Judging manual VS discussion posts?

[Joseph C.]

Good morning all,

I am restoring a 1968 l68 and I seem to get more technical information here than with the judging manual? Why is this? There is too much gray area just looking in the manual.

[Tom H.]

Re: Judging manual VS discussion posts?

You will find the manual is a guide. The information in the manual is based on facts available at the time of publication. The advantage of being on this site are the facts that have been discovered since publication, discovered errors in the manual as well as real world experience from those who have been there, done that. Every day more original cars are discovered and documented to help us learn how it was really done at the factory.

You need to use several sources of information for a correct restoration. The judging manual is usually a pretty good place to start though. BTW, be sure you have the most current version of your judging manual.

[Gary C.]

Re: Judging manual VS discussion posts?

as Tom points out they JM's are living documents. It takes a couple of years or more to revise a manual. Lots of hours to develop, discuss and agree upon go into updating a JM. As an example the '56-7 update's been in progress for 2 years now and only 3 sections are completed. When in doubt post your question here. If you get multiple answers and are unsure - recommend you e-mail the specific year Team Leader with your questions. Regards, Gary....

[Dick W.]

Re: Judging manual VS discussion posts?

Having been involved with two revisions of that manual I can tell you that it is very hard to gather information and verify the accuracy. The last revision of the '70-'72 manual took several years. There were many people that volunteered to help with both manuals, but when it came down to "crunch" time very few actually helped.

While most of what is printed here is accurate, do not take everything you read as gospel, especially with a '68. So many things depend on the time period that the car was built. It was a work in progress also.

[Kurt B.]

Re: Judging manual VS discussion posts?

Amen to Tom Hendrick's comment about using the most recent version.
I used the current version when I was doing my 68 and then a newer version came out that negated some of what I had done.
Frustrating when you think you are restoring your car to the "Bible" and then the "Bible" changes
Kurt

[D S.]

Re: Judging manual VS discussion posts?

As many of you pointed out getting input and doing research to put together a comprehensive judging guide takes quite a while and what we have so far is better than what we had before. There is so much information many of us want to see in the judging guides and if it were all to be put in those guides they would be more like assembly manuals than guides. Personally I would love to see more photographs and detailed illustrations and in time I believe there will be. I've never seen the 1970-1972 first edition judging guide but I'll lay odds it is far less informational than the fourth edition.
Having this TDB is like having a round table discussion on aspects not clear to us or not found in the judging guides. The interaction and specific information is great. People provide photos, part numbers, and other technical information not found in the judging guides. The judging guide doesn't give us that personal touch that the TDB does. Combined we get a wealth of information.

[Jack C.]

Re: Judging manual VS discussion posts?

I have just registered my 1968 L68 for a Chapter event for this September after tweaking mine for well over a year. I too had read cover to cover the TIMJG and spent quite a bid time on the Forum looking for answers to some gray area items. Feel free to reach out to me if you need a little help.

[Terry B.]

Re: Judging manual VS discussion posts?

Joseph,

All the previous information is great. I too have a '68 and I (We) ...many we I might add, did a frame off in 2006. The judging manual is good to have but at times is vague. Getting a '68 Assembly Manual is also a must for the restorer. You can get one usually at a Corvette supply vendor such as Paragon. With a '68, you definitately will have changes in the production year and will have to refer to your build date for that particular change and when it took place. Enjoy the process!

[Bob I.]

Re: Judging manual VS discussion posts?

I'm currently restoring 1970 L46, I find that JMG has a wealth of info. You need to spend the time, to find the answers to your questions.

[Kurt B.]

Re: Judging manual VS discussion posts?

I agree with D Scott Simms.
Over the many years that I spent restoring my 68 to factory original condition, this Board was an extremely valuable resource.
Often times the JG was not clear or I just didn't understand what I was readign and the kind people on this board always steered me in the right direction.
I wouldn't contemplate restoring a Corvette without the assistance of the Technical Discussion Board.
Kurt

[Stephen B.]

Re: Judging manual VS discussion posts?

Keep in mind that Factory Assembly Manuals have the final changes for the year cataloged. If a car is an early car, sometimes the AIM will deal you astray. Also, sometimes the part numbers in the AIM are different from the original parts much less the replacement parts in the part catalog.

I'd also purchase a parts manual. The diagrams help at times. Also, purchase the "1969 Stingray Guidebook". It's filled with much '68 to 72 information.

And finally, the judging manuals are vague at times so Dick Whittington can make a few things up as he goes. lolol.

[Dick W.]

Re: Judging manual VS discussion posts?

Kurt, Scott remember that the Judging Manuals are "living, breathing" documents that will take many years of revisions. I have restored other makes of cars over the years and have found the above statement is true for most clubs that have judging manuals.

[Alan S.]

Re: Judging manual VS discussion posts?

Joseph,
Another GREAT source of information for your restoration is finding a BOW-TIE car and getting to know the owner. The BOW-TIE owners are often very willing to take a look and maybe even a photo of a component you're asking about. I see lots of answers and photos from Patrick Hulst and Kevin Goodman. They seem to understand what a valuable resource their cars are to other owners .
Regards,
Alan

[Dick W.]

Re: Judging manual VS discussion posts?

[quote=Stephen Byrd (12641);And finally, the judging manuals are vague at times so Dick Whittington can make a few things up as he goes. lolol.[/quote]

Just remember what they say about payback Bunkster, yer car will be judged one day and I am sure that I can find a few things ya didn't know about!

[Reba W.]

Re: Judging manual VS discussion posts?

That is the purpose of the Bowtie program--to teach us. The final question a Star/Bowtie judging team is asked is "Can this car be used as an example to educate us?" Many times when judging, I have gone to a displayed Bowtie car to assure myself of something.