Preservation of a 68 Camaro

[cook_dw]

Photos 741 - 742 - Installed and working

[cook_dw]

Pulled the cluster and replaced the bulbs. 

Photo 743 - Lights off

Photo 744 - Lights on

[cook_dw]

Photo 745 - Ignition in the run position.  Brake light being on is due to testing the circuit along with the lights.  One thing I just realized I failed to do was ground out the oil warning light which I will do at another date.

Photo 746 - Ignition in start position

Photo 747 - Ignition in acc position

[cook_dw]

Tackled the fuel gauge issues I was having with the sending unit.  These are very basic in how they work.  I failed to snag a photo of the internals but I'd say if you do not have sending unit that is working pop the cover off and take a look.  Make sure you have resistance from the through the mounting post, then through the strap and finally inside the cap where the resistance bar (I'm sure there is a technical term but it escapes me that the moment) is located.  If you have resistance to that point confirm the copper tang is still attached to the float arm and is clean.  I just cleaned the tang and the bar it rides on and presto I had a working sender.  Resistance is 0-90 ohm and will should see 90+ when it is full (by the float arm) and around 40 ohms with a half tank and 0 ohms (roughly) on empty.

Photo 748 - sending unit grounded and powered through factory harness.

Photo 749 - 751 - Gauge showing different positions of the float arm.

[cook_dw]

Previously I had the oil light which wasn't working so while the cluster was out one finally time (hopefully) I installed the dash pad and confirmed all lights working in cluster.  Nothing prettier than a stock 68 cluster.  But I'm biased. 


Photo 752 - Dash pad

Photos 753 - 754 - Cluster lights

[cook_dw]

Since I was having no luck locating a good replacement rear panel due to the previous racoon that took up residence in the car while in storage at my parents home.  I pulled the vinyl off the board and removed it.  I had an old junk 69 panel so I used it for its board.  Once I applied new foam I patched (very crudely) the tear that was in the material.  Again thanks coon... 


Photo 755 - Original board chewed by coon.

Photo 756 - '69 donor (I knew 69 parts were good for something. )

Photo 757 - foam glued

Photo 758 - Crude vinyl repair

[cook_dw]

After it had setup I installed it along with the back seat. 


Photos 759 - 760 - Back seat and panel now installed.  The panel will have to do until I can find a suitable replacement.  I'd rather push forward than delay the project.  I can always go back and replace it.

[cook_dw]

I looked at another tach option from my stash.  At some point the car had a column mounted tach as the cup on the column had an indention.


Photos 761 - 762 - Don Garlits Stars and Stripes tach.  Oddly enough my father acquired this tach from a fellow member many years ago when he purchased a C10 from him.  I've cleaned it up a little and it looks ok.

[cook_dw]

Found the bulb for the glove box so I installed it and confirmed it was working along with powering up the tach light to make sure it did not need replacing.  Also installled glove box and door.

Photo 763 - 764 - Glove box and door with auxiliary light.  Also like to add that's an original "born-with" scratch.  I'm kidding.  Idk when it happened but it was long before me.

 

[cook_dw]

Photos 765 - 766 - DG S/S tach lit up with the dash cluster.

[FRANKTHECRANK]

Bump for updates. Always look forward to new posts in this thread.

[cook_dw]

Thanks for the post.  For now there probably won't be any more updates for a while.  I'm taking a little break.

[maroman]

You deserve a break. Just don't lose your patience or passion.

[cook_dw]

Thanks.  No worries on either of those 2 happening.

[FRANKTHECRANK]

Thanks for the post.  For now there probably won't be any more updates for a while.  I'm taking a little break.

I understand. I'm just really interested in this thread because it's so different. There are tons of Camaro rebuild threads, restoration threads, modifying and customizing threads, all over the internet,....and threads and posts about caring for your finished vehicle.....but just preserving a Camaro in it's current condition to extent you are, to make the very most of the condition it's already in, is a very unique and interesting journey.