My 69 Z/28 "building find"!

[janobyte]

Would be way tempting just to go racing with it...Fluid change and a carb rebuild. Does he have any track shots? Where did he run out of? Sounds like a 1/8th mile track with that steep of gear.

[X33RS]

1/4 mile is probably doable with that 5.86 depending on where he liked to run that engine and the tire height he used.

Friend of mine runs his X33 Z with 5.38's, a 28" tire, he runs a nash 5 speed with a 3.19 first gear and 1:1 fifth.  He leaves at 7,000, shifts at 8,000 and runs through the traps at 8100, usually 128mph or so and goes 10.60's, and a 1.39 60 foot.

A 5.86 gear would only bump the finish line rpm about 6-700 rpm.  Squeeze a 29" tire in there and knock it down 2-300 rpm.  So it's doable if it's making power up there, but you need good parts inside if you want reliable.

PS. I agree janobyte, I'd have some fun with it as is, and track passes wouldn't be out of the question. 

[Z28Project]

(The one up above that )

Ahh,  the one where the heater controls go is an ammeter.

[Z28Project]

Would be way tempting just to go racing with it...Fluid change and a carb rebuild. Does he have any track shots? Where did he run out of? Sounds like a 1/8th mile track with that steep of gear.

I'll get with him and ask about ET's and if he has any pictures from back in the day.

He ran at Muncie Dragway in Indiana.

John

[Z28Project]

1/4 mile is probably doable with that 5.86 depending on where he liked to run that engine and the tire height he used.

Friend of mine runs his X33 Z with 5.38's, a 28" tire, he runs a nash 5 speed with a 3.19 first gear and 1:1 fifth.  He leaves at 7,000, shifts at 8,000 and runs through the traps at 8100, usually 128mph or so and goes 10.60's, and a 1.39 60 foot.

A 5.86 gear would only bump the finish line rpm about 6-700 rpm.  Squeeze a 29" tire in there and knock it down 2-300 rpm.  So it's doable if it's making power up there, but you need good parts inside if you want reliable.

PS. I agree janobyte, I'd have some fun with it as is, and track passes wouldn't be out of the question. 

I think you are correct.  I believe he ran 1/4 mile with it.  He claims he ran it to around 10,000 rpm.    The engine does have aluminum rods.  I've always heard they are not good for continued street use, but I have no experience with AL rods personally.

John

[Z28Project]

Primed the oiling today and set the valve lash.  The carb is clean as a pin inside, so a new float bowl gasket and I think I'm ready to add some fuel!

John

[1968RSZ28]

Primed the oiling today and set the valve lash.  The carb is clean as a pin inside, so a new float bowl gasket and I think I'm ready to add some fuel!

Fire it up outside with a couple of fully charged fire extinguishers nearby, just in case. 

Paul

[Z28Project]

Exactly what I was planning!!  Thanks.

John

[cook_dw]

Make a video.  Cool find and congrats.

[hgger69]

Congrats to a really great find of an unusual time capsule! 

If it was up to me I should:
1. Collect all missing parts, it there are any...?
2. Clean it up thoroughly, both inside and outside.
3. Change rear tires to period correct drag ones.
4. Get it running and driving.
5. Keep the hood but paint it car color or semi gloss black.
6. Us as is! 

[bcmiller]

I agree with most of the previous post.

Paint hood flat black, check brakes, hoses, etc. to make sure it is safe, then make some passes!

[Z28Project]

Here's the video of the first start after 30 years!

https://youtu.be/EIeCx16RtQg

In all honesty, after priming the oil system I put the distributor back in a tooth off, so the timing is retarded in this video.  It came to life pretty quick and blew all of the little rust pieces out from the header tubes.  The poor guy at the back of the car got the brunt of that!

A few good backfires thru the carb from the wacky timing, but it did run.  I'll post another video with the timing right.

John

[BULLITT65]

great job. Surprised you kept it o the trailer....
I am guessing you did that to take it to the exhaust shop next?
 

[Z28Project]

Thanks.   Yeah I wish.  The Dana 60 must be a project he was working on after he put it up on jackstands, but he never finished.




The whole thing will just flop back and forth, pivoting on the gold headed bolt.




I don't recognize what kind of setup it was supposed to eventually be.  I'm just going to remove it all and start fresh I think.

John

[BULLITT65]

Good idea. I didn't know a mono leaf set up would be a racing tactic. Seems like not enough rear end control for a car like this. I have seen guys go up in leaf springs, or traction bars. I think a 12 bolt install would be the way to go. Did he save the rear that came out?