Delema -When is it time to crack an "original" seal? - Third Generation F-Body Message Boards

z-man92 · 04-18-2009, 10:44 PM

I have a 92 Z28 convertible with less than 34K original miles, fully documented. I bought the car and was told that it was only driven on nice days, mostly on the highway. I was checking some things out today and pulled the rear wheels to check the brakes. The brakes feel fine with no noise or vibrations, but I wanted to check for deteriation due to their age (17 years). The drums still have the original factory retaining clips installed in perfect shape, and I couldn't bring myself to cut them off just yet. Any other way to remove these retainers without damaging them? I'm thinking that if not, I still should cut the clips and inspect those brakes and components, a totalled classic ain't worth saving those clips. Any suggestions?

Also, I'm going to go through the car tomorrow and take pics of all the original paper tags and part number codes I can find. Looks like most are here and still readable. I'll be happy to share that list and/or photos to those who like that kind of stuff when I catalog them. Keep 'em on all fours or stand em up if you can!....

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gatorcola · 04-18-2009, 11:44 PM

I understand your hesitance and your concern. Taht's a question that only you can answer,

Love your ride, what's her history and how 'bout lots of pics.

89RS_82Z · 04-19-2009, 01:00 AM

i think you can twist them off with a flat head screw driver IIRC

scottmoyer · 04-19-2009, 12:56 PM

I thought the same thing years ago but have since changed my thinking. I have learned that even the stringent car shows allow for regular maintenance items as long as they are replacement items and not modified. For example, the Delco Freedom II battery is no longer available, especially in the same look as the original. Car shows allow for replacement batteries as long as it's still a Delco with teh correct CCA and power ratings. I also found that tires, belts, hoses fluids, plugs, wires, etc are all expected to be replaced for safety purposes. Take pictures of the parts before you disassemble so you have documentation, but nobody will ever look for those in a car show.

Also, you probably don't need to worry about that yet as rear drums usually go a long time before needing maintenance. I just replaced the pads and rotors on a dailey driven Silverado with 72k miles. The rear drums are still fine so I would think yours would be ok. Unless you have reason to believe differently, I wouldn't touch 'em yet only because the need isn't there.

z-man92 · 04-19-2009, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gatorcola

Love your ride, what's her history and how 'bout lots of pics.

Thanks Gator, I like her too!....I always had older cars of the 60's & early 70's, but liked these alot when they came out. With a price tag just over $22K when new (I think, might have been higher), I couldn't afford one back then. I love this car when I first saw her, but was surprised when I saw that it had rear drums, I expected disc. Having been such a late model 92 (built in May of 92), I was told that Chevy was using up what they had to make way for the forth gen, which debuted in the following month. The car has just about every option, including leather. One of only 1254 built (both auto & stick), probably one of only a couple of hundred with the five speed.

I'm in the process of looking for the original owner, but here's the story I have so far. The car was bought as a gift for the kid of the owner of Lance Snacks here in nearby Charlotte, NC from City Chevrolet. Charlotte always seems to get some of the rarest production cars around because the owner of City Chevrolet, Rick Hendrick (NASCAR 3-team owner and 100+ dealerships) seemed to have alot of pull with GM. He's got the first available car of many models and years and, from what I have heard, he is the first in the nation to start showing the 2010 Camaro in two weeks, a full 10 days before anyone else. Matter of fact, our camaro club has been invited to show our cars in the dealership as a history line on the debute. Anyway, I've got to track down the original owner, but with HIPPA laws and such, it's kinda tough.

As far as more pictures....The car sat in a garage somewhere where it looks like it had gotten dusty over time, then boxes were slid across the trunk lid and hood. The paint had a bunch of tiny scratches and dings. Probably would have buffed out and showed well the way it was, but I opted on a professional repaint. Been in the paint shop since Wednesday, so I will post new pics when it's back, hopefully next week. Thanks for the nice words...

HankL69 · 04-19-2009, 03:00 PM

If you have re-painted the car, worrying about keeping the original brake drum retainer clips is not an issue. Cut 'em off and see whats in there.

z-man92 · 04-19-2009, 03:11 PM

Good point....kinda solves my own delema :P

scottmoyer · 04-20-2009, 04:18 PM

Not really. A repaint is an accepted maintenance item. Especially if the miles are low and the repaint is high quality. If done correctly, nobody would know that a repaint was done. I still believe that you shouldn't remove them unless you feel there is a necessity to do so.

HankL69 · 04-20-2009, 06:56 PM

Any judging system that I've come in contact with has a percentage of paint that can be done before the car is no longer considered "original". Usually it runs in the 25 to 30% range. A total re-paint will definately kick any car out of an original or survivor class. Brakes fall into the maintenance area, so missing clips would not hurt or cost point reduction.

NomadTA · 04-21-2009, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by z-man92

he is the first in the nation to start showing the 2010 Camaro in two weeks, a full 10 days before anyone else.

Nice 'vert! Post up some more pics of it, the avatar is a tad small.

Must take longer for the Camaro's to get there from the factory. The local dealer up here has had one out front for a week or so.

Mark in Maine · 04-21-2009, 08:31 PM

You're in Ontario, GM is building the new Camaro in Ontario, I think. Maybe that's why your local dealer has one out front. Where we are, I am doing the drive-by every day or three, can't wait to get a look at a new one . . .

DartByU · 04-24-2009, 04:45 PM

You can get those clips off without messing them up much, but it's not easy, a small very thin screwdriver and pry out and turn.

86WS6 · 04-24-2009, 08:53 PM

Love your vert! Feel your pain. I have an 86 WS6 T-top Bird in the same color with 28K, and have wrestled with the original thing versus much needed repairs of a 23 year old car. The original tires rotted off of mine, although it has always been kept inside. One tire actually developed a bubble in the tread and part of the sidewall. The OEM battery croaked. The OEM radiator hoses got soft and needed replacement. The OEM spark plug wires went bad. We had to repaint the blue because the clear coat turned yellow. The shows it has been in have allowed it to be shown as an original car because it is orignal in every other way. Other then repairs, the only thing that I have modified is adding a 12 disc CD, hidden in the storage box in the back. I'm sure that I will get zinged at some shows, but that is OK, because one has to to maintain thier car, or it will turn into poop. The shows we have attended still allow my car as an original, because it shows no wear, and is a stock numbers matching car. I can't imagine any show actually asking you to remove a wheel so that they can check to see if the brake retainer clips are intact.

z-man92 · 04-29-2009, 05:34 PM

Thanks for the input guys....I can probably get away with spot painting the areas that need attention, but I don't want it to look like crap. Maybe I can find someone who can do a good match, but I was worrried that paints and processes have changed so much in 15 years, it would show. Anyway, thanks for the kind words on my vert! I will be posting new pics when the paint is done.

z-man92 · 05-05-2009, 10:51 AM

Paint update - the body shop called me today and told me they found a previous dent repair in the left fender. Also, with all the little dings, I'd have more than 30% repaired, so it's getting the full repaint. He's already got the bumper covers off the car and is massaging the body. Found zero rust, so at least that's good. He said he could have it back to me in a week, but wants it for three weeks, he's giving me a "diamond" so I can advertise for him. Quoted me $3800, which I thought was pretty good for a show quality paint job. Can't wait to see her done!