Topics

1

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!)

2

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

3

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

4

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

5

Test Drive / Test pic

« on: October 16, 2019, 03:40:03 AM »

Test pic

6

Mild Modifications / 68 Camaro 6 cyl to BBC conversion

« on: October 14, 2019, 12:34:10 AM »

Hi all.  Long story short, I was sold a car that was described to be a BBC 427 Camaro but after closer inspection I believe I was taken to the cleaners.  Too much time has gone by now to do anything about it.  But, I am just moving forward and planning to now make it what it had been claimed to be.  I have some questions though.  How much is involved in switching over an auto 6 cyl Camaro (thinking worst case scenario for reasons later to be described) to a BBC with 4 spd? 

Negatives:  I've found the rear to be non-posi, it has drum brakes front and rear, no trim tag, and the VIN appears to be altered from a 123367 to a 124367.  Also, there is no tach but there is a console with no gauges. 

Positives:  The body is in nice shape, it has a BB with factory manifolds, a Muncie M21, houndstooth interior, RS headlights and backup lights, Z hood, new tires and Ralley wheels all around, new exhaust, and all new trim.

While trying to get the car inspected it was discovered that the engine was never bolted to the chassis - both sets of mounts are there on the frame and the engine - they just stuck the bolt through and called it a day.  Also, the Hurst shifter is short and makes for a reach to shift to 1st and 3rd.

Right now I am debating whether to remove the engine so that I can verify whether or not it is a 427 or a 396 - the numbers have been ground off of the pad on the front of the engine.  The intake is also a no-name alum intake or all identification was ground off of it as well.  The carb that came with the car was an old dirty Edelbrock 1404 - I have since installed a new one (1406) but if this is indeed a 427 I'm thinking I should have sprung for a 750 Edelbrock (due to the "4-hole" configuration).  The distributor is a GM 10093387 heavy duty unit mated to an older MSD box (not even a 6AL).  I have already replaced the shocks all around, added a fuel pressure regulator, a complete rear wiring harness for an RS, new plug wires, just bought a GM HEI but haven't installed it yet, and new console gauge package with Tic-Toc-Tach.  I also bought a 8.5 10-bolt posi rear for it - have 3.55 gears to install.  The clutch rod is extremely loose and has actually fallen out a time or two (in the garage, not while driving) - which has me wondering if the Z bar is correct for the BBC or if the mounting holes on the frame are wrong (remember I'm not sure if this was a 6 cyl or a SBC car to start) - after doing some reading I understand that the correct Z bar would need to be in place for the clutch to work properly/safely - the clutch rod is adjusted out as far as it can go.

All this to say:  Does anyone have any pointers or experience converting from a 6 cyl or SBC to a BBC?  I don't intend to ever sell this car or claim that it started out as a BBC car with all the bells and whistles - I just want to drive the dang thing and make it into what I thought I was buying.  Does the under dash wiring harness need to be swapped out to mate up to the wiring harness that came with the new gauges and tach?

Thanks for any and all thoughts, suggestions, criticism.
Greg