Messages

1

Mild Modifications / Re: '68 Camaro w/BBC update2

« on: March 11, 2022, 06:31:45 PM »

I realize it's coming up on 2 years since this update but I have a new update.  After a whole bunch of back and forth just trying to get this car legal again I can finally say that I now have a state-issued VIN for Camaro.  I spent months and months getting everything to the point of actually driving the car and hope to do so this weekend. 
Quick refresher:  Car was found to have an altered VIN - tried pursuing the legal route but hit a dead-end and would have wasted time and money getting nowhere fruitful.  So, I built the car to my personal tastes.  I purchased a 555 cu in engine that I shoe-horned into the car, got the car rewired so that I could accommodate the 4-spd console with my Autogear M22 (M20 gearing) and a Tic-Toc-Tac.  Fired 'er up for the first time last week and after bleeding the brakes I hope to break in the rebuilt rear, tranny and engine all at the same time.  Got 15" Ralleys all around (15x7 and 15x8) but will be swapping them out for some Rocket Racing polished Strike wheels on BFGs soon.

Sorry for using this old subject line but it was better than starting from scratch with all the previous details.  This has been quite an arduous task but looking back it seems to have been worth it. 

GregW
'68 RS/SS Camaro 555/4-spd/jet black/white stripe

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Mild Modifications / Re: '68 Camaro w/BBC update

« on: May 07, 2020, 10:50:52 AM »

Nice looking car. Don't set it up for too much traction.... doubt the Muncie will like the torque of the 555 if she hooks good.

Thanks.  Probably just street tires.  Love driving a 4-spd.

Greg

3

Mild Modifications / '68 Camaro w/BBC update

« on: May 07, 2020, 03:03:02 AM »

OK, it's been awhile but I thought I should send out an update on my '68 Camaro that had the "VIN issue".  I can't get into all of the details but suffice it to say that the VIN HAD been altered and I tried the legal approach but that fizzled out.  So, I have decided to make the car into what I want.  Since it has turned out to be an original 6-cyl car I have now opted to make some major changes and proceed as follows:
First, I replaced all of the front suspension (converted front drums to discs) new Eibach coil springs, powdercoated the original upper and lower control arms, new ball joints, sway bar, etc.  I swapped out the one-legger rear for a newly rebuilt 8.5 in. posi unit with 3.55 gears, bought new Eaton multi leaf springs and all the hardware plus CE subframe connectors.  Bought a new set of 15X8 Rallys and 275/60R/15 tires (to match the fronts). 
Oh, and I ordered and just received a 555 cu. in. engine from Skip White Performance (dyno'd and broken in).  I'm in the process of ordering a new Denny's Driveshaft (probably of the SRHD3-S2 variety or maybe Aluminum AL3.5-1330) and still need to decide on how to cool this monster (probably going aluminum with single or dual electric fans).  My biggest dilemma right now is finding headers to bolt up to the existing system - looking for shorty headers with 1 3/4 primaries but it is really hard to find any for this application!  I do have power steering but no A/C, and I have a 4-spd Muncie.

So, I'm hoping to leave you with a couple of teaser pics, if I can.

Talk to you all later,
Greg

'68 Camaro RS/SS 555 4-spd (coming soon!)

4

General Discussion / BBC engine rebuild questions

« on: January 03, 2020, 02:12:58 AM »

Hi all.  I have a coupla' newbie style questions that I didn't know of a better place to ask but here.  I just removed what appears to be either a tall deck 427 or 366.    What all can transfer over to a "real" BBC 427 (say, 67-70 date range)?  The current engine has a spacer plate underneath the intake.  Would the heads and exhaust manifolds swap over?  Intake too? 

My thought is to find a short block 427 (BBC) and swap over the external components.    I have the engine out of the car and on a stand and hope to remove one of the heads in the next day or two to confirm the actual engine displacement.   Flywheel, z bar, alternator, oil pan, etc, should all swap over, correct?  Are engine mounts different for a tall block?

I welcome any and all comments.  (if anyone knows of a quicker way than removing one of the heads, I'm all ears - the block stamp has been ground off partially with only a "36xxxx" showing and the front pad has been ground off as well).

    361959   1973-85   454   car & truck
    364776   1968-84   427   tall truck
    364779   1968-88   366   tall truck

Thanks,
Greg

'68 RS/SS Camaro 4-spd Jet black/white stripe

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Mild Modifications / Motor mount brackets for 68 BB

« on: November 30, 2019, 03:04:04 AM »

Hi all.  I have sort of an odd question regarding the use of BB 69 motor mount brackets in a 68 Camaro.  I discovered that the previous owner apparently installed BB 69 motor mount brackets (ok, ok, frame mount brackets) in my 68 Camaro.  I initially thought that the person never bolted the engine to the frame because it appeared to be sitting above the frame mount brackets with the bolts/nuts bolted there just for looks.  Well, I removed the bolts/nuts and attempted to shift the engine onto the frame mount brackets only to find that there were metal tubes welded to the top of the frame mount brackets, preventing the engine from dropping down.  This had me going for quite awhile because I couldn't for the life of me figure out why the engine wouldn't "slip" into the frame mounts. 
Has anyone seen something like this before?  It makes no sense to me at all.  I'm including some pics to show you what I am talking about since it is so bizarre, in my opinion.

Oh, and I also discovered that the car has a SB trans cross-member too.  I just ordered the correct one for the Muncie 4-spd, as well as new correct frame mounts.

Thanks,
Greg
'68 RS/SS 427 4spd Jet black/white stripe

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Restoration / Re: Neutral safety switch details

« on: November 07, 2019, 01:19:17 AM »

The following pic from carswitches shows the relative setup (although this is listed as Nova/Impala/Caprice), it will give you an idea about how the switch mounts to the Muncie (with a Muncie shifter mounted alongside. Nice clear shot -

Regards,
Steve

Thank you so much for that picture.  That is awesome!  Now I know how to hook mine up on the M21.

Greg

7

Restoration / Re: Neutral safety switch details

« on: November 07, 2019, 01:17:07 AM »

The automatic used neutral safety switch made with backup switch as one switch. The floor shift manual transmission did not have a neutral safety switch in 1968. It used backup switch that was bolted to the side cover on the transmission which had two wire harness that connected to a plug thru comes thru the firewall. The harness under the dash is not the same between automatic and the manual because of this. If you have a 1968 assembly manual look on page 323 it will you how the 4 speed backup switch mounts. Hope this helps

Thank you for that information.  That helps a lot.

Greg

8

Restoration / Re: Neutral safety switch details

« on: October 28, 2019, 01:27:58 AM »

Was it a automatic or manual transmission from the factory.

From what I can tell an auto 6.  But I am intending to convert to V8 manual.

Greg

9

Restoration / Neutral safety switch details

« on: October 27, 2019, 05:30:03 PM »

I'm looking for a detailed schematic or even a picture of all the connections for a neutral safety switch/back up switch for a 68 Camaro with console and Muncie 4-spd.  I did some searching on this site but didn't find exactly what I was looking for.  Feel free to point me to the appropriate link or location for this information.  I have the backup lamp switch extension (American Autowire pn CA70554) as well as the bracket that holds the switch (from a spare Muncie shifter).  If the car was not originally a 4-spd car or even have a console, is it necessary to replace the under dash harness or even the junction block at the firewall?  I guess what I am looking for is a picture of all the components needed to basically get my back up lights functional in order to pass Penna safety inspection.

Thanks!
Greg

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Mild Modifications / Re: 68 Camaro 6 cyl to BBC conversion

« on: October 25, 2019, 03:31:17 AM »

The partial VIN under the cowl should be easy to see. Just look through the slats. However, the hidden VIN's won't help determine if the car started life as a V8 or a 6 banger since it doesn't include the model designation (12437 or 12337).

Ed

I removed the cowl and took pics - not a trace of any numbers.  True about the 6 vs 8 designation.  I just gots to know if the last 6 numbers even match at this point.

Greg

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Mild Modifications / Re: 68 Camaro 6 cyl to BBC conversion

« on: October 25, 2019, 01:42:05 AM »

Minor update since we last communed:  Tried to locate the "easy" hidden VIN but found nothing.  Was in the process of removing the heater core cover but inner fender not coming out on its own.  Intend to remove the fender now but found that the fender has been welded to the lower part of the body.  I'll continue when I get some help removing the hood and figure out a way to use my Sawzall to cut the weld and not damage the fender.

Is there a way to remove the VIN that's under the cowl?  Or do some not come with the VIN at this location?

thanks,
Greg

12

Mild Modifications / Re: 68 Camaro 6 cyl to BBC conversion

« on: October 17, 2019, 03:53:06 AM »

I really appreciate everyone's help here.  I went ahead and contacted Brian S.  We'll see what happens.

Thanks again!
Greg

13

Mild Modifications / Re: 68 Camaro 6 cyl to BBC conversion

« on: October 16, 2019, 11:08:09 PM »

Who appraised the car? I would like to see the report. And I can recommend an attorney for the situation you are caught up in.

This car had a 10 bolt rear end? All SS cars in 68 had a 12 bolt rear end.

Trim tag missing?

1968 differences at this link.
http://www.camaros.org/diffs68.shtml

You would likely laugh at the appraisal report after seeing it.  Have you ever seen eyes that look like pinwheels spinning in cartoons...........I think that's what happened to me when I saw this car for the first time.     
Yep, trim tag missing.  10-bolt one-legger seems legit except I can't make out the numbers stamped on it..........it's coming out soon anyway and going to be replaced with a '74 Nova 8.5 10-bolt posi with 3.55s.  The 5-leaf rear springs aren't very arched anymore leading me to believe they too are original.
I'm feeling a little better about the car being at least a V8 now after going to the link you provided.

Thanks,
Greg

14

Mild Modifications / Re: 68 Camaro 6 cyl to BBC conversion

« on: October 16, 2019, 10:52:57 PM »

What VIN is on the title?

Same VIN on the title as stated.  Can only see the previous 2 owners (one being the dealer I bought the car from).

Greg

15

Mild Modifications / Re: 68 Camaro 6 cyl to BBC conversion

« on: October 16, 2019, 10:50:53 PM »

Yes, the VIN appears to have been messed with (the 4 is really funky), but I don't see any remnants of a 3 under it, so I'm not so sure it's NOT an original V8 car. What's the complete VIN? Can you email me a better high resolution picture of the VIN? My email address is in my signature below.

Ed

Just sent the full VIN via email.

Thanks for looking!
Greg