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1983 Z28 H.O. Restoration

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Old 07-16-2018, 11:58 AM
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Re: 1983 Z28 H.O. Restoration

You painted the engine orange dude, just put it back together as you see fit. Any originality is out the window now.
Old 07-16-2018, 05:48 PM
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Re: 1983 Z28 H.O. Restoration

Originally Posted by 1MeanZ
You painted the engine orange dude, just put it back together as you see fit. Any originality is out the window now.
It looks great doesn’t it? Don’t worry, you can paint your engine orange someday too.
Old 07-18-2018, 07:06 AM
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Re: 1983 Z28 H.O. Restoration

Originally Posted by jraider66


It looks great doesn’t it? Don’t worry, you can paint your engine orange someday too.
Actually it looks silly, and makes you look foolish in my view. You're in the restoration forum asking for exploded views of L69s so you can put it together correctly, then you paint it orange with a black oil pan? Your words and your actions are in opposition to each other.

And to be clear, I painted the 383 in my GTA Pontiac turquoise. I like it that way. I think black engines are boring and plan to never paint one black again. But I'm also not asking for help in the restoration forum, stating that I want the car to be correctly restored, then acting in direct opposition to what I said.

If you want to be taken seriously, it's all about the say:do ratio man. But hey, it's the internet, everyone has an opinion...
Old 07-18-2018, 08:07 AM
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Re: 1983 Z28 H.O. Restoration

It’s like being bitched at for leaving the toilet seat up. Hopefully it’s not as incessant.

Alright meanZguy. I have failed. I should have consulted you before painting my engine a different color, at the time I did not know that you are the one guy who’s opinion matters on this.

Would you object to No Fear stickers on the valve covers?
Old 07-18-2018, 08:16 AM
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Re: 1983 Z28 H.O. Restoration

Anyways, valve train will be here tomorrow and I can button up the top of the engine. Will be getting the carb together after that and then it’s time to wrap that engine up tight and work on the body.

A friend of mine runs a place called the Third Gen Graveyard a couple miles away. I’m seriously considering picking up a donor car that has good floors. He has 50-75 pretty complete cars hanging out in his yard, maybe more, it’s unreal.



Old 07-25-2018, 10:08 PM
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Re: 1983 Z28 H.O. Restoration

Big thanks to Saxondale for pointing out this brand new NOS dual snorkel setup on eBay. Air cleaner, both ducts and both scoops. I have been searching for these and to find them new and all in the box is ridiculous. I’m going to find a nice safe place to store these.
Old 07-26-2018, 08:07 AM
  #107  
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Re: 1983 Z28 H.O. Restoration

Originally Posted by jraider66
Big thanks to Saxondale for pointing out this brand new NOS dual snorkel setup on eBay. Air cleaner, both ducts and both scoops.


-=Z28=- gets the credit for finding it. All good because all three of us are working on returning an '83/'84 T5 L69 back to new.

Last edited by Saxondale; 07-26-2018 at 08:11 AM.
Old 07-26-2018, 08:17 AM
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Re: 1983 Z28 H.O. Restoration

Originally Posted by jraider66
Big thanks to Saxondale for pointing out this brand new NOS dual snorkel setup on eBay. Air cleaner, both ducts and both scoops. I have been searching for these and to find them new and all in the box is ridiculous. I’m going to find a nice safe place to store these.
That's a score!
Old 07-26-2018, 08:49 AM
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Re: 1983 Z28 H.O. Restoration

There is a complete setup on FB with 12k miles for sale.
Old 07-26-2018, 02:51 PM
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Re: 1983 Z28 H.O. Restoration

Originally Posted by chazman
That's a score!
Right!? Not cheap, but now at least I'm not left wondering where I am going to get them when the day comes to bolt them onto my crisp freshly painted car. Oh, and they will also block just enough of the awesome from my orange engine paint that it doesn't immediately melt people's faces like an 80's guitar solo.
Old 07-26-2018, 07:46 PM
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Re: 1983 Z28 H.O. Restoration

Nice score on some rare parts!

Old 07-26-2018, 07:59 PM
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Re: 1983 Z28 H.O. Restoration

Nice!
Old 07-27-2018, 05:17 AM
  #113  
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Re: 1983 Z28 H.O. Restoration

Hi there,
Not to pile on, but your response bugs me. I went through all this years ago when I was judging local car shows. A guy would drive up to the inspection lane with a custom purple interior, then complain that he was not being judged in the stock/restored class.
PICK.
ONE.
You are doing a nice job on your car, but it is no longer stock. That's fine if you want to customize it, but stop complaining when someone points out that it is no longer stock. Accept it for what it is, and realize that it is your car, customized the way you like it. I get it, orange is a nice nod or throwback to Chevy's high-performance engine days. I bet it will look good when it is complete. Just realize there are other guys like me and meanZguy and others who will recognize that the engine is not the original color.
Old 07-27-2018, 09:14 AM
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Re: 1983 Z28 H.O. Restoration

Right on. It was the “Any originality is out the window now” comment that I disagree with. I don’t think that logic holds up to any scrutiny. Maybe he said it wrong, or maybe that’s how he really feels. Originality is still big to me, regardless of a couple of improvements.

I know that if I was being judged they would probably make a big deal out of it. I’m fine with that. That would be helpful info if I didn’t know it. This project is more for me, the previous owner who loved this car and has passed on, and my uncle who was an 80’s GM guy, and who suggested the engine color in the first place.

Thanks for the comment. I hope that I can contribute back to this forum the amount of help/guidance that I have received.
Old 07-27-2018, 09:28 AM
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Re: 1983 Z28 H.O. Restoration

I applaud you for saving this car and it's your car to do with as you please. And you should do what you want with it in order to make you happy.

But just IMHO, If I walked past an '83 Z28 with and orange block, my first thought would be: This car must have a junkyard mystery motor.

Last edited by chazman; 07-27-2018 at 09:58 AM.
Old 07-27-2018, 10:02 AM
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Re: 1983 Z28 H.O. Restoration

Haha, so your logic is, if the engine is not black, it must be a junkyard mystery motor? Even under a flawless dual snorkel? Come on man, you would know it. This must have been what it was like convincing Henry Ford to paint a car something other than black.
Old 07-27-2018, 10:05 AM
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Re: 1983 Z28 H.O. Restoration

Originally Posted by jraider66
Haha, so your logic is, if the engine is not black, it must be a junkyard mystery motor? Even under a flawless dual snorkel? Come on man, you would know it. This must have been what it was like convincing Henry Ford to paint a car something other than black.
I would absolutely do what makes you happy.
Old 07-27-2018, 10:38 AM
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Re: 1983 Z28 H.O. Restoration

Originally Posted by chazman
I would absolutely do what makes you happy.
Thanks, I’ve always been enamored with these cars. To end up with an 83 H.O. has been a blessing. I’m really enjoying this process.
Old 07-27-2018, 03:12 PM
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Re: 1983 Z28 H.O. Restoration

The black motors in these carbed and TBI cars are ridiculously boring to look at. Certainly in my car anyway.

As far as car shows in this part of the country, tough to find a thirdgen of any kind, or a show that isn't playing 50's music. The only Thirdgen judging is "what the heck are you doing here?"

Old 07-27-2018, 03:16 PM
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Re: 1983 Z28 H.O. Restoration

We also regularly hear:

1. Your car is too new.
2. We don't have a category for you.
Old 07-27-2018, 03:19 PM
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Re: 1983 Z28 H.O. Restoration

Originally Posted by Saxondale
The black motors in these carbed and TBI cars are ridiculously boring to look at. Certainly in my car anyway.

As far as car shows in this part of the country, tough to find a thirdgen of any kind, or a show that isn't playing 50's music. The only Thirdgen judging is "what the heck are you doing here?"

Yeah, why does every DJ at every car show need to blast '50's music?? Enough, already!
Old 07-27-2018, 07:41 PM
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Re: 1983 Z28 H.O. Restoration

Originally Posted by chazman
Yeah, why does every DJ at every car show need to blast '50's music?? Enough, already!
100% agree. The people who grew up with that music are already DEAD! Or close to it.
Old 07-29-2018, 10:51 PM
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Re: 1983 Z28 H.O. Restoration

Getting farther along.

Lots of fun restoring/acquiring the correct exhaust manifold hardware.
Old 07-30-2018, 12:30 AM
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Re: 1983 Z28 H.O. Restoration

Originally Posted by Saxondale

As far as car shows in this part of the country, tough to find a thirdgen of any kind, or a show that isn't playing 50's music. The only Thirdgen judging is "what the heck are you doing here?"
lol so true
Old 07-30-2018, 10:33 PM
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Re: 1983 Z28 H.O. Restoration

Originally Posted by jraider66
Lots of fun restoring/acquiring the correct exhaust manifold hardware.
Be sure to use anti-seize on those threads.
Old 07-30-2018, 11:57 PM
  #126  
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Re: 1983 Z28 H.O. Restoration

Originally Posted by NoEmissions84TA
Be sure to use anti-seize on those threads.
Absolutely. I’m waiting on the French locks to finish up. Surprised at how little of them are out there.

I have everything needed for the carb now, ordered parts from Cliff’s and even ordered the Quadrajet book to learn more about the idle circuits. It’s really all about getting the idle circuits right with those Quadrajets from what I’m reading. I’m really tempted to send the carb in and have it cleaned and re-plated before putting it back together.
Old 07-31-2018, 12:13 AM
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Re: 1983 Z28 H.O. Restoration

I bought the book too. What's cool is that Cliff shares some of his carb "recipes".
Old 07-31-2018, 07:00 AM
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Re: 1983 Z28 H.O. Restoration

I painted my engine Chevy Blue with black oil pan & valve covers, but I'm not going for an original restoration...
Old 08-04-2018, 05:58 PM
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Re: 1983 Z28 H.O. Restoration

Saw the motor in person today. In the white engine bay the orange and differentiating colors will look good. Should also help to reduce the monotony of planned emissions hoses and harnesses.
Old 08-04-2018, 06:36 PM
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Re: 1983 Z28 H.O. Restoration

Originally Posted by jraider66
Getting farther along.

Lots of fun restoring/acquiring the correct exhaust manifold hardware.
Are Your Valve Covers Just Installed Temporarily,I See They Don't Have The Reinforcements.


Last edited by gt4373; 08-04-2018 at 06:40 PM.
Old 08-06-2018, 08:04 AM
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Re: 1983 Z28 H.O. Restoration

Did these engines have them originally? Mine were missing if they were supposed to be on there. I did some research about them and sealing these types of four bolt covers before I bolted everything down. From what I had read I hung up the cork gaskets that I had and ordered rubber Fel Pros with the load spreaders from Summit.

Old 07-17-2021, 04:22 PM
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Re: 1983 Z28 H.O. Restoration

How did you make out with this project?
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