Topics

The steering in my 68 is very sloppy. Is this just a marginal design from the factory or are there some things in the steering and front suspension that I should be looking at? Is there a way to tighten up the steering while maintaining everything stock or at least easily able to go back to factory correct?

Thank you,

Mark

A friend has found this Camaro 124378N346550.  Is it in the data base?  Currently has a 350 LT1 motor in it and a 4 speed.  He is not sure of the trans.

Thanks

Mark

Is it worth the extra $$ to find a date correct 4053 DZ carb for my 68 L78 or should I just go with a new one? Will it increase the value of the car to have the date correct carb even though it is not original? A very reputable guy from all I have heard can get a date correct carb (not a restamp) and restore it. His work looks great and he is well thought of. Or I can just go with new from Heartbeat City or others. The car is mostly original or factory correct and I tend to lean toward that but we're talking about $300 or so difference. I will show the car locally but it is by no means a 1000 point car or anything like that. It's mostly a really nice driver for cruise ins and shows and sunny days (the six or so sunny days we actually have per year here in Central New York)

Any opinions?

Thanks

Mark

Hello:

I want to get back to the correct Holley 780 on my 68 L78. Just a check on the correct part number. Is it 4053 DZ? I know (unless I get really lucky)  I won't be able to have the correct date code but would like to at least get the correct part number.

Thanks for your help.

Mark

Guys:

This may be another stupid question from a newbie but here goes anyways.  I positively dislike nasty ash trays and although the previous owner did not smoke for 20 years the ashtrays have obviously been used.  Can I just take them out, mask them off and blast them or do I need to paint them as well?  If I need to paint them can someone recommend the correct paint to use?

Thanks

Mark

Hi:

My passenger side window has the Astro Ventilation graphic frosted or painted in the front corner of the glass and I assume this is the original glass.  The drivers door does not have this graphic.  Did this graphic only come on the right side or was it on both sides and my drivers side is a replacement?

Thanks

Mark

Guys:

I am getting a minor squeal when I let the clutch out in neutral.  As soon as the clutch starts to engage the squeal starts.  One knowledgeable guy said it was transmission, possibly a bearing.  Does this sound right?  Would fairly suck if that's the case.  BTW L78, M22.  Pretty new clutch in good shape.

Thanks

Mark

Hi guys:

My speedo is sticking and not reading the right speed.  Any special tricks to replacing the cable?  I see there are several lengths available so I will need to research which one is correct for a 68 L78 with M22.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Mark

Guys and gals:  As I calculate it here is the initial cost of my first Camaro.  Please feel free to let me know if I forgot anything.  I'm sure there is a lot more to come

Cost of car $XX,XXX,  Independent appraisal $500; Closed hauler transportation of car from Nevada to NY $1,900;
Additional clean up work, engine detailing, mechanical repair, SS stripe, etc $6,000;  Insurance registration taxes $1,500; Garage restoration, insulation,dry wall, paint $1,200;  Black and white checkerboard garage floor (next year) $1,600;  Expand garage for more cars in future $10,000;  Car detailing supplies, Cali duster Large and mini etc $80;  Car club dues show entrance fees etc $90;  CBTN, AIM, and other books $100;  Couples therapy for wife feeling abandoned 30 hrs @$150/hr $4,500;  Individual therapy for feeling inadequate when on Camaros.org Forum 10 hrs @ $125/hr $1,250;  New first gen Firebird for wife so we can both drive to shows $15,000;
Dues for 12 step meeting for Camaro addicts, $1 per meeting x 90 meetings in 90 days $90.

Pulling really sweet 68 L78 RS SS into my own garage for the first time while 11 year old step son looks on in wonder-Priceless

Hi:  Can you guys look at this and tell me is this the correct fan for a 68 L78 RS SS?  Also is the orientation correct or is it backwards?  The part no is 393100.

Thanks

Hi:

Can anyone post post pics of their original fan in a 1968 396?  I want to check something before I get to thinking I may have something amiss.  A pic from around the wheel well of the passanger side would be perfect.

Thanks.

Hi guys:  My 68 beauty is finally home, even though it rained today and I will have to spend a couple of hours getting it cleaned back up I wanted to drive it before the snow flies.  i did decide to go with the stripe as all of you recommended.  Here is a pic or two.  Sorry about the water drops on the car.  Yes, the brace over the battery is off on the pic of the engine cmpartment.  It is back on.

Thanks for everyones help so far on the car so far and I look forward to continuing to work on the car with all of your input.  You guys and the guys at Team Camaro are great.

Mark

Does anyone know of a difference in radiator support designs for SS and non SS cars for 1968?  Some people have said that the dimension of the opening is different and I have also heard that there is no difference.  The AIM doesn't specify, or at least I have not found it yet if it does.

Also, are all big block cars SS cars?

Thanks

Mark

Sorry if this is a repeat.  I think I have seen this info somewhere but can't find it.  What is the correct finish for the hood hinges on a 68 396 L78 RS SS car?  There has been some input that it is supposed to be a semi gloss black and some that it is supposed to be like a silver plate.   They are about to go back on the car and I want to make sure we get them correct.

Thanks

I just want to say this site and the members are amazing.  The wealth of knowledge and the love of Camaros comes through in reading all the posts.  I am constantly amazed and impressed by the level of detailed information all of you are able and willing to provide about Camaros.  I consider myself lucky to have found this site and you people.

Thank you so much

Mark

Has anyone heard of 396 cars coming out of LA with 5000 redline?  I heard there was sometimes a shortage of the correct 6000 redline tachs so the factory put whatever was available in the car.  My 396/375 is clearly the original engine in the car but has the 5000 redline tic toc tach.  I am replacing it with the factory correct 6000 redline but it is things like this that drive a type A guy like me even more nuts than I already am

Thanks

This may be a little thing but what is the correct gas cap for a 68 RS SS?  The one on the car now says RS and runs vertically.  Is this corect or should it be the SS gas cap?

Thanks

Which 68 cars came with 4 leaf rear springs and which came with 5?  Was this an option or did just the Z28 come with 4 leaf springs?

I recently bought a 68 sold as an RS SS, L78 block, M22 numbers matching car.  The engine is indeed an L78 numbers matching with what certainly appears to be the original block stamping (correct broach marks and fonts).  I am not so sure about the tramsmission and rear end and I am also not sure I understand the trim tag.  The VIN is 124378L344764.  There is no build sheet or POP.

The transmission has a date code of B8R30 and has the correct VIN though this could have been restamped.  Haven't had it out of the car and had to use a mirror to see the VIN code.  Is this a correct date?  This transmission has three drain plugs, two on the side and one on the bottom.  Is this an M22?

The rear end stamping is BW1101G2 which I believe is the code for a 456 rear end.  Interesting that the date code is within a day of the transmission date code if I decoded correctly, but it seems that both are a little too early for what I think is the June build of the car.

The trim tag reads:  ST 68 12437 LOS 43226 BDY
                            TR 749         Z-Z PNT
                            ACC  (What does the ACC mean?)

I am just learning about all the codes and everything and am liking the car more and more as I look into it.  The underside is very clean with no rust as it lived in the high desert out in Nevada.  Can anyone provide input on the codes please?  Also, if this is a true RS SS with a numbers matching L78 block, M22 tranny and a 456 rear end wouldn't this be a fairly rare combination?

I have a lot of pictures but am not sure if they are to big for down loading here.

Thanks for the help.  You guys on this site are great.

Okay Camaro experts, I could really use some input here.  I just bought my first (well actually second) Camaro.  It is a 68 RS SS 396/375 and the previous owner had repainted it black from the original Z-Z British Green code, removed all the badging and wheel and rocker panel chrome trim, and blacked out the grille.  I am putting the SS badging and RS chrome back on along with a new grille with chrome leading edges where the factory correct is painted silver.  The grille should look like the one on the 68 RS SS on the front of Chevrolet By The Numbers 1965-69.  The paint is good and I will leave it like this for several years before I consider repainting.

Now the question; do I put the SS stripe back on?  The correct stripe would be the D90 that goes down the quarter panel and door.  With all the chrome back on the black and chrome look will be sharp and I am undecided about the stripe.  On the one hand the stripes all look great, on the other hand I wonder if the stripe will take away from black and chrome look.  Does anyone have a picture of a black RS SS with the prroper chrome and the stripe?  I have not been able to find one yet on google images.

It will be fun to hear what everyone's opinion is on this?

Thanks, Mark

What is the correct intake manifold code for a 1968 L78 built in June of 1968?  This engine has the snowflake high rise manifold and I am not sure it is the original, though the previous owner says it is.  Thanks