C R G CRG Reports Exterior Engine 1967 Model ID
Numbers Decode General Info Interior Transmission 1968 Model ID
Drivetrain Decode Options Underhood Chassis 1969 Model ID

Underhood (non-engine) Components

©1998-2019, Camaro Research Group
Edited by Kurt Sonen
Version: Wednesday, 11-Dec-2019 17:15:59 EST

  1. Differences Between the SS Hood Spring and the Non-SS Hood Spring
  2. 1967-69 Camaro Batteries
  3. 1967-69 Camaro Horns
  4. CRG Research Report: 1967-69 Camaro Cooling Systems (including radiator and fan usage)
 

Differences Between the SS Hood Spring and the Non-SS Hood Spring

As the SS hood is significantly heavier than the base hood, a different spring was need to assist in lifting the SS hood. (The hood hinges are identical.) A comparative photo below shows the two different spring types in a side-by-side comparison. The physical details of the base and SS springs are tabulated in the table below, and further illustrated in the schematic below. These data apply to all three years of the first-generation Camaro. The non-SS springs were also applied to the ZL2 cowl-induction hood available on 1969 SS or Z28 cars.  
1967-69 Camaro Hood Springs
SS on top, non-SS on bottom
1967-69 Camaro SS and Base Hood Springs

SS versus non-SS Camaro Hood Spring Comparison
  Spring Part Number Overall Length, inch Number of Coils Coil Diameter, inch Wire Diameter, inch Coil Twist Hook Opening** Preload Displacement, inch
For SS Hoods 3848272 9-3/8 28 1.420 0.225 Right-Hand -75 degrees 0.075
For Flat Hoods
and
ZL2 Cowl Induction
3877203 8-3/4 26 1.475 0.195 Right-Hand +105 degrees 0.640
*  dimensions are nominal
** relative to open hook at other end where a + angle is in a clockwise direction and a - angle is in a counterclockwise direction.

The base spring, though less stiff, is significantly preloaded even at the maximum opening position (shortest extension). However, the SS spring is almost completely unloaded in the fully opened position. This can be seen from the "pre-load displacement" value in the table above.

The ends of both springs are hooked, with the hook of each end oriented at near right angles relative to the other end. However, there is a difference between the two springs even in this detail. (Reference the comparative photo and the schematic.) When using one open hook end as the angle reference axis, the hook at the opposite end of the non-SS spring is oriented at about +105 degrees from it. In contrast, the opposite end of the SS spring is oriented at about -75 degrees - or a full 180 degrees from that of the non-SS spring. In other words, with one end of both springs oriented in the same direction, the plane of the hooks at the other end is the same, but the open end of the two hooks are in opposite directions.

Schetch: 1967-69 Camaro Hood Springs
Schetch of 1967-69 Camaro Hood Springs

 

1967-69 Camaro Batteries

R59 Battery - top post
Reproduction R59 Battery
For 67-69 Camaros, the battery choice was limited to the standard battery or the optional heavy duty battery, RPO T60. There were two different standard battery sizes used, a 45-Amp-hour (Ahr) version and 61-Ahr version (the Ahr rating is based on a 20 hour output test and is probably the best way to compare the power capabilities of batteries). Which standard battery was installed was solely dependent on the engine displacement. Engines that were 307ci and smaller received the 45-Ahr battery while engines that were 327ci and larger received the 61-Ahr battery. The optional T60 heavy duty battery was a 70-Ahr battery and was available on any model.

For 67, 68, and most of 69, all the batteries used top post terminals. For the latter part of 69 production, the standard batteries were modified (they stayed the same size and rating) to side post terminals (called "sealed terminals" in Delco terminology). Here is the 5/31/69 bulletin announcing the batteries with 'side-mounted terminals'.

For LOS cars, the change to side post batteries occurred about the 05A week (cowl tag date). For NOR cars, it appears the change to the Y77 side post battery occurred in late April, while the R79 side post battery was used starting in early- to mid-May. (See the Battery Usage section for application information.)

Battery Specifications

Y77 Battery - side post
Y77 Battery
 
R79 Battery - side post
Y79 Battery
 
R69 HD Battery - RPO T60
R69 Battery
 
R58/R59 Battery Drawing
R58 Battery
Delco introduced the Energizer line of batteries with molded plastic cases in 1967 (vs the earlier hard rubber cases with tar tops). The Energizer line consisted of three series: the "economy minded" Green E-1000, the "normal" Yellow E-3000, and the "top of the line" Red E-5000. Each series had incrementally more internal lead plates per cell which yielded a higher battery capacity. On factory installed batteries, the color was used on the 5 vented caps and on the Delco Eye electrolyte indicator, but the raised text on the battery was not highlighted. Service batteries had the text on the battery highlighted with color of the series. Thus the R59 battery pictured is factory correct and the other three are correct as service parts.

The part number of these new batteries was a combination of the color of the series it was in and the last two digits of the former three digit Delco part number. For example, the R69 was in the Red series and was formerly Delco part number 569.

1967 - 1969 Battery Specifications
Year Used Delco
Model #
AABM Group # Post Ahr rating Cranking Power at 0°F (watts) Size
(l x w x h)
Weight
67, 68, early 69 Y55 22F  top 45 Ahr 2300 9 1/2 x 6 13/16
x 8 1/4
34 lb
late 69 Y77 72 side 45 Ahr 2300 9 1/16 x 6 15/16
x 8 1/4
34 lb
67, 68, early 69 R59 24  top 61 Ahr 2900 10 1/4 x 6 13/16
x 8 1/4
44 lb
late 69 R79 74 side 61 Ahr 2900 10 1/4 x 6 15/16
x 8 25/32
44 lb
67-69 R69 24T  top 70 Ahr 3150 10 1/4 x 6 13/16
x 9 1/2
49 lb
References: Delco Energizer Battery brochure, Jan 1966
                    Delco Battery Catalog, Mar 1970

Here are some explanations of the battery codes used in the table above.

The Association of American Battery Manufacturers (AABM, now called Battery Council International (BCI)) standardized batteries into numbered Group Sizes according to maximum overall dimensions, terminal arrangement, and features that affect battery fit. The "F" suffix, e.g. 22F, originally stood for 'Ford' and indicates a reversed terminal post arrangement (see the description below of the Y55 battery). The "T" suffix, e.g. 24T, indicates a taller version, by 3/4", of the battery group size 24. This allowed for larger plates and thus more cranking power.

Battery Usage

67, 68, and early (pre-May) 69 L6, 302 (Z28), and 307: The standard battery was the Delco Y55. This was a 45-Ahr rated battery with reverse polarity top post terminals. That is, when the terminals are positioned facing rearward in the car, the positive terminal is closest to the fender.

Late 69 L6, 302 (Z28), and 307: The standard battery became the Delco Y77 with side post terminals and the same 45-Ahr rating. The Y77 had two different size terminals, a 3/8-16 positive terminal and a 5/16-18 negative terminal, so the terminals could not be interchanged. The Y77 used standard terminal positions, not the reversed polarity terminals like the Y55 it replaced.

67, 68, and early (pre-May) 69 327, 350, 396, and 427: The standard battery was the R59. It was a 61-Ahr rated battery with top posts and standard terminal positions (positive terminal inboard).

Late 69 350, 396, and 427: The standard battery became the Delco R79 with side post terminals and the same 61-Ahr rating. The R79 battery had two different size terminals, a 3/8-16 positive terminal and a 5/16-18 negative terminal, so the terminals could not be interchanged. (The R89 battery replaced the R79 in 1971 and had the same basic exterior dimensions, but the R89 had a single terminal size, 3/8-16.)

67-69 RPO T60, Heavy Duty Battery: The optional battery was Delco R69, a 70-Ahr battery with top posts and standard terminal positions (positive terminal inboard). This battery was a taller version (by 3/4 inch) of the R59, with the extra height allowing larger battery plates and hence more power. Unlike the standard batteries, it did not change to a side post configuration in late 69.

1967-69 Camaro Horns

Horn numbers - 9000289 and 9B4
Horn numbers
As standard equipment, all 1967-1969 Camaros had two aluminum diecast horns made by Delco-Remy. The two horns were a low horn (F-note @ 360hz) and a high horn (A-note @ 450hz). The length of the projector (the scroll part, aka the trumpet) and the design of the internal diaphram determines the horn's output frequency. The horn was further tuned by Delco-Remy via the adjusting screw on the back side of the horn. For 67-69, the high horn has the "H" for high cast into the horn while the low horn has a spot for a letter, but it is left blank.

Horns may look similar, but are mostly unique to a vehicle application due to: the bracket (length and angle), the orientation of the bracket to the projector, and the orientation of the electrical connector to the projector. The bracket is staked to the horn so it is difficult to change the bracket or its orientation. Horns were mounted with the opening facing downward so water would drain out. The part number is on the bottom side of the horn flange - 9000 is molded into the horn and the last 3 digits of the part number are stamped next to it. The date is stamped on the opposing side of the horn flange. The date format is [year][month][week], where month is the letters A-M, e.g. 9B4 is 4th week of February, 1969.

An interesting video by Delco-Remy showing the horn manufacturing process in 1984 is available on Youtube.

On 1967 and 1968 standard headlight cars, the horns were mounted on the front of the driver's side of the radiator support. For Rally Sport cars, the horns were mounted on the hood latch support. Both years used the same parts - 9000477 was the low note horn and 9000214 was the high note horn. (The 477 horn was also used on 1964 full-size cars.)

RPO U03, tri-volume horn, was an available option in both 67 and 68 and added a 3rd horn (D-note @ 300hz). In 67, the third horn, part # 9000508, was mounted inside the front of the left fender. In 68, the part number changed to 9000268 and the horn was mounted on the hood latch support (shown in AIM page below).

Cross section of a diecast horn.
Horn cross section
Low note horn 477
67-68 horn
High note horn 214
67-68 horn
67 non-RS horns installed
67 Horns
68 mounting locations
68 mounting
68 non-RS horns installed
68 Horns

In 69, the two horns were mounted to the hood latch and RPO U03 was not available. Part # 9000289 was the low note horn and 9000290 was the high note horn. Both part numbers were also used on 1970 Camaros.

69 horns - high on left, low on right
69 horns
69 horns
1969 horns mounted (note both horns face forward and downward)
69 horns

 



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