Messages

1

Decoding/Numbers / Re: 68 SS350 numbers help

« on: January 03, 2018, 06:47:35 AM »

I spoke with the gentleman that owned this car from approximately 1987 to 2001. I hadn’t talked to him in probably 10 years and those conversations consisted of me asking about documentation and the original transmission to see if he might have anything laying around.

I asked him details as to how he got the car and he stated that he bought the car out of the classifieds for $1500. At that time he stated the motor and transmission were out of the car but that both had been rebuilt. He put the car in the barn and then a container inside his shop where it sat until about 2001 when he sold it.

I bought the car from the next owner who stated the motor had been rebuilt. Thinking back he didn’t say when and I didn’t ask, I just assumed it was recent. While restoring the car I decided to disassemble the motor. I remember being glad I did as there was some slight corrosion in the cylinders and on the crankshaft and it didn’t look “fresh” like you would expect a rebuilt motor to look. I had it bored to clean the cylinders, new pistons, rings, pushrods, bearings, rockers, etc. I’m going to get in touch with the gentleman that I bought the car directly from and ask him to see if he did anything to the motor but putting this all together leads me to believe he didn’t. If he didn’t, this would mean the engine hadn’t been touched since the mid eighties prior to me getting the car.

I’m also going to look back at pictures and see how fresh the engine paint looked. I don’t know if I have any of the block without the heads on or not.

2

Decoding/Numbers / Re: 68 SS350 numbers help

« on: January 02, 2018, 04:39:21 PM »

Darrell,

A case that came with the car was a 3851325. I researched at the time and learned this would have not been correct so I didn’t use it. There were some very odd numbers stamped on it but I didn’t give it much time as I knew it was wrong.

3

Decoding/Numbers / Re: 68 SS350 numbers help

« on: January 02, 2018, 03:06:46 PM »

Hello all.

My name is Kevin and I am the owner of the car in question. I sent Mark here to verify what I was telling him was correct and was surprised by some of the responses. But, it is to be expected and I would expect nothing less if there is any doubt. I am a lurker here and have gathered a wealth of information regarding Camaros. I do not have a lot of expertise to add, other than what I have learned here and the .NET site. However, I love Camaros and I am committed to maintaining the integrity of the cars, including my own, even if it means personal loss. My integrity and my word are much more important than money, as well as keeping this hobby as honest as possible.

With that said, this morning I disassembled portions of my car and took several pictures of the stamp. I cleaned it as best as I could with non-caustic cleaners to hopefully provide a clearer image of what I have. The picture in question was taken approximately 2003 prior to taking the engine to the machinist. I wanted to make sure that I had a record of the pad stamp in the event something happened and is not that great of quality. The link below is what I took this morning.

https://1drv.ms/f/s!Ao0YvGUdTJoIlnloN7-XPPZvNuAO

I was able to get a picture of the casting but not the date as I was pressed for time. I did include my notes from approximately 2004 when I decoded the numbers from the block itself.

For some history, I purchased the car in 2002 and restoration had begun. Prior to me getting the car, it had not been registered since 12/1978 and I have a scan of the pink slip that I received at that time. The car did not come with documentation of any kind but had all original parts that you would typically find with an SS to include the original air cleaner and valve covers. It also had all of the original badging, steering wheel, and tell-tell signs of being an SS to include the brake proportioning valve under the driver's seat and 28 coil spring hood. These items came with the car that I verified after purchase as I did not know about these attributes prior.

From the NCRS data report, this car was produced on 7/17/1968 and delivered to Grant Bishop Chevrolet in Los Gatos, CA. I purchased the car in Los Gatos so I am of the belief the car spent its life in a rather small area.

I am open to any questions and will answer as best as I can, to the best of my knowledge.

I am open to any questions and discussion and will answer all questions that I can.

I will be getting in touch with Jerry Macneigh to inquire about his services