If you haven't already stabbed the trans in, I'd give some thought to installing an adjustable fork ball. Allows you to optimize the clutch geometry and minimize the pedal effort. Makes a big difference with all of the different parts (aftermarket) to get it right.

Also, wht did you think of the Eastwood rust remover? Did it raise hell with the surrounding paint?

Tim,

Already have a brand new GM Ball and GM Fork in place. I've looked at the adjustable ones before, but I am happy with the stock setup.

DID NOT like the Eastwood rust treatment. Tried it in a couple of spots and all it seemed to do was encapsulate the area in what would look like a hardened clear gel. In my opinion...it kinda sucks!

With a new flywheel, clutch and pressure plate installed on the DZ-302, we finally got some decent weather here this week and I rolled the motor outside to hit it with a coat of orange paint so the engine and bell would match up color-wise. I painted the bell last week and this week I painted the block while dusting the edges of the intake (especially around the corners) as the factory often over sprayed these parts back in the day. In mounting the bell housing and the block, I searched around here and also found a nice set of bell housing bolts with dog bone head markings to button it up.

Also, while finding out last fall that the driver's side cover was in fact a service dated part number that must have been changed, I had not removed the passenger side cover until I painted the motor this week. Turns out it has the correct 3932417 valve cover and would in all likeliness be an original from late 69. I did find a single cover last week to correct the other side and I'm now looking for a set of original O rockers as they were changed when the motor was rebuilt back in 2015. That being said, I should be ready to drop the driveline back in during the next week or two and get it running again. Hopefully, I will be driving it in the next few weeks as long as other interruptions are kept at bay. Life's been dealing me with a few delays lately. (lol)

https://i.ibb.co/StNsdNY/IMG-9544.jpg
Installed a 26-lb billet flywheel, performance clutch, and pressure plate. ARP hardware was used.

https://i.ibb.co/mzHGhyd/IMG-9897.jpg
Finally pulled the passenger side cover to find it was actually the right #3932417 part number.

https://i.ibb.co/QMsDTqB/IMG-9918.jpg
Here's the 403 bell housing after it was painted and matched up to the block using correct original hardware.

https://i.ibb.co/fDKRnVh/IMG-9915.jpg
While painting the original block, I dusted the edges of the intake both front and rear. Valve cover edges will be dusted later.

https://i.ibb.co/QH4yDdc/IMG-9916.jpg
Dry fitting the restored exhaust manifolds and smog rails after coating them with high temp VHT clear.

Here are a couple more shots of the motor before I detail some small parts, replace the vacuum fitting with an original and paint the water pump bolts. Just little details while getting it ready to drop back in. Later today I am hoping to get back onto the front brakes. I'll paint the calipers and they'll soon be reinstalled with new flex lines and the original front rotors that were lightly surfaced. Still have one frame horn to clean up and the driver's side suspension to clean but that should take too long to get done now that the weather is better. More soon.

https://i.ibb.co/SVkbxSP/IMG-9940.jpg
Intake and valve cover's to be left showing a little grime, a little age, and some patina. Trusting the exhaust manifolds will blend in over time.

https://i.ibb.co/0Btg4Sy/IMG-9941.jpg
Here's the front pad left bare from any new paint. Late original block cast J-13-9 and stamped V1021DZ

https://i.ibb.co/MpfYKYy/IMG-9938.jpg
Restored J-10-9 water pump being mocked up. I need to paint the bolts now.

https://i.ibb.co/KLKjyZJ/IMG-9937.jpg
The last of the front end to be cleaned up and detailed before the brakes go back on. Slowly progressing along.

Hi Graeme,
I'm sure I have a set of '0' rockers in my stash...from what I remember they are in decent shape.
Cheers
Cal

Sent you a PM Cal. :beers:

While on the topic of parts needed...

I'm also looking for a factory clutch inspection cover and the elusive "Stamp Rite" carb to fuel line bracket if I can ever find those. :naughty:

Shameless Plug :worship:

https://i.ibb.co/j4mQ3xB/Stamp-Rite-...ne-Bracket.jpg

https://www.corvettecentral.com/prod...32118.main.jpg

Graeme,
The Inspection cover pictured is for a 621 Bellhousing and not the 403. Dave

I pasted the wrong link. Now corrected in the previous post. Thanks

Graeme,
What clutch setup did you go with??

I was going to go with another Hayes but their flywheels were back-ordered. The guy I spoke with at Summit then suggested I go with a RAM Billet flywheel and said these were the hot ticket at 26lbs. He then suggested a RAM Powergrip Clutch Kit and said they sell these 20 to 1 over that of the Hayes Gold. Real reliable clutch disk and pressure plate which is rated for 550hp.

RAM-1511
Flywheel, Billet Steel, 153-Tooth, Internal Engine Balance, 26.000 lbs., 2-Piece Rear Main Seal, SFI 1.1 $239.00

RAM-98760
Clutch Kit, Powergrip, Iron/Organic, 1 1/8 in.- 10-Spline, 10.5 in. $349.00

Graeme,
The new picture of the clutch inspection cover is 67 68 for 69 is slightly different.

Thanxs Dave

No worries Dave.

I don't really have a good picture other than that repro pic from Corvette Central. If anyone has one, feel free to shoot me a pic and I will post it up.

Graeme,

Here is a known original 69 Z28 inspection cover, the CC cover looks the same IMO , except for the black paint that could be stripped off.

Dave, Respectfully What is different? According to my GM parts book dated 72 the inspection cover is the same 67/68/69, with no superseded part number

Finally finding some time to get back onto the Z/28 and cleaned up the driver's side front suspension today. Here are a few paint marks found on the front spindle including a few vertical orange runs and a couple of blue daubs.

https://i.ibb.co/jV47Cx7/IMG-0035.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/KKQ7231/IMG-0033.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/1Gnx79f/IMG-0032.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/bdxNgfX/IMG-0030.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/wcQrSNh/IMG-0031.jpg

Cleaned up the last dust shield and caliper mount from the driver's side and mounted up new soft lines. I also connected all of the front hard lines after stripping the black paint off everything. Tomorrow I will put the rotors back on and mount the calipers back up before bleeding the brakes. Once all of that is done, it'll be time to put the motor back in and get this thing running again. I want to drive it now and put some miles on it. It should be a fun little car with many things having been cleaned up such as the brakes, clutch, and the wheels/tires. Won't be long now.

https://i.ibb.co/8YKTHTj/IMG-0027.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/jDHCQQG/IMG-0043.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/fC31MMM/IMG-0047.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/CK22VFr/IMG-0045.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/YcVGvj1/IMG-0049.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/tHRvDBQ/IMG-0050.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/Rj7tNkr/IMG-0051.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/3Nxhwfk/IMG-0056.jpg

Here's mine, hope that's correct for '69 (but it's going back on there regardless!).

Great progress, looking very nice!

Great detail pics and progress, thanks for sharing your project!

Looking good Graeme!

Should be able to put some wheels back on it now.


https://i.ibb.co/v3C3jnj/IMG-0067.jpg

I hope they're Cragars!

No Sir Dave...

Factory YH wheels for any time it's going to be shown, and TT-D with Wide Oval Radials as my daily drivers.

I'm located close to some major Rocky Mountain highways that are ideal for highway cruising and gear rowing and the Bias Ply's leave a lot to be desired at 70mph so the repro Radials are my choice for actual drivers. I thought long and hard about doing this car up in Day II trim but it's just too original to start playing around with...so I'm staying the course and will keep it stock until I move it along. I'm planning to build another Day II car right after this one is done and that may get some boots and vintage performance goodies, but not this one.

Original wheels with F70 Wide Treads (came with the car)
https://i.ibb.co/P1LQS1B/IMG-6917.jpg

Driver wheels with Wide Ovals...
https://i.ibb.co/D4RwjMc/IMG-7927.jpg

Damn ,That's a nice looking car.

The ride height on your Zed is perfect :beers:

Thanks Mike. Those are pics from last fall.

Currently, it's sitting with the motor out but should settle into the same stance once it goes back in over the next several days. I just finished cleaning everything up and tightening down all the lines yesterday. Today I'll bleed the brakes before I start to put the motor and trans back in. I also added the power steering and I'm really looking forward to driving it here in the coming weeks. The final touch will be to install the Gardner exhaust system which is also sitting here waiting for the motor to go back.

https://i.ibb.co/HnP6KXq/IMG-0072.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/Bw4KKVr/IMG-0081.jpg

Can anyone tell me what color the sway bar was? I have seen the bar being black, grey, and a couple in between. I'm looking to repaint mine and I'm also curious what color the 2 outer mounts were as well? I believe the inner staps were natural and the outer mounts were black? I'm thinking the sway bar was originally black as well.

Thanks in advance for any confirmations on this.

http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?topic=12083.0

There is a thread on CRG called "Amazing 69 Z28 Survivor". I referenced that thread for many items on my restoration (both late builds like yours) including the sway bar question you have. Memory says black sway bar, black outer mounts, gray phosphate inner retainer.

Thanks...forgot about that thread. It's as you mentioned above.

Off to the shop to get it cleaned up and reinstalled.

Sway bar was painted 30% gloss black, the end link hardware (bolt, nut, bushing retainer-washers) is either clear (silver) zinc or silver cad. The frame mounting brackets are also painted 30% gloss black, the bolts attaching the bracket are manganese phosphated and the bushing retainer clamp (originals had a P stamped on them) is natural. The bolt & nut are manganese phosphated.

The front sway bar is now painted and back in the frame with restored original hardware and some NOS bushings & end link hardware with correct bolts. Looks way better than it did before. Here are a few before and after shots of the front suspension to add a little perspective of the cleanup work. (lol)

(The original front sway bar mounts and inside bushings/clamps after P/O painted it all black).
https://i.ibb.co/GV56h2Q/IMG-7110.jpg

(After taking it all apart, detailing it and reinstalling it earlier today. Much better looking IMO).
https://i.ibb.co/5c6R2sg/IMG-0094.jpg

__________________________________________________ _______________________________________

(Original grease and dirt build-up on the control & steering arms along with those gaudy gold end links).
https://i.ibb.co/44RShbF/IMG-7107.jpg

(And here are the NOS end links installed after the front suspension was cleaned up. Miles ahead of where it was before).
https://i.ibb.co/qxZLfm2/IMG-0095.jpg

__________________________________________________ _______________________________________

(Installed a set of NOS end links and bushings on the sway bar. Bolts have WB head marking).
https://i.ibb.co/zbDBJJc/IMG-0091.jpg

(End links installed showing the underside of the a-arm. I need clean this up a bit when it's off of the jack stands and more accessible).
https://i.ibb.co/d5PHyM6/IMG-0096.jpg

Looks great my friend!

Graeme, great work on cleaning up the front end components. I noticed that you replaced the end link hardware with NOS parts and this may not matter, however the end link bolt with the WB (Wales-Beech) head marking used on 69's was a Grade 3 bolt with fine threads. For some larger GM vehicle applications the bolt used was instead a Grade 5, with 3 radial head markings as shown on your replacements, which is also course threaded. The correct bolt has no radial markings.

Original End Link WB Bolt from Skip L's 22K mile 69Z Survivor
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...7d5ebd8d_o.jpg

My original WB bolt (restored)
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...0f986636_c.jpg

Real nice work Graeme. Your photos are a big help to all of us too.

That's what came out of my LT-1 as well

Just having some fun here Sam. The mission to clean it up did change a bit as I have gotten into this car but was never to restore or overcorrect things along the way. Things that are easily cleaned and/or touched up during the process have been done along the way, and any pre-existing service parts that were incorrect to the car have been replaced with the best originals available to me at the time.

The car is miles ahead of where it was and it will definitely be fun to get out with this summer. Who knows, maybe I will actually keep this one for a while. The color has definitely won me over, and I cannot wait to drive it.

Always fun to learn a lot of things about these cars from you and others Lloyd, and thanks for the info on the bolts. The ones sourced will stay in place and although they do have the radial markings, I'm just fine with these in there. I'm trying to clean it up some while addressing some obvious concerns during the process. In doing so, I am sure there will be a few errors but I do appreciate being corrected as there is always more to learn with these cars.

Again...thanks for chiming in. :biggthumpup:

And thanks for the earlier tip on the fuel pump plate color Lloyd. Painted the piece black yesterday and plan to mount it back onto the motor today. If all goes well with time management over the weekend, I will hopefully have the engine back in the car. Business is rolling for us here with large projects and that has been keeping me away from getting this car done as quickly as I had hoped, but here's what's keeping me motivated to some degree. (lol)

https://i.ibb.co/R7xL75Y/IMG-0097.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/KLw6QcG/IMG-0099.jpg

Every time I open this thread I look forward to the updates and also anticipating the car is for sale!?
Either way well done and I respect the work and detail. I am “ cleaning” and updating a vehicle in a similar fashion and with the weather improving I am anxious to take it for a spin!!