As far as originality is concerned, as some of you know may know my original tripower setup (intake/carb/air cleaner) has been stolen, and wondering IF I have to track down another original tripower setup and use that...do you get knocked points? Or would I be ok? If you do get knocked on points, would finding a setup that was very close to the date on block and car work?

I'm just curious how strict it can be...and basically what impact this has on my goal.

 

If your goal is to have your car judged you'll need the carbs and setup that would have been on your car when manufactured with a date no more than 6 months prior to the build date of the car. I don't know the year of your car but the NCRS will have a judging guide for it which will provide all the answers to your questions regarding part numbers, date codes and point deductions.

Good Luck!!

www.NCRS.org

 

The intake only has to be correct casting because the date is on the bottom. You can't see it.

 

I can't remember where I saw it but someone is making repro tri power setups. The carbs can be date stamped to look original although I bet a judge could spot the repro. It was pricey too $3000+ ?

 

If I was you I'd forget worrying about NCRS judges for a while. From the pics we've seen of your car it's gonna be a long time before you're close to entering shows/needing points (unless you want one of them to judge your car as it sits just to get a feel for what it has and/or needs).

I'm really not criticizing or ragging on you so please don't get offended, I'm just being realistic. You need to get a better idea of EVERYTHING you'll need to fix/replace before getting fixated on that 3000-8000 manifold/carb setup that's missing. Start by washing/scrubbing/examining that thing inside and out, top to bottom, flush fluids, check or replace anything rubber, check wiring for any messed up wires or shorts, stuff like that. Make a list of things that you KNOW you'll need (this is gonna be a long list)

Your car is very valuable and obviously has great sentimental value as well, you really need to have a plan of attack restoration-wise and create a budget you can live with before start thinking about NCRS Top-Flight.

 

Oh, as to your original question (how bad you'll get dinged for a non-correct intake) you should post the same question in the Factory Correct Resto section here:

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=77

Good luck.

-steve

 

Steve,

If this guys intent is to restore this car with the intention of having it judged at NCRS events, I would definitely consider any decision I made with that in mind... Even if the car won't be completed for years. It's a lot easier (and cheaper) to plan for the items you'll need to acquire for a restoration than to be in the middle of restoring the car and come to the realization that you've forgoten something critical that is now extremely dificult to address.

Your last comment regarding having a person who is knowledgeable about the type of judging you would like to get your car involved in is probably the best single piece of advice 1ARACE could get and I agree with you completely. Before turning a wrench on the first bolt, have someone who knows these cars take a look at it... You can even take the car to an NCRS event and have them look it over... Or judged "as is" if you're so inclined. This would give you a master list of the items that you would need to locate during the restoration.

Again, excellent advice. Educate yourself on what you'll need to replace, refinish, or refurbish. Make sure you have a list of people who are knowledgeable on 1969 Corvettes who you can call to answer questions... Or pay a visit to help with those items that you need "hands on" help with.

Agreed once again. Years ago, Dave Borroughs (of Bloomington Gold fame) wrote the first definitive book on Corvette restoration. To his credit, Dave is a very meticulous and organized person and he devoted a major portion of his book toward the planning stages of a restoration. I'd definitely locate this book (along with a few others that I can recommend) and read it until you have it memorized... It might save you some major headaches down the road.

The bottom line is that any "797" casting will work for you... As one poster mentioned, the casting dates for aluminum manifolds is on the underside of the manifold, hidden by the heat shield, and is never judged. The carburetors are also part numbered and dated... The criteria for judging the carbs and the manifold is stated in the NCRS Technical Information Manual & Judging Guide. The first thing that I would do would be to pick up this manual... It has a wealth of information and will be an invaluable reference as you move forward with your restoration.

Before buying any parts or taking anything apart, you should probably consider attending a few NCRS judging meets to get a feel for the process and to see exactly how the cars are judged... As mentioned earlier, you might want to consider taking your car and have it judged in its current state if that is feasible.

In any case, take your time and educate yourself. As I mentioned to you before, the car will still be there for you when you are ready to start the restoration.

Good luck!

Regards,

 

Some of this judging stuff is getting way out of line anyhow, I believe. I am told that Corvette judges are the worst for fussiness. A guy in our club was at a show this weekend where the judge took Q-Tips in his tailight bezels to check for dirt and it wasn't even NCRS, BG, etc. You know what? Even a brand new car in a showroom has dust or may have a stone in a tire if it was taken off a truck. It might have lint on the carpet as people sit in then in the showroom. Another guy at a show got dinged for a blade of grass on his carpet. That is just goofiness. I think that type of judging will only deter more people away from being judged, and ulitmately what does it really get you? A trophy, a plaque, a certification? And the bottom line is this just encourages everyone to stock away cars as museum pieces rather than driving the things. Do we really believe there are all those 200 mi. Hemis and RS Camaros out there? I sure don't.......barely anyone in the 60s and 70s were putting cars away. They drove them until they dropped. After all those hot muscle cars outlived their prime time, the youth of the 70s (my crowd) souped 'em up and beat the hell out of them. So where are all these $1M cars all the sudden coming from? They are rebuilds. We have some in our club that were frame off and supposedly in IL you can then set the odo as a new car. What a farce. I think there ought to be classes for those of us who drive them and care for them. If you drive it, restore it, and maintain it there is no class for that judging really. I have a car that scores 90+ in concours, but will never be considered for Survivor because of too much resto, and can't be BG Gold. Where does that leave the brunt of the Vette owners? I guess I stay with Show n' Shines or local shows and forget the big show judging. The bottom line is I think some of the stuff I have witnessed is a little over the top.

 

NCCC, National Council of Corvette Club shows are judged just by the criteria you mention. It's a dirt hunt, and the cleanest car wins.

Same thing with other club organizations.

NCRS and Bloomington Gold judge cars on the basis of originality and condition, NOT cleanliness.

With NCRS and BG judging, EVERY entrant can get a Top Flight or Bloomington Gold award. There are no First, Second, and Third places, determined by dirt, grass, and stones in tire treads. Chuck

 

I had to read through that whole thing twice before i realized you were agreeing with me haha

 

1ARACE,
I have the 68/69 Judging Manual as I used it to restore my 68.
E-mail me if you want me to scan any particular pages for you and e-mail them. I have both the 2nd and 3rd edition. The 3rd edition is the latest as they haven't come out with a 4th yet. I am told there are differences between the 2nd & 3rd edition.
You can also ask this same question about your carbs on the NCRS Technical Discussion board at www.ncrs.org and click on Technical Discussion Board. You need not be a member to ask questions or browse through advice.
Kurt NCRS # 26406