68 Camaro - Almost Done!

[jeff68]

OK, it's (basically) done. Clutch works great - nice & smooth. The bad news is I found that the front brakes didn't work well after fixing the leaky wheel cylinder and installing a new set of NAPA organic shoes. I had bought NOS front & rear Delco shoes (boxes dated 1971), but one side of the front got ruined from the leaky cylinder. Luckily, the guy I bought them from had another front set. I installed them, adjusted the brakes and everything is back to normal.

All I can say about the car is WOW! It seems way faster than I remember - and it makes all those sweet small block sounds. I'm having a hard time keeping my foot out of it. The Polyglas tires actually ride quite nicely and hook up well in a straight line. But if I get on it pulling out of the neighborhood, the back end comes out fairly easy. It's a little weird - no tire noise, no smoke, just spinning tires.

The car still needs to go back to LaBrecque Autocraft for the final paint buff-out, but it looks pretty good after a clean-up with the Griot's Speed-Shine kit that the family got me for Father's day.

Anyhow, I'm a happy camper. My dad will be visiting at the end of October and he can't wait to go for a ride. At 86, he doesn't want to drive it, but I'll make sure we put the 'ol girl through her paces.

[DavidS]

Sweet!!!! The car looks fantastic!

[ls6monte]

Awesome! Enjoy it now!

[frankzlt1]

Came out really great. Its so different seeing a car that color,it came awesome.

[jeff68]

Thanks everyone!

It's been a long road with this car, and I'm ready to enjoy it. I really like working on cars when I want to, but when I have to, it's not much fun. The clutch job wasn't fun at all, and I didn't enjoy working on the front brakes one bit.

But, that's all behind me now, and cruising down the road with the top down is just plain awesome. I have tomorrow off, and I'm planning on putting some open-air miles on the car - the weather is perfect.

Hey David - maybe I'll swing by and we can go cruising tomorrow - but you need to take the Z out !!!

[DavidS]

Originally Posted by jeff68

Thanks everyone!

It's been a long road with this car, and I'm ready to enjoy it. I really like working on cars when I want to, but when I have to, it's not much fun. The clutch job wasn't fun at all, and I didn't enjoy working on the front brakes one bit.

But, that's all behind me now, and cruising down the road with the top down is just plain awesome. I have tomorrow off, and I'm planning on putting some open-air miles on the car - the weather is perfect.

Hey David - maybe I'll swing by and we can go cruising tomorrow - but you need to take the Z out !!!

The Z is still in Mike's shop. He still had to tune the carb and a few other small jobs. I told him I was in no rush since I was between houses. I'll probably get it back in a few weeks.

If you want to stop by, I'll only be here in until 9 am since I have to go finish pressure washing the old house.

This weekend, I might go to the tiny car show at Celebrate Granby on Saturday. On Sunday there is Cartoberfest in New Hartford. If you want to go to one of the shows, let me know and I'll find the center caps, for the 2nd time since I am very disorganized lately. LOL. There are no trophies at either show which is A-OK with me.

[jeff68]

Originally Posted by DavidS

If you want to go to one of the shows, let me know and I'll find the center caps...

Oh yeah, almost forgot about the caps. I probably won't go to the shows, but I'll try to get together with you some time to get the caps. Thanks.

Also, a big THANKS for the Echoes of Norwood book. I'm about 1/2 way through it. Very interesting read. I hope to finish it by the end of the month so I can pass it along to my Dad on his way to Florida for the winter.

[DavidS]

Originally Posted by jeff68

Oh yeah, almost forgot about the caps. I probably won't go to the shows, but I'll try to get together with you some time to get the caps. Thanks.

Also, a big THANKS for the Echoes of Norwood book. I'm about 1/2 way through it. Very interesting read. I hope to finish it by the end of the month so I can pass it along to my Dad on his way to Florida for the winter.

You're welcome! I haven't even started reading mine yet. It would probably take 2 weeks to find it right now anyway. It's amazing how much "stuff" you can accumulate after living in the same place for 14 years. I didn't sort anything out and just "displaced the junk" from the old place to the new place. I figure sorting everything out can be my winter project. HA! HA!

[DAWG]

car looks great!

[jeff68]

Originally Posted by DAWG

car looks great!

Thanks Dawg!