'72 restoration Q's
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 169
Likes: 0
From: Frederick MD
'72 restoration Q's
All:
I've got a '72 ragtop w/ std. interior. It was my Mom's and she had it since I was 3yrs. old, so it wil ALWAYS stay in the family
What do you all think about upgrading the seats to leather? Maybe the door panels too. Do I have to have power windows to put those panels on? (meaning cutouts for the panels, etc.? What comes with the deluxe interior It has the original comfortweave, but the foams are all but dead. Looks like the covers are perfect (not a crack to be found).
Also, the motor is tired. Runs great, but a shadow of it's former self. I haven't gotten a compresion test, but I suspect the cam is worn.
Also, where can I find out what model motor, trans, axle, gears, etc. for it? Can I give the VIN# and get a build sheet?
Tx,
PLATZIE
I've got a '72 ragtop w/ std. interior. It was my Mom's and she had it since I was 3yrs. old, so it wil ALWAYS stay in the family
What do you all think about upgrading the seats to leather? Maybe the door panels too. Do I have to have power windows to put those panels on? (meaning cutouts for the panels, etc.? What comes with the deluxe interior It has the original comfortweave, but the foams are all but dead. Looks like the covers are perfect (not a crack to be found).
Also, the motor is tired. Runs great, but a shadow of it's former self. I haven't gotten a compresion test, but I suspect the cam is worn.
Also, where can I find out what model motor, trans, axle, gears, etc. for it? Can I give the VIN# and get a build sheet?
Tx,
PLATZIE
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,861
Likes: 2
From: New Zealand
Re: '72 restoration Q's (platzie)
I think the deluxe interior was woodgrain inserts in the shift console and door panels....don't think it matters about power windows....those switches are located on the handbrake console......
GM doesn't keep records of individual cars....your original build sheet might be found on top of the gas tank....you have to remove the tank.....and it may not be there or may not be readable........
....all the parts have part numbers and date codes.......e.g. the block has a 7 digit casting number, like 3970014, with a date code near it, like F 27 2.....this is located on the drivers side rear of the block......
.....also, there's an engine suffix code and partial VIN stamped on a pad on the passenger front of the block, below the heads......
.....You have to remove the valve covers to find the head casting #'s and date codes....
Go to http://www.nastyz28.com/sbcmenu.html for help in decoding.....
Hope this helps.......... :cheers:
GM doesn't keep records of individual cars....your original build sheet might be found on top of the gas tank....you have to remove the tank.....and it may not be there or may not be readable........
....all the parts have part numbers and date codes.......e.g. the block has a 7 digit casting number, like 3970014, with a date code near it, like F 27 2.....this is located on the drivers side rear of the block......
.....also, there's an engine suffix code and partial VIN stamped on a pad on the passenger front of the block, below the heads......
.....You have to remove the valve covers to find the head casting #'s and date codes....
Go to http://www.nastyz28.com/sbcmenu.html for help in decoding.....
Hope this helps.......... :cheers:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 6,217
Likes: 1
From: End of the Ike IL
Cruise-In V Veteran
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Re: '72 restoration Q's (platzie)
It's your car to change as you want, but if it is all original and you have documentation since your mom got it, you might want to keep it stock all the way. Can only get more and more valuable....
Good Luck and welcome :seeya
Good Luck and welcome :seeya
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,731
Likes: 22
From: Marietta Ga.
Re: '72 restoration Q's (platzie)
If you want leather deluxe. get it and keep the originals in a safe place, then you can always go back. But my first advice is to do no changes for a year except tune up and cleaning, then you will know more about what you really have and what you want to do.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 169
Likes: 0
From: Frederick MD
Re: '72 restoration Q's (platzie)
I've grown up with this car and have been skimming through Ekler's before I knew what Playboy was. I know it's the base 350 (L48?)4 spd. convertible w/ no power anything on it, which to me is a plus! Which seems to be OK with pump gas. I guess the low compression is worth something. I had a '69 Firebird 400 w/ 4.10's and a m21 so anything slower to me is unacceptable. A nice "massage" on the motor is a tops on the to do list. Vortec heads/manifold and mild cam should do just fine.
I know the car runs on the hot side, but it seems like the heater is on 24/7. Is there a open vent down by the firewall.? Maybe some modern insulation on the fire wall and floor boards a good idea? Down right sicky on a summer day.
PLATZIE
I know the car runs on the hot side, but it seems like the heater is on 24/7. Is there a open vent down by the firewall.? Maybe some modern insulation on the fire wall and floor boards a good idea? Down right sicky on a summer day.
PLATZIE
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 8,721
Likes: 108
From: Canada
Re: '72 restoration Q's (platzie)
First welcome to the forum, second as far as heat in the summer months, disconnect the heater fan switch in the engine bay, it is on the right side close to the washer pump. You can also bypass the heater core, but the fan is always on.
