Original/Reproduction Smog Setups for '69 Z28??

[x77-69z28]

Absolutely my favorite color combo, period! With a car that original, you have to use original parts, NO REPRO!!!! Call Jerry, and have him put together a non functional system. P.s. can I have it!

[69Z28-RS]

Thanks.  Why does everyone want me to give them my car?? 

I have no intention of using reproduction parts (except for some rubber items that need replacement - ie. body mounts, hoses).
I like the color combination too (that was the color of the GM Camaro Z28 advertisements of 1969!).. but the first time I looked at the car, and saw the orange/black interior.. I was a bit turned off...  but I came around once I realized how rare a coupe was with the org/blk, plus the number of options this car had (cowl hood, gauges/tach, remote mirror, all tinted glass, RS, etc).  The engine needed rebuilding when I bought it, so I actually got a couple hundred boot by trading a strong running, but 'base' '68 Z28..

Gary

[z28z11]

Steve,  Thanks for the pic's. Boy $1000 for that pulley? That's half of what I paid for my car back in the day.

Rick,

Ditto on the pulley price. I bought my X77 in 1973 for $1600 - original except for the missing smog system - everything else was there. First thing I bought for the car was a new GM ZL2 hood (for $86.00). If we had only known then -

Regards,
Steve

[HOT3O2]

Yes those were the days Steve. Guys were pulling off smog pumps, exhaust manifolds, distributors, air cleaners  and throwing them out and buying "Cal Custom" stuff. Like you said. "If we only knew".

Rick

[z28z11]

I was lucky (don't read as smart !) enough to keep my Z pretty intact with original parts. I did, however, briefly consider cutting the roof for Hurst aftermarket T tops a la the "Smokey and the Bandit" Firechicken - no lie. I have a terrible inclination to hurl recent meals everytime I think about it. I even offered the car on a straight trade for a all steel '34 5 window (gulp) Ford street rod that was mostly held together with baling wire, but the guy thought his Ford was worth more than the Z, so he declined. Around '76 - '77.

Didn't mean to digress, but seeing Gary's wonderful RS Z brought back a lot of memories - I'm glad to know there are sensible people still around -

Regards,
Steve

[69Z28-RS]

Well, I'm not that sensible Steve... 
I built my engine using some 11.7 Forgedtrue pistons I had from another engine (30 over), and bought angle plug heads (selling my original heads)..  Yes, it was FAST... ... but when the gas issues began and octane lowered, I had trouble keeping it going.   that was the reason I parked it.   i also installed a Mallory RevPol distributor and Judson Electronic magneto to get spark (it would rev easily to 8 G on the street...     (Everyone who remembers me giving them rides said I scared the hell out of them...    including my little brothers and sisters (now all grown of course!  )..

Fortunately I kept the original distributor (loose but rebuildable), but can't find the coil that was in it..  I bought a bunch of NOS parts that I never used (so I have those, although I'm incliined to leave the good original pieces in place.   I think I drilled a couple of extra holes in the firewall (that I'm gonna need some help determining - I remember trying to find original holes to mount it, but there seems to be a couple 'extra' now..

I've got almost everything off the firewall now; trying to determine if I need to rebuild the booster (and who to send it to); I think it works, but when I cleaned off the 'aftermarket' black paint on it, I found residue of gold cad, but also some areas tending towards surface rust...?    I removed the Windshield wiper motor tonight; I probably need to get it rebuilt, as my wipers never worked.. (did you know if you went fast enough, the water just 'hurries off the windshield')??   *G*   If someone can give me a few pointers on how to check out the wiper motor and pump (it's an RS) on the bench, I'd love to check it out before I just send it off to be rebuilt.
PS.  When I removed the booster and wiper motor, I also found an 'extra' T stamp behind the booster..  which makes TWO T stamps on the drivers side, along with the P and B..  but I have never found the P T B stamps on the passenger side...?  maybe I stupidly sprayed black over them in the 70's?   I don't recall ever seeing any of these stamps until a year or so ago, when I checked and found the drivers side ones..  I was looking for Horsepower..  not PTB stamps back then..

Gary

[dannystarr]

69Z28-RS, I think I have a couple coils in my storage. I can't think of the number right now. 293 BR?? Or is it 270? Anyway, I will be selling all that stuff this year if you need a coil LMK.... Danny

[z28z11]

Gary,
 
I didn't really go into great detail about what I did to mine, but there are a few similarities with your story. I rebuilt my 302 in '75, using the original heads/intake and crank/rods, but I used Manley 12.5:1 pistons, and polished the rods. Removed the original manifolds (stored them !) and added headers, replaced cam with a Sig Erson stick, a Mallory dual point with a Mallory coil, and pulled the 4053 carb and added an 850 DP, Mr. Gasket Pro Shifter on the original Muncie. Yeah, it ran like a proverbial scalded dog (sorry, PETA), but at that time and my age, who thought about restoration ? I was lucky to have saved what I did. 1980 was the awakening point for me - realized I had an X77 Z, got the documentation from the DOT (dealer invoice, MSO, title copies), and then started about collecting NOS parts to restore the car, and been at it ever since, adding cars and parts to the garage over the years.

If your wiper motor is the original, be careful with it - one year only part number I believe, RS headlight washer valve, rare to see them intact. I've rebuilt a couple of them - Impala Bob's is the only place reproducing the valve (beat me to it, I tried for years to build the molds to reproduce the valves as I have a Z11); do not swap your core motor for another, as they are stamped with the correct number on the bearing cover end plate - pretty costl;y to replace. 293BR is the correct coil for the stock 302.

Regards,
Steve   

[69Z28-RS]

Thanks for the information fellas!  It helps knowing other guys who've had their Z28's for a long while..

Gary

[427-KING]

have 2-3 survivor z systems, need to weed through what i need may have at least one to sell.   Also have a nice reproduction system, I dont think you want to put a replacement system with a black fan on a survivor ? 

[69Z28-RS]

No, I want 'nice used' if possible.. if I can afford it..

Gary / 69Z28-RS

[KurtS]

It's not like it's an untouched engine that you're adding the finishing touch. With the history of the engine, I'd just put on the headers and call it good. Or the manifolds if you want.

[427-KING]

Kurt promoting non originality?.....Oh my gosh.....!!

[69Z28-RS]

I doubt there's an 'untouched' Z28 302 engine in existence...   

Gary

[BULLITT65]

I think there is a few out there. They are not members of the CRG...lol.
Kurt I think you have done what you needed/wanted to do to keep your car original.
I can't find fault with what Gary is trying to do, I think anyone of us would be doing the same.
That being said I hope the 427 King helps out a fellow CRG member here , and doesn't charge him his standard pricing. It is his prerogative though...
I think we work best when work together. Right?