Messages

1

Originality / Re: 1968 SS Factory Tire Brand & Style

« on: November 06, 2018, 03:27:29 PM »

Nothing beats the look and driving experience of bias ply tires on these cars.  Don't be scared of them, they are fine (see disclaimer).  I run the repro Goodyear Polyglas F70-14 on my L30/M20 car because that is what my Dad put on the car 'back in the day'.  They hook up great and are handle just fine, even when cruising the winding back roads at a good clip.   I wouldn't trade them for anything.  For me, there is no better feeling that rolling into a local show rockin' the Polyglas with full wheel covers!!

Just make sure to align the car properly for them and run the right tire pressure (which is relatively low by today's standards).

Disclaimer:  My experience is with the currently available reproduction Polyglas from Kelsey.  Now, it's my understanding that the Wide Tread tires had a different internal construction that the Polyglas.  I'm not sure if the new reproductions exactly follow the original internal construction or not, so the Wide Tread may be different than the Polyglas.

2

Originality / Re: gas tank straps - color and anti sqeak strips

« on: January 23, 2018, 05:40:28 PM »

I would still like to hear a definitive statement on the Norwood built 1968 models.

My Norwood built 68 has black straps.  As Mike S stated, hard to tell if they started life as full gloss, but the paint left on mine appeared semi-gloss.

3

General Discussion / Re: Anybody buy from LicensePlates.tv

« on: January 18, 2018, 10:15:01 PM »

I bought a set from them for my 68 to duplicate the CT plates that my car wore its entire life.  The first set I got wasn't very good - the letters & numbers were perfect, but the border shape was way off and the color way way off as well.  This was even after supplying them with high-res pictures of my original vintage plates.  They gladly re-made the plates, but had me send them a color sample to ensure they got the color right.  The final set looks perfect, but they are a slightly thinner material than my originals.  You can tell if you handle the original & new plates side-by-side, but once on the car it isn't noticeable.

Back story:
CT DMV requires that you bring in the actual YOM plates that you want to use, which I did.  The plates had registration stickers on them dating from around 1973 back through 1965 (at least that's where I stopped trying to peel the reg stickers off).  The person at the counter used his phone to google what a 1968 CT plate should look like, and told me they weren't acceptable - they were too old (they had slots in them for back when the registration year indicators were metal tags).  So, even though they were THE ACTUAL license plates that the car wore its entire life, they weren't acceptable to the CT DMV.  Crazy.  Anyhow, the guy told me to just get a set of reproductions made.

4

Restoration / Re: Can you identify this part?

« on: October 25, 2017, 03:04:53 PM »

I think you can remove the rear view mirror assembly and put that piece into position.  My memory is fuzzy, but I think I forgot this on my car, and put it in place after the fact.  What I can't remember is if I was able to get to the screw, or if I installed it with a little bit of adhesive.  I'm pretty sure the screw is not accessible after the fact.

I seem to remember putting the rearview mirror boot/visor clip in place, seeing a gap between the boot and the header molding, then having an "oh, sh*t" moment as I remembered that rubber block.

5

Restoration / Re: Can you identify this part?

« on: October 25, 2017, 02:45:23 PM »

It's the rubber bumper for the top middle of the windshield frame.  It gets installed on the windshield frame before the chrome header moldings are installed, and provides support for them.

6

Originality / Re: Exhaust line for a small block: which one to buy ?

« on: August 29, 2017, 01:12:55 PM »

It's aluminized steel.  I don't think Gardner does stainless systems. 

Hint:  Wear gloves when installing the system, then wipe down with lacquer thinner after it's all in place.  This will eliminate those nasty little fingerprints.

7

Originality / Re: Exhaust line for a small block: which one to buy ?

« on: August 29, 2017, 12:14:36 PM »

I have a Gardner deep tone exhaust (with concours show package) on my 68 convertible.  It fits beautifully, looks perfect, and sounds very nice.  As noted, not cheap.  The guys at Gardner were excellent to work with.



PS:
My only issue is regarding the sealant they supply for the exhaust joints.  The sealant that came with mine was an acid-cure clear silicone sealant.  This means that it reacts with moisture in the air and produces an acid when it cures.  IMO, not what you want in a $$$$$ exhaust system.  I used non-corrosive Permatex Ultra Grey at the slip joints instead.  They guys at Gardner say the original sealant was clear, but I'm OK with the grey as it isn't noticeable at all.

8

Garage Talk / Re: 40 Years Later, not that much has changed....

« on: July 20, 2017, 05:14:04 PM »

Awesome!
Maybe it's just me, but with those glasses & 'stache you have a little bit of an old school "Weird Al" vibe going on in the first picture.  Just needed more hair.

9

Site Comments/Discussion / Re: Photobucket.com problems...BIG time!

« on: June 30, 2017, 06:44:31 PM »

I have a lot of PB photos in my posts as well.

What's a good alternative?

10

Maintenance / Re: hesitation while driving

« on: June 21, 2017, 09:57:46 PM »

Suggestions on a reputable company?

Cliff Ruggles (Cliff's High Performance) did mine.  He jetted mine for the 10% ethanol blend gas we have around here.  I couldn't be happier.  If it weren't for those secondaries opening & giving you a big kick in the butt, you'd swear the car was fuel injected.  The only issue is turn-around time.  I think mine took 3 months.

11

Originality / Re: Non reveal felts

« on: June 16, 2017, 11:14:33 AM »

My door weatherstripping used plastic retainers front & back.  The retainers are available from HBC under p/n WTS-1027.

12

Restoration / Re: Rochester 4MV Quadrajet

« on: June 15, 2017, 04:56:03 PM »

....and cut to the chase....the green teflon  stuff didn't appear till late 69 early 70.

My intent is not to argue, but that isn't an accurate statement.  I have an original owner 68 with the original Q-Jet carb and it originally had the green stuff.  Built in June 1968.

Here is a pic of the carb before restoration:

13

Restoration / Re: Rochester 4MV Quadrajet

« on: May 22, 2017, 04:49:52 PM »

Try contacting Cliff Ruggles at Cliff's High Performance:
http://cliffshighperformance.com/

14

Restoration / Re: 69 Deluxe door panel.

« on: May 22, 2017, 04:48:19 PM »

Find the weakest solvent that will remove the coating.  Test it in a hidden area first, like behind the door handle cup.  Maybe start with mineral spirits or denatured alcohol and work your way 'up' from there.  I've found that the vinyl that the door panels are made from is some pretty tough stuff.  IIRC, I ended up having to use lacquer thinner to remove paint from a set of original deluxe panels.

To give them a fresh look, I recommend SEM Color Coat in Landau Black.  Prep with SEM Soap, followed by Vinyl Prep, then use the Color Coat.

15

Restoration / Re: Idler Arm Boot

« on: March 05, 2017, 03:54:36 PM »

Crazy Glue and Loctite 380 are both types of instant CA adhesives, usually referred to as 'super glue'.  Regular chain store super glue is usually brittle, and while it bonds to rubber very well, it is not flexible.  Loctite 380 is a rubber-toughened with some flexibility, so it's usually the go-to glue to use for bonding o-rings and other rubber that is required to flex a little.