust system, the complete engine with correct bracketry, etc., BB wiring harness, on and on and on......

There are way too many cloned Supercars these days for my taste.  Keep your eyes open for the correct DZ block.  One will show up one day, hopefully in a price
range that suits you.  You can always restore it with another small block and go for the correct engine accessory items found on the Z/28.  Then, as time & money
permit, look for the DZ block, build the long block and then transplant it into your restored Z/28.

The 396 is probably worth the cost of a DZ block and some internals of you're lucky.

Steve

150

Originality / Re: Black Firewall Paint

« on: August 14, 2006, 04:37:14 AM »

I'll step down off my soap box now...

lol 

I feel for what your saying firstgenaddict, but an equally valid argument would be that we should restore our cars to factory specification.
If the factory spec called for the firewall to be blacked out to the top edge, then perhaps that's how it should be restored.

But he's restoring the car to the way "IT" left the factory, not the way the spec. called for.........  Isn't that a restoration afterall?