My daughter just got her drivers permit so we have spent a couple sessions driving the Z so that she can learn how to drive a car with a clutch. She's doing very well. We ended the afternoon washing the Z and I looked in the garage to see the 69 piled up with with all kinds of garage junk looking very lonely and forgotten.

The 69 awaits my attention for numerous upgrades listed elsewhere, but that I have no time for at least another month to get to. It has been nearly 3 months since I have even started it. My greatest reason for not driving it is an oil leak out of the tiny vent holes in the mechanical fuel pumps neck that spews oil all over the right side of the engine and headers making for a great stink and even blue cloud if I have run high rpm's for a bit. I intend to deal with this when I take the engine out for the McCleod dual disc clutch and Crane solid roller cam replacement.

Anyway, what the heck, I fired it up. Almost didn't want too, the battery was very weak, but she did light producing that wonderful rumble and crisp bark when I blipped the throttle. I had forgotten just how fast and easy the shifts are compared to my Z, many would think it was an automatic. The light L88 flywheel and the Long shifter really make a nice combination. The handling is a far cry from the Z; but, hopefully the new Bilstiens and replacement of the rear spring main leaf will take car of much of this.

Following a good warm-up, I couldn't resist a bit more throttle in 2nd gear. The wheels quickly made that satisfying high pitched squeal kicking out the back end just a tad. My daughter just grinned! We got on the highway at the end of the street. The on ramp was sheer joy! We merged with traffic and briefly settled in with the other cars doing about 75 just a bit over 2000 rpm. Very contented cruise. We had to end this drive quickly and get back for the Turkey carving ceremony. What a great day!

I can't wait to get some spare time again. It is just too much fun to leave parked!

Chuck

 

Was your face looking like:

:D :D :D :D :D

What do you have to do to fix the oil leak?

 

2000 RPM at 75mph?? What rear is in it?

 

Glad to hear you finally got a break in your schedule, Chuck! I took the vette out quite a lot yesterday. The, um... lessons, I've been taking have helped me out a bit. :)

How's your daughter doing w/ the Z? She's probably a much better driver at stick than me by now. Wanna give me lessons? :)

-Steve

 

Tell me sumpn Chuck. With those two steeds in the g-rage, which engine do you like more?

 

Was the sound of my ****** too much for ya? :D I was not at all surprised to hear your 69 driving by my house yesterday. The look in your eyes after hearing the ****** idling in my driveway said it all.

BTW, Did you happen to hear my entrance to the freeway while you were walking back home? My nieghbor said he could hear me from his driveway. I did not realize it was THAT loud :cool:

 

Darn, I was waiting for the punchline..... :lol: "the wheels screeched as 75 ft of black rubber stripes showed up behind us and the rear end fishtailed back and forth...... I calmly said between clenched teeth...'A little easier on the throttle sweetheart!!!! ' " :lol: .... but I guess you were driving! :) MJ

 

Pacin: My daughters doing great! She made a 3-2 downshift matching the revs perfectly. She said it was a mistake, I think she has it in her genes.

Slickman: With the ROD 6 speed, the final drive ratio is about 2.53:1

TSW71: Tom, you said it! Hearing the ****** gave me the bug. And yes, we heard you entering the on ramp. It really did sound terrific! That was probably the final straw getting me to consider uncovering and firing up the Beast.

Brettmc: The engines are just different. The Z has so much torque down low that you would think it was a BB instead of only 346ci. The Z motor is very smooth, pulls hard to the 6600 rev limiter, and has a wonder exhaust note to it. The L88 is a bit unhappy below 2500 rpm but transforms itself once there to 7000rpm. The extra 130+ rwhp is definitely noticeable! With the darn oil leak at the fuel pump neck, I didn't want to push it too hard and start leaving a very obvious smoke screen. As it was it smelled like driving an old British sports car :yesnod:

MNJack: It is so hard to set a good example! Your scripted lines will surely come true!

Well, back to work so that I can get my desk cleared and have the time to get the car truly finished soon :cheers:

Chuck

 

Slickman - I was going to answer for Chuck - its a 9 speed.... maybe it just sounds that way since he can turn so many revs.....:lol:

 

Damn, i wish i had her!!! i wish i had the L-88 and Z too! :lol:

 

wish i had it too :cry

 

SLICKMAN: I think Chuck uses a 2.75 rear end ratio. He likes to get 25-30 MPG. :D

Dep

 

Chuck, I realize the difference in engines etc., but my '69 was doing the same thing. I could have sworn that it was coming from the fuel pump area, but after cleaning it all up and replacing the pump, it seemed worse than ever.
I took it for a ride the other night and got under there when I got back, and it seems that it's coming from the crank/time chain cover seal.
Anyway, all the front end suspension is coming off for upgrades, so I will replace it then.
Jon

 

I don't think I could deal with anything higher than a 3:55 rear :nonod:

 

i love my 4.11s :D
the highway is a diffrent story... :lol:

 

Well, yes I do, but that's the city mileage. HIghway mileage is much higher! The actual overall ratio is 2.53:1 using 3.08's and a .82 overdrive 6th gear.

Chuck

 

Jon, when I plugged the holes with silicon, the problem went away until the silicon eventually came out. A Bubba repairs at its best!

Chuck

 

:nono: I found out a quick way to stop oil leaks is to lower the amount of oil you put in the engine.

Of course, that's also why I was considering the "No Oil 78" plates for my car two years ago.

Still, not a bad idea. :) I'm getting tired of being asked what "puh sinka" means. Whaddya think, Chuck: SCB SBC or NOOIL78?

It's December! We gotta get the L-88 under the knife and then drive it to the paint shop. :) I'll even give you a ride home in the 78 if ya want. Hell, if you let me borrow the Z, I'll give you the honor of driving the 78 so you can have a sort of "bridgegap" between new and old. A little taste of the newness of the Z, with the "oldness" of our C3s. Right? It's fair.

-Steve (Looking for an excuse not to do statistics hw)