Just finished the 69. Photos
10-05-2009, 10:00 PM
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Just finished the 69. Photos
I started with a 57,000 mile original car with a beautiful no hit Body and frame. I did a complete Chassis and Engine bay restoration. Amazingly, the entire front and rear suspension came out with a 3/8" ratchet. Nothing frozen or rusted together. The frame needed only light sanding and cleaning to remove the surface scale. The Dog legs were perfect without even slight pitting. Just a dusty Red surface discoloration.
Also surprisingly, all of the pullies, Radiator, Fan Blade, dated fan clutch were all original. The only items I could find replaced (other than common maintenance items) was the Alternator and water pump. The numbers matching 350/350HP had the original bore and was never apart. It was rebuilt a little more aggressively with a 383 Stroker kit and ported polished heads. Externally, it's 100% stock to include the Smog pump, right down to the correct markings on Bolt heads.
With internal engine mods however, it Dyno'ed at 400HP and 460 Ft. Lbs. or torque.
I also changed the 3.70 rear gears to a 3.55 Combo. Even with a M21 Close ration tranny, I figured with 460 Ft. lbs, torque that it would compensate getting me out of first gear, and offer better highway cruising.
I better enjoy it, because I'm so upside down in it I'll be keeping it a while.
Hard to build a car these days and be right side up in it.
Much cheaper to buy them done and already flight judged, but there's something to be said for driving a car you've turned every nut and bolt on. If you've never buillt one, it's hard to understand the feeling, but it almost makes you one with your machine.
Hard to put a price on that.
http://s418.photobucket.com/albums/p...pp268/69396ss/
Also surprisingly, all of the pullies, Radiator, Fan Blade, dated fan clutch were all original. The only items I could find replaced (other than common maintenance items) was the Alternator and water pump. The numbers matching 350/350HP had the original bore and was never apart. It was rebuilt a little more aggressively with a 383 Stroker kit and ported polished heads. Externally, it's 100% stock to include the Smog pump, right down to the correct markings on Bolt heads.
With internal engine mods however, it Dyno'ed at 400HP and 460 Ft. Lbs. or torque.
I also changed the 3.70 rear gears to a 3.55 Combo. Even with a M21 Close ration tranny, I figured with 460 Ft. lbs, torque that it would compensate getting me out of first gear, and offer better highway cruising.
I better enjoy it, because I'm so upside down in it I'll be keeping it a while.
Hard to build a car these days and be right side up in it.
Much cheaper to buy them done and already flight judged, but there's something to be said for driving a car you've turned every nut and bolt on. If you've never buillt one, it's hard to understand the feeling, but it almost makes you one with your machine.
Hard to put a price on that.
http://s418.photobucket.com/albums/p...pp268/69396ss/
Last edited by 69tuxedocoupe; 10-05-2009 at 10:33 PM.
10-05-2009, 10:11 PM
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Looks beautiful. I understand the "getting upside down" concept.
Is that a 458 smog pulley?
Is there an overflow tank?
Is that a 458 smog pulley?
Is there an overflow tank?
10-05-2009, 10:58 PM
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The Smog pump pulley is 3917234 which is correct.
No Overflow tank on the L46 with Copper radiator. Aluminum radiators recieved the overflow tanks.
Last edited by 69tuxedocoupe; 10-05-2009 at 11:17 PM.
10-05-2009, 11:06 PM
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10-05-2009, 11:06 PM
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Awesome job, it's a great looking car. As far as the upside down part...you definetly got your moneys worth and it's obvious that you focused on the details.
One question who did you use to resto your drive axles? They look great.
One question who did you use to resto your drive axles? They look great.
10-05-2009, 11:21 PM
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Thanks, Bairs restores 1/2 shafts, but I opted for new reproduction from them. I'd loose some points on originality if flight judged as they are missing the blackened heat marks as original near the base, but they sure are pretty.
10-05-2009, 11:35 PM
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there's something to be said for driving a car you've turned every nut and bolt on. If you've never buillt one, it's hard to understand the feeling, but it almost makes you one with your machine.
Hard to put a price on that.
Hard to put a price on that.
Great looking car, enjoy the drives you will have
10-06-2009, 01:28 AM
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The JG also says the 350 hp with air and 350 hp with automatic used copper radiators and that those cars had no expansion tank.
My red 69 with air had no expansion tank; my black without air has the tank + aluminum radiator.
That said, I wouldnt doubt that some cars came out differently. There a lot of variations out there.
On the smog pulley, I made the same mistake. I had a 234 on my 350 hp '69 and found out it was wrong. 234 is for the 300 hp motor. Then I found out that the correct deep groove 458 DA pulley was listing at well over $500 on ebay, and the later 458 (no DA) replacement wasn't much cheaper. I put on the repro 458 for $80 and that's why I have a 234 for sale right now.
Finding a correct plastic white fan, lower smog add-on pulley and 458 DA upper pulley were the most challenging parts of the '69 engine compartment, in my experience.
The early/late hood designs and latches were a treat, too.
PS... this is all just information sharing... your car looks fantastic.
Last edited by vettebuyer6369; 10-06-2009 at 01:31 AM.
10-06-2009, 08:41 AM
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NCRS says non-air 350 hp manual '69s used aluminum radiators, and that 350 hp cars without air used an aluminum expansion tank.
The JG also says the 350 hp with air and 350 hp with automatic used copper radiators and that those cars had no expansion tank.
That said, I wouldnt doubt that some cars came out differently. There a lot of variations out there.
PS... this is all just information sharing... your car looks fantastic.
The JG also says the 350 hp with air and 350 hp with automatic used copper radiators and that those cars had no expansion tank.
That said, I wouldnt doubt that some cars came out differently. There a lot of variations out there.
PS... this is all just information sharing... your car looks fantastic.
Nothing wrong with information sharing, in fact research is what I enjoy most about restoring these old cars. Sorting out the truth from all the conflicting information regarding these L46's can be challenging as there is a lot of incorrect info out there, as well as running changes.
From the NCRS website. Joe Lucia is the editor of the 1969 TJM/JG. Most 69 L46's did in fact, use a Copper Radiator. With or without AC. This is an example of much conflicting information.
http://www.ncrs.org/forums/showthrea...9+aim&uid=5663
And another on Copper radiators.
http://www.ncrs.org/forums/showthrea...iator&uid=6310
This also from the NCRS website referancing the 234 Pulley.
http://www.ncrs.org/forums/showthrea...ulley&uid=6454
Assembly drawing (My car is the 18th prior to production end. last day production which may explain the 234 pulley)
http://www.ncrs.org/forums/showthrea...ulley&uid=7219
If I did anything.... I researched.
Multiple threads verify these two facts when searched. I also have a copy of the AIM and JG, but never rely on any one source for information.
Some very good reading regarding the AIM which ties in directly with the examples in this discussion. It can be a frustrating hurdle for many, especially with so much time, research and cost that goes into these restorations.
http://www.ncrs.org/forums/showthrea...9+aim&uid=5332
.
Last edited by 69tuxedocoupe; 10-06-2009 at 10:00 AM.
