Messages

31

Restoration / Re: Temperature Gauge Increments

« on: June 30, 2023, 03:52:39 PM »

Thanks to everyone for ya’s responses! Have pretty much done everything suggested, except maybe overfill, maybe be guilty of that. I did replace my original 3-row radiator(ZD Tag) for a 4-core rad, simply because of the history of BB overheating. Do have the 7-blade fan w/o clutch, fan shroud, and 180 degree thermostat. Will print out these suggestions and maybe reverse some of the things done. Waiting to hear from my engine builder, for an answer why he has the overflow plugged off. Also for 169INDY, are you saying the marks on temp gauge is example the 3/4 mark is reading 176 degrees. All along I’ve read it as 220 degrees. Only problem here is my gauge has only 2 marks between cold and hot! Again Thanks, everyone.

32

Restoration / Temperature Gauge Increments

« on: June 29, 2023, 09:30:12 PM »

Can someone on here call out the increments on the temperature gauge. Is in console on the floor. Is the 1st mark 180 and so on after that. Newly restiored L78 engine. Live in the Deep South and it is hot here today heat index about 104. Couple days ago run it about 85 miles round trip to visit a new Camaro buddy with a numbers match COPO. Car ran consistently between 1st mark and 2nd mark on temp gauge. Puzzling though is it is losing fluids and can’t find it, On return trip after putting more 50/50 fluid in it, ran straight on the second mark, and needle flicked over the 2nd mark a few times before settling back on the 2nd mark. New 4-core radiator, 7 blade flex fan. I’m stumped on problem and fix. Guess I should have put this on garage talk, but I know got to be a restorer on here that May have had this problem before and can shed a little info. Thanks in advance.

33

General Discussion / Re: Holley Carb Issues

« on: June 12, 2023, 01:08:13 AM »

Yep, gaskets now a days or simply not good quality gaskets, as my builder showed me metering block gaskets that were way out of place on most of the passages. Again I ‘m gonna jump this high horse, of most of the old faithful venders in our hobby is not getting good quality stuff from the far east! Believe me, as I know from a repair business that I was in for 30 years, last 10 to 15 years, raw products going far east and pure junk returning in the form of replacements parts. Dealt with a lot of brass and stainless steel, soldering the 2 together. I’ll stop.

34

General Discussion / Re: Holley Carb Issues

« on: June 11, 2023, 05:25:00 PM »

Danny Starr, just went through of your trails with a 4346 780 Holley to the tune of 3 rebuilds, even replaced throttle plate, metering blocks, seats bowls, just about anything that could be replaced, was. Never got it right and my engine guy finally give up on it and I got over this factory like restoration and give in and got a new Quick Fuel 750 and out on my L78. Running smooth as I expected and easy crank! Very happy with it. Hit it pretty hard yesterday and carb responded great.

35

General Discussion / Re: Factory Chambered Exhaust-69’ 396

« on: June 03, 2023, 03:23:16 PM »

Thanks bowtie68iho, have saved this article to my notes. I am in a repair part time business where I handle a lot of stainless steel to brass and actually do a good bit of soldering the stainless to the brass. Of course use 45 percent silver solder and some 56 per cent. Do know the classes of Stainless, and none of my Stainless magnetizes. My biggest problem is with these vendors of Camaro parts advertising their products as stainless steel with no disclaimers. But I’m over it now, just gonna try and finish my exhaust off. Just recently got stung again, ordering 2 turbo mufflers from a major vendor, name starts with a “J”, advertised as stainless steel, bought as stainless steel, paid for as stainless steel, and there is nothing stainless steel about them at all. But you know what, my spending on this project is about to come to a halt.

36

Restoration / Re: Seat Belt Restore

« on: May 17, 2023, 01:36:43 PM »

Thanks, everyone for the suggestion of ssnake oil. com. Will be in touch with them shortly.

37

Restoration / Seat Belt Restore

« on: May 16, 2023, 09:13:08 PM »

Looking for a source for seat belt restoration. All my belts are dated to my car, 02D build and cloth tags on belts is A-69’. All mechanisms are in good shape, mostly discoloration on the belts. Belt above drivers is some tear, and frayed, the shoulder belt. If 1 of ya has a remedy for coloring might could try myself, would be greatly appricated! God Bless.

38

General Discussion / Re: 1968 Camaro Small Block Header Fitment

« on: May 05, 2023, 01:29:48 PM »

Hey jim 68, I got a complete chambered only Stainless Steel set for 69’ SB. ORDERED for a 69’ BB. WILL sell, can’t use them. Aluminized Steel head pipes to tail pipes. Again the Chambered parts is Stainless Steel, and whole system is OD 2”.  If interesred you can icon R. DuWayne Ladner on FB, many Camaro groups I’m on. Thanks.

39

General Discussion / Re: Factory Chambered Exhaust-69’ 396

« on: May 05, 2023, 01:22:22 PM »

Thanks CamaroNut and X66 714 for ya response. To CamaroNut, no not your supplier, but will just say the initials of my vendor is GU and they’re trying, sent and email with a review invoice but have not seen it. Hey X66, that’s also my X code on my car with a 02D build date. So my system is complete, from head pipes to outlet pipes. With a question to the vendor(Pending), if you advertise STAINLESS STEEL, charge for SS, then shouldn’t the system, whole system be SS? Mine’s only the Chambered part is I assume 308 stainless, can’t get a magnet to hook. I am about fed up with a lot of so called Camaro vendors whose bulk of items are of Far East sourcing? So glad I am about 95 percent complete on my restoration.  Thanks Guy’s.

40

General Discussion / Re: Factory Chambered Exhaust-69’ 396

« on: May 04, 2023, 03:13:11 PM »

Thanks GMAD__Van Nuys, great response and yes great article! Does answer my questions about the difference of od” of SB and BB systems in that it really focuses on , yes hp gain/loss. Now my situation is my purchase of a 2” Chambered Stainless Steel system ordered for a BB, paid for a BB, and can not get the selling vendor to return calls, emails, messaging. Anyone else in CRG have these problems. Kinda 1 of these deals, of 1st item ordered for last item of a restoration to be done. At this point I’m definitely on the Gardner systems side, but at this point do not need the complete system, and already know they do not piece mill. Oh well gonna get it figured out. Thanks everyone for ya’s input here on CRG. God Bless.

41

General Discussion / Re: Factory Chambered Exhaust-69’ 396

« on: April 30, 2023, 06:55:15 PM »

Thank you Mr. Jerry Mac, but my choice is leaning towards Eric Gardner and the transverse system, my real question was and still is, from the Stainless Steel Chambered system I now have, is the 2” system inadequate for a factory spec built L78 396. Is this universal or across the board for SB/BB cars. This all begin for me when my engine builder asked me if I was sure that I wanted to put this 2” system behind this engine! But I guess at this point still some confusion and discernment of choices in a system, Of course I guess I can find a source that could piece mill me parts I need, as I know Gardner does not break a set. Looking for Stainless at least 2 1/2” header and cut outs back to outlets also. Over the housing to the transverse set up. Again Thanks Mr Jerry, and all other CRG’ers, and God Bless.

42

General Discussion / Re: HP - 396cu = 325,350,375 what changes?

« on: April 30, 2023, 06:34:56 PM »

Yes sir 169Indy, I as well am about to find out how a freshened L78 CE code punched out to .60 over, hyd roller, 3.73 gears is about to pull and sound and perform, this coming week hopefully. Freshly restored 9’ SS 396 L78, rec Sept 22’, but dropped a cyl in less than 30 miles driven. Been in engine resto last 7 months, and about to be rolling again. Now ya keep in mind, haven’t shared my full history, maybe touched on it on quite a few MARO groups on FB, but I have not driven my Camaro since about 1986. So yes 169INDY, I am stoked and once again I want to feel, hear, and slap me some 4- gears of my M-21. Ya know thunder under the butt and that, oh my, power pull, again. Thanks ya, God Bless.

43

General Discussion / Re: Factory Chambered Exhaust-69’ 396

« on: April 27, 2023, 01:38:53 PM »

Thanks Red69, but I think I have my answer, from 1 of the nations, and top end exhaust suppliers of factory correct  systems, about repro chambered exhaust systems for BB Camaro’s. I have a repro stainless steel system that is 2” system. My initial question on this was, initiated by my engine builder, “ Do you really want this 2” system behind your Stainless Steel headers, 2 1/2” collectors, and 2 1/2” E-cut outs”? Have not gotten a clear answer from anybody about the difference in 2” to 2 1/2”, as far as suppression, hp loss, sound, behind my freshly re-done L78. Of course the above exhaust expert, response on the chambered with cut outs, why cut outs, cause the chambered was going to be very loud. And off course no response from vendor on the od’ issue, and yes I ordered as BB set, paid for BB set, will not answer my return calls. Last conversation was they would check with manufacturer to get these answers. Hum, wonder where the manufacturer is! Not going to name the vendor as I know the policy of this forum and CRG in general! Again Thanks.

44

General Discussion / Re: Factory Chambered Exhaust-69’ 396

« on: April 23, 2023, 03:38:38 PM »

Thanks William and Stingr69’, kinda the direction I’m headed. Waiting on a call back from the vendor about a 2 1/4 system! Loss of hp is note a concern for me, but seems to be for my engine builder! Ultimately it’s gonna be my final decision and it will be final. Not about how fast it goes, but simply all about sound and driving the darn thang. Again thanks to this forum and all you faithful CRG encouragers!

45

General Discussion / Re: Factory Chambered Exhaust-69’ 396

« on: April 22, 2023, 03:35:30 PM »

Ok my Camaro brethern, thanks for ya’s comments, from BertFM to 69Z28-RS, ya kinda clarified my questions about the diameter issue from SB to BB exhaust. 2” to 2.25”. Now can I get ya’s thoughts on 2.5” to the chambered section, and 2.5” out pipes from chambered section. This will be Stainless Steel head section, and out pipes. Remember this is behind a L78 mild performance build factory like! Engine is .60 over, hyd roller cam, #840 heads, #163 alum. intake, 4346 Holley. Or just eat a 900.00 dollar system and spend a bit more for a say Gardner  transverse system, and hope it’s at least 2.25” system. Any thoughts and help would be appricate. Bout to just put a couple glass packs on to be able to finally drive the Camaro, lol, it’s only been about 36 years since it’s chewed asphalt. Thanks.