Numbers question

[Chris E.]

Re: Time to build a support library!

Patrick,
Thanks for the comments about driving first and making sure I'm familiar with what a '67 L79 looks like before I start. Unfortunately, the frame is rusty and there are other pieces on the car that my dad is concerned about the day to day driveability of. That's why we're considering starting the restoration this fall. Besides, our car is a fairly low optioned L79, and the engine bay is pretty darn simple. I've gotten a bunch of pictures of L79's off the web that have been restored, and I don't even need to go to the shows.

Thanks for the input.

Chris

[Chris E.]

Re: Numbers question

John,

Thanks for the comments on the engine and carb. I found out the other day from my dad that when he brought the car out of storage in the early 80's, that the carb was shot. My dad bought the car originally in '73, drove it for a few years and stored in, then pulled it out again in the early 80's.

Today, my dad brought over the original carb he got with the car in '73. Here's the info off of that one.

TOP ROW READS => 3906631 DA
MIDDLE ROW READS => LIST - 3810
BOTTOM ROW READS => 673

Does the 6 indicate 1966 and 73 indicate the 13th or so of March?

Also, when my dad brought the car out of storage in the 80's, the carb was said to be too rusted out. Is it possible to totally resurrect a carb? If so, how much is a rebuild on a carb go for these days?

Best regards,

Chris

[Mike Cobine]

It isn't just the engine bay.

In the infamous words of a friend who did a couple of cars, "It takes 5 days to get one completely apart, it takes 5 years to get it back together."

If the frame is rusty enough to poke holes in it, it needs to be fixed before driving. If you can tap it with the screwdriver or small hammer and not leave holes, then you should be ok to run around the neighborhood and even the local area.

The trick is to make it run, find out what works and doesn't, and enjoy it for a bit.

Restoration, especially frame-off, is very time-intensive, and the majority of restorers lose interst before they finish. Even if they don't lose interest, many lose the financial support for the project. It is not cheap to do this.

[Dave F.]

Absolutely on target...

"If the frame is rusty enough to poke holes in it..." will more than likely require total replacement of just about everything that is remotely close to the frame. I was only able to salvage the drive train, one trailing arm, sway bar, radiator core support, and coil springs. All else was damaged beyond my comfort level to reuse. Point is this is very expensive and time consuming, but is an educational process that will stay with you forever. Just be prepared to double your cost estimate, and triple your time frame expectations. However, you will never know another car as well as the one you restore starting with a bare frame.

[Chris E.]

Re: Absolutely on target...

Mike and Dave, thanks for the response. Yeah I realize this is going to be a time sink, but I'm only 30 years old and my wife and I aren't gonna have kids for 3-4 more years yet. I figure that will give me a good head start. I also understand that this is an expensive operation. I've been looking at costs of replacement parts and I HEAR ya.
Chris

[Dave F.]

Re: Absolutely on target...

Chris,

We just don't want you to enter into this without knowing the reality of the task you have in front of you. Speaking for myself only, I would not have traded the experience of resurrecting my shark for almost anything else. One of the largest rewards has been the making of friends and acquaintenances that I have throughout the process, several from the NCRS included. The support that I have received from the members has been immeasurable, and the knowledge base is unsurpassable. Good luck, and keep us posted ! And never hesitate to ask questions as you dive in.

Dave

[Gerard F.]

Correct Carb

Chris,

That's the correct carb. 673 means 1966, 7th month(July), third week.
As long as the air horn or main body of the carb is in good shape (not cracked), the carb can be restored, all of the other parts can be replaced.
It would be a nice little bench project for someone. There are some guys on ebay who will restore for about $300 plus parts.

If it were my original, I'd tinker with it myself. There are lots of publications and articles on restoring Holleys.

Jerry Fuccillo
#42179

[Chris E.]

Re: Absolutely on target...

Dave, don't worry, if this project gets off the ground this fall, I'm going to be a NCRS forum regular, for sure.

[Chris E.]

Re: Correct Carb

Thanks Jerry, there is a book available through the NCRS about Holleys, so that would definately be a cool project for me. Plus it would be a great learning experience, as I know ALMOST nothing about how a carburetor works.

Chris

[Patrick H.]

Re: Correct Carb

Chris,

Just my $0.02 again, but if you're going through the trouble and expense of a frame-off or other such actions, I'd send the carb to a reputable rebuilder such as Jerry Luck, Jerry MacNeish or Custom Rebuilt Carbs. You'll get it back recolored and looking like new, bolt it on and be happy. Or, there are service replacements (brand new) with the right numbers but wrong date available.

If you're going to drive it before you work on it, then I'd play with the Holley yourself. But as they can be a major PTIA if not rebuilt corectly (and thus the reason it's likely not on the car) you could be in for major frustration if you try to do it "all" yourself.

Patrick

[Patrick H.]

Re: Absolutely on target...

Chris,

Just remember that your car can tell you a LOT about itself as you disassemble. Thus the reason for picutes, pictures and more pictures.

Patrick

[Dick W.]

Re: Correct Carb

I would have to agree with Patrick. A Holley is not the carb to learn on. At the best, they are complicated, cantankerous, and troublesome for starters. I would send it to one of the people that Patrick mentioned.

[Chris E.]

Re: Correct Carb

Point taken on the carb guys. Thanks.

[Chris E.]

Re: Absolutely on target...

Roger wilco. I've got a digital camera and I'm NOT AFRAID TO USE IT! (heh)
Chris

[Chris E.]

Re: Numbers question

Michael,
Here's a hopefully better picture of the trim tag.

Chris