CRG Discussion Forum

Camaro Research Group Discussion => Restoration => Topic started by: cook_dw on December 05, 2013, 02:27:37 AM

Title: RGR At It Again
Post by: cook_dw on December 05, 2013, 02:27:37 AM
Here is another piece I am restoring..  Keeping it as original as possible.

As received:

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v687/superslow/Dixco%20Tachometer/IMG_1465_zpsce6063bc.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/superslow/media/Dixco%20Tachometer/IMG_1465_zpsce6063bc.jpg.html)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v687/superslow/Dixco%20Tachometer/IMG_1487_zps52ecbcea.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/superslow/media/Dixco%20Tachometer/IMG_1487_zps52ecbcea.jpg.html)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v687/superslow/Dixco%20Tachometer/IMG_1488_zps50e08b87.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/superslow/media/Dixco%20Tachometer/IMG_1488_zps50e08b87.jpg.html)


Current Stage:

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v687/superslow/Dixco%20Tachometer/IMG_1524_zps5591e194.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/superslow/media/Dixco%20Tachometer/IMG_1524_zps5591e194.jpg.html)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v687/superslow/Dixco%20Tachometer/IMG_1522_zps084f88a7.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/superslow/media/Dixco%20Tachometer/IMG_1522_zps084f88a7.jpg.html)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v687/superslow/Dixco%20Tachometer/IMG_1527_zpsbd9e8616.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/superslow/media/Dixco%20Tachometer/IMG_1527_zpsbd9e8616.jpg.html)

Still not finished but wanted to give some progress shots.  That is the original housing decal and original lens.  I was very happy with how they turned out..  Lens was very scratched and hazy.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v687/superslow/Dixco%20Tachometer/tumblr_mtc6n3H8l21s1f10do1_1280_zps0edce86d.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/superslow/media/Dixco%20Tachometer/tumblr_mtc6n3H8l21s1f10do1_1280_zps0edce86d.jpg.html)
Title: Re: RGR At It Again
Post by: ZLP955 on December 05, 2013, 02:45:33 AM
Very nice work Darrell, and what a great item!
Title: Re: RGR At It Again
Post by: 6667ss138 on December 05, 2013, 03:12:09 AM
Very cool!
Title: Re: RGR At It Again
Post by: MyRed67 on December 05, 2013, 05:06:14 AM
Very nice!  I had a SST 90 restored for my 67,(mounted on the Column) it is Solid State now.  BUT,,,I removed the "guts" out of the Transmitter and "Hot Wired" - to Grd. and + to Dist., after making up a new wiring harness with all the correct colored wires it looks just like original.
Title: Re: RGR At It Again
Post by: cook_dw on December 05, 2013, 01:09:13 PM
Thanks guys. 


MyRed67 - Sun Super Pro tachs are very cool..
Title: Re: RGR At It Again
Post by: 69Z28-RS on December 05, 2013, 01:20:48 PM
I liked my Sun Super Tach MUCH better than the loosey-goosey factory tach!   AND.. it fits in the factory tach location in the '69 Camaro.   That's the way I had mine when I drove it regularly, but recently removed it and reinstalled my rebuilt factory tach...  I SURE hope I don't regret that move too badly.. :)
PS.  What's the probability that tach had a LOT to do with the overrevved and blown 302's back in the day?
I also have a mechanical drive SW tach from the same era..
Title: Re: RGR At It Again
Post by: cook_dw on December 05, 2013, 01:39:29 PM
PS.  What's the probability that tach had a LOT to do with the overrevved and blown 302's back in the day?

I think the combination of right foot and mis-shifts played a large role in that as well..   :o
Title: Re: RGR At It Again
Post by: janobyte on December 05, 2013, 01:50:42 PM
TAC looks great--looks like your following your calling. Send me some cards.


My Sun was mounted in the fuel gauge location, by the dealer before delivery, so the story goes. Who ever did it done a good job retaining the dash instrument cover and integrating the dial indicator into it. Personally for function, prefer it on the cowl ,all my gauges found a home there many years.

What let go on those 302's Gary ? I would think valve train issues at those high R's. Did they run hardened push rods/guides , studs and girdles back in the day ? Bottom end should have took the estimated 400hp--and those block castings are pretty legendary in strength. Many a 331 used to run at the track. Well heavy pistons also. Have heard it was the "yanking" them back on the down strokes. Intake. No down force from above to help balance the load.
Title: Re: RGR At It Again
Post by: 69Z28-RS on December 05, 2013, 02:48:51 PM
...
What let go on those 302's Gary ? I would think valve train issues at those high R's. Did they run hardened push rods/guides , studs and girdles back in the day ? Bottom end should have took the estimated 400hp--and those block castings are pretty legendary in strength. Many a 331 used to run at the track. Well heavy pistons also. Have heard it was the "yanking" them back on the down strokes. Intake. No down force from above to help balance the load.

well, I've not personally blown one.. :) nor did any of my friends back then..  those engines would rev forever (*almost*).. :)    I always assumed the blown ones were by people accustomed to hydraulic lifter engines, where the lifters served as a rev limiter (governor)..  :)    back in '71, I bought a '67 Z28 engine from Paul Vanderlay.  The engine bottom end was prepped by Hank the Crank (CSC DynaRev series lower end, forgedtru pistons, lunati cam,etc) which would rev beyond 10K..  it came from a '67 Z28 drag raced in stock class by Jack Cooley (HOF drag racer from Louisiana).   He came off the line at 10,200 rpm, shifted at 9800 running 11.6 on 7" slicks and open headers. that was at/below the nat record in his NHRA class at the time.   (that engine is how I learned to love the sound of a high revving small block.. just hearing it made adrenaline flow thru my body! :)
Title: Re: RGR At It Again
Post by: 77thor on December 05, 2013, 04:05:47 PM
That is a cool looking tach...  8)

Nice work.
Title: Re: RGR At It Again
Post by: lakeholme on December 05, 2013, 04:37:47 PM
Nice work! And it takes me back...  8)
Back in the day, if your ordered or put on a tach, it was for a purpose.  ;D
Nowadays, every sub-compact has one....  ::)
Title: Re: RGR At It Again
Post by: janobyte on December 05, 2013, 07:41:43 PM
HA ! just occurred I got RGR's 1st invoice !
Title: Re: RGR At It Again
Post by: janobyte on December 05, 2013, 07:42:45 PM
HIGH RESERVE ON eBAY  :D
Title: Re: RGR At It Again
Post by: cook_dw on December 05, 2013, 08:09:57 PM
lol..  I dont think it will bring much..
Title: Re: RGR At It Again
Post by: PURESS on December 05, 2013, 10:17:26 PM
Hey Gary    go for a ride with Jerry     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAt8N-vH0gg      I believe he said he was shifting above 8 grand
Title: Re: RGR At It Again
Post by: 69Z28-RS on December 05, 2013, 10:47:33 PM
Hey Gary    go for a ride with Jerry     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAt8N-vH0gg      I believe he said he was shifting above 8 grand
Oh yeah!!  :)    Nice ride.. Unbelievable to get thru 1/4 mi trap that quick.. :)   I bet HIS adrenaline was running high too!  :)
He ain't bad power shifting that trans either..   I'd love to see a video of his tach during that run.. :)

(and probably a BIG reason that 302's blew.. missing POWER shift to 3rd..  :)
Title: Re: RGR At It Again
Post by: janobyte on December 05, 2013, 10:58:56 PM
Dad used to shift above 8 grand---and it's still here , not without point bounce. Me 7800---lost art "no lift shifts' vey sweet sound in the car. Can't beat a full manual auto with a brake for consistency (and less parts breaking) Took a set of rear gears, 3rd gear, and a pressure plate for me to finally give in. A well prepped track and good slicks took there toll.
Title: Re: RGR At It Again
Post by: 69Z28-RS on December 06, 2013, 02:04:26 AM
Find yourself a distributor with a 4 lobe cam (like the old Mallory Rev Pol) that I have..    no point bounce below 10k..  :)
Title: Re: RGR At It Again
Post by: janobyte on December 06, 2013, 01:25:25 PM
Find yourself a distributor with a 4 lobe cam (like the old Mallory Rev Pol) that I have..    no point bounce below 10k..  :)

Thanks, point bounce was a long time ago---car received a Unilite ,Promaster coil and Box in the late 80's ( the whole set up is now in a 38 rat rod pickup and still performing great) also a Rev Limiting Tac.( Sun still in the car)  CHP went through my original distributor last year. Plan on taking her for a jog once in a while---all out runs ,with the 302 anyway probably not in the future. Should perform fine.   Car did run it's best with the dual quads/Mallory. Never got an ET. Seat of the pants: 400 would have got it out of the hole.302 would have come around at the 1/8th and continued pulling it through the traps. Sorry Darrell ,we stepped all over your thread.

Couple of "Chatty Cathys" LOL.
Title: Re: RGR At It Again
Post by: janobyte on December 06, 2013, 02:17:53 PM
Of course there have been a few "bolt ons" added to the 400 since it's days in the Camaro---apples and oranges!

This is the car the 302 called home for 15 years while it was in street form.
Title: Re: RGR At It Again
Post by: cook_dw on December 06, 2013, 02:23:22 PM
Sorry Darrell ,we stepped all over your thread.

Couple of "Chatty Cathys" LOL.

I dont mind..  I like hearing the stories and memories.   ;D