Messages

76

Restoration / Re: Repair / strengthen cracked plastic on cluster 68 camaro

« on: December 17, 2019, 11:24:40 PM »

You should also drill as small of a hole where the crack ends. This will stop the crack from getting longer. Then fill the small hole in when you repair. I would use JB Weld to do this or you could let the fiberglass resin fill it in. Your choice. But definitely drill the hole. It works.

77

Garage Talk / Re: A great place to lose a car. ( the hot Rod power tour)

« on: September 17, 2019, 03:38:42 PM »

One thing I would never do is post on social media (including here) that I was going on the Power Tour or any other event ahead of time.  If thieves are looking for a particular kind of car for a "client" then you've just told them where you will be.  Just like posting on FB when you are going on vacation to give thieves a heads up that you will be gone.

I totally agree with this statement. Just like photoshoped/filtered selfie's and a picture of what their about to eat! We all know that it will eventually turn into. $--T!

78

Originality / Re: Two tone paint on a 69 Z/28 ?

« on: September 10, 2019, 04:43:46 AM »

Very sharp ride indeed! I like it...

79

Restoration / Re: 67 SS hood louvers

« on: September 04, 2019, 08:05:06 AM »

The 67 SS came with a hood that had recessed/sunken reliefs (dimples) in the hood that the fins/louvers sit down in. These areas have holes in them for the studs on the back of the louvers to go into. The louvers are bolted onto the hood with mounting nuts. Capture nuts I think their called. A gasket goes in between the louver and the hood.

80

General Discussion / Re: Has it really been 50 years??? (Off topic)

« on: July 23, 2019, 03:01:06 AM »

I was at Boy Scout summer camp in July '69 when Apollo 11 landed on the moon. My Scoutmaster, Ernest "Ernie" Workman actually brought a TV and the ole antenna with him for us to watch as everything unfolded. He had a power DC to AC power converter built into his ole panel delivery truck. I remember us having to turn and move the antenna around to find a good spot for reception.. ( A little to the right, now to the left; hold it! No back that way ). Ernie owned a auto parts store back in the day and always had neat stuff. It was the first time I had seen a power converter. Anyway, good times and I too had the pictures, articles, & models all over my room. And yea, we watched Cronkite.

81

General Discussion / Re: 396 big block knock after warmup

« on: June 30, 2019, 10:21:07 PM »

Also, you might pick up a stethoscope from your local car parts dealer to see if you can isolate the noise. They don't cost very much and work like the ones doctors use to listen to your ticker. LOL

82

General Discussion / Re: Broadcast sheet/Build Sheet Type setting process

« on: November 07, 2018, 02:54:02 AM »

Here is how I look at it. Either we have original documentation or we don't.

I don't have any paperwork on my car.  I wish I did.  I keep hoping that I may find something someday.  That is not likely, but I will never have a reproduction document with the car as long as I own it. Just my opinion.

I agree with Bryon. I don't have doc's either.

I have a Broadcast sheet that is blank, but need someone to enter info on sheet with correct type set and correct size.

Ain't gonna happen Don. I don't know exactly what system GM used at the time (John might know), but you'd have to find someone running something like the old 1960's IBM 1401 mainframe (specifically programmed for broadcast sheets), and print to something like an IBM 1403 line printer to be able to do this. If you tried it with just a regular laser printer, the fonts and spacing would be all wrong. Not only that, but I haven't seen a punch card for AGES!

Ed

Not aimed toward camaroman1969 in any way, but if the correct IBM equipment needed was to become available and the wrong person/persons had access to it; there would more than likely be many, many more fake cars out there with newly created tags (POP Cowl VIN) to match what they wanted to present for sale to a potential buyer. It would be a terrible day for the hobby. On the other hand, if GM was to have in storage the necessary and now obsolete IBM equipment and offered this service after review of the vin, (visible/hidden) cowl tag, body numbers etc. and each application information recorded; then I say Why Not? Go for it! Not trying to create drama here, just a thought.

83

Restoration / Re: 5 years later........

« on: September 17, 2018, 02:51:34 AM »

Very nice. I bet it puts a lot of smiles on a lot of faces :-)

84

General Discussion / Re: Are there any GM employees on this forum?

« on: September 15, 2018, 01:08:40 AM »

I have known of and seen headstones that were etched by talented people who do this for a living and on the side. They own their own tools/equipment to do the work. Sort of like a person who does great body work and paint for a company. They sometimes set up a garage to do a side job from time to time. Lots of freelancers in several fields available if you search. Not trying to take away from legit companies that do this type of work, but everything comes in generic form this day and time. And to be honest, if you allow them the necessary time to do the work; it seems as though the work comes out better as well. I agree, shop around for other company/person.

85

Garage Talk / Re: Restoring black plastic/vinyl trim

« on: April 20, 2018, 11:41:51 AM »

If you clean those parts very well with Dawn, followed by wax and grease remover, you could paint them with black SEM after using an AP(adhesion promoter). Go to their website or talk to your local jobber that carries it. Not all jobbers know what they are talking about. Any questions, call SEM directly.

Well, I guess I should have thought about the Dawn. That is the only dish detergent my wife has in the house. I guess it slipped my mind since I hadn't used that type product around my vehicles paint for years. I'll have to pick up some wax and grease remover and adhesion promoter. I'll do as you suggest and see how it goes. Thanks Sauron327 and lakeholme, much appreciated!

86

Garage Talk / Re: Restoring black plastic/vinyl trim

« on: April 17, 2018, 10:07:05 PM »

What parts are you talking about specifically? "Plastic" does not apply to all parts. Been in the business for decades and every part requires a different procedure. Some just cannot be saved.
 

I have a 2010 Dodge Ram Sport and the top of the bed rails have a molded protective cover on them from the factory. Also the same thing for all the black portions of the rear step bumper that have this material. On the front underneath between the bumper and the lower front valance there is a black insert representing some type of fake grill. There is a black area between the front and rear windows that needs addressed. All these have turned a lighter grayish color that doesn't stay black for very long after any treatment I've tried. They will darken with some of the dressings such as Mother's Back to Black but it's almost a waste of time. I see where some claim that you can use a heat gun to supposedly make the oils in the material resurface thus restoring the appearance. I'm not going to try this by the way. I bought the truck new in April of 2010 and it has just over 30000 miles on it. I have managed to keep the paint swirl free and the paint looks almost as new as a 2018. It's that darn black that looks, well; shitty for lack of a less frustrated word in my opinion. I've had a couple people tell me to paint these areas, but after all the treatments over the years I doubt that I could get the areas prepped well enough to do this, due to possible silicones involved. Thanks guys.

87

Garage Talk / Restoring black plastic/vinyl trim

« on: April 15, 2018, 12:32:19 AM »

I have tried Meguiar's, Wipe New, Mother's back to black and a few other for black trim. They don't work very well or last very long in my opinion. I don't want to try the heat gun trick. I use 303 on my vinyl roof but I don't know about using it on plastic. So, what tricks do you use to make that black look new again; especially that has some lasting duration over the band aid fixes sold at wally world and other places? I have cleaned with alcohol prior to using the products mentioned above. Thanks.

88

General Discussion / Re: VIN search issue

« on: October 21, 2016, 03:38:22 PM »

I just did a search for my vin on Google, Bing, Yahoo and nothing came up. Spent a few minutes typing the vin in several different ways including vin# plus N, NOR, nor with no spaces between letters/numbers and also spaced befor and after the N. It use to come up. I hadn't tried to do a search for it for quite some time now.

89

Maintenance / Re: New To Me Vinyl Top

« on: September 02, 2016, 11:46:14 PM »

Vince, it should be fine to wash the top with Eagle 1 or Mequiars. But I personally highly recommend using 303 Convertible,  Vinyl Top and Tonneau Cleaner. It is manufactured or at least distributed by Gold Eagle Co. out of Chicago, IL. It was originally engineered for aerospace and aviation applications. 303 claims to protect against UV rays. Just to be clear, the box states NOT FOR FABRIC CONVERTIBLE TOPS (CANVAS) OR UNFINISHED LEATHERS (SUCH AS SUEDE). I use it and would never use anything else. Totally satisfied. But, also; keep in mind that you need to use a pretty soft brush to clean a vinyl top and not try to exert a lot of pressure when doing so. Best to clean it twice or more if it is very dirty or soiled. By the way, I have a 67 with a black vinyl roof. My wife actually found it at walmart.com and they had the lowest price. She ordered the two bottle system. A bottle of their cleaner and a bottle of the protectant all in one package. Do a search for it and see if it might be of interest to you. Hope this helps.
J.R.

90

Maintenance / Re: 14" tires are hard to find these days

« on: June 04, 2016, 02:52:04 PM »

I have 225 70R 14 Uniroyal Tiger Paw GTS radials (Rallye Edition) raised solid white letters on 14" rallys. Sorry, don't remember if their 6 or 7 inches wide. But the tires will rub if you turn it all the way to lock on both the front and rear side on the inner fender/frame. It really never happens though, how often do we actually turn this tight of radius? I just checked it out sometime in the past for the heck of it. I still have a spare 14 rally in storage that I can measure if needed.