Topics

1

Originality / fuel gauge sender ground wire location

« on: November 07, 2023, 11:52:04 PM »

My question is about the correct location for the fuel gauge sender unit ground wire for 1968 SS coupe. I know it is supposed to be attached to the outside of the tank strap structure on the passenger side. But my tank strap ground is on the inside part of the tank strap structure on the drivers side. I know the gas tank has been replaced. I have checked the passenger side tank strap holder and there is no evidence that a ground wire was ever attached there (no hole for screw). The ground wire looks original with correct inner diameter "star" like pattern. The screw itself may be original ( I need to check that again). So I am wondering if anyone has seen any variation in the position of this ground wire? My car has a late July build date for 1968.
Thanks,
Allen

2

Originality / 1968 vinyl top drip rail trim

« on: June 24, 2023, 01:06:03 PM »

My question is about the special trim piece along the drip rail of vinyl top equipped cars. The Legends Judging Manual on page 24 shows a special trim piece, a strip of metal along the inside of the drip rail. It starts just behind the quarter window and goes over the door area. I was not aware of this trim piece. I did search on the CRG forum but I didn't find what I was looking for. Can anyone chime in on this topic and give some details and where I can get these trim pieces?
My car is not "matching numbers" since the block was decked, but I think most of the rest of the car is original. I just enjoy making it as original as I can and working on the little details. My car is 68 SS L34 coupe with A/C, TH400 and power windows.

Thanks in advance for any information.
Allen

3

Originality / Harrison air conditioner decal on evaporator box

« on: September 29, 2022, 09:45:09 PM »

I have 1968 L34 with factory A/C. On the evaporator box there is supposed to be a blue and silver decal or sticker. I always thought it went on the evaporator box just behind the expansion valve on the engine side. But recently I saw pictures of a "correctly restored" 68 L35 with factory A/C and the silver and blue Harrison sticker was applied to the top of the evaporator case on the outboard portion. Can the experts here at CRG tell me which is the correct location? My old sticker ( that I applied many years ago) is coming off and I want to replace it and put it in the right spot.
Thanks in advance

Allen

4

Originality / Tonawanda sticker on 68 big block valve cover

« on: July 25, 2022, 03:24:11 PM »

I know that the usual place for the Bow tie Tonawanda valve cover sticker is on the passenger side valve cover near the front. But I was wondering if that is true for L34 and L35 cars with factory A/C? There are a lot of brackets for the A/C compressor that cover up areas of the passenger side valve cover. So I was wondering if the sticker was placed on the driver's side valve cover for these A/C equipped cars. If the sticker was placed by the Tonawanda plant before the engine was installed, then I guess it was always on the same side regardless if it was intended for an A/C car or not. I looked through the threads and posts on this subject in the originality section but I did not find my answer. Any inputs would be greatly appreciated.

Allen

5

Restoration / SS Hood Louver

« on: December 08, 2021, 07:59:56 PM »

My question is about quality SS hood Louvers for 1968 SS 396. Several years ago I purchased reproduction chrome hood louvers for my 68 L34. The ones that came on the car when I bought it were a little pitted and I am pretty sure they were repops. The new ones I bought were from a reputable parts supplier specializing in first gen Camaro parts and they were claimed to be the best available. The chrome is very good and the fit is excellent but there are wavy sections along the sides and along the top rim (outer rim not the "stacks") that just bother me more and more as time goes on. Its such a prominent feature and I notice the wavy sections and flaws every time I drive it now. So, to shorten my sob story - can anyone recommend where I can get a new set of hood louvers that don't have wavy sections or visible flaws in them? Does anyone have a re-chromed set of originals they want to sell? Does anyone have a recent experience with reproductions from a source they can recommend?
Thanks,
Allen

6

Restoration / Camaro and SS fender emblem attachment

« on: October 18, 2021, 08:53:17 PM »

I have a question about the correct way to attach the ''Camaro" and "SS" fender emblems - were they originally attached with barrel nuts or speed nuts? I have to do some touch up painting on my DS fender so I am wondering if I need to find a way to unscrew any speed nuts or just gently pry out the emblems from barrel nuts. Any knowledge, suggestions, help or experiences would be most welcome.
Thanks,
Allen

7

Restoration / a/c hose foam insulation

« on: October 10, 2020, 06:11:09 PM »

I have 1968 SS with factory A/C. Does anyone know where to get a reproduction of the high density foam insulation that is found on the A/C hose going back over the compressor? its a thick black foam insulation about 2 inches long around the hose itself. It keeps the hose from vibrating against the compressor or muffler brackets.

8

Maintenance / 396 L34 hard to start when hot

« on: October 05, 2020, 06:33:35 PM »

HELP!!! I have a long standing problem - my 68 L34 has a starting issue when engine is hot. I have tried so many things: New battery cable, new battery with high CCA, double checked and rebuilt alternator + replaced voltage regulator to make sure battery is being charged, Checked voltage at coil (12 v at start ~ 9 -10 v at run), adjusted timing and finally a reduction gear starter. So now it will turn over when it is hot ( not real fast but fast enough) but it does not want to start when hot. I can get a jump box or a jump off another car and it will start right away within one or two cranks. By itself it will not start until I wait about 30 minutes. What is going on here? I don't know what else to try. By the way this 396 has been rebuilt and compression is 10:1. I love CRG and the discussion forum and the experts here have helped me out many times. I am hoping CRG can help me get this bug out so I can fully enjoy my car. Any ideas are welcome.
Thanks,
Allen

9

Restoration / Reproduction or replacement Radiator for 68 big block

« on: June 10, 2020, 04:52:22 PM »

I have 1968 L34 with factory AC and TH400 trans. The car currently has an older replacement radiator that looks mostly stock in terms of tanks and brackets. It came with the car when I bought it 7 years ago. However, its leaking again and I have had it repaired twice. So I want a new or at least quality rebuild. I went to find one of the Harrison reproduction radiators with correct top channel and brackets etc. but found out that these have been discontinued at all distributors such as HBC or Rick's( darn it, my timings bad!). Where can I get a quality reproduction or even replacement radiator that looks correct and has all the right features ( 3 or 4 core, 23 ", proper brackets)? Any recommendations or direct experience would be welcome. This is such a great forum, I use CRG for everything from originality to restoration or just for entertaining reading about our favorite cars!
Allen 

10

Originality / date codes for distributor on 68 396

« on: November 17, 2019, 05:55:26 PM »

My question is about relative stamp dates between correct distributor and the car and engine build date and the other engine parts. I have read many of the posts on the forum but I haven't found good answer to my question. My car is 1968 L34 with A/C PS,PB,PW. The cowl tag indicates build date is 3rd week of July 1968, (Nor plant). The block has been decked at some point and numbers are gone. The Block cast date is February 1968 ( so I doubt it is even original). But I have been trying to get all the parts to be correct just for the fun of it. The heads are correct and have cast date of F 68 and intake is correct with cast date of E68. The exhaust manifolds have correct codes and the dates are D 68 and E 68 ( but hard to read). I found a correct # and date carb from a member on this forum ( I am so grateful). The distributor is a rebuilt and is an incorrect number stamp. It runs fine but I want the "correct" #s. If I want to find an original distributor should I look for a date to match the heads around early June (F) or earlier than that with maybe an E or even D date?
Thanks,
Allen

11

Originality / Dash pad trim for 1968

« on: November 02, 2019, 03:25:22 PM »

My question is about the stainless steel dash pad trim for 68. I have an original metal core dash pad with the trim. I took the trim off and sent the core to be recovered. I bought reproduction trim but the metal tabs that hold the trim to the pad don't line up well with the original holes in the pad. My original trim pieces are usable except that there is no black paint in the middle section of the trim pieces. At first I thought the black paint had just faded with time but there is no evidence at all for the black paint. None on the center connector piece and none on either side of the trim pieces. My question is - did the dash pad trim always come with the inner section painted black? Were there some cases where the trim was unpainted? I like the black stripe visually and I wish I could use the reproduction trim pieces I bought. However, I will have to use my originals. I hope the great experts on this forum can't weigh in on this. If all original trim pieces had the black painted section then I guess I can mask off the edges and paint the trim.
Thanks,
Allen

12

Mild Modifications / gear reduction starter

« on: October 16, 2019, 09:33:15 PM »

I have the hot start problem on my 68 SS 396 with TH400 trans. Its a stock engine with stock compression, but if I have driven it more than 10 miles or so and the engine is warm the starter will not even turn over until it cools off. This is the second stock starter I have had in the car in three years and I am sick of this problem. I am going to put a gear reduction starter in it. My question is which starter is best for the mark IV BB that will bolt right up? I know there are some new gear reduction starters for newer model GM BB but they may not line up correctly. Does anyone have any experience with a Summit or Jegs high torque starter? Any and all suggestions and recommendations are welcome.   
Thanks
Allen

13

Restoration / a/c fender baffles for 1968 coupe

« on: August 15, 2019, 09:55:28 PM »

I am looking for the fender baffles that came on some 1968 models with factory A/C. These are the parts that go between the radiator support and the inside of the fenders. I have pretty much completed the restoration of my 68 L34 coupe but a few of the original A/C parts are hard to find. I have not seen any correct for 1968 fender baffles on EBAY in the last few years. Does anybody know where I can get a pair ( or at least the DS)? I know my car came with these originally because the PS was still in place when I disassembled the car for restoration. Thanks for any help.
Allen

14

Restoration / DIY power window motor replacement for 68

« on: April 25, 2019, 03:57:27 PM »

I want to know how to replace the power window motor on a 68 (in the door)? I have a new replacement motor but it is not clear to me how to unbolt the old motor and install the new one. Do you remove the motor with the glass up or the glass down? Do you have to take the glass out of the door (I hope not). You can't really see inside the lower door where the motor is attached. Maybe its just three bolts and you remove the old one and install the new one by feel or with a mirror. The Camaro Central web site states " [this motor] is super easy to install". But I can't find any instructions or drawings in the 68 AIM and I have searched this forum and on line and I can't find any reference or help with 1968 Camaro with PW. I am pretty sure parts are the same for 1968 and 1969 Camaros. I am hoping some of the great folks on this forum can chime in with some instructions or hints or even pictures. Thanks in advance.
Allen

15

Originality / 1968 dash pad trim

« on: March 16, 2019, 11:23:48 PM »

I have a question about originality of the stainless dash pad trim piece. Did all Camaros with SS and Standard interior get the trim piece or just the ones with Deluxe Interior? My car is SS 396 L34 with A/C, PS,PB,PW tilt wheel, bumper guards but standard interior. Currently it has a urethane repro dash pad without the trim piece. I am going to install a correct vinyl covered reproduction and I want to know if this car would have or could have come with the steel dash pad trim? I have seen a few 68's with the trim piece and the standard interior and I have seen some without the trim piece. What is original and correct?
Allen