CRG Discussion Forum

Camaro Research Group Discussion => Originality => Topic started by: 69Z28-RS on March 12, 2014, 10:38:45 PM

Title: Lower Rev LO rod for '69 Z28 (late)
Post by: 69Z28-RS on March 12, 2014, 10:38:45 PM
Two or three years ago, when I first began digging thru my garage for the 'original' parts I'd removed since purchase in 1976, I've been looking for the Rev LO rod that I'd removed and 'stuck in the garage' when I installed new headers that interfered with the lower LO rod.   (The headers that were on the car when I bought it in '76 (that I think were Hedman?) had not conflicted with the rod, but they eventually rusted out.)    I'd dug thru all the most likely places in my garage several times looking for that rod I'd removed, but hadn't found it until today.  In fact, I'd even went ahead and purchased a 'reproduction' 5773' rod to use.

Today, while digging out my '57 Nomad parts (that I hadn't seen in 20 yrs or so.. :), I FOUND the rod...  of course, I came out with a "EUREKA, I found it".    Once cleaned up where I could read the engraved PN, I found a different number!  (5776) .. See photos of comparison between the two rods (original and repro).  Is the '5773 pn correct?  Did they change that part or PN at the tail end of '69 (my car is an 09C - Sept '69 - production.  HELP!! 
Title: Re: Lower Rev LO rod for '69 Z28 (late)
Post by: william on March 13, 2014, 12:39:20 AM
3955773 is for 302/350. 3955776 is 396/427.
Title: Re: Lower Rev LO rod for '69 Z28 (late)
Post by: 69Z28-RS on March 13, 2014, 01:55:11 AM
3955773 is for 302/350. 3955776 is 396/427.

My car has never had anything but the original 302 in it... and I've never owned a big block anything ... :).. These two parts seem, if not identical, essentially so...??   Did they use the alternate parts sometimes for other application maybe during shortages of one part?   I know the Rev LO rod is most often missing on 40+ yr old Z28s (due to removal for headers), but has anyone else here found the 5776 part on a Z28??
Title: Re: Lower Rev LO rod for '69 Z28 (late)
Post by: 69Z28-RS on March 13, 2014, 04:13:38 AM
3955773 is for 302/350. 3955776 is 396/427.

Confirmed the numbers above in my Sept 1970 P/A catalog...     If anyone has an original GM 5773 that they would like to trade for a GM original 5776 (for big block) I'd trade.. :)    Otherwise, I'd rather use this original 5776 than a repro 5773.. :)
Title: Re: Lower Rev LO rod for '69 Z28 (late)
Post by: enio45 on March 13, 2014, 03:28:11 PM
PM sent
Title: Re: Lower Rev LO rod for '69 Z28 (late)
Post by: zman1969 on March 20, 2014, 03:11:45 PM
heres a good article I found
http://www.worldwidecamaroclub.com/pdf/tech/reverselockouts.pdf (http://www.worldwidecamaroclub.com/pdf/tech/reverselockouts.pdf)
Title: Re: Lower Rev LO rod for '69 Z28 (late)
Post by: enio45 on March 20, 2014, 04:04:15 PM
Good info - also - some of the rods have numbers on them ans so do not (for some reason).  Anyone know why not all rods are stamped?

I have several sets of orig shifter rods and they are done both ways as the lock out rod - I have found this for both BB and SM muncie
Title: Re: Lower Rev LO rod for '69 Z28 (late)
Post by: 69Z28-RS on March 20, 2014, 04:37:01 PM
The Muncie rods for small block (5773) and big block (5776) are both available via repro for around $30, but as Eddie pointed out to me in a PM, there are noticeable differences in the way the ends are formed.  

I just made some additional photos this morning, and photographed that difference. (See photo comparison).  I thought it was very interesting that there was only a very slight difference in length betwen the BB orig 5776 and the SB repro 5773 (maybe 1/8"?), and my 69Z28 had the BB 5776 rod on it when purchased in 1976 (and it cleared the headers that were on the car at that time).  It's difficult for me to see why they had different rods as there is also only very slight differences in 'bends' (both are almost straight).
Title: Re: Lower Rev LO rod for '69 Z28 (late)
Post by: enio45 on March 20, 2014, 04:48:21 PM
the BB rod does not have the significant bend in the rod vs the SB one.....must be the angle of the dangle :-)
Title: Re: Lower Rev LO rod for '69 Z28 (late)
Post by: 69Z28-RS on March 20, 2014, 05:42:14 PM
the BB rod does not have the significant bend in the rod vs the SB one.....must be the angle of the dangle :-)

The repro 5773 rod that I purchased (Classic Headquarters) is *almost* straight, with only very slight bend(s)....?
(Perhaps Camaro owners 'bent' them attempting to clear headers???  :)   )

PS.  Eddie:  you can see the 'factory form' ends on the 5776 rod I have (in the photos).... as you requested..
Title: Re: Lower Rev LO rod for '69 Z28 (late)
Post by: WorkinProgress on March 26, 2014, 11:31:21 AM
My 05E Norwood Z/28 came with the BB '5776 rod from the factory.

                                                                                     
Title: Re: Lower Rev LO rod for '69 Z28 (late)
Post by: 69Z28-RS on March 26, 2014, 08:28:42 PM
My 05E Norwood Z/28 came with the BB '5776 rod from the factory.
                                                                       
Very interesting..     How long have you owned that car to know that it 'came with it' from the factory?   If so, taht makes 'two possibilities' that they may have installed 5776 rods on Z28.   I wonder if there are others??   Anyone else?  Please speak up.. :)
Title: Re: Lower Rev LO rod for '69 Z28 (late)
Post by: ban617 on March 26, 2014, 08:35:24 PM
 I have a March car thats still in place I will check and see what number is on mine ...Mine has all oem drive train /shifter and manifolds with smog...but a Vannuy's car....
Title: Re: Lower Rev LO rod for '69 Z28 (late)
Post by: firstgenaddict on March 29, 2014, 06:57:59 PM
My 05E Norwood Z/28 came with the BB '5776 rod from the factory.
                                                                       
Very interesting..     How long have you owned that car to know that it 'came with it' from the factory?   If so, taht makes 'two possibilities' that they may have installed 5776 rods on Z28.   I wonder if there are others??   Anyone else?  Please speak up.. :)

I would not doubt that BB rods were installed at the factory since they will physically interchange.
Title: Re: Lower Rev LO rod for '69 Z28 (late)
Post by: bcmiller on March 29, 2014, 08:20:32 PM
Gary, give me a few days to check.  I may have an original 5773 rod.  If so, I will let you know.