Messages

346

Maintenance / Re: Starter Brace

« on: November 12, 2008, 09:00:16 PM »

   Thanks everyone and especially John for the picture - it certainly is worth many words...

    I'll have to see if I can manage a look at the top of the starter through the headers to see if the model I used looks like it has a correct attachement point to bolt a braket to it and if so I'll order one. Even if it doesn't I may just get one anyway for the cost involved and Bubba it to make it work. 

                                                                                                                                                             Thanks again for the assistance - Randy

347

Maintenance / Re: Starter Brace

« on: November 12, 2008, 12:31:33 PM »

Thanks Paul got it...should have thought about the AIM in the first place I guess.
 Do all or especially later blocks have a boss for the upper part of the braket to bolt up to? I think the one I used was a '79 - '82 four bolt version and I can't crawl under right now to check it. Thanks - Randy

348

Maintenance / Re: Starter Brace

« on: November 12, 2008, 06:37:13 AM »

  Yep - as soon as I saw this thread posted I looked up the brace itself on Rick's First Gen. as well as the Summit catalog sites and noted that they are apparently readily available.
   What all of this doesn't tell me though is just how and where the brace itself connects the starter and block to eliminate the movement over time, that I am experiencing.
  Anyone have a picture that shows how the bracket actually fits to solve the problem? - Thanks - Randy
 

349

Maintenance / Re: Starter Brace

« on: November 12, 2008, 02:20:08 AM »

Is it ALways a great idea to put a starter brace on whether Hi-Po or not??
Ted

  I put a 350 in my son's S10 and the starter forever shifts a while after each time it gets realigned and tightened up to the point that it starts grinding and I'm afraid will soon ruin the ring gear if I don't find a solution.
  Does anyone have a picture of what such a small block brace looks like or especially what it looks like installed on an engine and starter so I can determine where it sits relative to everything else.
  If I can't get one easily and cheaply I may just try and make my own since an S10 installation doesn't afford a lot of spare room and the starter I used was from a newer mid ninties truck V6 because it was already smaller in size than an original unit.
   If I can see what it should mount up like and where one of these attaches to the block and starter itself, my best hope may be to fab up something to fit in a custom sense. - Thanks  - Randy

350

General Discussion / Re: barrett jackson las vegas Z-28

« on: October 30, 2008, 10:31:08 PM »

A judging report on the other hand, simply states what is visible to the eye, and doesn't get so much into 'belief' or subjective knowledge.   It simply reports what the codes say, the colors, if they are correct or not, and then perhaps a subjective judgement as to condition, correctness, etc.   In this case there seems to be some confusion whether this is a 'judging report' (per specific restored Camaro guidelines), or an 'authentic Z28 Certification'.
  I suspect if Jerry had been writing the subject report for a 'prospective buyer' he would have been less reserved in his judgement and statements made in the report.   When I read the report, it *read* more like a detailed 'Judge sheet' than a Certification of authenticity...?

Guess that is what I was trying to say previously...

  "What is appears to have been done is that they asked for an inspection to verify that the car in question was capable of attaining a certain degree of correctness in a judged sense without completely following through and asking for complete certification of it as a true numbers matching, original vehicle as was apparently stated in the seller's and BJ promotion of it prior to and during the auction itself.
   This sort of splitting hairs I agree, but for the BJ and the seller to be able to attach Jerry's name to the advertising documentation immediately and wrongfully (in thsi case) puts forth to buyers the illusion the car has been attested to by Mr. MacNeish as being what they are stating it is, instead of just a car he deems worthy of attaining a certain degree of show correctness - no minor feat mind you - but a big difference none the less in my eyes.  - Randy

351

General Discussion / Re: barrett jackson las vegas Z-28

« on: October 30, 2008, 03:04:50 AM »

[
   I'm sure it helped the sale greatly, but I feel that possibly the distinction between the wording 'inspection' 'judge' and 'certification' may be getting lost in all of this... - Randy   
[/quote]

   I meant to add Jerry's word 'evaluated' to go along with 'inspection' 'judge' verses the word 'certification'...  - Randy

352

General Discussion / Re: barrett jackson las vegas Z-28

« on: October 30, 2008, 02:57:35 AM »

I will make a short reply here and everyone can decide for themselves.  When K. Waters hired me to inspect his car, he was mainly interested in having me judge the car and flag anything that was not correct on the car.  His plans were to bring this car to the Camaro Nationals in June and have it judged in the Legends class if there was room, or the Bow Tie class.  I evaluated the car, quality of the restoration and paperwork and wrote a three page report.  I was never told by anyone that the car was rebodied.  K. Waters told me that this car was rough and much of the sheet metal had to be replaced.      

Jerry         

   This pretty much helps me make up my own mind as I feel it should do for others...
   Is it just me or do others also feel that this is a situation where Jerry's name has been used or abused to give this car legitimacy and profile in it's subsequent sale by the owner(s) and action house all of who stand to gain greatly by it? On face value, I feel once anyone sees his name attached to a vehicle it is automatically assumed that Jerry has certified it by making a distinctive and in depth inspection to determine that is truly what it is promoted to be - often without fully reading or knowing the detail in the actual report itself.
   What is appears to have been done is that they asked for an inspection to verify that the car in question was capable of attaining a certain degree of correctness in a judged sense without completely following through and asking for complete certification of it as a true numbers matching, original vehicle as was apparently stated in the seller's and BJ promotion of it prior to and during the auction itself.
   This sort of splitting hairs I agree, but for the BJ and the seller to be able to attach Jerry's name to the advertising documentation immediately and wrongfully (in thsi case) puts forth to buyers the illusion the car has been attested to by Mr. MacNeish as being what they are stating it is, instead of just a car he deems worthy of attaining a certain degree of show correctness - no minor feat mind you - but a big difference none the less in my eyes.
   Buyers and people in general who might be interested in such a vehicle will sometimes only hear what they want to hear and in this case I consider that by attaching Jerry's name to the sales hype it was automatically assumed to be a more 'definitive' (pardon me) determination of the cars real value and legitimacy than it really deserved. 
   I'm sure it helped the sale greatly, but I feel that possibly the distinction between the wording 'inspection' 'judge' and 'certification' may be getting lost in all of this... - Randy   

353

Originality / Speedo cable length...

« on: October 25, 2008, 04:54:59 PM »

   I would like to order a new speedo cable for my '68 Z28 with an M21. Can anyone tell me what length I should be looking for? I'm not crazy about ripping out the old one just to measure it since it appeared always too short and had such a tight bend where it went on to the casing that it finally gave out at that point.
   Does the proper version have a right angle fitting on the tranny end to prevent this or does the proper length of cable just solve this problem? Also are there reasons why (assuming they sell the correct length of one I need) the ones that Ricks or other such places sell would not fit or work properly for me due to different transmissions versions M21/22, Saginaw, or even THM used on Camaros or do they all basically use cables with the same fittings and threads and just varied lengths?
   None of the cables I have seen advertised seem to be usage specific, other than the length so I am assuming the answer to that is no... but any info and help is appreciated - Thanks - Randy

354

Decoding/Numbers / Re: L-2248 Std forged pistons

« on: October 22, 2008, 03:46:29 PM »

   Im not sure if you are searching for 302 parts as per your other posting regarding the crank ID'ing - but I do know that the old TRW part number for their forged 302 piston years back was 2210-AF. I am not completely sure about that AF suffix I added there - but the #2210 is good for the .030" version and is what I have presently in my 302 short block at home.

355

General Discussion / Re: barrett jackson green Z28 classic gary

« on: October 22, 2008, 03:24:46 AM »

   I agree - CRG should be applauded for having the cajones to reactivate the original thread - it's members and the hobby deserve that much and they I think recognize that... Thanks at least from me!
   I have the feeling that we will never know exactly what has occurred with the car in question but I feel everyone has a pretty good idea of what transpired in spite of those who have chimed in to put the heat on classicgary or classic gary as he is known now,  to discredit him into retracting his original story and apparently in effect gagging him further by legal or other threats.
   Unfortunately there are far too many people with big $$ interests involved here (along with many obviously supportive friends thereof) all who would take a beating financial or reputation-wise if all of the story unfolded completely - so for that exact reason I have concluded that the true story will never be fully stated.
   I have read enough between the Yenko, TC, and site here to come to my own conclusion(s) about what occurred and I would imagine most of you have as well. I just hope that the interest shown over the past 24 hours in this instance will show CRG, TC, and other sites especially those specifically involved in Camaros - that there are a lot of people who want to know the truth and details about specific vehicles that surface occasionally. It should also be apparent by now that they have a duty to their members to allow a certain amount of detailed information to be exchanged even if it means denting reputations or exposing fraudulant dealings in the process.
    If BJ can and does get off the hook when suspect vehicles they selectively advertise and knowingly ignore certain facts about, in order to strenuously promote a sale from which they prosper directly - then it should be possible for sites like the CRG and others to have a similar disclaimer involved to protect them from the exchange of information about vehicles they supect are fradulant, without impending legal doom hanging over their heads and necessitating censure of discussions.
    I, for one have nothing to hide about my own vehicle and I feel I reside with the majority of owners in that sense. As for the others who have agendas contrary to what the CRG and TC sites were designed to do (promote and foster the brand, and discover and research the history thereof) they in my opinion, have no business being here in the first place and if they feel unwelcome or threatened by information exchange as such, then so be it...   Randy
   

356

General Discussion / Legal Action...

« on: October 21, 2008, 02:43:59 AM »

   What happened to the classicgary thread - did CRG get threatened with legal action as well and have to close the thread down?
   I was just in the process of posting a response that tongue in cheek suggested that might be the next thing to happen when the obviously new heavyweight 'members' with no posting history landed here today to heap scorn on classicgary and spread their threats around regarding legal action and cover up the BJ auction deal.
   Guess I was right on the mark - just not quick enough - no?
   Its too bad when people with enough clout (and or $$$'s) can quash the truth in the world just by using bullying tactics to enable them to cover up such piles of crap and I'm disappointed in the CRG for allowing that to obviously happen here.
    It is my hope that the buyer of the car in question sues the arses off all of those involved with the exception of classicgary who apparently admitted long ago, so he says, to his role in the creation of the car recently sold.
   The whole auction scene and especially the stench eminating from BJ is tarnishing the whole collector car hobby - but then that is usually what happens when gangsters and big money get involved in anything... IMHO

                                                                  Randy (you may want to ban me before I can get sued as well)

357

Maintenance / Re: 69 350SS VIBRATION

« on: October 20, 2008, 08:16:15 PM »

   I obviously never gave the driveline/pinion angle thing much thought for a street car as I had always heard of it in a drag racing, traction, blown u joints - driveshaft, context - but it may explain a lot. Took a quick gander under the car yesterday and noticed that the pinion has a definite downward angle (how much in degrees I'm not quite sure yet) but downward none the less. Also I changed to stock tranny mount, sub frame bushings, spring eye bushings, and rubber cushions under the spring packs a few years back all because the stock stuff was well worn and or deteriorated. After that I didn't notice that the vibration was much worse although it certainly didn't help to alleviate any of it and now that I think about it, it may have been a bit more pronounced in the higher rpm ranges at that point onward. If anything I just chalked it up to the newer and tighter rubber bits in place making whatever vibration there was, somewhat more more noticeable.
   Regardless, I went out and found a cheap angle finder / protractor unit yesterday, as per the descriptions on the Team camaro site (can I say that here?) and will try and crawl underneath and measure what I find. The shims may be a bit hard to come by around here but it appears that I may end up needing some if what I see is true. I am very anxious to try this out as a possible cure to my problem. My car has always sat up more than many I had seen so maybe that is also something that has also contributed to the problem as it would seem to me that if the angles are off parallel, the sheeper the drivehsaft angle between the output shaft and pinion because the body sits higher, the worse the u joints would bind.
   Thanks everyone for the whole other avenue of thought on this - sure hope it works out! - Randy 


 

358

Mild Modifications / Air Shocks...

« on: October 18, 2008, 01:25:06 PM »

   From a thread and discussion quite a while back about air shock selection and my ongoing search for a pair, I just wanted anyone who is or was interested that I finally did get and install a set of shocks - Monroe's - for my '68 Z.
   Contrary to Monroe's tech people who advised me that the reason they had no listing for an air shock to fit '68 Camaros (or possibly any first gen) with multileaf springs was because they didn't make one??? - the MA 711 model they stock works perfectly.
   The MA711's install with no problems aside from a slight change to a bracket on the passenger side frame rail for which Monroe also includes a notice and picture of how the bracket should be modified, in with the shock kit.
   I would like to thank all of those who offered part numbers or advice back when I was searching for some... - Randy

359

Maintenance / Re: 69 350SS VIBRATION

« on: October 17, 2008, 10:53:06 AM »

   My vibration is from the tranny back since if I get it up to speed and slip it into neutral or push in the clutch it is still there and diminishes as the car coasts down in speed. The vibration builds with speed and peaks around 3000 + rpm (approx 60 mph) and is there regardless if the car is accelerating or slowing (usually not a sign of u joint issues).
   I'm inclined to think a bend axle, since I have swapped tires front to back and it persists. Over the years it has ruined my pinion bearing and especially the seal and it now leaks at the pinion so I know I might as well go through the whole unit and change everything once it is opened up.
   That is where my question regarding the yoke came up - whether it could be the cause to shake the end of the driveshaft (which was replaced with new pipe and u joints and balanced) and therefore screw up the pinion seal / bearing because the vibration would be directly focused there...
   I would have tried to get it fixed long ago but for lack of someone I trust to do it that is qualified and that won't charge an arm and a leg to do it, I haven't to this point. Wish I knew enough about setting the lash and pinion depth to do it myself but it sounds like a lot of black magic using the crush sleeve parts and I don't feel confident enough to tackle it.. the yoke is a different story though  - Randy

360

Maintenance / Re: 69 350SS VIBRATION

« on: October 16, 2008, 07:45:00 PM »

rear end rebuild included all bearings and axles from randy's rig gear and pinion.
motor mounts replaced 3 -times the last with usa made from heartbeat city. all with same results. heartbeat city verified that my frame bracket no's were correct.

i will explore trying to verify my pinion angles .

   Your situation all sounds so very familar to mine that I thought I would jump in here somewhat and I hope it isn't considered a thread hijack - but I have endured the same problem with my '68 Z for many years. I now have all of the bearings / crush sleeve / and parts accumulated now for a rear end rebuild which I hoped would finally cure my vibration after seemingly trying everything else.
    This threat has me worried now if it will in fact end my problems or leave me searching further for answers as you are here in this thread....
    The one thing I always wondered about (thinking if the rebuild didn't cure my vibration) was whether the yoke on the pinion shaft itself could in fact be bent or out of spec slightly and how easy it could be to determine that or if I should just try and get a new one regardless and replace it at the same time as all of the other parts. Does anyone who cares to comment believe that the actual yoke on the pinion could be tweaked by racing (my car was at one point as were many similar cars) and the traction related twisting that occurs with slicks etc.
    I know parts like axles, driveshafts and u joints take most of the beating but I always wondered it the yokes themselves could be damaged by the twisting and shock during racing. I guess because it sits fairly low to the ground there is also a possiblity that it could have been hit on or by something over the years also.
    Is it easy to check one of these yokes out and if so how? Are the 12 bolt versions hard to come by or are they fairly generic? Like most anything else 12 bolt-related, I'm guessing they are probably fairly high $$ items...
    Maybe this could be 'our' answer... - Randy