Author Topic: Startin from Scratch-68 RS/SS 396 restoration  (Read 9086 times)

avnut

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Startin from Scratch-68 RS/SS 396 restoration
« on: May 18, 2014, 11:40:51 AM »
Looks like a long road ahead.



aka-Tom
68 RS/SS 396 04C Norwood Blue/Blue
427/M21/3.73 12 Bolt posi
Power drum,Std int,D55 console w/gauges,U73 rear antenna. PP code 12 bolt rear axle.

z28z11

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Re: Startin from Scratch-68 RS/SS 396 restoration
« Reply #1 on: May 18, 2014, 04:24:07 PM »
I've seen worse ! Documented ?

It's a long road, not for the faint of heart. Keep us posted on the progress - 
1968 Z28 M21/U17 BRG/W 1967 Chevy ll Nova SS 
1969 Z28 X77/M20/VE3 LeMans/W
1969 L78 X66/N66 Cortez/BVT
1969 Z11 L48/M35/C60/C06  1949 3100 5wd 235/6

cam69aro

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Re: Startin from Scratch-68 RS/SS 396 restoration
« Reply #2 on: May 18, 2014, 07:34:18 PM »
it`s nice to see it will be restored rather than meet it`s fate with the crusher
Eldon W 1969 z28 Black with born with driveline X77 38,000 miles-sold
2016 z06/z07 Corvette Black

lakeholme

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Re: Startin from Scratch-68 RS/SS 396 restoration
« Reply #3 on: May 18, 2014, 08:27:44 PM »
And years of great cruising after the restoration.  Go for it!
Phillip, HNR & NCR-AACA, Senior Master, Team Captain, Admin.,
Spring Southeastern Nationals chair, AACA National Director

avnut

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Re: Startin from Scratch-68 RS/SS 396 restoration
« Reply #4 on: May 18, 2014, 10:19:04 PM »
Recently purchased complete floors for it,Along with new frame rails etc.It all fun...right? I will take pics of it along the journey.Should make a good photo album someday.
The front springs have never held an engine.They are Z28 HD trans-am springs.Almost forgot about them.Only been in there since 1982.I guessed they would work ok with the BB as it has aluminum intake,heads and wp and headers.
Some evening I will get some pics of the rear of car.Can still see where the tail panel was blacked out on the 396 SS version.
aka-Tom
68 RS/SS 396 04C Norwood Blue/Blue
427/M21/3.73 12 Bolt posi
Power drum,Std int,D55 console w/gauges,U73 rear antenna. PP code 12 bolt rear axle.

68camaroz28

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Re: Startin from Scratch-68 RS/SS 396 restoration
« Reply #5 on: May 18, 2014, 11:49:50 PM »
Do you have the original engine, trans, and rear? Tell us about the car and just curious, have you done any analysis of what your going to spend to restore?
Love those 68's!
Chick
68 Z/28 NOR 01B Orig motor/trans/rear
69 Z/28 NOR 07A Orig Block & GM Cross-ram/carbs
69 L34 Rest. Nova Father/Son Car
69 L78 Surv Nova Purch 4/69 31K miles
67 L89 Corv Tribute
68 Corv 427/400 Orig motor
07 Corv Z06
R 68Z build- http://www.camaros.net/forums/showthread.php?t=182584

janobyte

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Re: Startin from Scratch-68 RS/SS 396 restoration
« Reply #6 on: May 19, 2014, 01:22:35 AM »
Think I'd reccommend a rotisserie, they do not seem too bad priced (Eastwood/Summit) considering your in this for a while. Even to just move the shell around. If your handy with a welder ( good welds ! lol) probably can fab one up. This is the Father/Son project ?

68 Z/28  born with: 302, drive line, etc..

cook_dw

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Re: Startin from Scratch-68 RS/SS 396 restoration
« Reply #7 on: May 19, 2014, 01:50:35 AM »
Looks like the car was originally an automatic..  What are the plans with the car?  Put back original or back to the way you want it?  Either way good luck on the project.

avnut

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Re: Startin from Scratch-68 RS/SS 396 restoration
« Reply #8 on: May 19, 2014, 02:32:00 AM »
Do you have the original engine, trans, and rear? Tell us about the car and just curious, have you done any analysis of what your going to spend to restore?
Love those 68's!
When I purchased the car in 1977 it had been used for drag racing.It has the original rear,but was regeared to 4.88,had a Muncie M22 and 396/375hp in it.For racing the hidden headlight system was removed to lighten car.I suspect it had a auto and was converted to 4 spd.I basically used it for street rod(and getting into much trouble).I sheared the ring gear bolts off the carrier a number of times and then finally busted the teeth off the pinion.I regeared at that point to 4:10.The M22 blew when I dropped the clutch at 4500 rpm one day,peeling all the teeth off 1st gear and the counter shaft and splitting the case.I then picked up a used M21 for it.I lent the car to an inlaw and he proceeded to put it thru a road sign and rock wall sideways.The 396/375 was pulled later and sold.This all took place 30+ years ago.At the time I also acquired the L88 for it.Back then parts were pretty much drying up.The car also moved around with me(I refused to let it go)but at some points it sat outside and that is what led to the rusted floors.The subframe was replaced with a good used one back then also.About 9 years ago I completely gutted the car.I started going thru rebuilding/replacing some parts ,then Got busy and the project sat on hold until this year,now I'm back at it.10 years ago I tore down the L88 to clean it out as the rodents like to build nests in water jackets.I actually at one point sold the L88 to a friend and then bought it back 8 years later.It had never been run.I have not reassembled it yet.The M21 has been rebuilt with improvements for racing.
At some point over the years I lost some of the RS Brite trim work which bothers me,but I know with each passing day they seem to make more repro parts for these.Funny how some stuff can get away over the years and with a few moves.The car had a rear mt antenna and power drum brakes,console with gauges on it and manual steering.It was Lemans blue outside and med blue interior.I will return it to those colors.I dont have any more info on who or how many owners had it in the 9 years before I bought it.I have never come across any build sheet or docs for it.I figure it will need about $5,000 more to put it together.I am fortunate enough to be able to weld,sandblast,paint etc and hopefully enough elbow grease left.

janobyte-Father/son project-No,just grumpy old guy.
aka-Tom
68 RS/SS 396 04C Norwood Blue/Blue
427/M21/3.73 12 Bolt posi
Power drum,Std int,D55 console w/gauges,U73 rear antenna. PP code 12 bolt rear axle.

avnut

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Re: Startin from Scratch-68 RS/SS 396 restoration
« Reply #9 on: May 19, 2014, 02:47:46 AM »
Looks like the car was originally an automatic..  What are the plans with the car?  Put back original or back to the way you want it?  Either way good luck on the project.
When complete it will be back to stock appearance inside and outside with the L88-427,M21 and likely 3.73 gears in the 12 bolt.
It will be more in orignal stock form (other than trans)than when I bought it and when I run it on the street so many years ago.I still have the SS hood,rear wing console etc.The only major parts lacking are fenders and perhaps quarter skins,interior soft parts.It will be just the way I want it.
aka-Tom
68 RS/SS 396 04C Norwood Blue/Blue
427/M21/3.73 12 Bolt posi
Power drum,Std int,D55 console w/gauges,U73 rear antenna. PP code 12 bolt rear axle.

janobyte

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Re: Startin from Scratch-68 RS/SS 396 restoration
« Reply #10 on: May 19, 2014, 02:48:35 AM »
Confused it with another car a guys getting started on.

Can't go wrong any direction you go with it ,as long as your going with it !
68 Z/28  born with: 302, drive line, etc..

janobyte

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Re: Startin from Scratch-68 RS/SS 396 restoration
« Reply #11 on: May 19, 2014, 02:54:09 AM »
Nice.
68 Z/28  born with: 302, drive line, etc..

avnut

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Re: Startin from Scratch-68 RS/SS 396 restoration
« Reply #12 on: May 19, 2014, 03:04:29 AM »
I suppose if I were to sell it(not happening)documentation would be a good thing.Back when I bought the car there wasnt any such thing as a clone.Matter of fact most people didnt seem to care about the muscle cars as much as they once did.Fuel was nearly double price at .80 a gal .LOL
I might consider putting a L89-375 HP decal on the air cleaner though. :)
aka-Tom
68 RS/SS 396 04C Norwood Blue/Blue
427/M21/3.73 12 Bolt posi
Power drum,Std int,D55 console w/gauges,U73 rear antenna. PP code 12 bolt rear axle.

avnut

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Re: Startin from Scratch-68 RS/SS 396 restoration
« Reply #13 on: May 19, 2014, 10:11:15 AM »
Got me thinking of the 396/375 that was in the car.It had a General Kinetics solid lifter cam ,Holley strip dominator ,Hooker comp headers.It was so radical it would stall if idled down to 1100 rpms.
aka-Tom
68 RS/SS 396 04C Norwood Blue/Blue
427/M21/3.73 12 Bolt posi
Power drum,Std int,D55 console w/gauges,U73 rear antenna. PP code 12 bolt rear axle.

 

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