Need Advice (interpretation)

[69 big block (Gregg Cibik)]

Hey guys, along the lines of me wanting to make my 1969 roadster more accurate, would I be better off purchasing a new or newly rebuilt carb from places like "Zip" or "Mid-America" or trying to get an original at a meet or through "Hemmings"? Same for a master cylinder and the caps (expansion tank and oil filler). This is the area of NCRS that confuses me.

Also, I have an "interstate" battery in my car. Should I get any "Delco" top post battery or would I get more points for buying something more original and dated to my car?

My objective is to get the most points allowed (least amount of deductions). Sure money is always a consideration but----

I guess my challenge is that I do not fully understand the point system. For example, if seats are judged for both originality and condition and if, for example sake, they both are equal (originality-10) and (condition-10), are the seats worth 20 points total of the 4500 point?

Let's say that I had original seats that had deteriorated foam in them but very good vinyl coverings (little wear and tear). Excluding the cost, would I score more points with newly foamed and correctly covered seats or keeping the originals?

Thanks in advance.

Gregg Cibik (#33313)

[Jerry Clark]

Re: Need Advice (interpretation)

Hi Gregg:

Glad to see you chose to trust us with your name now your credit card number would be appreciated.

I like to recommend Jerry Luck Motorsports. He , (usually) can provide you with a correctly dated, expertly restored / rebuilt carb for your specific application, his pricing is a downright bargain for the quality work he does and it will run as new. Jerry Luck Motorsports : 314-895-1551, tell him Jerry sent ya, I'm earning credits towards a free beer at Carlisle, only twenty more rebuilds to go...

jer

[Chuck S.]

Re: Need Advice (interpretation)

Gregg,

Best sources for original/correct parts in order of preference:

(1) NOS/restorable used parts from meet vendors, NCRS "Driveline", and Hemmings Motor News,

(2) Top-notch reproduction when NOS/original are not available/too expensive; Look to the repro specialists like Paragon Reproduction (800-882-4688). Paragon also has NOS parts; expect to pay more. Bair's Corvettes is another good source of NOS/original used parts.

(3) Eckler's, Mid-America, Corvette Central, etc. You can still get original, current issue and some NOS GM parts from the large Corvette parts suppliers. If the part you need is not dated, the large parts suppliers will be your least expensive option; You just have to examine the catalog photograph carefully and ask questions to assure yourself that the replacement has not been "revised" such that it is clearly incorrect.

Remember, when you are shopping for NOS/original/correct parts the advice to follow is "caveat emptor" (let the buyer beware); you have to be informed about the fine points of what you are looking for. Do not expect advice, or even truth, from the seller. In reality, you have to become a judge yourself to know what is right and what is not.

Regarding the battery, judging team leaders generally recommend buying the appropriate Delco replacement battery; you'll get all the condition points and a large part of the "originality" points, and it will cost you about $60-$80. Another course is to buy a reproduction battery that looks just like the original, but it will cost you 3 times more money. You'll get more originality points, but maybe not all.

Concerning the seats, if the covers are original and in good shape with no tears, I believe I would scrub them up and have it judged without any changes. You get more credit from NCRS for originality than for new reproduction. If you need to rebuild the seats, Al Knoch Interiors (800-880-8080) used to make excellent reproduction seat covers for the '68-'72 Corvettes.

In your original post, I think you mentioned "wrong mufflers". I believe the judges were referring to the mufflers not being welded to the exhaust pipes. This type original part is not available anymore, but good reproductions can be purchased. Again, they are not likely to fool the judges since the originals had stamped characters in the muffler skins that are not in the reproductions, but you may get a few more originality points. If you don't need a new exhaust system, you have to decide if the points are worth the price.

Chuck Sangerhausen

[Terry M.]

Re: Need Advice (interpretation) *TL*

Gregg,

Chuck and Jerry have outlined the situation correctly. "Restoration" is a trade off between points gained and dollars spent. The ratio is not always proportional nor is it linear.

Your question regarding points: If a part is worth 15 points for originality, 10 points for condition - that is 25 points out of 4500 or .55%.

Terry