Norwood
 

I've been around here far to long without starting a thread about my car. Partly because it's nothing special and it lacks the financial resources to become a modern day PT car.

Norwood does have a lot of sentimental value though as my best friend Bob Abel located the car in '89 and convinced me that I needed it since he knew when I was in high school in 74-76 that I idolized a buddy's red and black '69 Z/28.

I first met Bob in the early 80's. Bob built the Cooler Tavern in '67 which was located a couple of blocks from the University of Oregon's current football stadium, Autzen Stadium which the U of O played their first game at in '68. The stadium is still an icon today.

I really got to know Bob when I was a judge at The Village Green Concours. I was judging the Corvette's and Cobra's and Bob happened to have a pristine 289 trailer queen and a very good '66 427 driver. The ensuing party after the concourse at his house resulted in the creation of the Alpo Open which would be held at the Cooler Tavern. The rules were pretty simple, eight contestants were seated at two picnic benches on the stage, hands tied behind them, dog dishes filled with premium Alpo dog food in front of them, first empty bowl wins. Top three went to the finals two weeks later. :thumbsup:

Bob was the best man in my first wedding in '88 and adopted me as a room mate in "Abel's Home for Wayward Men" in Oct. of '94 when I filed for divorce. Since he divorced in '92 we were enjoying life until Feb. of '95 when he was diagnosed with cancer and died at a young 53 years old, my current age. Sadly he didn't make a repeat performance as best man when I was married again to my current wife in Nov. of '96. I can honestly say there haven't been many days since his death that I haven't thought of him and still miss his friendship dearly.

Godspeed my friend.......
http://sieg.smugmug.com/Other/Cycles...80_evpPC-L.jpg

So.........Norwood is nothing special as a car but it's much more than a car in so many ways.

Norwood started life as a '69 Super Sport X11 Fathom Green vinyl top car. When Bob drove it down from Portland and I took delivery at another good gearhead friend of our's house it looked pretty much like this even though this picture is taken in '06.

http://sieg.smugmug.com/Other/Cycles...17_BsKFM-L.jpg

The suspension and interior was all stock, the motor was a 355 built by a builder know for his circle track motors at the now erased Portland Riverside Speedway when I took delivery. It's kind of a sneaker buget build as it uses mostly old school GM performance parts but runs respectable and has never let me down to this day though I've only put about 9K miles on it since '89. The paint and badging is as delivered in '89.

In the first few years I added Koni front shocks and firmer/lower front springs, de-arched the stock rear springs, installed a set of Recarro front seats and Simpson lap belts, and Momo steering wheel purchased at Wine Country Motorsports during a trip with Bob to the Jim Davis Memorial Drags at Sears Point.

So.........the kids are now 10 and 13 and I'm realizing their future impact on earnings potential so late last summer I decided to sell a motorcycle invest some money in Norwood and rekindle the now 23 year old relationship. Two things I never liked about the car were the automatic transmission and wheels. I've also never been a vinyl top fan either but on this car it doesn't bother me enough to take money away from performance mods that improve the driving experience. So the money from the motorcycle went towards Vintage Wheel Works V40's and a close-ratio Tremec T56 Magnum.

Here's how Norwood sat at last fall.
http://sieg.smugmug.com/Cars/69-Cama...IMAG1177-L.jpg

So.......if I'm not black-balled from Lat-G for being so negligent I'll be able to update recent progress without mini thread-jacks going forward. :rolleyes:

To the numerous contributing members and moderators here I can't tell you how much I appreciate the wealth of information this forum delivers and the overall caliber of the participants and vendors. :thumbsup:

:lateral:

Very cool story. Great looking car!

Thanks Brandon.

Here's some more basics on the car.

The engine compartment wasn't bad when I bought it but there have been quite a few hours of nit-picky low budget detailing mostly involving time and elbow grease.
http://sieg.smugmug.com/Cars/69-Cama...52_bifVs-L.jpg

The exhaust system wasn't very good so another of the early mods was to install the brand new at the time ceramic coatred headers and a FlowMaster exhaust kit with 2.5" pipe, a cross-over, and single dual inlet/outlet muffler with tail pipes in the stock location.


The car to the best of my knowledge was delivered with multi-leaf and 12 bolt posi unlike Renner's one-legger. :unibrow: You can also see the corner of the FlowMaster and the ultra-trick Monroe Magnum shocks. :D Springs are Global West -2" stiffies. I stripped and undercoated most of the car shortly after I bought it with 3M Rubberized Undercoat and also sandblasted and painted most of the brackets and rearend and replaced the OEM fuel and brake lines.
http://sieg.smugmug.com/Cars/69-Cama...08_WQQWq-L.jpg

The front brakes were something to talk about.............in 1969.
http://sieg.smugmug.com/Cars/69-Cama...79_6qyWg-L.jpg

http://sieg.smugmug.com/Cars/69-Cama...34_LGkyy-L.jpg
:rofl: :rofl:

Very cool story, Your car looks killer! Sounds like a great friend may he RIP

Thanks man. :thumbsup:

He was a great friend. He was the kind of person that if I was in serious trouble and could make contact with him there was no doubt he'd be there or arrange prompt resolution. He had many traits very similar to Mr. Greg Weld. :thumbsup: But I don't think Greg has ridden a Harley at Sturgess wearing a much larger than life latex Dickhead cap. :rofl:

At his funeral it was standing room only, easily over 700 people and a long line out the front door. When I took the podium to speak it was an amazing tribute. We had funeral procession to the cemetary with over 120 Good Guys caliber hotrods, they actually closed traffic on Interstate 5 for the procession. it's been 16 years now and I still get choked up.

Thanks for your Story...

Great story, Sieg. Nice job telling it. :)

And glad you posted your car. It looks great and you are on your way now with that bug we all have here. :thumbsup:

Thanks Dave.

Progress on the car has been handicapped by another passion (adrenaline addiction) over the years..........motorcycles.
http://sieg.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/...14_WWySK-L.jpg
Father time is sneaking up on me so it's time to focus on a future adrenaline delivery system. :unibrow:

Very nice car Sieg. :thumbsup: Thanks for posting.

I guess I'm in the minority, but I really like the vinyl tops. Particularly on orange and yellow 69s. I seriously considered putting one on mine. I think your car looks awesome.

Do you have specific plans for the build going forward?

Thanks Bryan. :thumbsup:

I have a few more posts to add to this overnite biography to get the car to it's current state and what I want it to be. Stay tuned. :)

Continuing the biography - When I bought the car it had an old Holley square bore dual feed that I could never ID exactly what it was. It ran great on top but around town it wasn't too good. Edelbrock had just come out with their 1400 series so I put a 1406 on the car and bought a tuning kit.
http://sieg.smugmug.com/Cars/69-Cama...P1010004-L.jpg
Having had cars with Weber DGV and DCOE carbs I was pretty comfortable with jetting the Weber made 1406. it was good around town and strong in the mid range but I never could get decent upper rpm performance from it. I wasn't sure if it was myself, the metering or the cfm so in 2001 or so when BG came out with the Speed Demon Series I thought the 650vs may be the ticket.
http://sieg.smugmug.com/Cars/69-Cama...P6050004-L.jpg
Well as it turned out the idle circuit in the early Speed Demons sucked, almost as much as BG's tech department. The Demon top end was better but idle and off idle transition was mediocre. I recently solved the transition by drilling the pump nozzles from .028 to .035, going with a green pump cam, and playing with the vac secondary springs. So much for their marketing promise of ready right out of the box.

The top end is still a little soft for the way the motor builds power in the mid-range. The Edelbrock Torker II manifold that came on the car is weak link IMO. I know, it's kinda of obvious but when you're not hanging around gearheads a lot and have limited test and tune time and we'd just had our first child, I was a little handicapped.......some will argue I still am. Nobody's ever accused me of being excessively smart and I like to tinker, those two traits compliment each other nicely. :yes:

Edelbrock's 1400 series carbs were trash as well as the Demons. Back then we played with both and never could make them work through out the whole RPM range. LOL at BG's tech service :yes:

OK - Fast forward about ten years, six motorcycles, and the first kid has a sister now and they're 10 and 13. Decide you're not getting any younger, you don't heal as quick, and at some point reaction time and vision is going handicap motorcycling at the level you like to ride, so another strategy is in order.

Phase one were these:
http://sieg.smugmug.com/Cars/69-Cama...57_dwvJF-L.jpg

Phase two was this:
http://sieg.smugmug.com/Cars/69-Cama...IMAG0266-L.jpg

Those items lead to this
http://sieg.smugmug.com/Cars/69-Cama...IMGP6507-L.jpg

A little clearancing
http://sieg.smugmug.com/Cars/69-Cama...IMGP6517-L.jpg

A little cutting
http://sieg.smugmug.com/Cars/69-Cama...IMGP6551-L.jpg

A little fitting & welding
http://sieg.smugmug.com/Cars/69-Cama...IMGP6573-L.jpg

And a little makeup
http://sieg.smugmug.com/Cars/69-Cama...IMGP6578-L.jpg

Good, a thread of yours that I can jack. :lol: It's about time you told us a little about yourself.

Awesome story Sieg!! God Speed to your friend Bob. Friends like that are very few and far between.
Glad to see your adding to the snall collection of leaf sprung and stock subframed build threads!! :thumbsup:

Lord knows I've got some payback coming. :lol: It's partially your fault it took me so long.....your car has given Norwood a serious low self-esteem complex. :thumbsup:

Thanks Gaetano. :thumbsup: Being a minority ain't easy at times, especially if you're the faster orange and black combo. :unibrow:

About time Sieg...:D

Great read and project! I've always liked the orange and black combo. :thumbsup:

Thanks Ron - Appreciate it. :thumbsup:

Great story and awesome car Sieg :thumbsup:

More on the T56 install. First I need to mention this wouldn't have been possible without the help of a good friend whom I met through Bob. He was the executor of Bob's estate and an avid hot-rodder. He has been more than generous storing my car for the past 3 years in one of the shops at his house. The drive on lift and his assistance and guidance made the project substantially easier than solo in my garage on jack stands. Even though I had to travel 15-20 minutes one way to his shop the lift and space were well worth the travel.
http://sieg.smugmug.com/Cars/69-Cama...IMGP6519-L.jpg

One thing I learned about the T56 1st Gen F body install is many people say they will fit without cutting the tunnel. After multiple trial fits and measurements there must be quite a difference in the floor pans from factory to factory. With a drivetrain angle of 2.25-2.5* downward and new full height sub-frame mounts mine was a full 1/2" high at the shifter cover bolts on the right side. Access to the top bolts on Quicktime scatter shield was also very tight, 3' extention with a wobble end just barely fit.
http://sieg.smugmug.com/Cars/69-Cama...IMAG1199-L.jpg
This is the final clearance after manipulating the tunnel with bottle jacks and wood blocks.

I built this cover to gain clearance and also access to the shifter
http://sieg.smugmug.com/Cars/69-Cama...IMAG1203-L.jpg

http://sieg.smugmug.com/Cars/69-Cama...IMGP6596-M.jpg

Another thing I learned........
http://sieg.smugmug.com/Cars/69-Cama...IMGP6589-L.jpg
When levering the sub-frame down to squeeze the cross-member into position make sure the pry-bar doesn't lose it's bite.
I had no idea how fast my hands really are. :D

http://sieg.smugmug.com/Cars/69-Cama...IMGP6603-M.jpg
A strategically placed fabric band-aid stopped the bleeding during what ended up being a 14 hour thrash. Cleaned it up when I got home and used butterfly closures for a few days. I should have sutured or super glued it as I now have a life long scar as a reminder of my personal one-punch azz-kicking.......and a little dain bramage.

Keep it coming!! I slipped with a Tq wrench once on a flywheel bolt and got 12 to the stitches chin. Glad you're alright

Ouch! My T56 hits y floor also. Im grinding off the little ear tabs that are hitting.

Besides the anticipated tunnel clearance mods the only real issue we had with the install was the throw-out bearing shipped with the kit from Hurst Drivelines......too long
http://sieg.smugmug.com/Cars/69-Cama...MAG1040-XL.jpg

Hurst responded promptly and shipped me a Mcleod adjustable at no charge. :thumbsup:
http://sieg.smugmug.com/Cars/69-Cama...MAG1084-XL.jpg

Other than having to cut the tacks on the exhaust system, R&R the tranny and kick my own azz the install went pretty well.
http://sieg.smugmug.com/Cars/69-Cama...IMAG1039-L.jpg
:rofl:

So moving right along, I've fought a leaking front timing cover to oil pan seal since I've had the car. Decided while the tranny was out to replace the cover and pan with Milodon units and a Felpro one piece silcone gasket. We could squeeze the motor up just enough to get the pan out between the crank and cross member. One ficken problem, the windage tray would clear the oil pump pick-up. :(
http://sieg.smugmug.com/Cars/69-Cama...IMAG1080-L.jpg
Nothing a little cutting can't fix.......I saved the piece so in the future it can be tacked back in. :rolleyes: I used black permagasket silicone on the front and rear seals when we reinstalled the pan and all went well.

So the first test drive I find out it's leaking worse than before.....WTF! I call Milodon and was informed their gasket has a little more material at the front an rear seals than Felpro's.............:willy: So at some point in the near future the motor will be coming out and the pan will be mounted with a Milodon gasket and The Right Stuff. Did I mention that I HATE OIL LEAKS!? :D

One thing leads to another..........
http://sieg.smugmug.com/Cars/69-Cama...IMAG1213-L.jpg

http://sieg.smugmug.com/Cars/69-Cama...IMAG1221-L.jpg

POR 15'd
http://sieg.smugmug.com/Cars/69-Cama...IMAG1240-L.jpg

Dynamat Extreme and new carpet
http://sieg.smugmug.com/Cars/69-Cama...IMAG1279-L.jpg

Back together again
http://sieg.smugmug.com/Cars/69-Cama...IMAG1315-L.jpg

I also went to the local crafts store and bought some vinyl and sewed up a shift boot. FWIW - I used an O-ring to secure the top.
http://sieg.smugmug.com/Cars/69-Cama...IMGP0002-L.jpg

One thing I did to add additional sound deadening was cut out panels of 1/2 felted wool commercial carpet pad and fit in the backside of the rear seat panels. I feel it was well worth it, as the tail pipe noise is reduced about 50% now. Even though at first I wasn't sure if I liked it so quiet, but now I can actually hear someone during a phone call. :D

Nice story and am looking forward to your next update already.:yes: :yes: :yes:
Mark.

Very Cool Thread.:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

I can relate! I was very careful when torquing the flywheel, it creates multiple potential ops for failure. :D

Dimple the tunnel metal vs hacking on the tranny?

Thanks mate. :thumbsup:

Much appreciated Scott. :thumbsup:

The line in Christmas Story just came to mind... "you'll put your eye out" :lol:

Great progress and congrats !

Jim

LOL! Thanks Jim, very impressed with your "Speedster" and fabrication skills. My first real job out of high school (summer of '76) was at the small local Porsche/Audi dealer. :thumbsup:

During the pan and gasket swap I snapped a couple pics of the antique lower-end SBC. Nothing fancy, 010 block, balanced assembly, brazed pickup, 2.02 heads that casting #'s match up to 67 375hp Corvette, hydraulic cam has no ID on the front so I'm assuming GM?, Comp Cams Magnum rockers 1.5/1,6 ratio, Mallory Unilite distributor. I don't know what crank or pistons were used, based on traits I'm guessing 10:1 comp. Any insight based on observations would be appreciated. Trash talking is expected too. :unibrow:

http://sieg.smugmug.com/Cars/69-Cama...MGP6491-XL.jpg

I like seeing there was still hatch marks on the cylinder wall in this pic after 23 years.
http://sieg.smugmug.com/Cars/69-Cama...MGP6492-XL.jpg

http://sieg.smugmug.com/Cars/69-Cama...MGP6495-XL.jpg

http://sieg.smugmug.com/Cars/69-Cama...MGP6494-XL.jpg

After test driving the wheel/tire/trans install for 500 miles or so I noticed the Hurst Blackjack optional shifter upgrade I ordered with the T56 Mag kit was weeping ATF out the top shift arm pivot.
http://sieg.smugmug.com/Cars/Hurst-B...IMG3681-XL.jpg

Let me back up a little and explain that Hurst advise me prior to installing the new shifter to apply heavy grease to the underside of the pivot ball and cut the seal from the underside of the stock Tremec shifter and fit it to the underside of their shifter......that should have been my first clue.

After discovering the leak I spoke with Hurst technical and was advised to verify the fluid level and check the case vent to insure it wasn't pinched or clogged. Once that was confirmed and it was still leaking, I was told the they hadn't heard of the issue and asked again about the fluid level and vent. I told them it may take a little time to confirm the venting for sure and the tech was very accommodating leaving me a verbal open window of warranty time. So a couple months passed and during some other projects the created downtime I pulled the console and slit the carpet kit down the tunnel, and thanks to the access/clearance plate I built, pulled the shifter to thoroughly inspect.

During the multiple conversations I questioned them as to why no seal was engineered into the design. As is, the gear cluster throws oil onto the bottom of the shifter linkage and the trans builds a slight amount of pressure during operation (obvious with the Incorporated vent system) and if oil is on the pivot ball internal pressure can push it out the top side, seems logical to me anyway.

After calling Hurst tech again to say all looked in order even though I hadn't flow tested the vent line due to restricted access. They then told me they only knew of two others they were having leak issues with and they have about 2000 sold in the field? That's a 300% percent increase by my math. :D They again questioned vent function and oil level. So.............

Here's the pressure tester I tossed together to verify vent function.
http://sieg.smugmug.com/Cars/69-Cama...IMAG1955-M.jpg http://sieg.smugmug.com/Cars/69-Cama...IMAG1951-M.jpg

This and audible indication confirmed the vent was functioning and the max pressure registered was 2.5 psi. The oil level was checked on level ground via the inspection plug. When originally filled it took 3.6-3.7 qts and the specs say capacity is 4 qts.

FWIW - When I sent the guage pictures the communication stalled.

All said and done Hurst doesn't have an answer, though they have been very good to deal with (Jim Goodlad - tech rep). Jim early on in the process offered a new shifter, give a full refund and locate a new OEM shifter to replace the one I ruined at their advice to cut out the seal. They've fulfilled their obligation short of designing a shifter with a seal that insures it won't leak. I have no hard feelings because Jim is a real good guy and in a middleman position between non-enthusiast businessmen and college engineers that may have no real-world field experience.

So I'm returning the Hurst shifter for credit and just installed a White Lightning Shifter from American Powertrain.
http://sieg.smugmug.com/Cars/69-Cama...IMAG1997-L.jpg

http://sieg.smugmug.com/Cars/69-Cama...IMAG2000-L.jpg

http://sieg.smugmug.com/Cars/69-Cama...IMAG1992-L.jpg

A few things that stand out with the White Lightning: The shift pivot arm is slightly shorter which means the shift throw would be even shorter than the very acceptable Hurst unit. The other is the shifter plate uses recessed socket bolts which provide an extra 5/16" of tunnel clearance.

In my conversations with American Powertrain they were very good to deal with and obviously a company very focused on their reputation and customer service. I was told the first few prototypes of the shifter leaked and they Incorporated a seal in the design.

I have yet to test the unit so the verdict is unknown at this time. I can verify that the throw is slightly shorter and feels very precise. After a few hundred miles I should know if it's a keeper.

I love the excuse that we have sold a bunch and only a few have leaked. That's because most of them are still sitting in a crate or stalled/slow project. Nobody had brake knockback and now everybody has it. :unibrow:

Nice work Sieg. When will we know the results?

Hopefully first part of next week depending on Momma Nature. I have a couple other mods I chomping at the bit to test also. :unibrow:

I'm close to getting Norwood's details current!

I needed to replace a cracked front spoiler and when removing it I remembered spoiler Stielow used on Red Devil and Jackass. I did a little research and head scratching and found a piece of 18 gauge in the garage and started measuring. I already had the OEM replacement spoiler in stock.

http://sieg.smugmug.com/Cars/69-Cama...IMAG1671-L.jpg

http://sieg.smugmug.com/Cars/69-Cama...IMAG1683-L.jpg

http://sieg.smugmug.com/Cars/69-Cama...IMAG1692-L.jpg

http://sieg.smugmug.com/Cars/69-Cama...IMAG1695-L.jpg

Overall I'm happy with the results and it appears to have reduced the operating temp about 10* in our cooler climate.

Really cool thread, great story and great mods. Dont ever worry about keeping up with the Joneses I think your car is cool and really like the direction your going with it and the mods. :thumbsup:

Thank you very much, the input means a lot. :thumbsup:

Keeping up with the Joneses reminds me of the joke about the little guy that gets a hooker in while he's in Vegas and they get to their room and the gal tells him to get undressed while she's in the bathroom getting ready. The poor little guy doesn't have much of an appendage and he's sitting on the edge of the bed eagerly waiting for his date to come out of the bathroom and when she does she busts up laughing pointing at his crouch and says "Who are you going to satisfy with THAT!!"

The little guy looks her right in the eye and says "ME!!!"

For those interested in the front end alignment specs of a bone stock car lowered about 2.25-2.5" (for reference front wheel opening is 24" from the ground rear 24 5/8") Here's the most desirable aligment specs we could squeeze out of it:

http://sieg.smugmug.com/Cars/69-Cama...-8-2011-X2.jpg

It's more negative camber than I'd like for the street but the objective was gaining max caster.

It's nothing that a $10K check to Blake wouldn't cure. :D