Archives for March 2012

For a 1969 Z/28 DZ 302 with a flat hood the correct cover is part number 6421832.

CHROME

I have seen many many postings where people state that chrome lids are supposed to be flash chromed (as opposed to triple chromed). In one of his postings, JohnZ set the record straight and it looks like they are supposed to be “Factory Chromed”.

Paragon Corvette makes an outstanding heavy-gauge reproduction 14″ lid that’s done with “factory chrome” (only nickel and chrome, no copper under the nickel), and they do the silk-screening on it; closest thing you’ll find to the original factory lid.

“Flash chrome” is only the .0005″-thick clear chrome layer; that was used only on polished stainless steel trim like windshield and back window reveal moldings, wheel trim rings, etc. to add brilliance and protect the underlying stainless from oxidation.

“Factory chrome” was a layer of nickel, followed by the final layer of clear chrome; used on bumpers, die-cast emblems, air cleaner lids, etc.

GM never used “show chrome” (copper, then nickel, then chrome).

I am looking into having my original air cleaner cover rechromed.  The problem is the silkscreen on the bottom.

SILKSCREEN TEXT

1) There are a lot of guys who say that the silkscreen on the bottom should be curved text.
2) Paragon Corvette states on their site that curved text is for 1966 – 1969 cars and that square text is for 1970 – 1972. Paragon also calls their chrome for this lid “flash chrome” so I don’t know how reliable of a source they really are.

Counter-argument

1) The silkscreen text that came on my car is straight. I believe my cover is original. Most of the original parts were either on the car or came with the car and the lid is very rusted out. My car is a Norwood, second week of January 1969 Z/28.

Here are two pictures of my lid:

2) There is a guy on Camaros.net with a 8,000 mile Z/28 he found in a field that has the exact same text that mine does. I really don’t believe his car had the lid changed since the miles on his car are so low. His barn find survivor is a Van Nuys First week of May 1969 Z/28.

His lid:

3) A guy that I really trust told me has seen these covers both ways for 1969.

Unless I find some major evidence that it has to be curved, when I have the cover restored, I am going with the straight text.

On Camaros.net, it looks like it’s not uncommon for heat risers to be installed backwards.  The AIM does not show it clearly on UPC N10, Sheet A2.

JohnZ had an excellent posting showing a picture and he posted this comment: “The “extension” was used on all cars at the RH exhaust pipe-to-manifold attachment, in addition to the heat riser valve; it supports the inside diameter of the packing, keeping it from disintegrating (it was also used on the other side). The illustration in the A.I.M. is incorrect – it should show the heat riser valve too. If you look in the “non-illustrated parts” sheet at the beginning of the L34/L35/L78 sections, under UPC 6, where it has the line item for “intake & exhaust manifolds & heat control”, it shows the “assembles same as production” symbol (the “heat control” is the heat riser valve). ”

Picture of his engine showing the heat riser valve:

Picture of a heat riser valve on HBC:

Modification by Ed Bertrand to appear factory but don’t have to worry about it sticking.
He also wrote “Perform the below modifications at your own risk”.

Alfred bought the car from Placke Chevrolet in 1969.

As far as I can tell:

• The location that Placke Cheverolet was at is now Don Brown Chevrolet.
• The building used to be a two story red brick building.
• Placke Chevrolet was owned by Donald C. Placke.
• His son Clifford D. Placke had a used car dealership at the same location in the mid 70’s.
• The address was 2244 South Kingshighway, St. Louis MO 63110

Here is a March 2012 Google maps picture of the location that Placke Chevrolet used to be at:

It would be awesome to have pictures of what Placke Chevrolet looked like back in 1969, but I don’t think I’ll be able to find pictures.

The master cylinder cover that came on the original master cylinder was also sent out to be restored. The pitting was too severe though and it’s not OK for a show car.

A very well known former GM engineer that uses the screen name JohnZ has had a few postings where he states that the correct cap for a 69 Z does NOT have “SAE J1703” on it.  It should only say “USE DELCO BRAKE FLUID” and “SERVICE WITH DELCO PARTS”. He posted a picture of his cap:

His 1969 Z/28 cap is identical to my 1969 Z/28 cap except that his looks very very very nice.

The original DZ 302 oil pan had a few dents and a small tear in it. Instead of having Mike Labrecque fix it, I thought it would be easier to pick up a NOS one on EBay. That was a mistake. Each year is different for the DZ 302.

I believe this one is for a 67:

and this one is for a 68:

and this yellow one I bought on EBay I thought it was for a 69, but I think it’s for a 68. The original 69 pan is in the same pictures:

The end result is that Mike has restored the original oil pan.

Mike said that the catch assembly (bottom piece) was heavily pitted.  He wants me to find a used one in better condition.

 

Time to find a 3947609 and to check on the condition of 3891682 next time I am there.

 

 

This is something my wife asked me tonight.

There are a few reasons:

Between family, work, and 3 first gen cars I am getting disorganized and forgetful. Mike Labrecque sometimes asks me to look for info or for replacement parts and a few times I have forgotten about stuff.

I would like to keep a record of information that I find out. Little things regarding what is correct on a 69Z can drive me in circles for a long time until I figure them out. For example, the silk-screening on the underside of the air cleaner cover. For a 69Z is it supposed to be curved or straight text. Weird and unimportant question? Maybe, but for a judged car, maybe not. On my rusted out 69Z cover that I believe is original, the text is straight. A bunch of guys on the CRG say it should be curved. I found out from a trusted source that he has seen these covers both ways on a 69Z. For now I can stop going in circles.

The car has a lot of history to it. When I talked to the former owners, I can tell that the car meant a lot to them and played a big part in their lives. That alone makes me want to document and keep the history on this car.

That is all I can think of for now but I am sure there are additional reasons.

After the car was media blasted, Andrew at Labrecque found a spark plug in the rear trunk area wedged in the body. The spark plug looks brand new, but 1/2 of the spark plug got media blasted.

Here are two pictures of the spark plug:

3 thoughts on this spark plug:

1) It’s a AC R43. With a few searches at the CRG, this appears correct for a 69Z.

2) It says “AC SPARK PLUG FLINT MICH. MADE IN U.S.A.”. I wonder how many spark plugs are still made in the USA.

3) I bought an set of NOS AC R43 spark plugs on EBay. However, the top green stripe is fat. All the green stripes on this spark plug are uniform. I am guessing the fat stripe is a later version. I am not sure if it matters for a judged car. It would be an odd deduction for having a fat green stripe, but it still might be a deduction.