Messages

2356

General Discussion / Re: crossram questions

« on: October 01, 2011, 08:36:58 PM »

Maybe it's me but I often see cross-rams on otherwise mediocre restorations. The $15,000 would have been better spent on research, better quality and correct parts. I attended the Scottsdale auctions for the 1st time 2009 and more than half the Z/28s there had one. The top selling Z/28 was virtually perfect and did not have one.

If you're looking to impress, make the car perfect. A cross-ram will not help a poorly done car.

2357

Restoration / Re: Original Windshield for '69

« on: September 30, 2011, 09:47:36 PM »

Is all the other glass PPG?

I've seen a few Norwood '69s with PPG glass. I believe Pontiac used PPG. In production they didn't much care what was used.

2358

General Discussion / Re: 1968 Front Spoiler

« on: September 17, 2011, 11:02:20 PM »

There are 4 graphs of data.

To answer your question the front spoiler seems to have instant effect. With no spoilers there was 50 lbs of front lift by 40 mph. With front spoiler only 50 lbs is reached at 65 mph; with both it drops to 50 mph.

Rear only seems to be worse than none at all.

2359

General Discussion / Re: 1968 Front Spoiler

« on: September 17, 2011, 05:42:02 PM »

Rear only was 400 lbs front lift at 115 mph.

The 1st gen Camaro spoilers were designed by Paul Van Valkenburgh, author of Chevrolet=Racing...? He was an R&D engineer

It is the best source of info about what went on at Chevy in the good 'ol days.

2360

Restoration / Re: 69 Washer Nozzle Finish

« on: September 17, 2011, 03:39:15 PM »

Keep in mind that the appearance of plating changes quickly and continues to deteriorate over time. A friend has virtually unlimited access to silver cad and had many parts plated on his '68. Within a few months they were no longer bright; more of a dull grey.

A part plated 42 years ago with continuous exposure to the elements no longer looks like new.

2361

General Discussion / Re: 1968 Front Spoiler

« on: September 17, 2011, 02:20:29 PM »

Of course I have the issue-June '69 Car Life. This was no casual test. They had some engineering firm thoroughly instrument three cars: '69 GTO Judge, '69 Javelin, '69 Z/28. The Z/28 was not built with D80. Recordings were taken at 65, 85, 115 mph. All straight-line stuff in the NV desert.

For the record the Javelin roof spoiler was worthless.

The Judge spoiler had negative value, adding front-end lift.

The Camaro modes were no spoilers, front only, rear only, both. The best performance was front only. The roof design creates some natural downforce; adding a rear spoiler creates some front lift. But at all datapoints the front spoiler reduced front end lift: no spoiler was 375 lbs@115 mph front only was 225 lbs. With both front lift is over 300 lbs.

Interesting test!

2362

Originality / Re: 67/8 Cowl Hoods, Factory?

« on: September 15, 2011, 05:27:38 PM »

I clearly remember when this car became known. The owner at the time was shopping it around and Mecums Country Side Motors, Roscoe IL bought it early in 1991. I saw photos of it at the time and the hood was not on it.

Does any of this matter? The car is an exception, built on request of the General Manager of Chevrolet at the time Pete Estes. It was built late July '68; JL-8, the crossram and the hood were already in production. Most of it was featured in an early '68 issue of Hot Rod magazine. The car had nothing to do with any of it.

2363

Originality / Re: 67/8 Cowl Hoods, Factory?

« on: September 15, 2011, 12:18:26 AM »

Thanks William.  Let me modify my statement...

It's good to know a '68 Z/28 was the first delivered Camaro to wear a cowl hood.

 

Paul

I have paperwork for the car back to the first retail owner. It was sold on Dec 17, 1968 for $3124.35. None of that stuff is listed on the paperwork and was not on it at delivery. Vintage pictures of the car verify.

The July 1968 Car & Driver tested a '68 Z/28 with JL8, cross-ram, headers, K66 ignition. List price was $5440.38.

2364

Originality / Re: 67/8 Cowl Hoods, Factory?

« on: September 14, 2011, 09:45:31 PM »

Thanks Jon.  It's good to know a '68 Z/28 was the first Camaro to wear a cowl hood.

I love it!   

Paul

Not quite.

The October 1968 Motor Trend has several photos of a '69 Z/28 with a ducted hood; one in color, rare for the '60s. Magazine lead time in those days was at least 90 days, placing the photos in the June-July '68 time frame.

2365

General Discussion / Re: wood steering wheels

« on: September 11, 2011, 03:24:34 PM »

Main complaint on the repros is cracking after a short time.

2366

Restoration / Re: 1967 console with automatic shifter

« on: September 04, 2011, 03:41:59 PM »

The L78/automatic combo was not available in 1968 either.

However a Chevy dealer with the right connections was able to speed up the process a bit. Fred Gibb, best known for the ZL-1 Camaro, used the COPO process to have 50 1968 L78 Chevy IIs built with the new high-performance TH400. All indications are Chevy was going to offer the combo as an RPO for 1969. 20 of the 50 ZL-1 Camaros Gibb ordered were also automatic.

The 50 Chevy IIs are well-known in the hobby as the first HP solid-lifter automatics Chevrolet built.

2367

General Discussion / Re: L78 Conv on eBay

« on: August 29, 2011, 09:02:15 PM »

All repro.

2368

General Discussion / Re: ZL1 carburetor

« on: August 28, 2011, 07:59:49 PM »

"...............ironically both applications are for 500K cars.

500k?

Bring the check and a trailer to Milwaukee.

2369

General Discussion / Re: ZL1 carburetor

« on: August 25, 2011, 05:33:55 PM »

Don't know why anyone would pay up for one. Probably all of Fred Gibbs ZL-1 Camaros were built with the standard BB #4346 carb; maybe a few others. Gibb stated this in an interview in the '90s. Period engine photos of #3 show a #4346.
 
An original ducted hood air cleaner has an interference issue with any double-pumper. 

2370

General Discussion / Re: Xram hood

« on: August 25, 2011, 12:43:34 AM »

William, In what instructions??  

Crossram installation instructions. It was introduced in '68 long before the ducted hood. Had to fit under the standard hood.