some progress

[janobyte]

Has been a long week, honestly feel more like playing on the computer vs. playing with the Z! Anyway, here are just a couple of the 100+ pics I shot of the sub frame resto this year. Throwing in under body and MC, and brake line clip id markings. Before:

[janobyte]

Oops, ok, before and after.

[janobyte]

Back from Camaro Specialties:

[janobyte]

CHP did the booster, BrakeBoosters did the valve by several names,lol Also the dust shields and valve bracket. I did the distribution block per MikeS advise. Bare metal with Sharkhide, needed a soaking only. Not pictured, but Camaro Specialties rebuilt the steering gearbox.

FIRST parts sent out where the booster and distributor, even before paint, so I was excited to bolt in on last week. MC is a 69, but only me and everybody on the site knows I'm a sucker for braided flex, so opted for them on the car. Originals are  boxed in storage. DWC did the caliper brackets. Calipers are Lonestars, as originals were lost in a shop many years ago.

[janobyte]

The above flex to hard line clip( all 3 are original, restored by Brakeboosters)
Here are some line clip markings:

[janobyte]

What I found for inspections marks were quite a bit more liberal, to say the least, from what I ended up doing. I do like cars with steering linkage inspection markings, figure if I change my mind, they come off. Tie rod to tie rod all original, only slop was in the gear box. Blued the center link, which began to show corrosion using Sharkhide( nothing else has BTY) Re-did it using Restoguard, I believe the name is,that Chick recommended, no issues.

[janobyte]

Rear lower control arm is reflection and dust, believe me, color is uniform. Few bad shots of under body also. Better ones are stored in the external hard drive in the shop, too lazy to fetch. 1/2 quart 3m per side, rear wheel wells. With the wheel off, shows as being undercoated, however, all the sheet metal detail presents. My preference. Also, just a dirty thumbprint on the lip. Underneath shot with a low gloss lacquer, same as under the hood.(was mixed to match GM blackout) Illuminated with a flood light, just slightly flatter then the frame and control arms. Firewall staying in primer, I just like it. Under normal lighting, it pretty much all looks the same! Differential waiting until spring.

[janobyte]

And left the springs semigloss. Just used a commercial wax I use on the boat. Once again, I like the way the gloss contrasts ...nothing more then personal preference. BTY, wanted the tulip panels left alone. Protected that hard to access area for almost 50 years, no sign of corrosion, hardly a focal point when assembled. I'll let the goop keep doing it's job.

[janobyte]

Brake lines where a match to originals requiring minimal tweaking. Was going to run the front to rear today, along with the fuel line. Tired, feeling lazy, and really don't see the priority as I'm dropping the rear end anyway in the Spring.

The heater core. Dad recommended having it pressure tested, as no coolant has ran through it in 37 years. Actually,more like a better have it checked out! Appears like new,however, when plugging bottom elbow, and blowing through top, flood of air. Bottom tube weld has a hairline crack. No big deal, local shop is rectifying the problem...and pressure checking it. Good time to lube the cables, which have never been used, and order a new firewall pad. Age seems to catch up to those pads.

Since this is Garage Talk, I'll keep babbling on. Speaking of Dad, found out  mid-November he has cancer in one of his kidneys, other one may not be functioning.Although no sx's of poor function. After a roller coaster ride  of inconsistent information from one hospital/surgeon, it was second opinion time. Far better prognosis, with a good set of consistent options which make sense.

So what does excite me concerning the Z, is seeing him pull gears in it again, like when I was a kid. 4:88's and loud He's only 70, not ready to be out to pasture just yet.

[BULLITT65]

great write up. Hope your dad and the Z make good progress into the spring.

[janobyte]

Just talked to him, had a good consult with the Dr. yesterday. Stage 1, low aggression. Priority seems to be other kidney at this time. Shooting for at least 40% function. Test next Friday, then consult with team of specialist to choose right path. Originally had him slated to remove affected kidney, or not, or remove...dialysis.Honestly this changed day to day. Which he would have been on today having gone with original Dr. Very scary.Would have not believed had not been pervy to the conversations.

[cook_dw]

Great progress and hope your dad heals and the docs take care of his issues.. 

[aerialpacer]

I hope your dad is now okay.

[HawkX66]

Back from Camaro Specialties:

Your subframe and brake system came out beautiful. What did Camaro Specialties do to your rag joint? Did they rebuild it? If so, would you mind letting me know what exactly they did and how much? I have my original, but I can't run it. I'd love to have it rebuilt. PM is fine if you don't want to post it.
Good luck with your Dad. That's rough. I hope things work out for the better.

[janobyte]

Cleaned it up, period. Was entombed in dealer undercoat and rustoleum. Looks to me like a low cut medium at low pressure. Maybe athinner bath prior. Couple hundred got the box rebuilt and unit restored.

March 15, Dad's getting the kidney with cancer removed, other restructured a few months later. No dialysis. Very happy he listened, and got a second opinion.