Topics

16

Originality / T3 Head Light Date Code

« on: November 22, 2010, 02:45:43 AM »

What is the typical date code spread between the headlights and the car's build date? 

The date code on one of two T3's that I have (one lamp does not have an ink stamp date code), stamped on the back side surface in a reddish brown ink, is "L 6012 32 9 19 12V" (see picture). 

Based on the date code info I have, this code is:
L = ?
6012 = lamp trade no.
32 9 19: 3 = month or March, 2 = line no., 9 = year, 19 = day of month, thus March 19, 1969
12 V = 12 volt.

My ’69 Norwood build car is 05A.  My 3/19/1969 lamp date code is about 5 week prior my car’s build date.  I would not expect that lamps sat around long before being pulled for assembly.

Has any one recently purchased the latest T3 reproduction lamps?  Are the DOT markings and glass molds identical or very close to an original?

17

Originality / Quality of Repro Harrison Radiators?

« on: July 15, 2010, 03:53:06 PM »

Has anyone recently purchased a repro Harrison Radiator from Heart Beat City? 

Yesterday I received a radiator for my '69Z and I am disappointed in the quality of the "Harrison" named stamped in the side tank.  The rest of the radiator and side tank "CB" ID stamping looks fine.  It appears there was a problem with the press die stamp in the smaller Harrison letters.  The letters in "Harrison" are not legible with the letters filled in, and look more like letter bumps.

I will be making a follow-up call to Heart Bear City in the next day or so.

Thanks,

Dave 

18

Originality / '69 Radiator questions

« on: May 25, 2010, 10:40:50 PM »

Fan Shroud Clips:
Based on the '69 Assembly Instruction Manual (AIM), Section UPC 11, page 147 covering the original installation of the radiator and related components, I assume the fan shroud clips were not painted, and originally black/dark gray phosphate plated?

I also base my assumption from the attached picture I took of an original survivor '69Z "UH" code radiator.

Overflow hose clip:
Was the overflow hose retained with a clip (like the repro "BC" code clip sold by Heartbeat City, Item EGP-2111), or did the side tank have a stamped-in hose retainer?  The attached picture shows the clip but it is not called out as a separate detail part number in the AIM.

Correct drain cock:
Can anyone confirm who sells the correct drain cock with the "ears" pointing toward the engine?

Painted radiator ID tag:
If recall correctly, that tag was added to the side tank before the radiator was painted and thus painted along with the radiator.

Thanks in advance for your help!

19

Originality / Picture of an original 69 deluxe rear package tray

« on: March 17, 2010, 04:04:44 PM »

Does anyone have an original or survivor '69 with a deluxe interior and the original rear package tray?  I would like to see a picture of the mesh design on the deluxe tray vs. the flat cardboard look on the standard tray which I have.  I restored my car back in 1995 - 2000, the repro mesh designs were not available.

Also, do the reproduction deluxe rear package trays match the originals?

Thanks!

20

Originality / Houndstooth - is the 68 pattern different than 69?

« on: March 06, 2010, 05:39:20 PM »

I am in the process of redoing my ‘69 deluxe seat covers, which are black with the black/white houndstooth insets.  When I purchased the car in 1995 it came with a complete set of reproduction PUI covers. 

The vinyl panels in the repro front seats were not made correctly, or consistent between the driver’s and passenger side seats.  The houndstooth insets and buttons are not horizontally straight across between the seats.  When I compared my original covers with the reproduction covers, the location of the seams, etc., it is very evident the repro covers were not made correctly.   I am having a local automotive upholstery shop correct this issue.

Question: Was the ’68 houndstooth pattern size different from that used for ’69?

I found the following company that sells automotive fabrics, and they show different houndstooth for the ’68 vs. ’69.  Ref: http://www.smsautofabrics.com/featured-products.php. 

Thanks

21

Originality / 69 Head Rest Bottom Cover Hardware?

« on: February 27, 2010, 06:53:48 PM »

If have your original, un-restored headrest, were the plastic bottom covers retained with black plastic rivets, or with screws?  One of my original head rest had one plastic rivet and one screw retaining the bottom cover.  The other head rest had screws. 

After closely inspecting the attachment hole in metal substrate where the plastic rivet was located, there was no evidence that a screw was ever in the hole, but it hard to be sure.

I would like to know which hardware was originally used to retain the covers, and the build date of your car in case either retainer type was used during the ’69 model run.

Attached are a few pictures of the head rest and the plastic rivet.

Thanks,
Dave   

22

Decoding/Numbers / J52 brakes - master cylinder date code vs. brake booster date code?

« on: December 30, 2009, 01:49:36 AM »

I would like some feedback from owners of cars with J52 front disc brakes that have their original date coded booster and master cylinders. 

My Norwood 05A (1st week of May, 1969) Z28 has its original #9204 booster with Julian date “108”, or April 18th.  My “309” casting master cylinder is a replacement with Julian date “297” or October 24th.  At the time of my restoration, I ran across this October date MC and had it restored.  I would like to search for a correct dated unit for my car, with Julian date between 091 and 120, or April 1st – April 30th.

In the AIM, pp. 359-360 covering the J52 disc brake option, it shows Cylinder ASM #5468165 as the booster and MC as one preassembled unit.  So was the “165” preassembled brake assembly sent to the assembly plant this way from Delco Marine?

What are common date codes on the boosters vs. master cylinders? 


JohnZ,
I recall from a related discussion on master cylinders, that your “309” MC is dated “45”, or Feb. 14th and within about 2-weeks of your 02D build date.  If you still have your original booster, what is the date code?

Thanks!

23

General Discussion / 2010 Camaro SS to Pace Indy 500 in May 2010!

« on: December 18, 2009, 07:01:07 PM »

The news was just released today from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, that the 2010 Camaro SS will be the official Indy 500 Pace Car for the race in May 2010.

The link to the full story: http://www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/news/15580/Chevrolet_Camaro_SS_To_Pace_2010_Indianapolis_500_Mile_Race

Here is a summary from the IMS web-site:

Provided by: Eric Powell
indianapolismotorspeedway.com
Friday, December 18, 2009

"This year's pace car features an Inferno Orange Metallic paint scheme with White Diamond rally stripes that travel from the front to the rear over the top of the body, as well as extending to the interior dash. The design is a modern interpretation of the original rally stripe that debuted on the 1969 Indianapolis 500 Pace Car".

• Stock 400 hp 6.2-litre V-8
  RS appearance package and leather interior with Inferno Orange interior accents.
  2010 Indianapolis 500 event logo painted on doors and embroidered on driver and passenger headrests.
  2010 Indianapolis 500 event logo badges on front fenders.
  All-new front grille insert that Chevrolet plans to offer as a future Camaro accessory.
  Amber lens tail lamps.
  Complete safety strobe light system with custom interior light bar in the rear window (no rooftop light bar).
  All-new GM Accessory floor mats with red and orange accent stitching.

Enjoy!

24

Originality / Follow up to topic of floor plan plug on '69's

« on: November 28, 2009, 04:39:10 AM »

Back in July 2009, there was a topic and discussion about the floor pan plugs.  The general consensus was that the plugs were installed with the indentation facing upward.  The original topic also indicated that original plug typically have embossed numbers or date code stamped into them, as clearly shown in the picture that JohnZ’s and CurtS’s posted.

This prompted me to pull my original plugs out of storage and clean one of them to look for date codes, etc.  I also reviewed the pictures of my floorboard taken during the restoration to check the orientation of the plugs. 

As you will see on my attached pictures, not all of my original plugs were installed with the indentation facing upward, and my plugs do not have any stamped codes in them.  I am certain that my plugs are original to my Camaro based on the condition of my floorboards which included the original carpet, and the underlying sound deadening pads.  This brings up a related question – have other owners of ‘69’s with deluxe interiors found these underlying pads, etc. in their floorboards?

The front two plugs were installed with the indentation facing upward; the two plugs in the back seat area and the two in the trunk were installed with the indentation facing downward (notice the side of the plug where the original off-white sealant is located).  I cleaned one of the original plugs to clearly see the original galvanized finish and to look for stamped codes.  No codes were found any of the six plugs in my car.

Is it possible that not all ’69 Camaros have plugs with code, and with them all installed with indentation facing upward as suggested?  As we have learned, there has been many variations discovered on our Camaros coming out of the assembly plants back then.

My deluxe interior is a Norwood ’69 Camaro built the 1st week of May.  Does anyone else have pictures they can post of their original floor plan plugs?  Please state the build date and plant of their Camaro.

Thanks!   

25

General Discussion / New "RS" Grill for the 2010 Camaro!

« on: August 02, 2009, 06:34:30 PM »

I attend the Indy Brickyard 400 NASCAR race last weekend.  Before the race, I walked thru the Chevrolet display and noticed a Dale Jr Edition 2010 Camaro.  While the Dale Jr Show Camaro looks good, I was very excited to see what I consider to be "the correct RS grill" for the new Camaro!

I thought you would enjoy a few pictures.  If/when I get to order a new Camaro, to complement my 1969 RZ Z28, it will have this new GM grill, P/N-92208744. 

The first time I got to see the new "RS" Camaro in person, I had this style grill in mind.  I felt the RS needed a unique grill along with the halo headlights to set the RS apart.  I am glad to see it is now a reality.

The front lower spoiler looks good on the car also, but at this point, it may not be available separately from the rest of the ground affects package P/N-92208008.

Personally, I like the clean lines of the car with the grill and front spoiler but without the rest of the ground affects package. 

Enjoy!

Dave

26

Research Topics & Reports / Gas tank date codes

« on: July 04, 2009, 11:44:54 PM »

** Adding a summary to Dave's original post **

 - The date is stamped on the front right corner of the tank. 67 has a calendar week code. 16 D 7 would be the 16th week of 67, day shift. 40 6N would be 40th week of 66, night shift.
 - The format changed in 68 and 69 to have the week counted from the beginning of the model year. The extended 69 model year used tanks dated for the 70 model year.

 - There are pics of the codes in the thread and my last post has the compiled data from the thread, organized by build date.      Kurt

** end summary **


I recently read a discussion topic relating to gas tanks.  In the discussion, gas tank date coding and design of the seam stitching was mentioned.  This prompted me to get my original tank out of storage and look for the date code, study the seam stitching, and compare the original bends in the flange versus those on my reproduction tank. 

The following pictures show the date code and its location.

I would like to confirm the date code "37 69", which I assume March 7, 1969.  My Camaro was assembled "05A", or the first week of May.

Questions:
For those of you with a 1969 survivor, or your original tank, what is your date code vs. the build data of your Camaro? 

If your tank is date coded in the same location as mine, you’ll find it stamped on the passenger side, rear corner flange, facing downward and visible from the bottom of the car.

Does anyone know of a shop or an individual that restores original gas tanks?  I need to have a few minor dents removed, and prefer to have the tank exterior re-galvanized back to its original look rather than use the “tank tone” paints available?

I plan to consult with local paint less dent removal companies about removing the dents.

Thanks! 

27

General Discussion / 2010 Camaro to Pace the Indy 500 this year!

« on: February 27, 2009, 01:55:46 AM »

Hello Camaro Friends,

I live in Indianapolis, and great news was released today from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on the local TV new broadcasts - The 2010 Camaro will be the Pace Car for the 93rd running of the Indy 500! 

For the complete story and pictures of the unveiling, visit the following link to Indy's web site: http://www.indy500.com/news/13240/All-New_Chevrolet_Camaro_To_Pace_93rd_Indianapolis_500.

The following are some “Cliff Notes” from the news release issued today by the Speedway.  I am sure you will start to see and read more about the 2010 Indy Pace Car in the coming weeks in automotive publications.

"2009 marks the fifth time the Chevrolet Camaro has been selected to pace the Indianapolis 500 (1967, 1969, 1982, 1993, 2009).  It will be the 44th time a General Motors vehicle has paced "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing," with 20 by a Chevrolet. Powered by the 6.2-liter LS3 all-aluminum Chevy V-8, the all-new 2010 Camaro produces 426 horsepower at 5,900 rpm and 420 lb-ft of torque at 4,600 rpm. It features a Tremec six-speed manual transmission and 3.45 axle ratio".

I can't wait for Indy!!

28

Originality / 69 Folding rear seat - correct trunk divider board color?

« on: September 27, 2008, 03:49:34 PM »

Was the "trunk" facing side of the trunk divider or partition board, for a 69 with the folding rear seat option, black like the non-folding rear seat cars? 

Does anyone have a pic of an original partition board from a folding seat car, and know where you can purchase correct reproductions?

When I restored my 69 during 1995 - 2000, unfortunately tossed my original because it was in bad shape.  I should have held on to it for reference.

Thanks! 

29

General Discussion / Indy '08 F-Body Gathering

« on: August 14, 2008, 12:32:57 AM »

I would like to invite CRG and all our Camaro Friends to the Indy '08 - Back at the Brickyard, Camaro/Firebird Gathering & Chevrolet/Pontiac Pace Car Reunion.  The event will be held September 19 - 21 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.  See the attachment for details, vendor or event sponsorship opportunities, or visit: www.indycamaro.com/indy08.

Vendor displays are free and it would be great exposure (as if CRG needed any more exposure) for CRG to join as at the event to promote the CRG web site.

Hope to see your there!

30

Decoding/Numbers / Starter P/N-1107664 application

« on: June 26, 2008, 01:30:53 AM »

I am trying to help a friend, who is restoring a 1st Gen Z28, identify a few spare starters he has.

What was the original application for the 1107664 starter?  This starter also has an odd date code, "7M12” Appears to be a 1967 starter, built the 12th day but which month?  Was the "I" skipped so as to not be confused with a "1", so the "M" stands for December?

Thanks,

Dave