Plans for your camaro?

[BULLITT65]

So I had been talking to a new member, and he disclosed some plans he has for making a few changes in the new year. So I had been thinking of things that I am kinda working on, or towards, and thought it would be good to hear from some of the guys here what they are trying to get done currently or in the coming months.

For me I was able to finally get a temp gauge, and oil pressure gauge mounted in my white 69, so I don't have to rely on the idiot lights. Felt like I was driving blind. I am am still trying to locate a Stewart Warner 990B transmitter, to get my tach operational. I also located a set of (4)Goodyear wide tread GT tires for a pretty good deal. So if I can pull that off and swap out my BFG's for those, that would be cool.   

[BillG]

Bullitt, is there a brand of gauges you like best?  Thats the same thing Im about to do with my 69 and, thats a good way to put it; driving blind.  I never trusted the idiot lights either.  What if the bulb burns out? 

[BULLITT65]

I like the Stewart Warner mechanical gauges. Specifically the "green line" deluxe face series.
Here is a thread for the 60's gauges http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?topic=12588.0

Stewart warner remakes many of them now, since guys like the style of the gauges so much.

I guess I like the day 2 look, for most aftermarket stuff I add to my cars/motorcycles. Items that guys would have bought over the counter from back then. (Period correct parts).

[69Z28-RS]

The 'green painted with line' on the face is distracting IMO; all I want to see is the numbers and the needle... ie. 2-5/8" racing gauges...  (I will run the factory stock gauges in my Camaro, but I plan to use these in the custom '57 Nomad I'm building now)

[BULLITT65]

Gary, not sure we are talking about the same set. Are these the ones you think are distracting?
(The actual green part is pretty slim, but everyone likes something different I suppose)

[Vince]

We all must be thinking alike on this one.  I want to get a set of gauges in my '67 that currently has idiot lights.  Two of the four don't even light up.  Oh, and get a set of the new red line Firestone radials also. 

[Vince]

And that reminds me what I wanted to ask you guys.  What type of gauges do most of you prefer, mechanical or electrical?  What are the pros and cons of each type? 

[X33RS]

Gary, not sure we are talking about the same set. Are these the ones you think are distracting?
(The actual green part is pretty slim, but everyone likes something different I suppose)

Those are cool.  I have an old set of Stewart Warner gauges here, not the green line, but the old coke bottle style, complete with a vacuum gauge as well I'm going to swap back over to the nomad.

I have the old Sun tach that runs off a battery box that I'm reluctant to send out for conversion.  Now that they reproduce the look of that tach with modern internals (and no box required) for only $140 I'm probably just going to buy one of those, then just mount the old box to make it look like it works

As far as things to do on the Camaro.....Just continue driving the wheels off it is the only plan for us.

[69Z28-RS]

Gary, not sure we are talking about the same set. Are these the ones you think are distracting?
(The actual green part is pretty slim, but everyone likes something different I suppose)

Yes, that's the one I was thinking of, but you are right..  the green part is tiny, so I guess the shiny center part is what is distracting to me (from the numbers and needle)...  and I prefer mechanical also, as I believe they are more acccurate.

From the sounds of you fellas 'list'...  it sounds more like a list for Santa..  rather than a list of things to do over the winter..

[BULLITT65]

I definitely prefer the mechanical gauges,  besides being more accurate, I think they send a more consistent signal to the gauge, and perhaps more of a real time reading. The electrical it seems that there is a lag time with it. (but maybe thats just me? )

I actually had the oil and water gauge, but it took me a while to find a nice 2 pod bracket to mount them. Now I just have to figure out what to run my hot wire off of, to illuminate them. I am thinking the cigarette lighter hot wire maybe?

Having the items is all half of it, Gary. (EX you probably have everything you need for you 57 nomad, but you still need to assemble it all, right?)
Santa doesn't wrench on any cars at my house.... if he did, I would purchase the parts and leave them by the milk and cookies

HO HO HO!

(BTW Gary you didn't mention any work on your camaro did you?)

[janobyte]

Detail the engine, have the rear end gone through-detail, and resto the oe exhaust. Prefer the old school 2 5/8" black faced SW. I'm doing fuel,water,oil.

[BULLITT65]

Interesting Jano. Surprised you would do the fuel, unless you are running a sump maybe?

How are bringing back the exhaust?

[janobyte]

1968 #1 owner had a sun tac mounted in place of the fuel gauge. SW used for fuel gauge, always been that way, said the dealer did it prior to delivery. Nice job, looks like it rolled out of the factory that way.Sent a pic out to DWC a while back of it.

[janobyte]

Complete exhaust was taken off in 68, spent its life in garage rafters. Still has lots of undercoat on the muffler. I did the hangers a while back, easy, laquer bath. Fasteners are getting the typical treatment, along with the clamps. Manifolds getting blasted then coated with a hightemp graphite based spray. Elbow grease on the pipes, lol. No pitting, presents as a year or two old exhaust. I have been debating the exhaust for some time, ya know, Z, headers...well finally decided which path I'm taking with finishing the car. Pretty cool to say it's the born with exhaust, hangers, fasteners and all. BTY, the rubber on the hangers are like my rag joint: mix of black and white rubber. I think it was Gary who posted this was because they were made from recycled tires, or maybe John Z.

[x66 714]

Yes. I know what you're saying about the exhaust. With the exception of the NOS muffler my 396 has all it's pieces including smog....160k. Southern Arizona sure plays nicer with those parts. Paint & interior is another story. Hopefully in a few months it will be headed for fresh paint & interior......Joe