Messages

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General Discussion / Re: New guy new project 69 Camaro

« on: February 01, 2015, 07:33:37 AM »

This was a 68 RS that I traded a Firebird Formula 400 for in early 1982. This car had some quirks for sure. It was a 327 with a Saginaw 4-speed and a 12-bolt posi. It had dark blue fur on the door panels and dash...disco style. It didn't run that great so I tried to help it by putting on a set of 194 heads, a 4-BBL and a set of headers. The new heads had tighter chambers and after I got it running it had a lot more power but alas...it smoked! This car was tall geared, I never checked the ratio but I would guess it was 3.08. I burnt the tires further in this car than any other before or since. I ended up selling it later that year for $1800 as I recall, its what helped to pay for the light blue SS396 above.

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General Discussion / Re: New guy new project 69 Camaro

« on: February 01, 2015, 07:24:56 AM »

This was by far my favorite Camaro. It was the L-20/M-30 car that I commented on in the article years ago. I bought it in 1985 for $3200 (a lot of money for a non-SS Camaro at the time) but it was in great shape. All original, even the paint. The car ran fantastic with the 327 Saginaw 4-speed, and 3:55 12-bolt rear. I did a few things to it including headers and exhaust and drove it every day. In 1986 a driver pulled out between parked cars and wiped the front end off of it. I ended up pulling the engine out and took it to the machine shop. A year later it had a solid lift cam, ported heads, roller rockers...etc. I put all new GM sheet metal on it to fix the front end. The built small block ran very good, eventually going low 13's in the 1/4 mile with a 4-speed and radials. In 1989 it was painted by a friend for $600, a great paint job for the money. In 1993 I added nitrous oxide and switched from a 4-speed to an automatic, the car ran consistent mid 12's off the bottle and a best-ever pass of 11.04 on the bottle. The fun was short lived when I burnt a head gasket and a piston while running the nitrous. Out came the small block and in went a full roller, aluminum headed 461 BBC. Ultimately the car ran back in the 11.0's on pump gas, driving it to and from the track, pretty respectable for the late 1990's. I made a horrible mistake and sold the car to a friend who had been riding me to buy it. I've owned a lot of cars (more than 80) and by far I regret selling this one the most. The guy who bought it from me ran it into the 9's on nitrous and then sold it to a guy in Redding, CA. No telling where it is now.

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General Discussion / Re: New guy new project 69 Camaro

« on: February 01, 2015, 07:14:39 AM »

This was a 67 SS350 that I bought around 1991 or so. It had a 4 speed and a 12-bolt with the factory traction bar. It had black interior. I paid $5,100 for this one if memory serves. I drove it for a while, cleaned it up and put new carpets in it and sold it a few months later. Its one of many that I wish I would have kept. It was pretty much all original. I believe it still had the California smog pump.

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General Discussion / Re: New guy new project 69 Camaro

« on: February 01, 2015, 07:09:17 AM »

I owned this one in 1984. I traded a 1972 El Camino and some cash for it. I believe the seller was asking around $5,000. It was an SS-RS 396 with a TH400 and a 12 Bolt posi. This car had front disk brakes (which I could never keep from leaking) and the very rare Concert Sound Stereo system. The stereo worked great and had the volume, balance and fader on the console. It was a neat deal, as you tuned the stereo there was a blue Chevrolet emblem on the console that would get brighter as the station signal improved...at least that's how I remember it...long time ago! The car ran and drove great but it had been hit on the right side. I ended up selling it the same year to a person from Canada as I recall.

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General Discussion / Re: New guy new project 69 Camaro

« on: February 01, 2015, 07:04:32 AM »

I bought this one in the spring of 1982 when I was a Junior in high school for $2,350! It was an original 68 SS 396, it had the Muncie M20 4-speed and a 3:31 12-Bolt posi. The car had 72,000 original miles when I bought it.

I had the original engine rebuilt, ported heads, big Crower solid cam, roller rockers, etc. It ran VERY well. Unfortinately 1 month after getting it back on the road with the new engine, clutch, trans, GT Qualifier tires, etc I was hit by an International pickup and the car was totalled.

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General Discussion / Re: New guy new project 69 Camaro

« on: February 01, 2015, 06:58:25 AM »

Not too much progress on the old Camaro. The interior is totally removed. I did get the engine running good and ended up putting a Holley carb on it. I've taken it for a few short drives just for fun. Its now at the point where it will probably stay for a bit until the "budget" is ready for the paint and interior.

I went ahead and found some old pictures of some of the Camaro's owned over the years. I'll post them below.

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General Discussion / Re: New guy new project 69 Camaro

« on: January 07, 2015, 05:52:30 AM »

Finally got a chance to take my first drive, upon returning home my wife took a quick video :-)

http://youtu.be/PuLFeBZzTdU?list=UUv583F7NHjNbpSQJkO5x9FA

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General Discussion / Re: New guy new project 69 Camaro

« on: December 09, 2014, 07:11:49 AM »

Thanks for the pictures. It will be a couple years but I expect it to get paint, interior and some more HP.

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Mild Modifications / Re: 454 Street performance combination request

« on: December 02, 2014, 05:40:51 AM »

I'm no expert, just repeating what I've heard which is to be careful leaning on an engine with the main and rod journals as you described. I'm sure you can make 500 HP but you might want to try and find a better crankshaft for peace of mind.

I never made it to a dyno but can confirm this combo...
9.5:1 .030 overbore 454 BBC
Brodix BB-2 heads
Comp Cams 308R
830 CFM single 4BBL
Holley Strip Dominator intake
MSD 6A/Billet Distributor
TH400/4000 stall
4:10 Gears
...will run 10.70's in an all-steel 68 Camaro. The car was around 3500 pounds with driver. This was ~14 years ago but I'm certain of those specs.

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Mild Modifications / Re: Exhaust 69 camaro

« on: December 02, 2014, 05:31:10 AM »

One thing I haven't seen on this thread that you might consider is an X-pipe. The sound is unique and they can be good for a couple to a few HP points. A set of headers, Magnaflows (my personal favorite) and nice mandrel bent pipes and you've got a great exhaust system. There's a tone that the X-Pipe cars make from mid range on up that is addictive.

There are cheaper versions but the workmanship on the Dr. Gas systems is the best I've seen. http://www.drgas.com/

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General Discussion / Re: New guy new project 69 Camaro

« on: December 02, 2014, 05:21:30 AM »

DEL, my book shows HK as ;1965 Corvette 327 cid 365 H.P. 4sp. Holley 4-BBL. or 1969 passenger car 350cid 300 H.P. powerglide High Perf.

Is the first character "F" or "V"?

The first character is a 'V'
The whole number is V0524HK

At some point I'll get to see the casting number on the back of the block but right now there's too much stuff in the way.

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General Discussion / Re: New guy new project 69 Camaro

« on: November 30, 2014, 06:44:55 AM »

Jacked it up and pressure washed the engine and under side. Cleaned the trunk. Removed the Carter AFB 625 carb to find it pretty gunky inside. I'll rebuild that and also may end up needing a fuel pump.

I started cleaning the sealant out of the rear window channel. Just a couple very small holes so far. The car seems really solid. Lots of surface rust but very little cancer.

Trying to decode the block and heads.
The heads:
"3973487....71-72...350..........1.94/1.5 or 2.02/1.6 valves, was also used on '71 350/330hp LT1, 75cc chamber"

I'm having trouble seeing the casting number on the bloick but the last two digits on the stamp are 'HK' which says:
RPO    FY    CID    appl
HK    1965   327    s h/p, a/c, m/t
HK    1968   327    Powerglide
HK    1969   350    Powerglide

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General Discussion / Re: New guy new project 69 Camaro

« on: November 30, 2014, 06:32:43 AM »

I live in Beaverton if you need anything let me know.

Thanks for the offer. So far its just a lot of cleanup.

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General Discussion / Re: New guy new project 69 Camaro

« on: November 29, 2014, 12:10:00 AM »

Here's the cowl tag, I haven't decoded it yet.

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General Discussion / Re: New guy new project 69 Camaro

« on: November 28, 2014, 11:58:09 PM »

Thats me on the left and a friend of mine I've known for 36 years. He's owned the car for the last 14 years or so, I've hounded him about it every time I've seen him since. I guess it worked :-)