Topics

1

Decoding/Numbers / Where is my POP ?

« on: August 08, 2007, 07:59:05 PM »

I've found plenty of information on the board breaking down the codes from the Protect-O-Plate, and I understand what it looks like, but where are they located?  Was this just loose equipment form the factory, or should my '68 have one affixed somewhere on the car?  I'd really like to get the low down on the options other than cowl tag and VIN. 

2

Decoding/Numbers / Help with vinyl top code?

« on: August 07, 2007, 03:45:43 AM »

This is my cowl tag.  I was trying to figure out the original vinyl top color which should be 2- for black, but mine is -0 for   I got the 0 for the Corvette Bronze body color, but what does this other 0 stand for?  Anyone?

3

Originality / Rare '68 seat option or just wrong?

« on: August 05, 2007, 04:56:38 AM »

I am having a hard time finding another '68 RS/SS with this style of bucket seat.  Does anyone know if this is possibly correct, like a rare seat option?  The only thing I'v seen that is close is in a '69.  This is the only weird thing about this car, although I haven't seen another one with the huge m/c and  4 caliper front disc brakes, but I know that was an option on this RS/SS.

4

Maintenance / Low brake pedal after booster installation?

« on: March 03, 2006, 01:20:37 AM »

I just noticed that the brake pedal is relatively low compared to the clutch pedal now that I've installed the new booster.  Is this normal?  I can't remember if it was like that before or not.  I think the pedals were about the same height off the floor.  I checked the pedal rod length on the old booster and the new one and they were the same.  Come to think of it, I didn't compare the pushrod from the booster to the m/cyl.  Could they have been different lengths?  I think I need some help on this one.  I hung on to the core booster until I knew that the new one fixed my hissing problem, then once it was done, I returned it for core credit.  Now I wish I would have waited so that I could check that rod length.  Any ideas here guys?

5

Maintenance / Muncie 4 spd. oil?

« on: March 01, 2006, 12:22:00 AM »

I was just wondering what type of oil is reccomended for the Muncie 4spd?  Mine is dry but it smells like 80/90 gear oil.  Anyone?

6

Mild Modifications / Aftermarket wheels for my '68 RS/SS w 4 piston calipers?

« on: January 26, 2006, 11:25:31 PM »

I'm having a heck of a time finding aftermarket aluminum wheels that have enough clearance on the backside to clear the hefty 4 piston calipers.  The calipers stick out about 1/2" beyond the hub.  The car has Cragar SS style wheels on it right now, but they're bent so I'm looking to replace them and don't want factory rally's.  I don't want to use spacers or anything cheesy.  Any ideas, or examples of what anyone has made work well on these cars?

7

Maintenance / What octane should I put in my '68 ??

« on: January 16, 2006, 02:03:16 AM »

I was wondering for a stock 1968 396 what everyone's opinion's are on octance?  I started working on this car using 87, then the more I thought about the high compression, I decided to switch to 91.  That seemed to help the way it ran and idled, but this car has always seemed to run hot.  After about 15 min. of idle time, it wants to puke out about a qt. of anti-freeze.  I've installed a new thermostat, new radiator and cap, and it didn't seem to help.  Once it gets rid of that antifreeze the first time, it doesn't do it again as long as you don't top it back off.  A friend of mine says that this is fairly common.  I just don't like having a qt. or more of air in the top of a big block's radiator.  I was just wondering if this was tied to octane rating?  Should I stay with the 91 octane and try to adjust my timing or plugs to make it run a bit cooler?  Another good source told me I could back off my timing and put one step cooler plugs in.  I just don't understand why it's necessary.  I also put lead additive in the tank.  That seems to be about a 50/50 argument good and bad idea.  I think what I want is to stick with the 91 octane and the lead additive, but beyond that I hate to have to change much from stock.  Anyway, let me know what you all have found from your past experiences.  Thanks.

8

Maintenance / Q-Jet swap problem

« on: January 07, 2006, 02:52:11 PM »

I am trying to do away with a Holley Q-jet replacement and go back with a Q-jet.  I found one finally but installed it and I have a huge vacuum leak at the front base of the carb to intake.  The intake has a long skinny port going from the left to right and the carb doesn't seem to match it.  The carb hangs over enough in front of the intake that it exposes some sort of port on the bottom of the carb.  Will all Q-jet's not interchange?  I had always heard that they would.  I also could only find a thin carb base gasket to fit both intake and carb.  When I got the car it had a thin and a thick one mounted on it.  I couldn't find a thick mounting gasket that would cover all of my ports in the intake and carb.  Should I give up on this carb or keep at it?  I believe that the Q-jet I have is post 1975.  I was told by a Holley specialist to throw my Holley away because it was such a poor design and parts are pretty expensive for it.  We agreed that I should try to find a Q-jet for originality, tuneabitlity and hood clearance.  I just need to know if I should be able to find gaskets to make this project work, or try to find an older Q-jet?

9

Maintenance / Hissing brake booster?

« on: November 03, 2005, 01:06:10 AM »

I am working on a 1968 camaro w/power brakes.  I've just recently replaced all the rubber brakes hoses front and back, new pads/calipers and shoes/wheel cylinders.  I bled the system and the brakes work but not very well at all.  When I hit the brakes there's a hissing sound coming from the booster and I have a hard pedal but weak brakes.  It seems like my rpm's climb when I hit the brakes also.  Anyone have any idea if this is a bad booster or just a check valve?  The master cylinder and the booster are about the only things I haven't replaced, but I cleaned the master cylinder pretty well and flushed it out.

10

Maintenance / '68 396 timing suggestions?

« on: October 27, 2005, 01:44:48 AM »

I was wondering if anyone had found a good fuel/timing combination for an old high comp. 396?  I've been told to retard the timing a degree or two to help in cooling.  It's also been reccomended to run a heat range cooler on plugs, and run premium 89-91 and use lead additive.  This was a pretty reliable source but I was just wondering what any thoughts on this might be.  I believe that there's tons of knowledgeable folks on this board, just from the advice that I've already received.

11

Maintenance / Oddball radiator fan shroud!

« on: October 27, 2005, 01:34:39 AM »

I have an odd situation.  I'm working on a 1968 RS/SS 396 car for someone and after doing my homework, I've found out that they had the radiator replaced with a "direct fit replacement radiator."  This is not the same exact radiator that the car came with.  It's been overheating slightly and I told them that it needed a fan shroud that was missing.  So we spent $80 on an OER fan shroud, just to figure out that it didn't fit with this replacement radiator.  Anyone have any ideas?  I really don't want to use one of those cheesy aftermarket chrome shrouds that looks like a boat fender, but I also need something to help cool this car and keep body parts away from a spinning fan.  I would just order the "stock restoration" radiator but it's $775.  Not a feasible expense for this project.

12

Restoration / 1968 RS/SS oil pressure line routing?

« on: October 22, 2005, 01:54:13 AM »

Okay guys this is my first post.  Glad to find this board. 

I'm currently restoring a 1968 RS/SS camaro 396 4 spd.  This car suffered a massive engine bay fire and I'm putting some finishing touches on.  I need to know if anyone can tell me the correct location of the oil pressure line that runs from the block to the center console gauge.  I mainly just need to know the location on the firewall.  I pulled the line loose from inside the car and I can't seem to find where it penetrated the firewall.  Is there a grommet that protects it?  Any info would be greatly helpful.  Even if you think it's common knowledge.  I'm not one to turn away information.   Thanks!