Messages

One more note, I was just telling Billy G. that I just installed a Gardner system on my survivor '68 Z28.  When I bought the car in 1990, the original owner has installed Corvair turbo mufflers when the car was new.  They were the hot lick for performance back in the day, and he was a professional street racer.  I left them on the car until they rotted out.  My buddy talked me into a stock style Flowmaster with cross-over muffler and 2 1/2" dia.  Left it on the car for about 15 years.  it became annoying and loud at high rpms with the factory 4.88 gears.  Can't say the car was any faster with the Flowmaster either.  Last year, I decided to install a Gardner system.  Seat of the pants, the car did not seem to suffer any street performance at all and now I can hear the solid lifters and M22.  Should have installed this years ago.  You can't go wrong with Gardner systems. 

I bought two sets of original GM chambered when I was asst. parts manager at Miller Chevrolet in Ellicott City, MD. I purchased my '69 Z28 in March of '72.  What I noticed when the system was new, it was not quite as loud as the systems available today.  Eventually, as the age and 30-40 miles were put on my car, the system did get louder.  I installed another a couple of years later. When I sold this car in 1976, my Z28 had just turned 99,000 miles.  Without a doubt, do not buy any system but a Gardner.  They are by far the best available and only system accepted in our "Legends" class at the Camaro Nationals. 

Wrist pin issues......

Here's one of the hypereutectic 302 pistons we tried years ago.  Problems and had to stop using them. 

Also remembered that Diamond Pistons in Michigan is also making them.  Racing buddy, Ben Wenzel has bought them and they also work fine.  All of these pistons make more power than the originals too. 

Jerry

Two vendors make them, and they are just as the originals.  J&E and CP are the only vendors and are made specifically for NHRA Stock Eliminator.  Both are not crazy money and better quality than the current and old TRW pistons.  The only TRW piston available now is the 12 1/2-1 and have the smaller ring lands, 1/16 and 1/8" oil ring, and you have to cut the dome.  Cosmetically there are much different than originals.

The J&E and CP have the correct dome height and ring lands, 3/16" oil ring and 5/64" top and 2nd ring. They're not thousands of dollars either.  Andrew from Hendrick Motorsports does all of our machine work along with Keith Dorton, brother of the late Randy Dorton.  We've rebuilt and restored hundreds of 302s over the past 25 years and thanks to our sponsorship with HMS we have the best machinists on the planet doing our work.   We are very thankful for that.

If you have questions, you can always email us.  Be glad to help. 

Jerry

The Krylon #1403 dull aluminum is the best out there and spot on color wise, Dave Cunningham who was a trainer at the BASF paint facility here in Jessup, MD also helped with this match and said it's much better to use the #1403 rather than pay more for mixed version.  We've been using it for years. 

Jerry

There was a changed in Feb to a 2nd design L/S tube which was used for the 1968 model year Z28.  The early cars would have the std L/S tube.  I have photos in my fact book showing the tubes.

Jerry

Gardner, the one and only correct systems and only one accepted in "Legends Certification" at the Camaro Nationals.  Absolutely the best. 

Jerry

A good baseline is 72-76s.  That is standard jetting in the 3310 Holley carb.  If you're blocking the rear power valve, then add 4 to the rear jetting making it 80s in the rear. 

Jerry

We've been using 6.5s with our restos.  They seem to work better for the street.

Jerry

Here's a shot of mine. Everything, grill and fenders were NOS, purchased about 30yrs ago (when they were affordable ), EXCEPT the bezels! I guess they weren't available "over the counter" back then or I would've got them. And I don't recall what brand these repops were. CHQ didn't exist back then. The fit was good with only minor tweeking needed.

Garth,

I've had the CHQ's before and have a set now, they do not have the radius on the polished edge, they are flat thus, the reason I want to locate a pair of originals.  I know someone out there is hoarding them in a warehouse.  It appears that OER is making them too?  I wonder if they're any better?

I do appreciate the help guys!

Jerry

I talked to Jim about a month ago, said he would check and I never heard back from him.

Checking here to see if anyone may have an original pair of NOS rally sport head lamp bezels.  I'm trying to finish my last restoration project, a 1968 Z28 that I've known since new, and it was sold new at A.D. Anderson Chevrolet (where my '67 Z28 race car was also sold).  Anderson was the flagship performance dealer in Baltimore.  Hope to have it done for summer cruise events.  It's a factory cowl plenum car and originally like my white survivor Z28 with Kustom headers.  Only 87 Z28s got both options. 

Part #3898149 and 3898150.  Any help in locating a set is greatly appreciated!

Jerry 

I called Librandi's as I'm sending parts there for chrome plating.  They are $600 a bumper if its a good core, $125 each for bumper guards.

They have an excellent reputation.  Lucas Restorations used them for years too. 

Jerry