Topics

16

Restoration / Original Oil Pan Restoration

« on: December 17, 2011, 06:22:54 PM »

I put a new oil pan on my L30 327 back in the 80's.  Luckily, I saved my original and I am going to install it.  I'm trying to figure out how much (if any) metal work I should do on it.  Please take a look at the back edge of the bottom of the pan and let me know what you think about the dents.  Leave the small dents or pound them out?  I just don't want to spend time straightening the pan if they were basically this way from the factory.

Also, any suggestions for removing the minor surface rust on the outside of the pan?  I really don't want to sandblast & risk any leftover contamination inside the pan.  I was going to use paint stripper then apply rust removal gel to the rusty spots.

17

Originality / Convertible Windshield Frame Color

« on: June 18, 2011, 12:57:00 PM »

I just want to confirm that the inside edges of the windshield frame are painted body color and not interior color.  Is this correct?
Thanks, Jeff

18

Originality / 68 Alternator Fan

« on: May 24, 2011, 01:12:26 PM »

I have a 68 Camaro with the L30 327.  I seem to have an unusual alternator fan.  The alternator (and fan) are original to the car.
Has anyone ever seen a fan like this?

19

Restoration / Rear End Cover - Replace or Repair?

« on: March 14, 2011, 05:53:07 PM »

The 12-bolt rear end cover on my car has quite a few pits in it from rust.  Some time ago, I sandblasted the cover then primed & painted it.  It looks good, but you can obviously still see the pits throught the paint.  I'll be doing a diff oil change when the car comes back from paint, so that will be the time to fix it.  I'm trying to decide if it is worth the effort to do 'body work' on the original cover. 

So, how are the reproduction covers?  HBC claims to have one that is better than everyone else's, but they also want a premium price for it.  Has anyone here used one of their covers?  I like the idea of a new cover, but don't like the idea of reproductions parts that look like reproductions.

Any opinions or recommendations are appreciated.  Thanks.

20

Restoration / 68 Heater Hose Markings

« on: March 02, 2011, 12:53:06 PM »

I purchased a set of repro heater hoses for my 68.  I assume that the 5/8" hose is supposed to have no markings at all while the 3/4" hose should have "GM" and the square.  Correct?  No other markings?  

I'm asking because my hoses both have what appear to be manufacturing dates stamped on them every foot or so.  One is marked "03 22 10 A" and the other "07 07 10 A".  I was going to remove the markings, but wanted to check first.  Thanks.

21

Restoration / Sway Bar End Links - Correct Finish & Bushings

« on: February 24, 2011, 02:13:06 PM »

Are all components of the front sway bar end links (bolts, nuts, washers & spacers) supposed to be silver zinc or cad?  I can't tell from my original parts.

Also, does anyone know where to get the correct end link bushings?  My original bushings are slightly taller and a different shape than the generic replacemment style bushings.  These look like the correct bushings, but only appear to be available as part of a kit:
http://www.heartbeatcity.com/store/product/19683/Camaro-Sway-bar-end-link-kit--exact--67-68-69/

22

Restoration / Cadmium vs. Zinc Plating

« on: February 23, 2011, 04:53:40 PM »

I have been looking into having some parts for my restoration plated.  For example, the alternator fan & pulley. 
From what I can find, it seems that the finish should be silver cadmium or silver zinc.  The problem is that these 2 finished look very different.  I have had assorted small parts silver cad plated, and the finish is dull looking compared to zinc plating.  Therefore, I would think that these 2 finishes are not interchangeable from a "correctness" standpoint. 

So, what is the correct silver colored plating to use on parts like the alt. fan & pulley, coil bracket, etc.?

23

Originality / Convertible Trunk Mat

« on: February 22, 2011, 08:02:24 PM »

I have a 68 convertible with deluxe interior.  I made the mistake (about 25 years ago) of throwing away the original trunk mat.  It was in really bad shape, but I wish I still had it.  Anyhow, I was lucky enough to find a NOS trunk mat, but it doesn't have any of the slots & cut-outs for the trunk to tailpan braces or the cocktail shakers.   

Does anyone have a good picture of an original convertible trunk mat showing how it fits around the braces and cocktail shakers?  I'm also interested in what the hole for the spare tire hold-down looks like as well.  Thanks.

24

Originality / RPO N96 Wheel Covers

« on: December 06, 2010, 09:02:56 PM »

Does anyone have a picture of a 68 Camaro with the N96 wheel covers?
Classic Industries appears to have these available under the GM part number 3903086.  I was wondering if these are the same wheel covers that came on the Camaro if N96 was ordered.
I'm trying to decide what wheels to run on my car.  My car came with the P01 covers, which I don't care for (although I have a NOS set to use).  I was going to run painted wheels with NOS dog dish covers, but I really like the look of the N96 wheel covers.
Thanks.

25

Originality / 68 Header Panel Hardware

« on: December 04, 2010, 01:44:30 PM »

The front header panel is attached to the fender on each side with 2 bolts with nuts.  I have the original bolts, but I do not have the nuts bagged & tagged with them.  Does anyone know the correct nuts?  Are they flanged?  Sorry, my AIM is at the shop and I wanted to try to find the nuts in my pile of hardware.  Thanks.

26

Restoration / 68 Convertible Well Moldings

« on: November 29, 2010, 06:32:18 PM »

My 68 convertible has the Z21 trim, which means I have the door ledge & quarter panel reveal moldings (the wide stainless moldings at the top of the door and quarters).  The convertible well moldings fit into the quarter reveal moldings.  I am looking into the possibility of replacing my well moldings.  I have been told that the normal (non-Z21) well moldings can be used with the reveal moldings by cutting off the ends where they fit into the quarter moldings.

Can anyone confirm this?

27

Restoration / Quadrajet Restoration

« on: October 12, 2010, 04:35:06 PM »

My Rochester Quadrajet needs the following work:
1)  Fix the damaged threads on the fuel inlet.
2)  Spot-face the gasket sealing area on the fuel inlet (there is s slight nick in it currently).
3)  Install bushings in the primary throttle shaft bores to get rid of shaft play.
4)  I would also like to have the correct green Teflon coated shafts re-installed in the carburetor.  The originals were sandblasted & plated by a previous restorer, and I would like to get it back to being as correct as possible.
5)  I would like to send the carburetor out to someone who can perform this work and give the old q-jet a once-over to ensure that it is in proper working order. 

Right now, I am considering the following restorers:
1)  Cliff's High Performance (www.cliffshighperformance.com)
2)  Jim McGowan / The Quad Shop (www.thequadshop.net)
 
Does anyone have any recommendations or feedback on these shops?  Whoever I send it to will need to be able to source a set of good original condition correct green shafts.
Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.

28

Maintenance / Quadrajet Fuel Inlet Fitting Gasket

« on: October 11, 2010, 07:27:55 PM »

What is the correct (or best) ring gasket to use on the Q-Jet fuel inlet fitting?  Right now, the one that I have is an off-white color (nylon maybe?) and fairly thick.  It seems to distort when I tighten the fitting.  I have seen others that use a thin hard fiber gasket, and I read somewhere that the original was a rubber coated metal gasket.
Any help is greatly appreciated.  Thanks.

29

Originality / Trunk Lid Rubber Bumpers

« on: October 07, 2010, 05:20:32 PM »

What are the correct trunk lid rubber bumpers for a 68 Camaro?  I have pictures of my original trunk lid from when my car was taken apart, and it appears to show bumpers that are about the same size as the current reproductions.  However, it is my understanding that part number 4721222 is the correct rubber bumper, which is a fairly small diameter with a domed head. 
Check out this e-bay auction for a pic of the 4721222 bumpers:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NOS-67-68-69-CAMARO-TRUNK-LID-BUMPERS-Z-28-L78-COPO-L89-/130440403994?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item1e5eda9c1a

Now, what's strange is that these genuine GM bumpers are still available through vintageparts.com for about $20 for a pack of 5.  Why did the last set sell for over $180 on e-bay?? 

Anyhow, I was able to pick up a few sets of NOS 4721222 bumpers from HBC for fairly cheap.  I was just wondering if these are indeed correct for my 68 or should I use the larger diameter reproductions?

30

General Discussion / Old Pictures of My 68 L30/M20

« on: September 29, 2010, 12:57:42 PM »

After seeing the old photos posted by tmagda, I thought everyone would enjoy a few vintage pictures of my L30/M20.

Here is a picture from the day of delivery, 7/6/68.  My mother is standing next to the car, about 3 months pregnant with me.  My father is leaning in the driver's side window:


Here is one from April 1970.  I'm the little guy, 15 months old.  My sister, age 3, is next to me.  
I still have the license plate and hope to be able to display it on the car:


Enjoy.