And so it begins - the restoration

Steve,

Good luck and thanks for sharing pictures. I'll be watching this thread almost daily.

Super cool. Looking forward to following this.. I really need to sharpen my 69 knowledge.. this may help me

I have the correct and complete set of sb Alt brackets, PS pump and brackets from a Late March build car if needed? 150 bucks for all.

Tom

Tom, I'll keep you in mind for the parts- right now I have a full set but may need them for my other 69.

So I got the motor out last night (yes I am slow) and started looking at the steering box because it has excess play in it - I purchased a rebuilt duratex box from Classic Camaro a few years ago but never put it in - the box looks like the same dimensions but doesn't have the Saginaw top cover on it - has a 7812145 stamped in it and 68 is cast in the housing by inbetween the cvoer and the mount to frame flat. Did they offer a close ratio power steering box in 68? I'm wondering if I should take the guts out of the reman and put them in the origional box instead of just bolting it on - thoughts?

Also started looking at the numbers on things for matching - the TH350 Pan has numbers / letters on the side but are not stamped deep enough and are obscured by some surface rust to max it hard to get a good read on them - Can someone tell me which of the VIN should match the numbers on the pan? This pan has a drain plug on the front, is that origional style for a 69 TH350?

After I clean up the transmission fluid puddle from under the car I'll get to the numbers on the rear end for an inspection......

Some more pictures post tear down - checked the hidden numbers and they matched. Off to the media blaster next week the powder coating for the frame and start metal work. Local shop is doing the work on it.

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Cool...My Z-11 is next after I am finished with the 0-1.

Just saw this post asking about the numbers on the side of the trans pan.
Should look like this.

Thanks for the picture - I'll take a look to see what's there again. I found the VIN numbers on the bellhousing that match correctly. Guess this number on the pan is the build date?

Yes, that is the build date.

Y = Toledo Plant TH 350
9 = Model Year
C = Month
24 = Day
D = Day Shift

Steve,

Any progress? It's been a while!

The shop is a bit behind on the schedule - deep snow and bad roads delayed them getting things to the blaster for over a couple months, and another car got in front of me in the shop due to the delay. The Body and subframe are now blasted and ready for some sheet metal work on the floor board and trunk pan which starts next week. The motor is almost done now, just adding on some trinkets like throttle return spring bracket, painting bolt heads etc. Still on track to be done end of April according to the shop. I should have some pictures of the motor next week. Transmission goes into the shop next week. Trying to get the motor into the machine shop for a dyno break in, check for leaks, and set up next week. So far I am way over budget, and it keeps getting worse!

Hey, can anyone tell me the origional fan diameter? I have an 18 inch fan now, seems a bit tight in the fan shroud on the sides, fine top and bottom.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: SteveR,

Steve,

Our Z11 is totally blown apart just like yours...I opted for the one piece trunk pan and floor. Fit like a glove. A little spendy going this way upfront, but I think it will equal out at the end or come out ahead vs. the hourly rate to patch and hide all hints of repair, plus you know it's rock solid


Tom

Looks like you are doing everything I having done - I'm getting a full trunk pan, extentions and floor boards + outer wheel housings on mine, I think the inners are in good shape. You are ahead of mine for sure, and looking good!

Is yours a possible festival car being a 02D? Mine is a 03D BB car. If it weren't for being a BB car with many NICE options and POP, I would have sold this car long ago after discovering its issues under the paint and mud to hide its forgotten nightmares.