[cliffhanger]

ok, didn't know about that it was originally made of rubber! good to know
then I totally agree.
I do know camera flash always makes things look worse,
on the other hand, since it shows flaws so well,
the flash shows just how great the rest of the car is: flawless.
I can't spot one bad thing on the interior and exterior yet....
even colour differences in the interior are absolutely minor, or zero (steering column).
I've seen restored parts on a pic making them stand out of non-restored things,
that look fine in real life, but on a pic they stand out like you mention.

only makes me appreciate your work more

[x-bird2]

Steve;
cigarette lighter ring is on its way, sorry for the delay.

[njsteve]

No problemo, Thanks again!

[Norwood]

Steve, any picture updates?
This is the most imformative thread ever. I go thrugh it often just to marvel at you restoration..

[njsteve]

Forever waiting on the paint shop.

I spent last evening charging up the a/c system. A friend of mine has all the old gauges and hoses and I had some R12 I have been saving for this project. Blows 50 degrees now
(on a 90 degree day).

[superdutybob]

Steve:

Don't kill me now because I just noticed, but, why did you not have A/C hoses made with the correct swaged ends as opposed to the screw clamps?

Your attention to detail has been remarkable so it made me wonder.

[Brewster]

Well I guess you'll have to drive it now dam it Jim!

[njsteve]

Originally Posted by superdutybob

Steve:

Don't kill me now because I just noticed, but, why did you not have A/C hoses made with the correct swaged ends as opposed to the screw clamps?

Your attention to detail has been remarkable so it made me wonder.

Because that's how this car was built. :-)

I believe the swaged ends were a 73 and up application. I have not seen any 72's with the full one-piece fitted lines other than ones that had been upgraded to the later version. I would admit that the later one-piece line set up does tend to leak a lot less than the individual clamped setup. But the system as it is held 28 inches of vacuum for an hour before we filled her up with the R12.

Here's some unrestored 71/72s:







and a 73 with the one-piece line:




I'm thinking that Pontiac might have changed to the one-piece line set up in 73 because of the crowded area that the new-for-73 radiator overflow tank and the fender reinforcement bars created. There was no longer any room for the gentle curves of the clamped lines, they now needed some pretty drastic angles for the a/c lines in that spot, and the one-piece line system accomplished that.

[superdutybob]

Steve:

Thanks for the update. I did not know that but it makes sense based on your reasoning. You should be an attorney! LOL

I love learning new stuff about our beloved 2nd gens!

[TA455HO]

The clamps even have a little metal tab or "tang" on them to get them just the right distance from the end of the hose. Hard to see in any of the pictures, but I have a few of the clamps and I think the assembly manual might show at least one of them in the A/C section.

[RicksGTO]

I didn't know that on the clamps having a tang on them, learn something new everyday! Here's a good shot of mine when I got it with what looks like the original hoses and clamps but after 37 years they may have been changed out. I think I can see the tang he is speaking of on the top forward hose in the pic :

[TA455HO]

Photobucket is blocked at my work, but I was able to use my iPhone to look at your picture posted above. That is definitely what I'm talking about. It's just a little L shaped piece of metal coming off the clamp. I think it is spot welded to the clamp. Not sure if it is used on all ends of all A/C hoses, but definitely some in the mix.

[Transamric]

Just for clarity, here's a pic of some original GM A/C hose clamps. The Silver stainless clamp is an original '71 assembly line part, & has stamped on it; Murray Goldseal USA & 12B. The Black plated clamp is a GM Service Replacement clamp that I bought new about 20 years ago. It is stamped; Made In USA, All Stainless, Ideal & 1 1/2 (or maybe 1 1/4, the last number is partially obscured by the welded on tang.) size 12.

[Norwood]

Ric, Are these clamps avalible? Is the black one painted?

[njsteve]

I bought a box of 10 at the local Napa store. Part number 47115. They are not regular hoseclamps but a heavier duty version with the little spring steel tab inserted in them. The tab is not welded on like the originals but it is inserted and and folded over. Looks very similar and works fine.

[njsteve]

Originally Posted by superdutybob

Steve:

Thanks for the update. I did not know that but it makes sense based on your reasoning. You should be an attorney! LOL

I am.

;-)

[68bird400HO]

Originally Posted by njsteve

I took out the rear end and springs today. Pretty amazing. The stenciled part number is still on the top of one of the springs. The odd thing is it looks like the factory stenciled the "PL 481612" over another number that was in smaller font size. Here's a shot of the leafs. It looks like they have never been out of the car. All of the factory bushings were still present, including the zinc strip that goes between the bottom of the leaf spring and the lower rubber saddle bushing.

Steve,

What did the original finish of your rear springs look like? I have seen several comments that they should be natural, but, it seems like the oringal ones I have seen had some sort of black finish to them.

[Transamric]

Craig, the Black clamps are plated. I took lacquer thinner to one, & it wasn't affected. Not sure on today's availability, bought these about 20 years ago for a '69 I was restoring. Not positive, but the part number might have been 3909030.

[njsteve]

The original springs seemed to just have the patina of unpainted 37 year old spring steel. Since it spent the majority of its life in California, it was not the typical crusty rust prevalent in the saltier regions of the US.

[x-bird2]

stev: just in case you missed it--cowl seal clips ...
http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=607676