Preservation of a 68 Camaro

[cook_dw]

The qtr glass roller arrived yesterday so I took a few minutes and installed it onto the glass and then into the car.

Photos 689 - 691 - Now all qtr glass is installed, adjusted and finished.

[cook_dw]

Took a few minutes last night and made some water shields for the rear side panel. Found some HD paper here at work they use as protectant to steel blanks that are shipped in. Took the shiny side and painted it black (ignore the shiny black as it was still wet when photo was taken. Krylon Matte Black was used.


Photos 692-694 - Water shields before install. "Homemade redneck water shields"


Photos 695 - 696 - Installed


Photo 697 - What was left of one of the original shields

[scuncio]

Great idea, those turned out nice!

[napa68]

Originally Posted by scuncio

Great idea, those turned out nice!

I'll second that!

[cook_dw]

Nothing much new over the weekend. Ended up getting the rear section of carpet cut and laid. Also pass rear panel on along with windlace. And yes I plan to address the rear panel and its waviness.


Photos 698 - 699 - Rear carpet installed & cut. Rear panel installed with windlace.

[jbtech]

Hey everyone I know how helpful this preservation thread has been for folks like myself. With Darrell's permission I will be keeping this thread updated.







Been a little of a dry spell in the garage but I took advantage over the long weekend to finish up the rear body harness. Previously I THOUGHT I had a good replacement harness for the car but while I was busy repairing it I failed to pay attention to the fact it was a RS harness.. So my search continued for a replacement. With no original replacements out there (at least in my searches) I went to my other parts stash location and rounded up 2 other junk harnesses and managed to secure the sockets and terminals I needed to make the repairs to the original harness which had been butchered up many years ago. Now the mini project begins with repairing the old harness. You can see its pretty tired but the wiring is still good and has no bad insulation throughout the wiring and it ohm'd fine so I will use it.


Photos 700 - 703 - Of the harness before repairs.

Photos 704 - 705 - After cleaning, repairing and retaping.

Photos 706 - 707 - Continued harness repaired - Ignore the one terminal that's missing its backup light socket. Our own Bentley helped me out (which he always does. Thank you) and is sending me the one socket I need to fully complete the rear body harness.

Photos 708 - 710 - Harness installed into the clip under the dash and installed into the tail light housings.

Photos 711 - 712 - side markers

[jbtech]

Finally once all was installed I wired up the car to a battery and tested all the connections including the headlight harness.


Photos 713 - 716 - Headlights, side marker & license plate light.

Photo 717 - Tail light

Photo 718 - Brake light

Photos 719 - Reverse light


Got the package tray installed and glued into place as well as the rear belts. Ignore the bunched up carpet. It was from my big ass rooting around wrestling with belts.

Photo 720 - Package tray

Photos 721 - Rear belts


While on belts I had previously cleaned up the retractor side of the fronts but still needed to clean the clip sides.


Photos 722 - 724 - Lap belts before cleaning.


I went with my ole tried and true method of cleaning. Citrus degreaser and a blue scotchbrite pad. If you decide to do this make sure not to bare down on it while cleaning. Let the degreaser do the work and just massage it into the material. Rinse and towel dry and hang up to air dry.


Photos 725 - 728 - Belts after cleaning.

[jbtech]

Finished up the trimming the carpet, installed the firewall trim cover, kick panels and seal plates. I'm pretty happy with the results of the carpet. Ordered ACC from Speedway Motors for right at $200 with free shipping. Lays nice and very little needed to be trimmed. I actually like the fact the dimmer switch grommet wasn't installed as it allowed for a cleaner fit.


Photos 729 - 730 - As mentioned carpet, trim cover, kick panels and seal plates installed.

Photos 731 - 732 - Cont.

Photos 733 - 735 - Cont.

Photo 736 - 737 - E brake assembly installed.

Photo 738 - Confirming dome light works as it should


Bentley came through with the backup light socket. Got it cleaned up and installed. Now both backups work. Ignore the led light as I didn't have a standard on hand when testing.

Photos 739 -740 - Socket

Photos 741 - 742 - Installed and working


Pulled the cluster and replaced the bulbs.

Photo 743 - Lights off

Photo 744 - Lights on


Photo 745 - Ignition in the run position. Brake light being on is due to testing the circuit along with the lights. One thing I just realized I failed to do was ground out the oil warning light which I will do at another date.

Photo 746 - Ignition in start position

Photo 747 - Ignition in acc position

[jbtech]

Tackled the fuel gauge issues I was having with the sending unit. These are very basic in how they work. I failed to snag a photo of the internals but I'd say if you do not have sending unit that is working pop the cover off and take a look. Make sure you have resistance from the through the mounting post, then through the strap and finally inside the cap where the resistance bar (I'm sure there is a technical term but it escapes me that the moment) is located. If you have resistance to that point confirm the copper tang is still attached to the float arm and is clean. I just cleaned the tang and the bar it rides on and presto I had a working sender. Resistance is 0-90 ohm and will should see 90+ when it is full (by the float arm) and around 40ohms when half and basically 0ohms at empty. (roughly).

Photo 748 - sending unit grounded and powered through factory harness.

Photo 749 - 751 - Gauge showing different positions of the float arm.


Previously I had the oil light which wasn't working so while the cluster was out one finally time (hopefully) I installed the dash pad and confirmed all lights working in cluster. Nothing prettier than a stock 68 cluster. But I'm biased.


Photo 752 - Dash pad

Photos 753 - 754 - Cluster lights

[jbtech]

Originally Posted by RPOLS3

Hay Darrell - anything new to share? Enjoying this thread!

As Darrell is banned he is continuing the preservation thread here I will not be posting any further updates:

http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?topic=19637.360