Getting Ready for NCRS NJ Regional

[Gil D.]

I have a 1968 L88 and am going over Top Flite comments from last meet in Columbus to prepare for the NJ Regional in May. I need to clarify some questions from the previous scoring:
(1) Flasher not type: I read in the Judging Manual that an Ideal, Tung-Sol and Signal Stat are acceptable. Are there numbers, colors and sizes to be aware of? I believe the hit was on the fuze box flasher.
(2) Headlamp Shields: Noted Hard Plastic. Are there soft plastic shields?
(3) Headlamps: Non DOT bulbs. My car is Feb 68 build, the changeover occured in Jan 68 for DOT and old stock could be used till exhausted. Wouldn't a non-DOT bulb be acceptable in my car?
(4) Oil Cap: Should not have both "small and small s". I think that means large depressed area and small s. Is there an SMC stamp that goes on the side? I believe it is a chrome finish, s rivet, and large depressed area on cap. Is the SMC on side acceptable?
(5) Air Cleaner Wingnut: Wingnut NTF. Don't know NTF. Manual says for single carburetor to have a chrome pressed metal wingnut. Don't see an L88 remark. I've seen a black phosphorus nut on a 67 L88 which looks more appropriate. Anyone know which it is?
(6) Intake: got notes of PG KET (anyone know what this means?) SNB silver. All I've seen on an aluminum manifolds are silver. Any ideas?
(7) Lifting Eyes: Should have a GM part #. Can't find anyone that's seen a GM part #. Is there one?
(8) Dipstick: SNH dimple. Where is the dimple?
(9) Extension Spoiler: Says bolts are reversed to bumper. Time before they were incorrect the other direction. Which direction do they go?
(10) Exhaust & Heat Riser: Docked 6 points for no heat riser. I believe there is no heat riser on L88 and should just be spacer, right?
Also having a problem trying to locate non-safety clamps that are dated to use for lines, would have to be earlier than 2/68, and TTop bags around 2/68 that are medium blue. These are my most confusing issues for now and would appreciate any help.

[Dick W.]

Re: Getting Ready for NCRS NJ Regional

I will reply to the H/L bulb question. Anything that left the factory after 12/31/67 would have had the DOT bulb. Federally mandated. I would expect to see them installed in cars prior to that.

[Mark D.]

Re: Getting Ready for NCRS NJ Regional

Gil,

Contact Pete Lindahl concerning the flasher. He can fix you up, for sure.

pclindahl@comcast.net

Mark

[Mark D.]

Re: Getting Ready for NCRS NJ Regional

Regarding the oil cap, it should have the large S on the center rivet but, should not have an 'SM' stamp also. Just the large S on the rivet.

[Mark D.]

Re: Getting Ready for NCRS NJ Regional

I'm sure the deduction for your wingnut was its thickness and lack of machining marks.

[Mark D.]

Re: Getting Ready for NCRS NJ Regional

As for the front lifting eye on your Corvette, originals did have a short part number stamped in (on the backside.) Reproductions do not.

[Mark D.]

Re: Getting Ready for NCRS NJ Regional

I'll try to get a PIC of how your intake manifold gaskets should appear. Although there may be some paint on the front and rear gaskets, I would not expect to see them 'painted.'

As for the exterior and chassis deductions, I've always said never trust exterior and/or chassis judges. By nature, they are not very bright.

[Gil D.]

Re: Getting Ready for NCRS NJ Regional

Mark thanks for all your insights - much appreciated...and for Dick's comment on the H/L too. I have to say you got me to smile in the middle of all this preparation scrambling

[Terry B.]

Re: Getting Ready for NCRS NJ Regional

Hi Mark,

Would you happen to have a picture of the lifting eyes with the numbers and a correct wing nut for an L-88 and a L-36?

Thanks,

[Mark D.]

Re: Getting Ready for NCRS NJ Regional

Here is a close-up of the end of an original wingnut. This mark is typical and not seen on reproductions.



Gil,
Reproduction dipsticks have a dimple where the arrow shows. Originals (pictured) do not.



Here is an example of an original flasher. There are others and Pete can fix you up.



An example of an original oil cap.



Original intake gaskets which would be correct for your L88.

[Mark D.]

Re: Getting Ready for NCRS NJ Regional

Hi Mark,

Would you happen to have a picture of the lifting eyes with the numbers?

Thanks,

Terry,

Sorry, I do not. Hopefully someone will post one. Perhaps my friend, Gary Bosselman, will post one for us. Now that I'm a tri-power owner, I have no need for such trivial things.

Mark

[Grant W.]

Re: Getting Ready for NCRS NJ Regional

I have a 1968 L88 and am going over Top Flite comments from last meet in Columbus to prepare for the NJ Regional in May. I need to clarify some questions from the previous scoring:
(1) Flasher not type: I read in the Judging Manual that an Ideal, Tung-Sol and Signal Stat are acceptable. Are there numbers, colors and sizes to be aware of? I believe the hit was on the fuze box flasher.
(2) Headlamp Shields: Noted Hard Plastic. Are there soft plastic shields?
(3) Headlamps: Non DOT bulbs. My car is Feb 68 build, the changeover occured in Jan 68 for DOT and old stock could be used till exhausted. Wouldn't a non-DOT bulb be acceptable in my car?
(4) Oil Cap: Should not have both "small and small s". I think that means large depressed area and small s. Is there an SMC stamp that goes on the side? I believe it is a chrome finish, s rivet, and large depressed area on cap. Is the SMC on side acceptable?
(5) Air Cleaner Wingnut: Wingnut NTF. Don't know NTF. Manual says for single carburetor to have a chrome pressed metal wingnut. Don't see an L88 remark. I've seen a black phosphorus nut on a 67 L88 which looks more appropriate. Anyone know which it is?
(6) Intake: got notes of PG KET (anyone know what this means?) SNB silver. All I've seen on an aluminum manifolds are silver. Any ideas?
(7) Lifting Eyes: Should have a GM part #. Can't find anyone that's seen a GM part #. Is there one?
(8) Dipstick: SNH dimple. Where is the dimple?
(9) Extension Spoiler: Says bolts are reversed to bumper. Time before they were incorrect the other direction. Which direction do they go?
(10) Exhaust & Heat Riser: Docked 6 points for no heat riser. I believe there is no heat riser on L88 and should just be spacer, right?
Also having a problem trying to locate non-safety clamps that are dated to use for lines, would have to be earlier than 2/68, and TTop bags around 2/68 that are medium blue. These are my most confusing issues for now and would appreciate any help.

NTF is Not typical factory
Dip stick Should not have. There is no dimple on a factory dip stick
Extension spoiler bolts- head facing forward nut facing engine. Dark Grey zinc phosphated
Heat riser- should just be a 2 inch spacer.
Headlight shield??? should be made of hard pliable plastic. Not rid-git
If you want a pic of mine let me know.
Air cleaner nut is chrome. Black is for 65 B/B and possible 66
Intake- KET I would like to know too. SNB Should not Be?? Was your intake painted silver. It should be natural..no silver paint on the intake.
Lifting eyes?????? What the heck is that???? I would like to know.
non-safety clamps??? What is that???
Blue T top bags. I can lend you mine??? Need them back of course.
email me if you like.
Thanks, Grant

[John C.]

Re: Getting Ready for NCRS NJ Regional

Gil

The judges messed up on your headlamps. They should not be marked DOT. Many DOT regulations were being implemented at the time, such as tires that had to be DOT marked after Jan. 1 1968, but headlamps were not one of them. For head lamps you look for the DOT wording to tell the reproductions from the originals.

John

[Reba W.]

Re: Getting Ready for NCRS NJ Regional

Item 9
Quoting from JG:
In all years, the black plastic grille lower panel extension (spoiler) is held in place with black oxide, non-painted nuts and bolts with the nut visible from the front of the car. Although this installation differs from the Assembly Information Manual, it has been thoroughly documented on original cars. Some reproductions have bumps on the rear of the extension and service replacements had the part number heat stamped into the extension on the passenger side. Original units have neither of these features.

Item 10
When the supply of color-coded bags was exhausted each year, all cars received black. There is no way of pinning down when this occurred. The JG states that different colors were depleted at different times. Your car should have received credit for black ones IF the date code was in line with production and they were the correct style for 1968.

[Terry M.]

Re: Getting Ready for NCRS NJ Regional

"non-safety clamps??? What is that???"

Safety clamps are the spring clamps with the rounded ears like we see on later '70s vehicles and which are available today. Conversely the non-safety clamps have square cut ears and will cut your hands. Those are what was originally installed on 1968 to 1972 Corvettes.

Probably earlier Corvettes also. but who cares?