Topics

16

Trans-Am Camaros / TRACO Chrome Small Block Chevy Valve Cover Pictures

« on: May 24, 2011, 08:23:06 PM »

A set of old small-block Chevy valve covers with TRACO decals.  These came in the spares box that also contained the TRACO stamped and tig-welded water pump pulley that I posted images of earlier.

Note that a cover with no provisions for oil fill or venting was used. 

-Chad

17

Trans-Am Camaros / Chevrolet Experimental Oil Pan, Oil Pump and Pickup

« on: May 19, 2011, 05:12:31 AM »

I'm posting some pictures of an experimental oil pan, oil pump and pickup. 

Per the owner, Mark Schwartz:

Zora Duntov designed it, then had Smokey do testing on it.  Smokey built an engine to run it on and them built a stand that allowed him to be able to rock it around at all angles.  The bottom was cut out and a window glued in to be able to be sure that the pickup tube would swivel properly.  Smokey ended up with the thing and sold it at one of his garage sales.  I instantly recognized the oil pump as it is pictured in books that Smokey wrote.  The way I found out most of what I know about the thing is from talking to Zora Duntov at the Palm Springs vintage races one year.  Zora really was a very nice person and very happy to tell you about things he had done over the years he was at GM.

18

Trans-Am Camaros / PRE-1969 SCCA SEDAN CATEGORY RECOGNITION FORMS for the Pontiac Firebird

« on: May 08, 2011, 06:34:29 AM »

Per the subject title, these are the PRE-1969 SEDAN CATEGORY RECOGNITION FORMS for the Pontiac Firebird.  Though requested by Jon within a different thread, I'm posting as a new topic because it may be a bit easier to follow or find by future forum visitors.

Like the 1969 Z/28 Camaro forms I've previously posted, these documents were acquired from Charlton Jones.  With these forms came a note from Charlton that stated:

"These are the actual recognition papers I carried in 1969 to the Trans-Am events as series scrutineer."

-Chad

19

Trans-Am Camaros / Early Traco Water Pump Pulley

« on: May 02, 2011, 08:40:50 PM »

Jon's great post on Trans-Am engine compartments inspired this note.  The pics I've attached show a water pump pulley that looks awfully similar to the item in this DANA Camaro engine pic. 



I post these three separately attached pulley detail pictures because it shows that this particular 3906656 pulley is more than just a short water pump, factory high-performance (Corvette and others), deep groove affair.  The pulley has been fully TIG/Heli-Arc welded along the backside to join the two pieces of metal that aren't held together normally.  This would help keep the pulley from cracking in this previously unsupported area.  This pulley is also a good choice because the mounting surface where this bolts up to the water pump is already a sandwich of two pieces of steel. 

-Chad

20

Trans-Am Camaros / Historic Trans-Am Cars Can Be Seen EARLY Sunday on Hot Rod TV (SPEED Channel)

« on: April 23, 2011, 07:32:30 PM »

For those who tried to set up your recorder last weekend to catch this program but only got part of a roundy-round race instead... SPEED appears to be re-airing the same show.  The Historic Trans-Am segment should be covered in the Hot Rod TV that will air this Sunday, April 24, 2011, at 4:00AM Pacific, 7:00AM Eastern.

Again, the coverage was created from footage shot at the 2010 Coronado Speed Festival.

-Chad

21

Trans-Am Camaros / Historic Trans-Am Cars Can Be Seen Saturday on Hot Rod TV (SPEED Channel)

« on: April 15, 2011, 03:31:11 AM »

For those that get the SPEED Channel, an episode of Hot Rod TV will feature a segment on the Historic Trans-Am cars that run on the west coast of the United States.  The show will air this Saturday at 7:00AM Pacific, 10:00AM Eastern.

The segment was created from footage shot at the 2010 Coronado Speed Festival.

22

Trans-Am Camaros / 1969 CAMARO Z/28 FIA Recognition Form 5293

« on: April 06, 2011, 06:32:20 PM »

These 1969 Z/28 Camaro FIA forms are a little different than the 1449 forms that Jon posted.  

This copy seems to take effect on July 1, 1969, where the item Jon posted was from January 1, 1969.   Instead of FIA REC #1449, this version is stamped FIA REC #5293.  The FIA REC #1449 appears to use the 1967 and 1968 for additional background, where this FIA REC #5293 seems to rely on only itself.  

These FIA REC #5293 forms were acquired through the Automobile Competition Committee for the United States (ACCUS), FIA, Inc.  Burdette "Birdie"/"Berdie" Martin is who I spoke with at he ACCUS, FIA, to get these forms.  Mr. Martin has done many things in racing, but perhaps of most interest to this forum, he served as chief steward for the SCCA Trans-Am during it's glory years.

-Chad

23

Trans-Am Camaros / 1969 SCCA SEDAN CATEGORY RECOGNITION FORMS for CAMARO Z/28

« on: March 21, 2011, 07:06:03 PM »

Pages 1-3 of 1969 SCCA SEDAN CATEGORY RECOGNITION FORMS for the Chevrolet Camaro Z/28.  Posting file size restrictions of the forum require that these be split into multiple submissions.

Per the PRE-1969 documents I also uploaded, these forms were acquired from Charlton Jones, and with them came a note from him that stated:

"These are the actual recognition papers I carried in 1969 to the Trans-Am events as series scrutineer."

-Chad

24

Trans-Am Camaros / PRE-1969 SCCA SEDAN CATEGORY RECOGNITION FORMS for CAMARO Z/28

« on: March 21, 2011, 06:51:27 PM »

Per the subject title, these forms preceded the 1969 SEDAN CATEGORY RECOGNITION FORMS for the Chevrolet Camaro Z/28.

These forms were acquired from Charlton Jones, and with them came a note from Charlton that stated:

"These are the actual recognition papers I carried in 1969 to the Trans-Am events as series scrutineer."

-Chad

25

Trans-Am Camaros / Harrison Oil Coolers Used on Early Trans-Am Camaros

« on: March 09, 2011, 06:51:39 AM »

Harrison oil coolers were used on several early Camaro Trans-Am cars, and were available over the counter at GM dealerships.  Well, these oil coolers were also used on many other GM race cars, including Corvette Grand Sports, many of the Can-Am competitors, Formula 5000 cars, and on numerous non-GM cars and engines as well.

The GM part number seen and quoted most often for the Harrison oil cooler of choice is 3157804.  Much of the "How to Hotrod" manuals and other sources from the late '60s and early '70s note something to the effect of them not being ready to use as is. They further specify that these coolers need to be cut apart and modified so that the oil flows into one end of the cooler and out the other.

The first pic attached shows a 1978 dated, 3157804 oil cooler that I have.  It flows from one end to the other.  From the plating wash that exists on the whole unit, it would seem that it came this way new.  If it didn't, someone took the time to dip/plate it as per original after the modifications.

The second pic attached shows quite a lot of original Harrison oil coolers, mounting brackets and other hardware that were offered on an eBay auction several years ago.  Note the various ends and fitting provisions on these 3157804 oil coolers.

Does anyone know if Harrison/GM ever offered these oil coolers with the flow (and fitting provisions) going from end to end?

-Chad