[QUOTE=spielman5]

Dave did the pictures you took at the race track come out?

[/QUOTE]

Most of them did. I tried sending you some via e-mail, but your box was full.
Send me an e-mail and I will return some pics.

[QUOTE=Iron82]

Dave,  why did you go the wrong way on the track  QUOTE]

Tried taking a short cut. Didn't work.

[QUOTE=Autom8r] Tux,

I just noticed this thread.... That little "S" hook thingy that is now a candy cane is the spring that holds your door open. Luckily they are cheap at Ecklers and relatively simple to install, you gotta ruin an old scrwedriver for the installation though. You're lucky... when mine broke it took a big chunk out of the leading edge of my door and ended up leading to a complete repaint when I couldn't bear to look at it any more. You'd best jump in there right now and tighten up those header bolts. I had to do that after the "Tail" run....

Our trip was relatively uneventful except for the rain and drizzle. Of course it was only 250 miles.

Glad everyone had a safe trip with minimal damage.

Dave[/QUOTE]

Dave,

Thanks a bunch for the information. I haven't even begun to look for the door spring so I will check Ecklers out. I haven't ever ordered from them so if I do I'll post how that goes.
I may e-mail you for some help on the installation of the spring if I can't come up with a how to diagram. I am pretty lucky though... the guy who painted my car has done plenty of shark work at his body shop.His brother has had a 68 since it was new. This guy has restored it twice that I know of because it sits for long periods between trips back to the states from Germany. That was one of the reasons I had him paint my car. Since mine he has been on sort of a plastic roll. He has painted a slew of vettes since mine,so he treats me right on pricing.
I hope that he has the door information or can walk me through it.
I do have the headers painted and new header / collector gaskets installed. I keep them on hand because that is pretty much a yearly maintenace item for this car.
Thanks again for your input!

                                    Larry

Larry (Tux),

The first time you do the door spring job, it is about a 20 minute task. That includes... scratching your butt til you read the included instructions,looking at the spring and figgering which end is up (the one with the "pinch-pucks"), looking at the remaining psgr. spring to verify which end is up, bending (and ruining)the $2.00 screwdriver correctly, then installing the spring..... next time you do it on the psgr. side it will take around 2 minutes (I still have the factory spring on the psgr side so the numbers might vary).

I have had good luck with Ecklers for the past several years and have no reason to go elsewhere in the aftermarket world, but all the rest likely have the same part at around the same price. They do come with instructions from Ecklers. Spring P/N is A4301 @ $7.99/ ea. or $13.99/ pr. The bent screwdriver P/N A4300 is also available for $9.99 if you don't want to bend your own $2.00 screwdriver. I bent my own $2.00 screwdriver. Ecklers is in FL, phone 800-327-4868. Once you order, they will send you their latest catalog FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE...

(Lawyer-up note: This is not an Ecklers plug, their's and everyone else's aftermarket power window switches and hood cable releases are pure junk and are still available from your local Chev dealer as quality OEM parts for a few more bucks.)

DaveAutom8r38905.8993865741

Well, it's only been a little over a year, but I finally got to look under da Apple, and see what kind-o-damage was done when that tailpipe bit me...while it's not all that bad, it is still damage...to the trans crossmember...and it's welded on. If it were auto, I could remove it, and fix it.
Anyway, here's a couple of pics...hard to really see how bad it is, just take me werd fer it...it's a purdy gud sized dent.
Also, while yer there, take a gander at the pic of one of me half-shafts. If anyone wants to know how good a protectant "Zep45" is...here's my proof. I restored these 1/2shafts in 2000...that's 7 years, baby, and they still look new! And yes, I have driven the car! Remember, it rained pretty hard on us at PF...

                                                      Click image for link

Dadgum Joel...it shore is purdy under there. Frame and shafts are unbelievable. Nice work!
 
Scott

[QUOTE=ranger3] Dadgum Joel...it shore is purdy under there. Frame and shafts are unbelievable. Nice work! Scott
[/QUOTE]

Thanks, Scott! It ONLY took a year of rolling around on me back, with a razor blade, and a small wire brush in a Dremmel tool to clean the frame. I did all of the suspension, nuts, bolts, clips, you name it, it came off! I had already pulled the engine/trans out in '99, and detailed all of that. Mama even helped!!!
I told Mama yesterday that all that dust on the chassis was from Tennessee...she didn't believe me! I was actually cleaning the thing for the first time since last year's Gathering...am I LAZY, or whut?

I was lucky that piece of pipe didn't stick itself up thru the floor...that crossmember is right under the driver seat!