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It only took me a couple of weeks but I finally got back to work and bled the brakes off today. The power steering box is installed and everything is ready for the motor to go back into the car now. I still have a couple of little things like the original washer motor and the water pump to install tomorrow morning and then I'll press to get the motor in and the car finished up.
This one will be going up for sale when it's done. I have another Day II build to start right after this one. https://i.ibb.co/BjCLZhd/IMG-0276.jpg https://i.ibb.co/vdz5PYV/VQLE2821.jpg https://i.ibb.co/ssT72d9/FMKZ7598.jpg https://i.ibb.co/jZW5j12/JQXP4008.jpg |
Damn...I wish our dollar didn’t suck!
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After getting the brakes finished up and flushing the fluids, I set out to detail a few more bolts with the water pump and crank pulley installed. With the help of my son, we then stabbed the motor back in tonight. This week I will get the transmission back in and start with all the other peripherals including the smog and the exhaust. Slow and steady wins the race they say.
https://i.ibb.co/FzWqSRf/IMG-0346.jpg https://i.ibb.co/H4D6b5s/IMG-0349.jpg https://i.ibb.co/BcLbVWq/IMG-0347.jpg https://i.ibb.co/0Ff53F5/IMG-0351.jpg https://i.ibb.co/vL7m7js/IMG-0343.jpg https://i.ibb.co/JqsbHVP/IMG-0352.jpg https://i.ibb.co/PZb03vG/IMG-0358.jpg https://i.ibb.co/Tk0kC5M/IMG-0365.jpg https://i.ibb.co/1MLCtph/IMG-0366.jpg |
Lookin’ good Graeme! After you finish the yellow car...you should really do a nice 67 Camaro SS ��
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It's the constant love affair I have with the 69 body style that keeps this cycle going, Mark. The yellow car is one I want to do with my son to pass the torch so-to-speak.
I'm thinking I'll be done with major restorations after that one is complete? :haha: :haha: :haha: |
[QUOTE
I'm thinking I'll be done with major restorations after that one is complete? :haha: :haha: :haha:[/QUOTE] I’ll bet against that comment all day long! Love that you are passing the torch. My 20 year old Son just recently mentioned that he’d like to get a C3 Corvette. I’m thrilled that we can enjoy that together and go to shows etc. We’ve started looking, but Covid-19 has killed our dollar making a US purchase difficult to justify. |
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That’s for sure!!
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Love that you are passing the torch. My 20 year old Son just recently mentioned that he’d like to get a C3 Corvette. I’m thrilled that we can enjoy that together and go to shows etc. We’ve started looking, but Covid-19 has killed our dollar making a US purchase difficult to justify.[/QUOTE] I'm with Zedder. I would have bet you could have been bullied into pulling the subframe. Guess that's why I'm not in Vegas:) |
LMAO
Wasn't pulling the subframe on the blue car and knew that from the start. Car simply didn't need it and I wasn't disturbing those nice original body cushions. Now the yellow car may be another story. But it's a pretty clean subframe as well so who knows. :grin::grin::grin: |
As for having a fish on the line...
I had a handful of people ask to be notified if the car was ever offered for sale, but have already shortened that list. As the car draws near to the final stages of the cleanup, I'm thinking I'm going to hang onto this one and have a pair of clean Z's when the yellow one is done. Two Zappers with two very distinctive purposes. One with a number's matching original driveline and clean original sheet metal, and one that's nicely restored as a super clean Day II street machine. Best of both worlds and a couple of bug-eye cars in two of my favorite colors. :biggthumpup: This car is going to stay put for now. Cheers |
I got a little time to work on the car this afternoon and had some help to get the transmission back into the car. The shifter is back in and adjusted nicely and the original cross member is now drying in the paint room. I swapped out the handle for a nice original I picked up from Rich but still need to locate my chrome shifter ball. Shop is a mess right now and can't find nothin'. lol
https://i.ibb.co/NxV2G4x/IMG-0394.jpg https://i.ibb.co/3rjh7mG/IMG-0401.jpg https://i.ibb.co/FV4FHJr/IMG-0399.jpg https://i.ibb.co/yfw4ncJ/IMG-0398.jpg https://i.ibb.co/vX456zs/IMG-0408.jpg https://i.ibb.co/z4cM5C9/IMG-0413.jpg https://i.ibb.co/vQ0btQ7/IMG-0412.jpg |
With the block stamp posted on the previous page and the transmission stamp above...it's only fitting to post one more of the rear end stamp after cleaning up the housing and blowing in some paint. Aside from the engine VIN stamp posted early in this thread, this puts a wrap on the drive-train numbers and stampings for this car. The transmission and shifter went back in as untouched and were not cleaned at all. Hoping to finish the car over the next several days and hang the new exhaust before I get it rolling again.
https://i.ibb.co/FXPLsMG/IMG-0409.jpg |
I started getting the rest of the engine peripherals cleaned up and ready to go back onto the Motor yesterday. The first thing I needed to do was mockup the pullies and get a new belt ordered that would include the air pump. Today I will tighten everything down, install the exhaust manifolds and smog trees, and run the power and ground cables. It's gonna look sweet once it's all back together. A little bit of new mixed in with some of the old stuff.
https://i.ibb.co/zVhXCQ9/IMG-0432.jpg https://i.ibb.co/HnLGz57/IMG-0429.jpg |
Prepping the block offs for the smog trees before the manifolds go back on. Smog pump has been deveined and will be non-functional in this car. Restored J-16 starter is going in today and this original 9E23 alternator will be cleaned before it's mounted up today. Lot's going on now as I work to get this finished.
https://i.ibb.co/d2GbK7z/IMG-0441.jpg https://i.ibb.co/tJfMYFF/IMG-0442.jpg https://i.ibb.co/PjjqRCS/IMG-0443.jpg |
Also took a few interior shots now that everything is finished up inside the car and everything was thoroughly cleaned. An all survivor original interior that's in remarkable condition throughout. I stored the original floor mats away to protect them and installed a set of repro's for use while the car is being enjoyed this summer. Still wears all original door panels and carpets throughout. :)
https://i.ibb.co/1Lnpmkq/IMG-0416.jpg https://i.ibb.co/wN8pLyd/IMG-0417.jpg https://i.ibb.co/0BjT5y6/IMG-0418.jpg https://i.ibb.co/6JbxrZd/IMG-0420.jpg https://i.ibb.co/SVHc9t2/IMG-0424.jpg https://i.ibb.co/MGK4Ccs/IMG-0423.jpg |
Still working away here. Installed the correct spacer for the driver's side motor mount stop bracket and finished up the rear cross member last night. Was it normal to have two stop lift change orders in a late car? This car has the stop lift cable as well as the stop lift bracket on the driver's side mount!
Carrying on with a few smaller things...the starter and its support bracket are now installed, the reverse lockout was reconnected last night, and I've started installing the exhaust manifolds and smog trees. I need to go back and fit the heat shields in there before I get too far ahead of myself. Heading back out so I can try and get a full day in today. https://i.ibb.co/NtFPBQh/IMG-0448.jpg https://i.ibb.co/Y3Mrd35/IMG-0451.jpg https://i.ibb.co/FhHZGjY/IMG-0449.jpg |
Great work!!
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[QUOTE=NorCam;1500395]Still working away here. Installed the correct spacer for the driver's side motor mount stop bracket and finished up the rear cross member last night. Was it normal to have two stop lift change orders in a late car? This car has the stop lift cable as well as the stop lift bracket on the driver's side mount!
When GM had the safety recall for motor mounts around Dec/1971, the mounts were changed as well as the cables/brkts installed. The original stop lift bracket was usually removed with the old mounts. This problem was solved when GM went to the clam shell type mount. Here are some originals for my own Z28 I’ve had for many years . |
Finished buttoning up under in, and around the engine bay. Here are a few shots of the bottom side front suspension after all the cleanup and light restoration work. I am very happy with the overall results. A little cleanup, a little touch-up, and a little patina to balance it all out.
https://i.ibb.co/dQpP1PJ/IMG-0508.jpg https://i.ibb.co/7ycwzYv/IMG-0509.jpg https://i.ibb.co/N7h3x8k/IMG-0510.jpg https://i.ibb.co/G3KBrHG/IMG-0511.jpg https://i.ibb.co/8Py3KY6/IMG-0512.jpg https://i.ibb.co/dLfdHBR/IMG-0513.jpg https://i.ibb.co/NFQGv0C/IMG-0514.jpg |
Here's a before and after shot of the floors prior to cleaning and after it's all been detailed. Now to balance the original driveshaft and get all the exhaust hung. Soon it will be done!
https://i.ibb.co/X5TwH6d/IMG-8168.jpg https://i.ibb.co/yqHPxn3/IMG-0506.jpg |
And here are a group of pictures taken of the engine bay this weekend. I have to reattach the original UH radiator tag and clip the shroud on it this morning and then I can start adding some fluids. From there it's time for exhaust, prime the oil pressure, and set the distributor back in with some new wires. I can actually see the light now. (lol)
https://i.ibb.co/P6fWhzQ/IMG-0476.jpg Some NOS plugs I got from Rob Richter https://i.ibb.co/L6q9b7w/IMG-0529.jpg Original battery tray. A little pitted but it will do just fine! https://i.ibb.co/GdJnsj5/IMG-0467.jpg Cleaned up a lot of the original bolts and like them just as cleaned. https://i.ibb.co/b2wgYmc/IMG-0466.jpg Tightening up the alternator brackets with original fasteners. https://i.ibb.co/Cs3BxHf/IMG-0462.jpg Torquing down the original balancer bolts and the lower pulley. https://i.ibb.co/Kx7N33K/IMG-0461.jpg Original smog pump pulley after a coat of paint and a few new scratches (lol). https://i.ibb.co/tKLw0KR/IMG-0519.jpg NOS locks securing some NOS bolts for the exhaust manifolds. https://i.ibb.co/bQM53P4/IMG-0520.jpg A shot of the driver's side exhaust after everything was tightened up. https://i.ibb.co/xfqRZyg/IMG-0521.jpg Power steering which I added to the car. (original steering box kept aside) https://i.ibb.co/t8JDZNN/IMG-0525.jpg Hoses and Alternator cables have all been routed with dated NOS tower clamps used. https://i.ibb.co/Vxq3tGW/IMG-0526.jpg Correct ribbed heater hoses with original clamps & hardware securing them. https://i.ibb.co/k593P2r/IMG-0528.jpg All original smog system with original hoses, clamps, and hardware. |
Looks awesome Greame!
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Here's one last group of engine shots before everything is finished up and I add the exhaust pics later this week. Once the oil is primed and it's fired back up and tuned, I'll put the hood back on and take a final round of celebratory pictures. Yes...meaning it's done! Stay tuned as I'll soon have it out for a few shakedown runs and a couple of burnouts.
https://i.ibb.co/n8SGdPm/IMG-0532.jpg https://i.ibb.co/LZj8Khq/IMG-0537.jpg https://i.ibb.co/0ZZ29zv/IMG-0542.jpg https://i.ibb.co/fF6XbGc/IMG-0530.jpg https://i.ibb.co/k8s7LQF/IMG-0541.jpg https://i.ibb.co/30GWPyg/IMG-0540.jpg https://i.ibb.co/9b2LBfh/IMG-0539.jpg |
Same date as the carb I have for sale. I think you need a spare.
Car looks great. I know some would say "over restored", but I do them like this as well. |
Looks great!
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Perfect, just perfect. Love how it turned out!
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Car Looks great !!!! I agree Cars done perfectly, while I'm not a big fan of restrored cars. I love the nice "Natural" look to everything. Killer Job Graeme ! thanks for documenting all this with us
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I was originally planning just a minor clean up and changing out a few incorrect parts, but admit it did morph into something bigger. Even with that, I was not intending to over restore anything, just clean it up...detail what I could while I was already in there and make sure the sum of the parts were better-matched when I was done than what they were heading into it. Along the way some of the car was thoroughly cleaned, a few small areas were blown in or restored and much of that IMO was done better than the previous owners' attempt. The brakes were completely rebuilt using much of the original parts, the fuel system was redone, and the engine was further detailed to finish it off better now than it was previously, but still has some patina on the top end. I'm more than tickled that a few others share an interest in these cars on sYc and the various ways in which one can approach a cleanup or mild restoration like this. At the same time...I'm totally digging the car and its cleanup and that's all that matters at the end of the day. And for those who have offered advice or parts along the way...Thank you! :youguysrock: |
Capped off the exhaust system install today and love how it rounded out the appearance on the underside of the car. I should have it tuned and running just in time for the driveshaft to come back from balancing this week. Can't wait to put some miles on it soon. :3gears:
https://i.ibb.co/hB3zpLs/IMG-0669.jpg https://i.ibb.co/gSnd2ys/IMG-0662.jpg https://i.ibb.co/JHzt5NZ/IMG-0644.jpg https://i.ibb.co/gr006XS/IMG-0674.jpg https://i.ibb.co/0J03rz5/IMG-0665.jpg https://i.ibb.co/st39ZPC/IMG-0653.jpg |
Love the chrome tips. Looks awesome. Guess you are getting tired of hearing that, right? Yeah, right.
Original paint car, right? Love the orange peel on the lower valance. Your car got WAY more paint than mine did at the factory. Mine had no orange peel on the lower valance from the factory, because they didn't shoot enought paint to orange peel. Mine had primer showing at the lower 1 inch on pars of the lower rear valance. I couldn't bring myself to replicate that when I painted it (for the first time) in 2012. That's what I meant by "over restored" in my previous post. I hope you took no offense at all to that. Looking at the underside of your car, I just know few, if any of these cars, looked so good from day one. I restored mine to a level of what it WOULD have looked like had every guy or gal on the line taken their time and done the best they could. One example: the lead filled seam between the roof and quarter was horrible. Really wavy on BOTH sides. Yes, you are damn right I "over restored" it. I re-leades it, and then used maybe 1 cc of filler to make it perfect. I HATE wavy panels. Great job. This will be a fun driver. |
This one is not original paint Lynn. :worship:
The 3rd owner had the car repainted in the early '90s after hitting a dear. The interior is all original, the trunk is all original, and it still wears original sheet metal but has had one repaint. That is why I put all the effort into the car to clean and preserve those original floors. I appreciate all your comments and your feedback Lynn and have always liked your Black Z. And for the record, I would not call it over-restored. Your car looks awesome and I truly love what you've done with it. :Can-I-Have-It: |
Very inspirational Graeme! I gotta get out of quarantine and get to work on my cars!
Buddy |
Look's great Graeme. I'm sure the exhaust fit like a glove. So, are you keeping this one?? Hope you are...
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Thanks,
Yes, I am planning to hang onto this one for a while. I'll also be starting on the next project later this summer along with my son. The plan includes the two of us restoring a 76/76 Daytona Yellow car with 714 yellow Houndstooth interior. It'll be a full on Day 2 build with a host of good speed parts. More on that after it's started up. On this one, the finishing details continue. The driveshaft is balanced with new u-joints and is now back in the car. Rear-axle stops are installed, the fuel system is plumbed, and the oil has been primed. We also corrected some front end fasteners yesterday and it's pretty much ready to roll here. I need to wire in the distributor tonight and add some fluids before firing it up for the first time since November. Here are a few more pictures as it's been finished up. https://i.ibb.co/KjGG2Q7/IMG-0659.jpg https://i.ibb.co/Lr81PyG/IMG-0692.jpg https://i.ibb.co/10mgf00/IMG-0706.jpg https://i.ibb.co/kXp2qwc/IMG-0701.jpg |
Well...I finally got some time to address a couple of last-minute items and rolled the car outside to fire it up yesterday. With rolling storms through here most of the day, it was quickly put back in the shop with a few heavy downpours that took away the chance of a cruise yesterday. :burnout:
Car is smooth and quiet compared to others I have built, but then I have never owned one that was as true to factory originality & its numbers as this car. The Gardner exhaust with the resonators keeps it fairly tame until you wake it up but that was to be expected. The next step is to put a timing light on it...then clean the tires and torque down the wheels. Then it's ready for a couple of shakedown miles out here in the Rocky Mountains of Western Canada. Trust me when I say I am totally ready for that! :beers: |
I should also throw out a big thanks to my oldest son Devon who was quite involved with the finish work on the car. He's turned into quite the graphics wizard and he also put together the video of the car being fired up yesterday. Hood goes on this morning and some cruise video to follow in the days ahead.
https://i.ibb.co/QcK70tV/IMG-0741.jpg https://i.ibb.co/RpZLZs8/IMG-0759.jpg |
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