RE: [Chevelle-List] May I ask some more questions? here they are...lol

[John Nasta]

Well, nobody has responded yet, so I'll take a stab at it...   -----Original Message-----   1) What does an ENGINE CODE tell me, and where is it found?    It tells you when and usually where the block was made, as well as which engine it is.     2)What is a DATA plate? & Where can I find it?   Usually found on the firewall under the hood. It contains all of the interior/exterior trim codes. You can see an example (for an Olds) at: http://johnnasta.com/6898/body.html     3)What should I look for in a restoration?   There is no standard answer. It depends what you are looking for and how much you can spend. Generally you want to avoid bad bodywork & crummy paint.     4)What are some of the ways I can determine if the MILEAGE is correct?   I don’t think there is any good way. The speedometer may have been disconnected; it may not be the original drivetrain, etc.     5)What is a COSMIC RESTORATION?   Not sure, but I know that at the end of it, people will say "Venus and Mars are alright tonight".   Generally "cosmetic restoration" means that it was made to look good, but mechanical issues have not been addressed.     6)What is a FRAME UP RESTORATION?   Never heard this term, but I assume it means the same thing as #7.     7)What is a BODY OFF RESTORATION?   That's when the body is taken off the frame, and the frame itself is restored (as opposed to leaving the body on the frame and just concentrating on making the body look good w/o worrying about the frame). This is also called off-frame or frame-off.     8)What is a ROTISSERIE RESTORATION?   A rotisserie is a large stand that you can attach the body to (after it’s off the frame) so that you can spin it around, making it easier to get at certain areas, especially the undersides.     9)What should I look for in a body shop or a restoration shop?   This is another question that has no real answer. It depends on what you want and what you can afford. Generally you want to avoid bad bodywork and crummy paint, unless that's all you can afford, or you are planning to take the car to the figure-8 track afterwards.     10)How can I keep my car looking good?   Keep it clean and waxed and avoid smashing it into other cars.     11)How should I store my car over winter?   Personally, I drive mine all year round and just try to keep them clean and waxed. Ideally, if you live in a place that has harsh winters you should garage it and not take it out until / unless the weather is good. It helps to start it and let it run for a half hour or so about once a month. If you can't start it once in a while, you can "pickle" the engine, which is another whole story.