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Topics - bheston

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Mild Modifications / Replacement A-arms
« on: January 01, 2020, 08:11:05 PM »
I’ve ordered a new set of stamped A-arms for the 69. I was planning on blasting, painting and replacing the ball joints in the stock arms. However, I can get new ones complete with the ball joints for only $370 with poly bushings.

I restore the originals at some point in the future if I ever wanted to go back.  I prefer the stock look and I don’t have any interest in making a pro touring machine at this point. However, it’s difficult not to lust over a set of tubular arms and coil-overs.

Is there a big advantage to the tubular arms? The ability to adjust the shocks with coil-overs would be nice to have.

2
Maintenance / Coil Spring Compressor
« on: December 30, 2019, 02:29:31 PM »
I'm replacing the old stock coil springs with a fresh set (standard ride height).  I bought a coil spring compressor from Summit.  Seems good.  I was able to get the coil spring compressed and removed.  However, the compressor does not fit through the shock opening in the A-arm.  I had to fully disassemble the compressor, stuff it in the opening and re-assemble while it was inside the spring.  That seems wrong.

Here is the one I bought:

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/wmr-w89311/overview/

I might try this one:

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/clp-csc/overview/

I replaced the coils on an El Camino years ago but I don't ever remembering the need to dismantle the compressor to get it to fit through the shock hole.

3
Maintenance / GoJak - any experience?
« on: July 29, 2019, 01:38:21 AM »
I only have a 3 stall garage and I need to use one stall this winter. I was thinking’s about renting a storage locker for $95/mo.  Or, I think I can shove the Camaro against the wall using GoJak and that might solve my space issue issue for now.  Any experience? I keep hearing the copycat units are junk. The GoJak in a 4-pack is $900! 

4
Decoding/Numbers / VIN Tag versus Cowl Tag - smells fishy
« on: July 02, 2019, 10:35:53 AM »
This seems odd.  The VIN and cowl tag disagree on this expensive unit.


https://www.hanksters.com/1969-Chevrolet-Camaro/Used-AmericanMuscleCar/DaytonaBeach-FL/12782763/Details.aspx

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Mild Modifications / Prothane poly bushings in leafsprings
« on: August 27, 2018, 10:03:50 AM »
I installed new Prothane poly bushings in the leafsprings and I now have buyers remorse. I greased the bushings exactly like was written in the instructions. Even with my best effort, the rear shackles area creaking like an old rocking chair. I called Prothane and the recommendation I tightened the bolts more so it bottoms out on the inner sleeve. I cranked it as tight as I could with a wrench and creaking was slightly less. I’m thinking about going back to rubber. Anyone have any experience either way?

6
Maintenance / Rebuilt Engine - black spark plug at #8
« on: August 05, 2018, 01:28:02 AM »
Hello,

I got my engine fully rebuilt and I have about 200 mile on it.  SBC 350 bored 0.030, alum heads, alum intake, Holley 650 vacuum secondary carb.  After about 50 miles, I changed the oil/filter.  I also put in new spark plugs.  I noticed #8 (right side rear plug) was black compared to the other plugs.  Even #6 looked darker than the others but not as dark as #8.  I thought I must have a bad plug wire.  Put on a new set of plug wires and new spark plugs.  Drove it another 50 miles and still #8 was black.  Checked the compression: 180psi in all cylinders including the suspect cylinder.  Put in a new Pertronix distributor thinking it might be the points.  No change.  Put in a new MSD distributor; no change.  I replaced the exhaust with a new one that I had been expecting to arrive for the last few weeks.  I drove around for a few hours today.  I noticed right away that my drivers side tailpipe is clean as new.  My passengers side tailpipe is sooty back (true dual, no x/h pipe).

I need the experts to give me some advice.  It seems to run fine.  No miss or hesitation.  If I wasn't watching the plugs/exhaust, I wouldn't know anything was odd.  I'm at a loss.  The engine builder has 30+ years experience with these engines.  He personally came to my house to see if he can spot the issues.  We found nothing.  He even drove it and could not detect an issue.

Do I have a valve adjustment issue?  Do I need to pull the head (gulp)?  Any advice would be much appreciated!


   

7
Mild Modifications / Muncie 4 speed rebuild/replace
« on: May 13, 2018, 01:20:18 PM »
I’d like to pull my tired Muncie 4-speed and rebuild or replace (in the fall?).  It’s not a numbers tranny so I’m leaning toward just buying a new or rebuilt unit. Does anyone have the names of good shops that sells Muncie 4-speeds?

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Mild Modifications / Timing Chain - Double or Single Roller?
« on: April 27, 2018, 07:58:29 PM »
Since I will need to rebuild my engine, an old topic has resurfaced.  Double or single roller timing chain?  Some say the double roller is better because it can absorb more crank harmonics and it is stronger.  Some say the single roller is stronger because the teeth are thicker.  Having lost a couple teeth on a double roller (pic below), I'm looking for opinions....


9
Decoding/Numbers / Numbers matching or not - 3932388 block
« on: April 25, 2018, 10:56:45 AM »
I'm trying to verify the numbers matching claim of my car.  69 SS 350/300 with manual trans.  I thought the partial VIN would be stamped into the upper block but I only see "T0306HA".  Should I be looking by the oil filter?  Do these number seem correct so far?  Here is a pic of the block stamping and the casting number:


10
Mild Modifications / Harmonic balancer - SS350/300HP
« on: April 25, 2018, 12:28:08 AM »
I’m in the process of replacing my harmonic balancer because I thought it spun. This is a SS350/300 car.  I bought a new 8 inch “stock” unit from Heartbeat City. After pulling the old one, I noticed it was a 6 3/4 balancer and appears to have been originally painted blue. The timing marks are not aligned. The old small balancer has the timing mark offset from the keyway which is wrong for my car. I had to find TDC and put a line on the balancer.  The new larger balancer has the timing mark aligned with the keyway which is right for my car. The timing cover on the car is for a 6 3/4 balancer.

I thought all 350/300 were equipped with an 8 inch balancer? Will it be benificial to change the timing cover and use the 8 inch balancer? Safe to assume it won’t hurt anything?

11
Mild Modifications / Engine mod - thoughts?
« on: April 24, 2018, 10:06:08 AM »
My 69 SS has the original 350 numbers-matching block. After looking up the other numbers, I know that the intake manifold and the heads are not period correct. Furthermore, the carb is not correct either. It appears like most of those bits were from 1972 to 1977 donors.

I’d like to rebuild the motor and get a few more ponies but I still want that orange motor with cast iron exhaust manifolds.  At this point, I can’t pull the block, save and buy a crate motor. I’m not flush with unlimited garage space. I’d like to keep the block and maybe the quadrajet carb. I thought about picking up a set of double hump heads with the 2.02 intake valves and putting those on with a DZ aluminum intake and the Holley carb. Not trying to build a Frankenstein but also not trying to put back to original. Any good thought?

12
Originality / 69 SB Fuel Line Routing
« on: April 17, 2018, 11:35:02 AM »
I couldn't find much detail on the fuel line routing for my 350/300 SB.  My routing does not seem correct but "kinda" matches the AIM.  Most 350's I see have a primary line running from the carb toward the center of the motor to a fuel filter.  That line passed behind the water pump down to the fuel pump.  I attached a couple pics.  I can't tell where the smaller fuel line goes and it's purpose.  I have generic fuel filter installed (former owner) and it seems to be starving for fuel.  I just want to eliminate that as a problem.  Here is my confusion:

- Where does the smaller line on the fuel filter go?
- Did all 350's have the fuel filter and fuel line running behind the water pump?
- Is the AIM diagram a different version but still correct?


13
Mild Modifications / Adding a dash clock to a ‘69
« on: April 12, 2018, 09:33:23 AM »
Nothing turned up in a search but I was wondering if anyone has added a center dash clock to a 69?  This car does not have a clock nor was it born with one.  Will the plastic dash surround need replaced or does the center Camaro “plug” come out?

14
Originality / Floor pan color
« on: April 08, 2018, 11:43:40 PM »
What was the color of the undercarriage (floor pans and tunnel)? My 69 has primer gray floor pans and the tunnel is sprayed black. I’m trying to understand what was done from the factory. 

15
Just shopping around and these seem to be the biggest (perhaps there are others).  This is relative to prices, in-stock, fast shipping, quality, customer service.

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