Messages

1

Restoration / Need a source for high quality reproduction glass

« on: October 22, 2022, 06:41:13 PM »

Wondering who you guys have found to be the best source for quality reproduction glass.  I'm building a 68 SS350 for a customer and we ordered a set of what Heartbeat City calls "OE Quality - non date coded" for $1050 because my customer didn't see the value in spending the extra $250 to have it date coded.  I'd have prefered the date coded but figured this was still a better option than what they described as "Import quality" for something like $530. 

What we received was a Chinese windshield with edges so wavy they'll make you seasick, a broken passenger door glas, a driver door glass with one corner chipped, two quarter glasses that look to be decent and no back glass.  This was all drop shipped from a place in Minnesota called Auto City Classic and after looking at their website, they only offer one quality level of glass which is priced roughly the same as Heartbeat City's cheap stuff.  I don't know if Heartbeat City actually sent my order to the wrong vendor or if they're just doubling the price of the cheap stuff and hoping people don't notice, but at this point it's been over 3 weeks since this junk arrived and 3 phone calls and an email with photographs have gotten no resolution to this.

Is there a source out there who sells high quality reproduction glass or is this the best the industry has to offer these days?

Thanks in advance for any help you guys can provide.
Deron

2

Originality / Re: 1968 L48 Original Engine Component Part Number Help Needed

« on: November 21, 2021, 11:58:08 PM »

I appreciate the info guys.  For now I guess I'll just stick with the 168 distributor that came out of the car even though the date code isn't what I'd expect it to be. 

Anyone have info on the correct starter and alternator I should have?

3

Originality / Re: 1968 L48 Original Engine Component Part Number Help Needed

« on: November 18, 2021, 11:22:41 PM »

My thoughts as well.  Every other known original piece on this engine was 2nd or 3rd week of May 1968 so I can't imagine why the distributor would be any different.  That part number looks like the correct distributor for a 1967 SS350 but I've seen some material that suggests it's correct for 1968 as well.  Other sources say that the 1111169 distributor is what I should have.

4

Originality / 1968 L48 Original Engine Component Part Number Help Needed

« on: November 18, 2021, 08:25:02 PM »

Guys,

I'm currently restoring a 1968 SS350 and have found conflicting information regarding which components the engine should have.  Hoping that some of you guys can help me with a few part numbers because I'd like to make sure I get the proper parts.  Specifics of the car are listed below and I'm looking for alternator, starter and distributor part numbers.

1968 SS350  05E
L48/TH350 (this was one of the TH350 test fleet cars, but that might not make any difference on these components)
A/C

The alternator and starter have obviously been changed over the years but my customer states that he has no recollection of ever replacing the distributor, and he's owned it since 1972 or 1973.  Having said that, the distributor I that came out of the car was a 1111168 unit with a date code of 7F23.  I wouldn't think there's much chance a 7F23 unit would have still been laying around long enough to make it into a May 1968 built vehicle, would it?  I'm guessing that one was replaced before he bought the car.

Thanks in advance, and any help will be greatly appreciated!
Deron

5

Originality / Re: L48 heat stove on driver side exhaust manifold

« on: September 20, 2021, 09:28:58 PM »

Thanks for the prompt reply.  I pretty much figured it would have started life with the same finish as the tube which connects to it but didn't want to assume.  The guys doing my exhaust manifolds also offer a 2000 degree semi gloss black and I was trying to decide whether to toss it in the box with the manifolds.

6

Originality / L48 heat stove on driver side exhaust manifold

« on: September 20, 2021, 08:18:24 PM »

Can anyone tell me what's the correct finish for the heat stove that went on the driver side exhaust manifolds?  In looking at this original off of our parts car, it looks like it might have been a semi-gloss black in some spots and other spots look like it might have been phosphated or a dull gray. 

7

Restoration / Re: Quadrajet recoloring and restoration

« on: September 20, 2021, 06:29:31 PM »

Fantastic, thanks!

8

Restoration / Quadrajet recoloring and restoration

« on: September 20, 2021, 06:17:42 PM »

Looking for recommendations for a reputable source to rebuild and recolor the original Q-jet off of 68 SS350 I'm currently restoring.  I'm looking for an NCRS quality job with correct detail, not just someone who can rebuild it and make it run.  Who is the best in the business?

Thanks in advance!

9

Originality / Re: Unusual 68 SS350 - What have I got here?

« on: July 27, 2020, 08:54:25 PM »

Thank you Kurt, I appreciate the information.  Have you ever seen any internal GM documentation that would indicate how large the test fleet might have been?  I would be interested to know if we're talking 15 to 20 cars or a few hundred. 

10

Originality / Re: Unusual 68 SS350 - What have I got here?

« on: July 24, 2020, 01:37:56 PM »

Are you at liberty to share a ballpark serial number and production date of the other "MF" coded car you have on file?

It is a very late car, late July production.

That's very interesting.  Have you ever seen any information that would suggest how long the TH350 test program ran or how many cars it involved?  And along those same lines, roughly where do production dates of the documented 327 test fleet cars fall? 

11

Originality / Re: Unusual 68 SS350 - What have I got here?

« on: July 24, 2020, 01:34:16 AM »

Yes, it would be good to get a pic of the partial VIN on the transmission when you have time.

And when you take the engine out, see if you can verify that it has a 350 crankshaft. Look at the shape of the flange at transmission end of the crank.

Are there any emission stickers on the radiator support?

I'll definitely get photos of anything stamped on the transmission and the crank flange.  The engine has the big balancer and the associated power steering pump bracket, as well as all of the other tell-tale signs of a legit SS350, but I did wonder if they might have used a left over 1967 "MF" coded 327, although that would seem rather odd so late in the 1968 production year.  Are you at liberty to share a ballpark serial number and production date of the other "MF" coded car you have on file?

This car does have the emission decal on the radiator support although I'm not sure how legible it is now that I've rinsed the dust off.  I'll check it tomorrow and snap a picture of it.

12

Originality / Re: Unusual 68 SS350 - What have I got here?

« on: July 23, 2020, 09:34:05 PM »

Thanks for posting the information. I will log the information and we may have to update some of our posted information.  We have one other car in the database with an MF coded engine. This one is quite a bit earlier and for now it appears to be legitimate.

Thank you for the reply.  I'll update the thread as soon as I'm able to get a clear view of the top side of the bellhousing.  Hopefully there will be a partial VIN there because the pad on the side near the starter is blank.  I plan to document every piece of the car before and during disassembly and will be more than happy to share any other data or photos that might further your research.  Unfortunately the owner isn't terribly interested in the finer details of a proper restoration so I'm not sure how it will all end up, but at least we can document it as it comes apart.

Thanks again for your input!

13

Originality / Re: Unusual 68 SS350 - What have I got here?

« on: July 23, 2020, 02:12:10 PM »

Welcome to CRG, dlshady...     It's good to see you here, although I didn't know you were on CRG before today..

I thought this posting/thread might be from your dad, but he's been involved in restorations for much longer than 25 yrs, so it must be you! 

Every time I go by your shop, I think about stopping in, but I'm always headed over to Dick's shop and am late..     I'll stop by one day soon and hopefully see this car with my own eyes? 

Gary

Yes, it's me.  Dad is pretty much retired these days but still comes in every day to piddle with his neon clocks, which has turned into a business of it's own over the past couple of years.  Stop by one day when you've got time and check this thing out.  It'll be sometime next month before I can get started on it but I'm already hunting parts that I know I'll need, and the list is loooooong... 

Deron

14

Originality / Re: Unusual 68 SS350 - What have I got here?

« on: July 23, 2020, 08:25:52 AM »

Thanks for the reply.  I had already come to the conclusion that it's one of the test fleet cars but the CRG site was pretty specific about them all being 327 cars, so I wasn't positive.  The "MF" engine code also made me scratch my head. 

I pulled the back seat out hoping to find a build sheet but no luck there.  Any other place I might find it?

ETA:  And I did look for a VIN on the transmission but the pad where it should be is blank.  The pan has a 1969 date code on it which would make sense if it were a test fleet car that had suffered a transmission failure during testing.  Here's the pan date code:



ETA2:  It just dawned on me that the "9" on the transmission pan designated the model year rather than the calendar year so it could well be the original pan.  Engine date is May 15 and the rear axle date is May 27, so a May 23 transmission would be right in line with what I'd expect to see.  Hmmmmmm..... 

15

Originality / Unusual 68 SS350 - What have I got here?

« on: July 23, 2020, 05:58:33 AM »

Guys,

I've been lurking here for quite a long time but never really had anything to add until now, so I guess that makes me an old new guy or something like that...  I've been in the restoration business full time for close to 25 years and have worked on numerous first gen Camaros, but this one is a bit unusual and I'm hoping some of you can help shed a little light on what I've got here.  Rather than say what I think it is and see if you guys agree, I'm just going to post pictures of the relevant details and numbers and see what you guys think.

My customer grew up in St. Clair Shores, MI and purchased this car when he turned 16 in 1973 from a used car lot in Detroit.  He drove the car through high school and college, then parked it in his grandfather's garage in the late 70's where it has been up until about a year ago when he brought the car down here to Alabama.  He states that he replaced the left front fender due to being sideswiped on the freeway, and that's when the car was repainted.  Other than the amateur repaint, the car appears to be exceptionally original and unmodified.  I did note that the left quarter has been replaced and was seamed below the vinyl top, I assume so the body shop didn't have to replace the top, but the owner states that was not done while he's owned it, so it must have happened very early in the car's life.  The interior is completely original, only missing the floor mounted clock which he recalls removing for reasons unknown.  Under the hood is also very original and I wouldn't be surprised if the valve covers have never been off.

So that's pretty much the back story as I know it.  Guy bought the car in downtown Detroit in 1973 and has done nothing but replace one fender and repaint the car since then.  So if you guys wouldn't mind, please look over the photos and tell me if anything unusual jumps out at you.  I'll be happy to provide any other photos you might want, but some may have to wait until we start the disassembly next month.

Thanks in advance for taking the time to have a look and share your thoughts.