Messages

1756

General Discussion / Re: Clones, tributes, recreations..

« on: January 11, 2013, 03:50:52 AM »

I've had my first Camaro since '73. I hate fakes, but I don't mind clones too much, as long as someone doesn't try to pass them off as legit. In any event, my Camaros have increased in value every year, and I take absolute pride in owning them. Like Mike, I hope to pass them down to my kids as a legacy and an inheritance, and I hope that I can do that without having to part with any of the cars to afford their continuing educations. BTW, my first '69 Z, the '73 purchase, has been on hold since the birth of my first child - your responsibilities change, but your dreams don't.
 
This hobby is total therapy to me - I enjoy scrounging for parts, attending swap meets and shows, talking to my friends and fellow owners about them. They are a link to our past, a time when things were very different and life seemed a great deal less complicated than it has become today.

Keep the faith - and keep your car.

Regards,
Steve

1757

General Discussion / Re: 1969 NOS ZL-1 engine possibility ?

« on: January 11, 2013, 03:24:14 AM »

Guys,

Please forgive the pictures-of-pictures - it's the only way I could figure out how to reduce the file size (pics are about 4+ MB apiece). I didn't thiink this was a '69 casting date block, as the owner said all along that he bought it in '73 new, but I had always heard (at least) the correct early casting code was an 053. Please note the Special Parts notice , with part number on the tag, plus the date. This tag is apparently right on the crate itself.

Alan Colvin stated in the C-b-t-N's that the 052 was the L88/ZL-1 block, but also mentioned that the 053 was reported (unverified) to have been installed in the first of the ZL-1's. Whether this is a service block, or a Can Am part, or one of the last of the initial casting runs through the Winter Foundry, it's certainly unique and a real surprise to see such a rare part literally in my backyard. I do also agree with Oaklyss on the 074 heads - Colvin does substantiate this, although I always thought them to be '70 and up -

Regards,
Steve

1758

General Discussion / Re: 1969 NOS ZL-1 engine possibility ?

« on: January 10, 2013, 03:54:20 AM »

Gary,

   Thanks for the pics - tremendous resolution but the files are indeed huge. Certainly an 053 casting, love the shot of the crate and the tags (particularly the "off-road use" tag. How in the world could someone keep this bottled up for 40 years and not build it - I don't have the answer.

   One head appears to be the service casting number, one is definitely an 842 - both are absolutely new appearing/bare. I do see what appears to be some surface rust areas in the block sleeves, but nothing too serious. I wouldn't kick it out of the garage for being naked -

Regards,
Steve

1759

General Discussion / Re: 1969 NOS ZL-1 engine possibility ?

« on: January 09, 2013, 05:39:09 AM »

Gary,

I'm about 30 miles from M'boro - I'll be glad to follow up for anyone on this too. I'm through there about twice a week as it is (including tomorrow).

If it's not too much trouble, I'll send my email by PM if you will forward me copies of the pics. I'd like to see it -

Regards,
Steve

1760

General Discussion / Re: beware of the look alike 68-Z28 fan

« on: January 09, 2013, 02:47:21 AM »

I'm saying all the centers were stamped from one machine and then they would run batches of correctly machined specs for a particular fan. This again could be the correct fan in all aspects except the original configuration of the bolt holes.

I agree completely. I have a lo-po 3.00 fan here, and it's identical to the 3.25 fan (also Jerry references the similarities between the two), with the exception of the bolt circle. Same rivits, center, markings and the clutch even looks the same, except for the bolt circle. I also agree with Kurt, "it sure sounds like it has" -

Regards,
Steve

1761

General Discussion / Re: 1969 NOS ZL-1 engine possibility ?

« on: January 09, 2013, 02:21:19 AM »

Ed,

    Thanks for moving it - I should have thought about the VIN before I posted it.

    Here's a twist - I mentioned this to a customer today; turns out he knows the owner (both are SS or SS/E racers), and swears that it is a legitimate ZL-1 motor he has been prompting the owner for years to sell. I would jump at the chance to verify the thing - it would be worth a dollar or two (to say the least) to a ZL-1 owner if it actually was a dated NOS block/heads combo, and not a recent GM recast. In replacement terms, one might consider it to be an orphan -

Regards,
Steve

1762

General Discussion / Re: beware of the look alike 68-Z28 fan

« on: January 08, 2013, 04:07:39 PM »

Zoom on the front side of the fan, you can plainly see where the original 3.00" circle bolt holes have been welded up, and the pattern indexed and redrilled at 3.250", which is the correct bolt hole circle for the L78/Z28 fan blades. All other markings and the rivet count appear the same between the applications. I've seen "H" and "W" markings appear on both low po and hi po blades, 4 rivets/blade. Gotta hand it to them for innovation -

Regards,
Steve

1763

General Discussion / 1969 NOS ZL-1 engine possibility ?

« on: January 08, 2013, 04:47:15 AM »

Anyone posted this one yet ? Seems unlikely, or could be the recast block/heads - if I had $38K to spare, I'd call -

http://nashville.craigslist.org/pts/3442234069.html

Regards,
Steve

1764

General Discussion / Re: Earliest Indy Pace Car 01C?

« on: January 08, 2013, 04:24:55 AM »

Imagine what didn't get saved.

Now, add those to what has gone on to the Great Beyond Bone Yards in the Sky and really get depressed -

1765

General Discussion / Re: BLOCK CAST DATE VS PAD STAMP DATE

« on: January 06, 2013, 01:18:36 AM »

Opps, can I fix that? I dont see an edit

myty - Don't get me wrong - I wasn't trying to be a S.A. - besides, I just learned you can edit what you post. I have made my share of errors and misspellings (thank goodness for Spell Check !), and thanks, Ed -

Regards,
Steve

1766

Originality / Re: 9204 booster 03D Norwood info needed

« on: January 06, 2013, 12:58:03 AM »

Warren,

Please see the attached pic. If the date is upside down, it's and "80". If it's right side up. it's an "08". I do believe (after researching the date codes listed in a lot of posts from the search engine), it's an "80". Norwood Pace Car, 9204 booster and rest of the engine compartment have not been restored. Master cylinder has been changed to later "tall" master cylinder, but I have a really decent master to replace it with. Hope this helps -

Regards,
Steve

1767

General Discussion / Re: You Just Gotta Love These Folks Laugh Of the Day

« on: January 04, 2013, 01:04:12 AM »

Danny,

Would be to me, although just this scenario came to light last year. There is a possibility that a customer could have ordered the HD 3 speed as an option on the Muncie-mandated Z cars - after all, you could even get them behind 375 horse BB's. Never say never, I would guess.

This one appears to be a Muncie, 3.03:1 first gear ratio coded, but the maincase is not listed as a passenger car application (hence the threaded flanges make sense). Anybody have any more info on it ?

Regards,
Steve

1768

Decoding/Numbers / Re: Cyl Head 3947041

« on: January 04, 2013, 12:34:46 AM »

Jimmy,

Colvin references this in his 65-69 Chevrolet by the Numbers, and in the 70- up book also (I'll paraphrase) - "65-69 cars came with "N" series heads, or flat gasket spark plug seats. All 1970 and later model year cars were produced with a "peanut" or tapered spark plug seat. It is possible, due to late model releases in 1970, that 2 cylinder heads could have close or matching casting dates and be tapped for different type spark plugs."

Regards,
Steve

1769

Originality / Re: 9204 booster 03D Norwood info needed

« on: January 04, 2013, 12:16:54 AM »

Warren,

My Z11 is 03D (owner is OCD) - I'll get you a reading from the tag this weekend when I can get to the car.

Regards,
Steve

1770

General Discussion / Re: You Just Gotta Love These Folks Laugh Of the Day

« on: January 03, 2013, 03:51:47 AM »

Innovative.

I don't recall seeing truck three speeds (note the bottom two mounting flange holes are threaded, bolts come through the inside of the bellhousing and bolt into the case !) behind passenger car engines. Plausible advertising !

Regards,
Steve