Topics

1

Restoration / HELP: Neutral Safety Switch wiring detail

« on: August 16, 2022, 04:22:23 PM »

Is the feed off the neutral safety switch continuous, once past the two-prong connection, all the way to the solenoid? When the solenoid would no longer engage, I thought the relatively new neutral safety switch had gone bad. I bypassed the neutral switch by bridging the ignition switch feed to the existing solenoid feed...alas, still no activation at the solenoid.

I then installed a jumper wire from the solenoid to the outlet side of the neutral switch and, voila, the solenoid powered up off the ignition switch and I was able to start the car.

In my wiring diagram I see no junction on the purple feed to the solenoid other than the one directly above the pedal assembly. Is there one further downstream I should look for. I'm trying to avoid tearing into the harness.

paul

2

Maintenance / HELP: Feed from neutral safety switch to solenoid

« on: August 16, 2022, 11:41:55 AM »

Is the feed off the neutral safety switch continuous, once past the two-prong connection, all the way to the solenoid? When the solenoid would no longer engage, I thought the relatively new neutral safety switch had gone bad. I bypassed the neutral switch by bridging the ignition switch feed to the existing solenoid feed...alas, still no activation at the solenoid.

I then installed a jumper wire from the solenoid to the outlet side of the neutral switch and, voila, the solenoid powered up off the ignition switch and I was able to start the car.

In my wiring diagram I see no junction on the purple feed to the solenoid other than the one directly above the pedal assembly. Is there one further downstream I should look for. I'm trying to avoid tearing into the harness.

paul

3

Originality / 69 Saginaw 4-speed reverse lock out lower rod

« on: May 19, 2022, 01:46:35 AM »

Can anyone give me dimensions and a picture or good illustration of the lower rod....Saginaw 4 speed

thanks

paul

4

Restoration / 69 Saginaw 4-speed reverse lock out lower rod

« on: May 16, 2022, 03:05:10 AM »

Does anyone have either a source for the Saginaw lock out rod (shifter to bellcrank) or its dimensions so I can make one to spec.

Small-blocks use lower lock rod 3955773 on the Saginaw, not the same as Muncie, seemingly much shorter rod due to the difference in placement of reverse in the cases.

Thanks

Paul

5

Maintenance / No oil flow at rockers from preoiling in fresh motor

« on: January 29, 2022, 02:50:52 PM »

Using a toothless distributor, I'm getting 50+psi at gauge.

But even after 5-8 minutes I'm getting no flow through pushrods to rockers. (30-30 cam, solids)

Should I be using the rubber ring to seal the distributor or is there some other possible problem?

This is a fresh engine throughout.

paul

6

Restoration / LEAKDOWN TEST VARIANCE IN FRESH ENGINE

« on: September 18, 2021, 01:18:44 PM »

A 302cu in SBC, fresh with Eagle crank, rods,JES forged 11-1 pistons, comp flat tappet cam, heads fresh, fel-pro 17030 composite head gaskets, square decked block....

Did a leakdown test out of curiosity after the right bank cylinder head had to be replaced because of a cracked seat. Newly-done head was installed but has developed slight head gasket leakage into #6.

Pulled the head, replaced the damaged gasket, retorqued head and got out the leakdown gauges. All four cylinders on that bank are at a 20psi difference. All four cylinders on the left hand bank are at 10-15 psi difference. Pressure applied was 80psi.

Should I be trembing in dismay or should I finish buttoning up the motor with the thought that the seal on the right bank will improve once the engine has fired again?

paul

7

Restoration / Replacing incorrect RS grille/headlights with standard grill/headlights

« on: June 29, 2021, 06:45:34 PM »

Ours is not an RS car. The PO liked the RS front and spent $$ for the electric RS complete assembly. We like the look but have decided to replace it with a correct standard grill/headlight assembly.

It's an X33 D80 car. I believe the headlight bezels should have chrome trim over an argent base, the grill is argent, its surround is brightwork (chrome) and the outer escutcheon is body color.

Is that assumption correct?

Thanks

paul

8

Restoration / Sequence of firewall pad installation at steering column

« on: March 02, 2021, 04:56:26 PM »

I am in the process of replacing the firewall pad and the steering column retainer, etc. What is the actual layer profile from the firewall back? Is it the 2 pc retainer and the rubber boot, then pad, then carpet, then carpet protection plate?

Two different cars I've been able to check differ. On one, a "restoration", shows the back of the pad through the firewall from the engine bay at the steering column. The other, a supposed original car, is foam, 2 piece plate, rubber boot, firewall pad, carpet, protection plate.

I've done a search and pored over the assembly manual...it may just be my creeping senility but I haven't found something to follow.

Thank you

paul

9

Restoration / Parking Brake Clip for warning switch - '69

« on: January 07, 2021, 02:13:47 AM »

The assembly manual isn't helpful and I failed to take a picture of the old assembly. Can somebody tell me or provide a photo of exactly how the cable and clip with the paddle assemble at the pivot piece to align with the switch?

Thank you

paul

10

Originality / Crankshaft and camshaft photos (and others) from our extra DZ engine

« on: January 06, 2021, 04:41:20 PM »

Tale of two engines: the one in the car when it was acquired and its replacement which is ready to go in now (once the car's main dash harness is replaced among other things underneath the dash. We just don't trust 50+year old wiring).

Pad Stamp (unfortunately our car was delivered to Central Chevrolet in Columbia, SC in June, 1969)


Partial VIN at filter boss (our VIN is 124379N658489)


Crank


Crank casting #


Camshaft casting #


These were in the engine in the car when purchased at auction in 2014....a fresh rebuild which may have 1000 miles on it. From the very beginning this engine leaked at the rear main and continued to do so despite repeated in-car replacements of the seal.

After cleaning up the cylinders and resolving the seal leak it will be reassembled as a short block and offered for sale.

Its replacement is ready to go in the car (of course an 010 block, cast date 6 days before assembly):

11

Restoration / Z28 Front Brake Hose clips

« on: December 17, 2020, 08:48:21 PM »

Does anybody happen to have for sale serviceable clips which hold the front caliper flex lines to the upper control arms?

Our passenger side clip is missing and the Assembly Manual does not illustrate passenger side mounting.

Apparently the passenger side upper control arm in this car has been replaced. There is no threaded hole for the self-tapping machine screw nor hole for the clip's tab.

Heartbeat City offers what seems to be a flame-cut clip but it is flat, not formed as were the factory clips.

Thank you.

paul

12

Restoration / .030 over pistons for 302: specs/supplier?

« on: February 25, 2020, 10:57:04 PM »

We are rebuilding the engine in our '69 Z....We have a .010 overbore block which is correct for the car...but the clean up bore will be .030 over. Can someone advise on the best pistons I should buy? Want to stay at 11-1, floating pins, 4.030 bore, 3" stroke

Rings ductile iron? .062 top and bottom; .124 oil?

Thanks

paul

13

1969 - Orphans / 19N688260 - V0725DZ is in our Z28

« on: January 24, 2020, 05:29:39 PM »

Our VIN is 124379N658489. The engine in the car (an X33D80) is an 010 block, 4 bolt mains, original pan, July 25 assembly and 19N688260 VIN stamp (as best we can tell). The heads are 186 cast one day apart (K18 and K28).

The engine has a rear main oil seal leak and quite possibly a minor head gasket leak. We are planning to pull it and rebuild but I would prefer to rebuild a correct cast date block, leaving the pad unstamped after decking.

Our schedule is mid-February '20 for the removal and disassembly. It would be wonderful to find the at-birth block and supply this one to its rightful car.

paul f.

14

Restoration / Wiring Console Gauges' 69

« on: November 27, 2019, 04:19:12 PM »

Can anyone give this idiot either pictures or explicit directions for the wiring connections on console gauges on my '69....

I have the AIM, the Jim Osborn '67-'69 wiring diagram manual (which is nothing more than the AIM).

But I am definitely confused as to the resistors, insulators, low fuel warning system....I was truly stupid and took no photos as I disassembled the cluster to install two new gauges and restore the cluster.

paul

15

Maintenance / 186 heads - rocker arm studs

« on: November 14, 2019, 03:44:04 PM »

Please spare me the effort of removing a valve cover: are the 186 heads equipped with screw-in rocker arm studs? Memory fails me.

Mine are Dec 1 68 and Dec 2 68...




Thanks

paul