Preservation of a 68 Camaro

[cook_dw]

Nothing real groundbreaking as I collect items to setup for the annual Stones River Swap Meet if anyone in the middle TN area enjoys find old rusty junk.  Feb 5th.  Now that the plug for the meet is done and I now move on to the one project I did start this week.  I've been tripping for this thing for too long..  Bought this pump at the same swap meet a few years back.  Anyways, its a 326 pump just wrong date.  Plus it has the 3/4" NPT in the top.  So I started out like every other item.  Citrus degreaser and Scotchbrite pad.  Then soaked overnight in Evaporust.


Photos 460 - 462 - Before cleaning.

[cook_dw]

Photos 463 - 464 - After Evapo bath and you can see that plug is gonna give me issues.

[cook_dw]

Photos 465 - 466 - I tried almost every tool in the arsenal but nothing would budge that pipe plug.  So I said screw it since I had to put an adapter in it anyway I''l just just it off at the casting and drill and tap it.  Then I took a small hammer, punch and worked the area over a little and then lightly hit it with a scotch wheel and threw some rattle black on it.  I think it'll pass the 50ft test.


Photo 467 - Shout out to Tony (I'm not 100% on his handle on CRG) but I got these off him a year or 2 ago and got them cleaned up ready to be installed on the mouse motor.

[cook_dw]

Photo 468 - added more texture.  Once it’s painted it should t be noticeable.  I hope.

[68camaroz28]

Excellent work and agree, should not be noticeable Darrell. So common to find water pumps with date code one needs but with larger opening used on truck engines and as Johnz had pointed out opened up during re-builds.

[cook_dw]

In the midst of getting together for the swap meet I pulled the column and decided to give it some attention. Nothing major just yet but the turn signal arm and flasher knob turned out ok.


Photos 469 - 471 - Before photos of the arm and knob.

[cook_dw]

Photos 472 - 475 - After a simple soak in evapo and a little polishing with the buffing wheel.

[cook_dw]

Photos 476 - 478 - Snagged a hex head fitting off ebay and it arrived the other day.

[cook_dw]

Now that I have some floor space I decided to pull the harnesses out for their cleanings.  First up is the headlight harness.  As you can see it was pretty dirty but the results are surprising and I feel the harness is in very good shape.  I will need to replace one plug connector and a plastic clip but I should have enough old harnesses to replace the items needed.  I hope.


Photos 479 - 481 - Before photos of the engine and you will see the engine harness attached as well. 

[cook_dw]

Photos 482 - 484 - Continued photos of before

[cook_dw]

Cleaning was pretty straight forward.  As you can see the black spray bomb in certain areas.  I will do a final wipe down with xylene before installing but just want to get the majority off while I have the opportunity.  Citrus degreaser, green scotchbrite pad and a microfiber rag to wipe it down.


Photos 485 - 487 - Current stage of cleaning

[cook_dw]

Photos 488 - 491 - Continued current stage of cleaning.  I will continue cleaning the bulk head connector and continue on to the engine side of the harness.

[Kelley W King]

The close up of the lamp socket really shows the skin cracking on your fingers from the cleaners well. Look just like mine when I clean parts. Your work is really showing amazing results. Keep  up the good work and use the wifes hand lotion frequently.

[rocco376]

Better yet-use the wife's hand to do the work.

[cook_dw]

Couple more items off the to-do list.  Clutch & brake pedal assembly and main interior harness.


Photos 492 - 493 - Before soaking in Evaporust and after cleaning with citrus degreaser and scotchbrite pad.