lmao...now that there is funny! :biggthumpup:

First of all...Thanks!

It was extremely fun doing this build and sharing the details. I've read back through it like 3 or 4 times now.

Takes a while don't it? :haha:

As a bit of a progress update, the severe deep freeze that western Canada was locked into...finally broke. That said, I did finally manage to haul the DZ302 up to the machine shop on Wednesday. The bores will be measured to see it we can rebuild it at .030 which looks like a really good possibility right now. I bought this block from Larry Christensen and he honed the cylinders at .030 because there was no ridge wear. It looked by all means to be rebuildable at .030 over with a simple hone, bearings and a new set of rings.

I have since picked up some .030 forged pistons from Steve Shauger that look like new so we will measure them up to see if we can use them with this build. I suspect the clearance will be fine but if need be, I can always ceramic coat the pistons. The 1178 crank is actually cut & polished at 10/10 so my error on the earlier stated condition of the crank being standard. It looks good to go and if the pistons match up with the bores, the rotating assembly will be balanced and blueprinted for this engine once the block goes through a thorough cleaning and a few tests.

The short block will now be washed, inspected for cracks, bores measured and machined if necessary, main cap alignment checked and all the oil galleries will be thoroughly chased. It'll then be hot tanked and jet washed for a second time before going together with new frost plugs and a set of cam bearings. Once ready for the assembly to drop in, it'll receive a full set of Clevite "H" bearings and the bottom end will be buttoned up. Next, we'll add a Nostalgia plus 30/30 camshaft, Cloyes true roller chain and a new Melling oil pump with factory windage tray. When ready for paint, it'll see an original Z/28 oil pan and an AOR 8" timing cover w/ original 7708 balancer.

I did have to put myself in check this week and not choose a bigger camshaft than needed for this engine and that's hard for me to do (lol). Choosing a smaller cam allows us to clean up the 186 heads, run fresh 1.250 Z/28 springs with screw in studs & guides...and call it a day. I'll now need to find some decent lifters and measure up the pushrods before adding the 472 intake and a set of NOS long slot rockers with stock valve covers. Once finished, the upgraded components should help this motor run stable to 7000 rpm.

More when it's all back from the machine shop. :worship:

https://i.ibb.co/fHZXpvM/Top.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/PQpqBzs/1178.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/dts8MK4/Cyl.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/qp4JY4W/Bottom.jpg

Just wanted to send out props to Larry B for mailing up a set of Dill valve stem caps for the 69. Larry knew I was looking for a set for some rally wheels I was collecting and sent these up on the Polar Express.

Thanks Larry (lbnaz) :flag:

https://i.ibb.co/tzjdpk5/IMG-0352.jpg

In case it was buried in a previous post, I also wanted to send a shout out to Buddy for a nice set of original frame mounts he sent up for use in the car. The 302 will most likely be going in later this year and those mounts will definitely be used at that time.

Thanks again Buddy (x77-69z28) :beers:

It's great people like you guys that make this such a special place to hang out! :youguysrock:

Glad to help out Graeme! Glad you’re keeping her!
Buddy

Wahoooooooooll:3gears::biggthumpup:

Machinist called me yesterday and said he measured all the bores and it's good to go back together at .030 and that the pistons I got from Steve are a perfect fit for the bores. The block is now getting thoroughly cleaned while the rotating assembly is being balanced up. I got the camshaft for this motor but still need to find some good lifters for it before it all goes together. Heads are next and I also found some good springs for those.

I'll post some pictures when the motor is going back together.

Wow...the thread is now up over 300 thousand views. That's really cool!

As a little biddy update, the DZ302 engine build is progressing along nicely at the machine shop. I will try and stop in on Friday to get more details on that. In other news, I did manage to pick up a January 11th YH rally wheel for the car but wanted to give another shout out to Mike Thorpe (rszmjt) for a January 10th YH rally wheel he just hooked me up with. I picked it up today and can now get this pair media blasted, trued up and painted before I mount the new tires up. In total, I now have four January dates for the car, but I'm still looking for one last wheel to complete a set of 5 including a spare.

If anyone has a nice January rim in good shape...hit me up please.

https://i.ibb.co/WzF5v7G/IMG-0455.jpg

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Stopped off at the machine shop today with the oil pan, T/C and some valve train parts for the DZ motor. It's now been line bored, mains have been measured up, the block has been washed up twice, cam bearings and frost plugs are installed, and it's bagged up while it awaits assembly. Crank and rods are out being balanced up and the heads should be ready soon too. Might be finished up in early March if all goes well. Busy times at the machine shop.

https://i.ibb.co/rw52fGs/DZ-Machine.jpg

I was hoping to have the short block finished up by now but wasn't able to source EDM lifters until this week as they were on back order from Comp.

I now have a set coming via Jegs, and should see those next week. Maybe I'll get this DZ motor finished up before I move in the next little while. Maybe LOL

I must admit. Now that this car is sorted and complete. I miss getting updates on the progress of this car.LOL

I know...me too Dave!

It's been sitting here idle while tucked away in the shop while I await doing some additional work on it for summer. Spring has also arrived here now and I will be firing it up this weekend and getting it out for a stretch before packing it up for a bit of a move next month. I've also been busy looking at warehouses properties to store the toys as I have made a decision to move east and expand our business into additional cities and territories.

I'll have some more updates when the DZ302 is all finished up. Cowl hood is going back onto the car too. The fiberglass one is then going up on the wall as shop art I guess. Also changing the wheels out to include a date matched set of original rallies with NOS trim rings and Goodyear's. Gonna drive the wheels off it this summer and enjoy it myself.

G.

Glad to see that EDM lifters are now back in supply after being backordered for about 18 months. Solid lifters with that little tiny EDM oil hole to lubricate the cam lobes. Now I can get this DZ motor finished up.

https://i.ibb.co/nzKj8kr/IMG-1263.jpghttps://i.ibb.co/48T72F1/IMG-1264.jpg

Grahame do you know if the stock lifters had that feature?

No they did not Frank. And with modern oil not having the lubricity it used to...as well as the metallurgical properties having changed in the lifters and cams, these EDM lifters are the way to go with a little added lubrication of the lobes.

Helps to keep from wiping a lobe off the cam during break in is my line of thinking.

Quick shout out to Lloyd C. for hooking me up with an NOS new ash tray for the Rosewood dash that I just swapped into the car. It made for a nice upgrade since the original was scratched up. Also installed an MSD 8910 tach adapter to see if I can get this Green line tach working in the car. Jason sent me the NOS tach and stated it was tested but have not been able to get it to work as of yet. Hopefully this adapts the signal and gets it's operating as it should. If not it needs to go back and I'll hook something else up in it's place.

I'll fire it up tomorrow to see if the tach works with the adapter in place (fingers crossed). If it works with the 8910 installed, I can then button everything back up. Felt good to get working on the car after it sitting here for nearly 5 months.

https://i.ibb.co/8gSR9FB/IMG-1271.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/P5gk231/IMG-1275.jpg

Graeme,

I am very sorry to hear the tach is not working for you. As I said earlier, I tested the tach before shipping it to you and it worked well. That was over a year ago but time should not change anything. I have not heard from you in 6 months so I assumed you got it sorted. If you need to return it, I am ok with that.

Jason

Everytime I see the car I go ahhhhhh , what a sweet looking 69

Sorry Jason...

Wasn't trying to flame you there. You've always been a straight shooter on everything my friend. I sent you a PM :headbang:

Been lagging on the troubleshooting process of the tach only due to it being mounted up on the pillar for what was a labor intensive position. I finally took it down last month to chase the issue and run some other tests but that was interrupted with me selling my home and getting ready for a big move as I head east this month. Trying to finish this up before I move and get this sorted out before loading the car into a trailer.

I'll know where I'm at later in the day as I will test both the Green line tach as well as the stock in dash tach to ensure I have something working before buttoning it back up today. I'm hoping the SW works with the tach adapter and it goes back up on a halo mount, or I'll be looking for another pillar pad. lol

Thanks Frank.

Going for a different look with it this summer. Installing new wheels and tires along with the cowl hood. Going more for a look like this except it has the Endura bumper and no style trim group.

A subdued look so the Popo don't give me a hard time on Portage Avenue this summer. They hassle car owners with skinny fronts and 50's on the rear. Perhaps it'll make a great little sleeper with the stock suspension height and 7" wheels under it. Until they hear that cam that is? lol

Example of the look I want with stock ride height and 7" wheels.
https://i.ibb.co/Wphzkx4/1969-chevrolet-camaro-z28.jpg

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. Still no tach...and I tried both ways on both tachs (SW and Dash Mount). Wondering if it's something with the MSD box now? Anyone know what the ohms signal should be coming of the MSD gray lead? Going to pull out the meter next and measure what signal is coming of the box.

Finally got some 7" wheels mounted so I can strap it down in the trailer w/o the rear quarters bouncing off the tires as the car gets moved across the west. Gonna be fun shredding these tires this summer. Should also drop another inch when the cowl hood goes onto the front end. The stock rear shackles also need reinstalled and the spare tire also needs put into the trunk.

https://i.ibb.co/DYK52hW/IMG-1440.jpg

Looks fantastic!!!

Looks GREAT with those wheels.

Took it out for a little rip yesterday. Marked up the neighborhood pretty good with the new rears, but wasn't sure how the fronts were going to fit the car with the F series on there? Yup...they rub when turning left. I haven't looked at the frame rails just yet, but would imagine that's where they were rubbing due to the installed height.

I like the new look better Graeme... Sounds nice!!

All loaded up and heading to a new home...same owner though. :beers:

https://i.ibb.co/wKd4d44/IMG-1678.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/smz6Q30/IMG-1676.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/GvsBgyb/IMG-1675.jpg

There are so many cars on this site that make me smile and this is one of them.

I loved it before, I love it more with the new wheels.

Landed in Manitoba this weekend and found some time to take the 69 for a little cruise on Portage Ave last night. Wasn't too active being that it's spring time, but did see a few nice cars and stopped by my old stomping grounds for a picture.

The church...near Polo Park.

https://i.ibb.co/mvNCMYX/IMG-1691.jpg

Welcome to Winnipeg !! Sorry I missed you last night.
Roads are little rough this year... been a tough spring !
Gary

Looks like there is still a lot of dirt, gravel? on the ground Grahame

Yup...there is still a bit of sand on the streets here Frank.

I know as I have hammered it a couple times now where I've seen clouds of dust being blown off the road behind me. Also to note, those skinny tires are skating around underneath me as the back end has been dancing on more than one occasion. That surely kicks up some spring time dust and gravel along the sides of the road so I am sure. All that being said, I did build it to be driven...and driving it I am. :biggthumpup:

Life is short...gotta get out and own some!

Been a month but finally got out for another cruise last night. Burned off a full tank of high test...fun night for sure.

https://i.ibb.co/kxs9Xrv/IMG-2038.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/L0NZ6f1/IMG-2100.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/nLVSDxQ/Car-Shop.jpg

Summer is drawing to a close and the freshly built DZ302 motor is fully assembled and ready to go into the car now. I'll be dialing the car back to factory appearance and setting it up to be 100% stock. Once it's finished up with the factory drive line, it'll likely go to Mecum early in the new year. Until then...it's back to work as I get it ready.

The motor and the M21 transmission are both going into the car as soon as I can get my shop arranged to a satisfactory point. First thing is to find a new lift. (lol)

https://i.ibb.co/W2fsXGG/001.jpg

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I hate to see it go back to stock configuration but totally understand that it will bring more at auction that way. This car will do very well at auction Graeme - great build/restoration!

Booooo! Sorry to hear that.

Do the air bags just unbolt?

The vintage airbags are already gone Tony.

Sold them to another member here for use on his Copo. All of the day 2 stuff can obviously be taken off, but not sure just how far I want to go with that at this point. The 302 and the M-21 will definitely go into the car, just unclear about exhaust and other things like the old Lakewoods on the back.

I mean, the car still deserves some character, but unsure where I will ultimately draw that line. Obviously, the more I put into it with things like smog and concourse exhaust, the more that ultimately needs to come back out of it at some point. I know it's not getting chambered exhaust. I really dislike the sound of that option. Especially with a good cam. (LOL)

Are you going with a basically stock spec cam Grahame? I really liked the beauty you had in the first motor

Please don't remove the headers, scatter shield, wheels and traction bars. That makes it look so cool.