Does anyone know of a parts supplier who may have some of these beauties...??? I am preparing a '68 L71 for judging and need a few. Also, with regards to tripower config., any hints on suppliers for NOS intake gasket set, carb base plate gaskets, and pcv and crankcase vent hoses...??? And lastly, did this model year come with a wiper actuator dust boot, and if so, source for getting one..?? Tks, Jeff B.
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Re: Tower clamps...???
Jeff,
I just purchased tower clamps from Corvette Central, but other vendors such as Paragon Reproductions have them as well.
On that note, I'm not clear on whether the upper and lower rad hoses tower clamps should be dated or not. The NCRS judging manual says yes, but all the vendors I called say no.
My original '68 L71 does have a dust boot for the wiper door. Can't help you with the tri-power parts as all was complete when I bought the car.
Dan -
Re: Tower clamps...???
Jeff,
By the way...just checked my Corvette Central and Paragon manuals and they both have the wiper door boot as well.
It appears that they carry the other items you need as well, obviously not NOS though.
DanComment
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Re: Tower clamps...???
Both Dr. Rebuild and Zip Products might be helpful. Good LuckComment
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Re: Tower clamps...???
Thanks for the suggestion. The car is a candidate for Bowtie judging, so NOS vs reproduction parts are the desired end result... Tks, Jeff B.Comment
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Re: Tower clamps...???
Jeff-----
Dr. Rebuild is the pre-eminent source for original, NOS Wittek tower style clamps. Many of the others on the market are "reproductions"; Dr. Rebuild sells the "real deal". Wittek, the manufacturer of the clamps, is long-since out of business.
As far as the boot goes, if you are talking about the wiper door actuator boot, that part is still available from GM under GM #3966577 and I'm relatively sure that the part sold by Dr. Rebuild and other vendors is this part. However, the "rub" is that the GM #3966577 boot is not exactly correct for 1968 and most 1969 models using the cylindrical, "coffee can" style actuator. Those models originally used a boot of GM #3922348. The 3922348 boot was 2-11/32 long whereas the 3966577 is 3-1/4" long. However, it may be possible to cut the 3966577 boot and simulate a 3922348 boot. In any event, the GM #3922348 boot was discontinued in October, 1969 so finding an NOS example will be a challenge.
For most of the other parts you described, NOS is going to be nearly impossible to find and the Dr. Rebuild reproductions are going to be as close as you can get. Otherwise, you'll need to go with used parts (which, for these items, I heartily don't recommend).In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Re: Tower clamps...???
Joe: I have ordered parts from Dr.Rebuild before, so I am quite familiar with them and will get that going. This car was ordered without the radio ( still has the backing plate )so requires the non-braided spark plug wires, which I understand were dated. I have been advised to NOT try and use/find NOS plug wires because of deteoriaton / unreliability - to your point in advising not to use parts that will cause operational failure and/or sid-of-the road type stuff...!!! I have the dated plug wires on order from Lectric Limited. Thank you for the advise and clear direction. Jeff BurkeyComment
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Re: Bowtie?
Jeff, you had better read the Bowtie rules before you start replacing parts!Comment
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Re: Bowtie?
Bob and Jeff----
Yes, that had occurred to me, too. If one is going through a "restoration" to get to "Bowtie" then I think I think that one has arrived at the proverbial "fork in the road" and selected the wrong path.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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AGREE!
We don't BUILD Bowtie cars.... They either are or aren't Bowtie, as-is!
Don't confuse Bowtie with NCCB's Survivor award. There are considerable differences! At NCRS, the Bowtie car doesn't have to start/drive (there's no judging in the area of Operations Check/Tech Check) and only originality counts. If it's obvious to the judges a part (or parts) have been removed, then anything related falls into question....
Example: your water pump is siezed. Pull it to repair and you just might lose credit for the fan, fan clutch and fan belt(s) to boot! That's the reason others are telling you NOT to touch the car or try to 'improve' it....
The other similar award, Bloomington's Survivor; is based on the motto 'Worn in but not worn out' and the car is EXPECTED to make a 26-mile test course drive. So, the replacement/maintenance of critical parts is a requirement.... While similar, there's a gossamer but SUBSTANTIAL difference between the two awards and it's obvious what one's order of application ought to be!Comment
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Re: Tower clamps...???
It is true that Dr Rebuild sells the real deal for NOS correct tower clamps, however the ones that need to be dated will probably not have the correct date on them. More than likely they will be dated closer to when Wittek went out of business than when your car was built. I was told this by Dr Rebuild when I was looking at ordering these.Comment
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Re: Bowtie?
Bob: I have had the car looked at by a couple of fellow members and they felt the car would easily Top Flight and quite possibly 3-star, as is. There are some very minor things that need to be corrected, like worm clamps, etc. hence my post on NOS tower clamps - I understand, as Jack says, you don't "build" this category of car - you either have one, or you don't. This part of the hobby I find most enjoyable - real, the-way-they-were, moment-in-time Corvettes. Thanks for your help. Jeff B.Comment
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Re: Tower clamps...???
Dan------
Yes, if one is after both ORIGINAL Wittek and correctly dated clamps, about the only option is scrounging the "bone yards" looking for some GM cars of the same year model which might still have some of the same size hose clamps needed still installed on them. They're out there; one just needs to find them. It'll take a bit of looking though to find some in good condition.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Re: AGREE!
And...It takes 50% in any three areas (engine, body, chassis, interior) to earn a NCCB Survivor Award, whereas it takes 85% in body and interior, and 80% in engine and chassis to earn the NCRS Bowtie Award. Survivor judging generally takes only a few minutes, with the typical judging team usually judging a dozen or more cars by early afternoon. Bowtie judges are limited to 4 cars per division and the judging of those cars consumes most of the day. Chassis is judged with the car up on a lift. As was pointed out in a prior posting, NCCB Survivor candidates must complete a 40-mile road tour (within 2 hours) just prior to being judged. The NCRS Bowtie candidate might not be able to make it onto the judging field under its own power, but it must be at least 80/85 percent original to earn the award.
Two very different programs but one thing is common for both: Untouched FACTORY AUTHENTICITY, regardless of the condition, is what counts.Comment
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