Need some Critique on my 69
 

I am getting ready for AACA Junior in February so I need some Critique on my engine area. I know its not perfect but what the heck try and not beat me up too bad.
This is my first Chevelle that I have done.
Yes I have the correct air cleaner and element.
If you need better pictures of an area let me know.
In one of the pictures I have a small amount of teflon tape on the power booster vacuum line elbow that goes into the intake manifold, should I remove all traces of it?

CLICK HERE for more pictures

Re: Need some Critique on my 69
 

Looks GREAT!

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...e/P1010084.jpg
Make this red "danger" tag go away.

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...e/P1010089.jpg
Shouldn't the valve cover gaskets be silver?

Nice job! You should do well. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/cool.gif

Re: Need some Critique on my 69
 

The valve cover gasket should be the cork. Funny you said something about it because I just changed it from the black rubber gasket today to the cork ones. LOL

Come on guys 69 views and only 1 reply so far, dont be bashfull https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/no.gif

Re: Need some Critique on my 69
 

[ QUOTE ]
The valve cover gasket should be the cork. Funny you said something about it because I just changed it from the black rubber gasket today to the cork ones. LOL

Come on guys 69 views and only 1 reply so far, dont be bashfull https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/no.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes, cork, but silver.

http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/PC280004.jpg

My car is far from fresh, but that gasket tab is still somewhat silver.

Re: Need some Critique on my 69
 

Get rid of that red and white battery tag on the positive terminal. That is not vintage. It is a currently mandated warning tag. For some reason everyone leaves those on their cars.

Having that on there is like putting the Ford "CAUTION FAN" sticker on the radiator shroud.

Other than that, it looks great! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...s/headbang.gif

Re: Need some Critique on my 69
 

Why did the cork have a silver color to it? Was it something that GM sprayed on the cork before they installed the gasket??
The red and white battery tag on the terminal is gone. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/wink.gif

Re: Need some Critique on my 69
 

should the Z bar be black or cast?

very nice....sure wish mine looked like yours!

Re: Need some Critique on my 69
 

[ QUOTE ]
Why did the cork have a silver color to it? Was it something that GM sprayed on the cork before they installed the gasket??

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm sure folks just spray-paint the gaskets now. That's what I did with these years ago.

Re: Need some Critique on my 69
 

When I removed the original Z bar from the car it had some kind of thick black paint (like EDP) when I cleaned it up.
The z bar was original to the car so I painted it black.

Re: Need some Critique on my 69
 

The heavy coating on the Z bar was probably paint, but it was most likely dipped. Probably had a run or two in it eh? https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/wink.gif

Just spray the cork gaskets silver. That's what everyone else does. I'm guessing it may have been an adhesive coating on the OE pieces.

NICE detail work. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif

(BTW, I got beat up for the battery tag too. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/grin.gif)

Re: Need some Critique on my 69
 

Boy, your car really pops. Is that dusk blue? Not up on judging, but are repops permitted? i.e. brake booster https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/dunno.gif

Re: Need some Critique on my 69
 

Car looks great-----But,Show Me the Money. Not the Teflon tape.....

Re: Need some Critique on my 69
 

I'm not throwin' any stones at you, Brad https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/no.gif That looks absolutely superb to me https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/worship.gif When I got my car, it still had the original gaskets on the valve covers, and they were a silver color. One of the repro vendors actually sells them that way, but I don't remember which one. Not sure if it was originally some type of adhesive/sealant or what, but there had to be some reason for it to be on there. Since cork is not naturally silver in color, that meant an additional step (read: $$$) in the mfg process.

Re: Need some Critique on my 69
 

The silver colored valve cover gaskets noted that the motor was a high perf. motor.. Just don't make the same mistake I did.. After adjusting the rockers (due to the solid lifter cam) I made the mistake of painting both sides of the cork gasket silver. I had one hell of a time getting the valve covers back off the head about a year later when I went back to adjust the rockers again.. The paint on the cork gaskets stuck to the head surface like super glue.. Only paint the side that will be mating to the valve cover itself..

Classic Industries sells the silver colored gaskets but I was not going to spend that kind of money.. Going to the parts store and picking up an inexpensive cork set and buzz can them silver is the way to go....

Engine bay looks great!!

Rich https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif

Re: Need some Critique on my 69
 

[ QUOTE ]
The silver colored valve cover gaskets noted that the motor was a high perf. motor

[/ QUOTE ]

Rich,

Not sure about that one as my car is a 325hp 396.

Re: Need some Critique on my 69
 

Bill, thats what I always heard.. But it could be just some type of sealant that was on the big block gaskets..

Brad, I agree with the others, the teflon tape has to go, you don't need it those fitting will seal just fine w/o it. The battery tag needs to go and it also looked to me like there was a GM sticker on the washer bottle.. I would probably take that off also...

Do you have that hard to find and often misplaced little wire bracket on the very far back, left (drivers side) head that holds the oil pressure wire, if the car was non mechanical gauges and electrical?? I could not see from the picture in there but it looked like it was there holding the blue wire....

Like the battery stamps and the original oil dipstick!!

I would wish you good luck but I don't think you will need it.. You will do great!! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/worship.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif

Rich

Re: Need some Critique on my 69
 

[ QUOTE ]
Car looks great-----But,Show Me the Money. Not the Teflon tape.....

[/ QUOTE ]Teflon tape is gone https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/grin.gif

Re: Need some Critique on my 69
 

[ QUOTE ]
Boy, your car really pops. Is that dusk blue? Not up on judging, but are repops permitted? i.e. brake booster https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/dunno.gif

[/ QUOTE ]Yes the car is Dusk Blue. That's the original Brake Booster and even the lid is original.
We went over the lids and covered alot of info about them with Don Lightfoot. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/smile.gif

Re: Need some Critique on my 69
 

[ QUOTE ]
Bill, thats what I always heard.. But it could be just some type of sealant that was on the big block gaskets..

Brad, I agree with the others, the teflon tape has to go, you don't need it those fitting will seal just fine w/o it. The battery tag needs to go and it also looked to me like there was a GM sticker on the washer bottle.. I would probably take that off also...

Do you have that hard to find and often misplaced little wire bracket on the very far back, left (drivers side) head that holds the oil pressure wire, if the car was non mechanical gauges and electrical?? I could not see from the picture in there but it looked like it was there holding the blue wire....

Like the battery stamps and the original oil dipstick!!

I would wish you good luck but I don't think you will need it.. You will do great!! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/worship.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif

Rich

[/ QUOTE ]
Oh no the GM sticker on the washer bottle has to go https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...emlins/eek.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...emlins/eek.gif funny is all the shows I have been to so far like my washer bottle parts sticker, LOL

So you like my dip stick that was a pain in the arse, if you look at some of my other pictures you will see a repop dip stick, I did have another original dip stick that had the pink tip so what I did was remove the repop dip stick and hammered it into the flat original one that I had and switched out the tips. The hard part was breaking off the shorter dip stick inside the handle of the original pink tip but they are shorter and will not get a correct oil level. Once that was out it was easy switching them out even the cup with gasket comes off. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif

Yes I do have my original clip that holds the oil pressure wire.

Re: Need some Critique on my 69
 

My car is a 350 HP car so do I need to have silver cork valve cover gaskets or not???
Bill raised some doubt??
My car is not a L78 or copo I wish it was.

Re: Need some Critique on my 69
 

I would include the silver cork V/gaskets on it,as Hi-perf L-34,35 & the Spcl. Hi-perf L-78 got them.BB Truck engines received them too.
For some reason I can't get all your pics to appear.

Re: Need some Critique on my 69
 

The Mr. Gasket V/C gaskets work very well, PN#177. We paint them silver and install. Used them on the last two ZL-1 engines that we built and all big blocks here at CHP. Have been using their products for years. Good stuff!

Get a correct "S" rivet oil cap for the valve cover too. Too many rings on yours. Rick's First Gen sells them.

Engine bay looks great!

Good luck,

Jerry

Re: Need some Critique on my 69
 

Brad,
All factory valve cover gaskets for BB engines were silver painted cork regardless of HP rating. Besides the other suggestions, I would look for a correct oil fill cap and not sure if AACA will catch this, but I don't think your upper front control arm shafts used the threaded ends with a nut. Chevelles usually have bolt on retainers for the upper bushings. Pontiacs and probably Buick and Olds used the style you have but I don't think Chevy did in 69. They definately do not use them on 70's. It looks as if your alternator fan could be incorrect as well, kind of hard to tell from the angle of your pics. If you need pics of the correct oil filler cap or any of the other parts I mentioned send me a PM or email and I'll forward you some. Are you going to the AACA show in Lakeland FL in Feb? If so I'll look you up as I intend to show a car there as well.
Regards, Chris

Re: Need some Critique on my 69
 

https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/hmmm.gif guess I need some more learnin'. Always thot the "Delco Moraine" was upside down and on the driver's side on the originals.

Standing by for educationhttps://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/scholar.gif !



BTW, your engine bay looks fantastic Brad! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif

Re: Need some Critique on my 69
 

Sam,

That is correct for 1969. The DM should be in the 8:00 position looking at the booster, standing in front of the car.

Jerry

Re: Need some Critique on my 69
 

I always thought that the Silver Gaskets were for Engines with Chrome Valve covers.....The Silver made them less visable........... https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/hmmm.gif

Ken https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/flag.gif

Re: Need some Critique on my 69
 

I believe the upper control arm shafts are supposed to have a 3/8-24 bolt on the ends, not nuts.

Are the screws that hold the wire gutter to the firewall supposed to be hex head or phillips head like I think I see?

Other than the minor stuff, it looks great Brad.

Re: Need some Critique on my 69
 

I worked at a well known Chevy dealer back in the early 1970s and the GM BB gaskets were silver as far back as I can remember. The originals were very cheap and brittle.

Jerry

Re: Need some Critique on my 69
 

[ QUOTE ]
I worked at a well known Chevy dealer back in the early 1970s and the GM BB gaskets were silver as far back as I can remember. The originals were very cheap and brittle.

Jerry

[/ QUOTE ]

Even my '66 L72 in the Vette has silver gaskets.

Re: Need some Critique on my 69
 

Chris I am going to the going to the AACA show in Lakeland FL in Feb. we should hook up while their, Also did you know their is another show on Feb 2 at Old Town by Ecklers its a 1000 point show.
I bought my car from the original owner and my car had the bolt on upper control arm nuts on it and the original owner said it was that way when he bought it new.
My car was built in Baltimore 2nd week 1969. I have also seen another car that was built 100 cars down the line with the same upper shaft nuts.
Might have been the plant ran out of the other shafts so they slapped a set of OBP uppers on a bunch of cars not to stop production?
I will look up Ricks for the correct oil cap.

Re: Need some Critique on my 69
 

Is this the correct oil cap from Ricks Item# RC-98
From the picture on his site I cant see the S rivet?

http://www.rickscamaros.com/product....p;dept_id=3227

Re: Need some Critique on my 69
 

It looks correct but like you said can't see the S on the rivet.

Re: Need some Critique on my 69
 

great job https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif

Re: Need some Critique on my 69
 

Could be a better shot but here's the oil cap you're looking for.

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m57/dmcumby/SCap.jpg

A closer look at the rivet.

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m...DSCF0074-4.jpg

Re: Need some Critique on my 69
 

The one I have on my car now has the S rivet on it but it has too many round circles on the inside of the cover. I guess I will call Ricks camaro and see if that one has the S on the rivet.

Edit: I called Ricks Camaro and it does have the S on the rivet.

Re: Need some Critique on my 69
 

Brad,

Chris is correct about the upper a-arm shafts. All Chevelles got the large washer and 5/16 x 24" bolts that hold the bushings in place. I bought a new SS396 Chevelle and it was built in Feb 1969 in Baltimore. Camaros, Chevelles and Novas were all the same. No exceptions. Those large nut a-arm shafts started in the early 1970s and were also sold at parts stores to get more caster and camber out of the upper arms. The parts store versions had more offset.

Jerry

Re: Need some Critique on my 69
 

So I would need to get a set of original upper control arm shafts, bushings and cups ,bolts, lock washers.

Re: Need some Critique on my 69
 

Here is a photo of an untouched, unmolested 69 Chevelle BB engine bay. You can see the bolt and washer size, difference on the upper control arm on the drivers side.. Hope this helps you... Picture is not the greatest...

Rich

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/j...icture1964.jpg

Re: Need some Critique on my 69
 

I have seen other unrestoted 69 cars with the big nut on the control shaft that have never been touched. And I have seen the small bolt set up as well.
I even talked to a few other people that have seen this as well.
I have a set being sent to me from John Watts.

Re: Need some Critique on my 69
 

I've always said, just when you think you have it down, along comes something to prove you wrong.. Just like you said, you have seen it both ways.. Whatever was on the assembly line that day is what the worker used.. Sometimes you see some odd stuff that was used and is original..

Rich