How to tell a BB firewall from a SB firewall in a 1968 Camaro

[Emo1956]

HI, I am looking at a 1968 Camaro which he is claiming to be a big block car. I am looking at the firewall and what I don't know is,do all Camaros have the holes where small block heater core hoses come out from ? My 1968 SS big block car hoses come out from the middle of the heater box but I have never seen underneath what is there . Is there a difference ? Thanks everyone. I am trying to post a pic but I am still very new to the site. I posted a pic of where my hoses come out from . Any help is much appreciated . Thank you

[Mike S]

I can only comment on '67 BB's. I haven't seen any FW differences between SB and BB (heater core cover exception), but the motor mounts for BB's are different in that the motor is shifted over approximately 1" to the right. Plus, the transmission cross member was unique to the BB to accommodate the motor/transmission offset.  Again, this is for 67, but the '68 should be close, if not the same.

Mike

[HawkX66]

I can tell you it had a Muncie transmission... It looks to have big block engine stands, but those are bolt ons. The heater box cut outs are the same BB to SB. It's just the cover that's different.

[bcmiller]

Is any of the drivetrain original to the car?  What axle does it have and what is the code on the front edge of the passenger side axle tube?

[Emo1956]

There is no motor. It has a 12 bolt with 4 leafs. Its on Ebay auction.

[Emo1956]

So the firewall is the same . Its only the cover that is different between the big and small block . It looks to have the big fuel line too.

[cook_dw]

It looks to have the big fuel line too.

You sure about that?  I would look again.  Plus it looks like it might be a 69 subframe.  I also do not see a trim tag.


https://www.ebay.com/itm/1968-Chevrolet-Camaro/173224102920?_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20160908105057%26meid%3Da77d7d5fce634fb3b6f7e137a388c47d%26pid%3D100675%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D13%26mehot%3Dpp%26sd%3D173224102920%26itm%3D173224102920&_trksid=p2481888.c100675.m4236&_trkparms=pageci%3Ab44b36e2-2ed5-11e8-bd82-74dbd18093ba%7Cparentrq%3A5478710b1620a884e1b37349ffff4d7e%7Ciid%3A1

[VINCE Z28]

12 Bolt BT 0120G1

[WorkinProgress]

Car has a '70 up frame on it. The way you can tell is by the elongated hole on top of drivers front frame rail. The rearward of three holes is elongated as they went to the charcoal canister in '70 and that hole is for the vent hose.

                                                                  - Warren

[Emo1956]

I thought the sub frames were all the same 1967-69

[Emo1956]

Ya I notice that too. No cowl tag. He won't answer any questions. The car is a Cal. car .

[Emo1956]

Here are 3 sub frames for Camaros. 1 1967  2 1968  3 1969    That car doesn't have either 1 of these . Look at the holes in the front frame horns ...

[Emo1956]

1968 Subframe

[Emo1956]

1969 subframe

[bcmiller]

Ya I notice that too. No cowl tag. He won't answer any questions. The car is a Cal. car .

Says this right in his ad.  "I will be glad to answer any questions."

It would be impossible to say this is a 396/350 hp car with just the information and pics provided. 

[Emo1956]

The subframe is none of these that are on the the car. I have asked him many questions and he has answered none. I asked for a pic of the cowl tag which is not on the car too. I wanted to go see the car for a friend of mine  but he just won't answer anything so at this point I am just staying away .

[Sauron327]

Car has a '70 up frame on it. The way you can tell is by the elongated hole on top of drivers front frame rail. The rearward of three holes is elongated as they went to the charcoal canister in '70 and that hole is for the vent hose.

                                                                  - Warren

That is not a second gen subframe.  Totally different designs.

Early 67 frames do not have the large side holes. I have both early and late styles.

[JKZ27]

Warren may be suggesting 70 up Nova or service frame.

[WorkinProgress]

The frame in question is used on late build '69 Camaro's starting in Aug of 1969. The '69 Camaro did not use the charcoal canister, but the '70 Nova did. Camaro and Nova share the same frame.

                                                                - Warren

[HawkX66]

The frame in question is used on late build '69 Camaro's starting in Aug of 1969. The '69 Camaro did not use the charcoal canister, but the '70 Nova did. Camaro and Nova share the same frame.

                                                                - Warren

Well whudaya know. It's a good day when you learn something new in my book. Here is my 08D 69 subframe with the elongated hole. I never would have given it a seconds thought.

[WorkinProgress]

The late build '69 Camaro subframe also used different sway bar bushing brackets. The earlier '69 frames, the hole distance on the bracket is 2 1/2" and the later frame used 2 3/4" spacing. If you ever need to get those later brackets they are also used on '70 1/2 and up Camaro frames.

                                                                        - Warren

[HawkX66]

The late build '69 Camaro subframe also used different sway bar bushing brackets. The earlier '69 frames, the hole distance on the bracket is 2 1/2" and the later frame used 2 3/4" spacing. If you ever need to get those later brackets they are also used on '70 1/2 and up Camaro frames.

                                                                        - Warren

Good to know. Thanks Warren. Thankfully my originals are good to go.

[cook_dw]

There were 4 subframes used on 67-9 Camaros (all interchangeable).  Access hole for bumper brackets, bump stop and the core support hole area are the main differences.  Warren is correct on the canister & sway bar.  Sorry for the late reply and short answer Friday.  Busy week last week and over the weekend.