Quick 1969 restoration questions

[Don W.]

[Joe L.]

Re: Quick 1969 restoration questions

Don-----

Well, I think that you selected a great year, but I'm a bit prejudiced.

These days, I think that the Borg Warner carb rebuild kits are about the only quality kits on the market. Even the few GM kits still available are, I believe, just the Borg-Warner kit packaged in GM/Delco boxes. The only possible difference in these kits may be the color of the gasket material. There are a few "tabs" here and there which may be visible and may warrant a minor deduct. I wouldn't be too concerned about it, though.

I would go with Delco Gas Charged shocks. You can get these for a very reasonable price and they will ride and perform well. They are no longer made by Delco Chassis, so their configuration is a bit different than originals and it can be discerned. Nevertheless, once again, I'd go with them and take the relatively small deduct. If you find original configuration shocks, you're likely going to have to pay some big money for them. I really don't think it's worth it for something like this. Get Delco #530-315, front, and Delco #530-4 rear, paint them shock absorber blue-gray, and put them on.

Most parts available from GM today for your car will be a little different in configuration than original parts. In those cases where the part can be discerned, it might cost you a few judging points. For something like a distributor rotor or a thermostat, no one's going to know the difference.

Chevrolet has some belts available which will SERVICE your application, but they are not as-original, anyway. You can obtain all the original belts from Quanta Restoration Products. They have the shock absorber blue-gray paint, too.

Good restoration parts at a good price? My recommendation is Dr. Rebuild. They might even carry the Quanta belts, so I'd check with them if you're looking for simplified, multi-part ordering. Dr. Rebuild reproduces many of their own parts. I have consistently found that their own reproductions are the best out there.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Quick 1969 restoration questions

Don,

To add to what Joe said,

1. The shocks don't have to "work" for NCRS judging. If you objective is to judge and then to drive, leave them on if they're original and replace them once your judging is over. If you want to drive now, then replace them as Joe recommended.

2. Be careful of the source of your ignition parts. Napa/Echlin is likely as good or better than whatever you get from your GM dealer. Cheaper, too. In addition, if it has the original cap just leave it on there and get your judging points. Caps fail far less than points and rotors.

3. Why replace the thermostat if it's working?

4. Agree on the Quanta belts.

5. Throw away NOTHING that is removed from the car unless you are absolutely, positively sure it is an aftermarket piece. You WILL want those original parts someday that you throw away now.

Patrick

[Tom S.]

Re: Quick 1969 restoration questions

Don
I found the blue/ grey paint at home depot.I believe the brand was American Accents.I can't remember the brand for sure but it was very close.I don't have the part# either but you will know it when you see it. Tom

[Verle R.]

Re: Quick 1969 restoration questions

No one mentioned your leaking brakes.

There are companies that rebuild calipers with stainless steel sleeves who will exchange calipers with you or, for an extra charge, will return your calipers after rebuild.

Stainless Steel Brakes
Lonestar Caliper Company

are two, there are more.

If your calipers are bad, chances are the master cylinder is also. You can rebuild it (hone and install a kit) or send it to a vendor to be sleeved. You can choose between SS or brass sleeve in the master cylinder.

Stainless steel sleeves in calipers will reduce caliper leakage problems to near zero assuming disk runout is below minimum.

Another thought.....brakes generally go bad quicker when the car is not driven, so drive it like it was meant to.

Verle

[Jean C.]

Re: Quick 1969 restoration questions

Is anyone familar w/Krylon "Denim" paint (a blue/gray color) for shocks and if so, how does it match what was originally used on the shocks?
Best regards,
Charlie