Messages

3106

Restoration / Re: Front Sheet Metal Paint/Assembly Sequence

« on: January 15, 2006, 12:05:34 AM »

All the front sheetmetal was mounted loose on a buck in front of the body prior to paint. There is a photo of this in "The Great Firebird". After painting it was sent to an assembly area. That is why the cars' sequence number is usually written inside the lower grill panel.

I have done cars both ways with about the same result.

Apart takes more room and runs the risk of damaging the paint during assembly. Also if metallic paint is being used you run the risk of a mismatch with the body. Even GM did not always get this right. Everything has to be positioned exactly how it will be on the car.

Together requires much more careful masking and runs the risk of paint ending up where you don't want it.

I agree with your thinking-don't PO the painter.

3107

Decoding/Numbers / Re: Could this even be possible? DZ vin

« on: January 11, 2006, 02:27:06 AM »

When Ford vertically integrated at River Rouge they went from iron ore to a finished car in 72 hours. That was in the 1920s.

Much is made of the Toyota Production System but even Toyota admits it was based on how Henry Ford built Model Ts.

3108

Decoding/Numbers / Re: Could this even be possible? DZ vin

« on: January 07, 2006, 06:16:03 PM »

Sure.

As John Z has pointed out the date on the tag is when the body entered production, not when the car was assembled. Z/28s were in great demand so the factories worked OT to meet it. A few years ago there was some 69 Z/28 paperwork for sale on ebay. The car was delivered exactly 7 days after the engine was built.

Our 67 Z/28 was an 06E body with an engine stamp of V0706MO.

3109

Originality / Re: 1969 Z/28 fuel line bracket

« on: January 05, 2006, 01:04:11 AM »

I've been involved with 69s for 30+ years and a couple years ago I finally saw one, with remains of an 06A car. General concensus is it was a late addition [May-June 69] no matter the 10-31-68 date in the AIM. I know of several very nice original Z/28s without it.

I took photos but the bracket is too badly weathered to determine original finish. The car has been outside since 1978.

3110

Restoration / Re: 12 bolt restoration

« on: December 30, 2005, 02:17:14 PM »

As I stated previously the driveshaft flange was not painted. It must have been masked.

3111

Originality / Re: 1968 RS Convertible with special-order two-tone interior - RARE FIND?

« on: December 30, 2005, 04:07:18 AM »

I very strongly doubt this was a factory installation. It is far more likely a previous owner had a trim shop customize the interior.

There is a tag on the firewall near the master cylinder. What is the number next to the TR on the tag?

3112

Restoration / Re: 12 bolt restoration

« on: December 29, 2005, 03:50:48 PM »

I have dismantled many 12 bolt axles over the 15 years we had the business. I never saw paint on any part of a pb cable.

3113

Restoration / Re: 12 bolt restoration

« on: December 29, 2005, 02:19:51 PM »

That is why I thought the housings were painted before assembly-brake parts are never painted. Also I did not think the fasteners retaining the cover and backing plates had paint on them either. But John Z was there.

There is a good photo of a '69 Z/28 axle in the March '69 Hot Rod. The photo shows the brake drum mostly painted around the circumference, not much on the front around the studs.

Another good photo in the Aug '69 Hi-Perf Cars of the #3 ZL1 axle. It appears to be glossy, pb cables not painted.

Another detail was a paper label on each brake drum with the axle code.

3114

Restoration / Re: 12 bolt restoration

« on: December 28, 2005, 10:37:16 PM »

Parking brake cables are never painted.

3115

Restoration / Re: 12 bolt restoration

« on: December 28, 2005, 04:23:15 PM »

I believe axle housings were painted [glossy black] immediately after machining. Assembly paint daubs were later applied on the axle paint. Since the axle paint wasn't very good it did not adhere for long particularly in rust belt states. Brake components and axle parts [flange, etc] should not be painted. The rear axle cover and backing plates were likely received already painted. In my opinion cast-blast is not correct for axle housings.

Another common error is cast-blast for rear brake drums. There are photos in several vintage magazines showing the installation of t-bars or gears; drums were semi-gloss black. 

3116

Originality / Re: 1969 z/28 ignition coil (early z/28 october 1968)

« on: December 22, 2005, 06:08:28 PM »

John Z is correct.

SB duct hood cars used a coil assembly with the '66-'67 275/327 bracket. It positions the coil at slightly greater angle from vertical to clear the larger ducted hood breather.

3117

Originality / Re: 67/8/9 lower control arms

« on: December 21, 2005, 03:21:03 AM »

67 arms have spot welded nuts for the lower shock mount. 69s used a J-nut.

3118

General Discussion / Re: 1969 L78 camaro convertable

« on: December 20, 2005, 06:21:45 PM »

I have paperwork copies for 3 [Frost green, Burnished brown, Z11] and know of 2 more. That's 5. 11 is a number someone pulled out of the air, like the "only 34" bb Z11s.

No one knows, not even Chevrolet.

3119

General Discussion / Re: Catalytic converters on 69' Camaro !

« on: December 18, 2005, 05:06:17 PM »

Here in Wisconsin [Milwaukee & 3 adjoining counties] 1968-up must go through emissions testing unless the car has collectors tags, available to vehicles over 20 years old. Applying for collector status requires a final test. Rural areas generally do not require testing.

HP cars can be a problem. I have heard of all sorts of schemes such as testing the car with a different engine.

3120

General Discussion / Re: REAR END DATE

« on: December 13, 2005, 06:17:45 PM »

Ok now I understand.

Every Camaro with paperwork is a fake 'cuz Wayne sez so.