Topics

16

Garage Talk / Richard Petty Driving Experience

« on: February 19, 2016, 12:31:58 PM »

A few years ago I took my wife (fiance' at the time) to Sparta, Kentucky for a birthday surprise. Since it was late May, Indy was out of the question because of the 500. She had no idea what was going on, even though there was race memorabilia all around us where we spent the night. The next morning when I opened the curtains, there was the racetrack! In trying to maintain the secrecy I closed them enough so that she couldn't see out... It didn't help matters when I told her not to worry too much about fixing her hair (I knew the helmets would ruin that very quickly!)

We headed over and as we pulled up to the gate and a guy with a clipboard approached, she really began to suspect something. He checked our names off and sent us in. Soon she was sitting in a drivers meeting, and then donned a racing suit. I opted to buy her a "ride along' as part of the package, and she insisted I get one, too. After the ride alongs, while she was in line to drive, she observed a car with "Navy" on the side. She said, "Hey! I work for the Navy, can I drive that car?!" so they rearranged the order so she could.

She took the car out for 6 laps, got up to 140 mph. I think I enjoyed it more than she did, but you couldn't wipe the smile off her face for the rest of the weekend. I highly recommend it!

17

General Discussion / 1968 Z28 on craiglist for $8300

« on: February 17, 2016, 03:03:41 PM »

Only one picture, but the price is right for almost any condition....
http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/cto/5451276940.html

18

Restoration / Anyone dye seatbelts?

« on: January 22, 2016, 04:24:56 PM »

I see there is a set of rear seatbelts on ebay, which my car doesn't have. Only problem is they're gold and I need black. I realize that the ID tags would be also dyed, but maybe they could be removed or otherwise protected? 

19

Restoration / Rear leaf springs, new or rebuild old ones?

« on: January 15, 2016, 04:40:03 PM »

I'm at the point I need to decide whether to rebuild my old rear springs or replace them. I have no broken leafs, and I can buy all the parts to rebuild them. My painter is ready to disassemble them for blasting so I'd like to hear from the "experts" on the pros and cons.

20

General Discussion / 02D production date

« on: January 13, 2016, 03:55:07 PM »

I'm interpreting the data on CRG as N607164 being the last February Camaro. If I'm correct, my car (N606932) would have been built on that last day, since it's a mere 232 away.
Anyway, that's huge for me, since now it appears my car AND my 3 kids were all born on the 28th day of the month - just different months!

21

Mild Modifications / New pipes are next: Any opinions?

« on: January 12, 2016, 01:09:35 PM »

Ok, we're now almost ready for the exhaust system. I know my car didn't come with chambered, and I've spoken with Eric Gardner and his recommendation is what Gardner Exhaust  calls a "deep tone" with the dual-inlet/outlet muffler hanging parallel to the axle. This is actually what my car had on it when I bought it, but at the time I hated it. Keep in mind I was a kid, and I wanted my first car to command attention. With cherry bombs and a lead foot, it did!
Now I want a good sound, but not so loud we can't converse in the car at highway speeds (which Eric told me would be difficult with chambered pipes, dang it!). So....I'm opening the door, who recommends what? I'd like to stay pretty close to something original, but a balance - or X pipe - isn't out of the question.  I should add: I'm going to run Hooker Super Competition headers

22

General Discussion / Differences between '67 and '69 standard (flat) hoods

« on: January 11, 2016, 06:21:00 PM »

This may sound utterly stupid, but since I have no friends who own '67 Camaros, and I know of no source to look this up, I was hoping to learn how different-appearing these hoods are. You see, I want to display the original hood and trunklid from my car. Because of circumstances beyond my control (an uncooperative ex-wife) I cannot use my actual parts, so I must obtain new or used ones. Here's my point: I can buy a 1967 Camaro hood locally for $40. Described to be in good shape; rust free. Someday I'll do further research and find a genuine '69 for my "wall", but for now, would it be close?

23

Restoration / 69 Z resto - was testing, firewall tag pic

« on: January 10, 2016, 02:13:45 AM »

Trying to get a readable pic up...

24

Originality / Does engine internals affect originality? Specifically cam...

« on: January 09, 2016, 04:21:02 AM »

A couple years ago at a small local car show I talked with the proud owner of a '69 Z. His car was sharp, looked correct to my not-so-amateur eyes. The more we talked the more I learned. It was on eBay when he spotted it, had been certified by the famous "Jerry" and his Camaro Association (I honestly can't remember his last name or the clubs and I'm too lazy to find the picture I took of the framed cert.
I told him about my car and that I hadn't heard a 302 run in almost 25 years. I asked if he'd mind starting it for me, which he did. It purred like an everyday modern small block. Not a hint of cam. Is it normal for guys to swap internals for a more driveable car? I was extremely surprised and at the same time disappointed. My wife had never heard one, either, and as far as I'm concerned she still hasn't!

25

Decoding/Numbers / Decked block

« on: January 08, 2016, 05:11:02 PM »

I'm fairly new to the site but I hope you'll pardon me if this isn't the right place for my question: I had my 302-DZ block B&B'd back in the early '80's, and when the block was decked I lost my numbers. Now that the Z28's are much more collectible and everyone's grandmother knows to look for the "DZ" below the alternator, I'm trying to find a way to "obtain" my numbers? Isn't it a combination of the VIN, the date of casting or manufacture (the block) and the displacement (the 302=DZ)?

I won't try to restamp the block, I believe that would throw up red flags and make it suspect of a forgery, I'd really just like to have the information. I heard of an acid procedure used by police for recovering ground-off numbers, and  I was lucky enough to speak with a state police  post commander who looked up my VIN and told me where my car was delivered, and some other info... but he said the acid method isn't reliable enough and they hardly use it.

So, anyone know if my numbers can be created by the casting numbers and other parts? I am certain mine is a numbers-matching '69, I'm just missing the second-most important stampings to prove it. 

26

Originality / X33 car, should it have black door sills?

« on: September 12, 2013, 01:48:47 AM »

Hi Guys, Any help would be appreciated. I've owned my car for 36 years and still learn things new all the time. For instance, I just read on this site that the X33 (Z/28) cowl tags can or should reflect having black door sills. Since my car is only a couple weeks away from paint (67 Burgundy) that information will come in handy. But is it ALWAYS true? I'm not certain that my car had original paint when I bought it with 59k back in '77.... I THINK it was, but the sills were body color. It has std interior, white (parchment) seats and vinyl top. IF the sills need to be black, what kind of black? Gloss? Flat? Matte? and how much of the sill?
Thanks for the great site, all this information is overwhelming!
-Dale