JL8 available first week of Nov, 68?

[Jeff H]

Yes, they show how to remove that top pin retaining tab and drill the holes in each end for the 2 pin setup using the J56 pads but not J56 caliper.

[Lynn]

[ QUOTE ]
"The 68 Z that William referenced in the Car & Driver road test comparo had a service package rear."

I beg to differ. I have under car photos of it showing parking brake cables. The OTC conversion did not use a parking brake.

[/ QUOTE ]

William:

First, post some pictures of that car! I would love to see them. Second, you are correct in that it would have been a true JL8 set up, complete with the little drum type park brakes and cables, but I still believe it was only available over the counter in 68. It was an RPO for 69, but the rear axle is the same as what what sold over the counter for the 68's which, if equipped with disc brakes, would already have the four piston calipers in front.

I shouldn't have used the term "service package rear" as that has come to mean the different over the counter rear end sold in 69. So the "service" rear in 68 became the RPO JL8 in 69 and a slightly different unit became the "service" package rear in 69.

According to Colvin, speaking of the RPO JL8, "This rear axle assembly was available through Chevrolet service in 1968, but few people other than factory supported race teams knew of the option."

As usual, I could be wrong. Anyone seen a documented 68 equipped with JL8 from the factory?

Sorry for any confusion.

Lynn

[Jeff H]

According to Wayne's book, the 4 wheel disc brake system was made available in March 68 as a heavy duty service package. There were 2 components to the kit. The front portion of the kit was part # 3957993-92. The rear axle assembly was part # 3945131 and was a complete rear package that included the parking brakes and re-routed brake piping. So that's probably what was on the test car. Not a true JL8 setup but the heavy duty service package rear assembly.

[1967Z28]

I have spoken a couple of times with a guy who has a yellow '68 Z/28 and it has 4-wheel discs plus it has the original protect-o-plate showing the rear disc code. Only one I've heard of, but I haven't personally seen the car or the p-o-p. I guess I need to give him another call.

-Jon

[Jeff H]

Hmmmm, that would be interesting to see what he really has. What did you say his phone # was?

[firstgenaddict]

Never thought about the smoother pad movement... but come to think of it the Brembo's on my Porsche used twin pins.
Hmmm
Are the twin pin J56 pads even available any longer?

[1970RSZ28]

Lynn,
There were no 1968 factory installed JL8 cars. If you wanted a 4 wheel disc JL8 for your 1968, it had to be dealer installed. How many 68s had this option? Because there was no paper trail from GM, Nobody really knows. All the experts Ive spoken to say very few. How do I know? I have one in my shop. I bought the car from a friend 3 years ago. He was the 2nd owner and owned it for 28 years, only put 3 thousand miles on it.

[Lynn]

[ QUOTE ]
Lynn,
There were no 1968 factory installed JL8 cars. If you wanted a 4 wheel disc JL8 for your 1968, it had to be dealer installed. How many 68s had this option? Because there was no paper trail from GM, Nobody really knows. All the experts Ive spoken to say very few. How do I know? I have one in my shop. I bought the car from a friend 3 years ago. He was the 2nd owner and owned it for 28 years, only put 3 thousand miles on it.

[/ QUOTE ]

Raymond:

Thanks for the input. That is what I have thought for years. Of course you hear stories, but who knows?

I would sure like to see pics of the car in your shop. Where are you located. Wouldn't happen to be yellow with black vinyl top and a custom interior would it?

William:

Still hoping you post some of the pics you have of that C&D car.

Lynn