I would like in a nutshell to know the correct procedure of rebuilding a 69 Camaro. The proper way, ground up....1..2..3
Thanks

69 Z to be rebuilt

In a nut shell? 1)Take it apart. 2)Fix all of the broken stuff. 3)Put it back together. Sometimes it's a little bit more complicated than this.

LOL...That was a peanut shell! 1) go over the entire car and note what parts will be needed and at what cost. DO NOT. Under ANY circumstances let the wife get a hold of this notebook! 2)Slowly remove parts and sort and mark EVERY bolt, screw, nut,clamp bracket..EVEN if it's in bad shape and must be replaced. Throw NOTHING away.Again, if caught tearing the car down,casually and most importantly calmly state "you're playing around with the car a bit". 3) begin the body restoration..weld and/or bolt in necessary sheet metal..DO NOT stay up late doing this..spread the work out over as long a period of time as possible. Keep track of time invested and NEVER let the Camaro occupy more time than the wife. Even by a few minutes...she'll know which one is getting more of your attention! 4)Best to paint the car with everything stipped and apart. If you can use little or no masking tape prior to painting, you're doing GREAT! 5) After it's painted, begin the final assembly..DO NOT let any kids, wives, buddies, or pets in the garage after the car is painted..NO ACCEPTIONS! 6) Throw in the fresh motor and trans and CRIUSE!

I did forget to add THE GOLDEN RULE; Throw NOTHING away!

Good books to have handy on the re-build site
Chevy by the Numbers 1965-1969
Illustrated Camaro buyer's Guide
Classic Camaro restoration
Complete Guide to Restoring your 1st generation Camaro There are tow of these with similar names at the book stores. Get the paperback one seems to have a lot more detailed information.

And the one book thats not yet in print is John Z "The Camaro Mind" http://www.camaros.net/forum/smile.gif
I say that cause I dont think John would part with it but a Book on the camaro would be a best seller esp amoung the 9000+ here at Team Camaro.

Jeff 67/68 & 69 RS's
65 442


[This message has been edited by HawaiianCamaro (edited 01-28-2002).]

Kyvox hit the nail right on the head. In a nutshell that's all there is to it. http://www.camaros.net/forum/wink.gif

However some additional advice from me: have a really big stack of money cause you'll need it. You might even want to find a printing press.

Oh yes, access to places like this are worth more than money when you get stuck and need help.

1)call around to restoration shops and find one that can get your car in ASAP.
2)wait a year, then take car to resto shop
3)wait about 3 years and write about $50,000 worth of checks or sign for credit card receipts
4) pick up "better than new" camaro and sell it on ebay for $15,000.
5)start over again...

or you could follow the directions that the other people have already stated. whatever floats your boat, i guess.

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1971 Nova(looks like 69 camaro from underneath!)
355sb, vortec heads, HOT cam,T-10 tranny, 3.70 gears 16X8" IROC wheels
see pics here http://community.webshots.com/user/novaderrik

Hmmm, I seem to be doing this backwards. I'm doing the mechanical first: 6 cyl 3 sp to 350 4 sp, drum to disc, open monoleaf to posi multileaf, add vintage air. Then off to the body shop for new quarters, doors, paint and last to the top and interior shop. Am I screwing up?
As for MY wife, she likes me spending lots of time with it and leaving her alone (I'm probably screwing up again).
And last, I like what a preacher once said: "If you got all this in your head, you've got it in a nutshell"... http://www.camaros.net/forum/smile.gif

I'm with Winch on this one. Get a good solid drivetrain and suspension, drive it for a while while you save money to re-do the body.

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68 Coupe, 350 4-speed
Jim's Camaro Corner (http://www.personal.psu.edu/jxu109/)

I agree, get the thing running and rolling first. I did a jeep outside in and the paint/exterior really suffered. Did Camaro inside out and it is proving to be easier and going to be sweet (I hope). Good Luck....

If you build your drive train and running gear the way you want it first and get it all dialed in you'll be happier, same with the interior as you wou't be playing the fit and refit game with a fresh paint job.

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...Dennis
"The '69 (http://chevelles.com/showroom/fine69_03.jpg), the '96 (http://chevelles.com/showroom/fine69_02.jpg) & the club (http://camaroslimited.com/)"

Step one: Throw wallet at car.

Step two: Run.

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57 Plymouth Savoy in my family since new, just cosmetically restored, 93 S-10 waiting on the 80 Dodge Lil' red Express clone truck to be built then one s_10 for sale, Angie's mechanic and designated Vette cusser.

Jeff, I would like a copy of the John Z book! If someone would write a good book on the first gens, breaking each year into different books, or possibly each style it would have to be a great seller. There are so many questions the current crop of books forget to answer, and some color pictures would be nice too.

We would all like the John Z book only problem is none is written. Maybe Ill have to bring him out to Hawaii and surround him with Hula Girls for a couple of months to get him to write it.
Jeff 67/68 & 69 RS's
65 442

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by HawaiianCamaro:
We would all like the John Z book only problem is none is written. Maybe Ill have to bring him out to Hawaii and surround him with Hula Girls for a couple of months to get him to write it.
Jeff 67/68 & 69 RS's
65 442<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I think we want a Camaro book not a romance novel!! http://www.camaros.net/forum/wink.gif


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...Dennis
"The '69 (http://chevelles.com/showroom/fine69_03.jpg), the '96 (http://chevelles.com/showroom/fine69_02.jpg) & the club (http://camaroslimited.com/)"

Jeff -

Just might be a plan! We were married on Maui (Hyatt Regency on Kaanapali Beach), and went back two years ago for our 5th anniversary; three years and we'll go back again. When you get the tickets, we like to fly First Class - long trip from here http://www.camaros.net/forum/biggrin.gif

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JohnZ
CRG
'69 Z28 Fathom Green

DjD ist a Camaro a love affair just the same.
John Z never know, I have relitives that work for the Airlines tickets are cheap that way http://www.camaros.net/forum/smile.gif
Jeff 67/68 & 69 RS's
65 442

If your talking total restoration,I can give you a little of my experiences at this.Dont leave nothing to chance if you restore it.It will come back to haunt you.Rebuild or replace everything mechanical.If your car is even in decent shape its going to get expensive,if you do it right.The steps I do is drivetrain,suspension body and paint,then glass,trim and interior.To me the body and paint is the most pain,because if you can't do it,Its expensive to have done,and harder to have done right.Its actually cheaper to buy a restored 1st gen Camaro than to restore a rough one.A friend of mine bought a 69 SS 350 4 speed restored car(super nice) at Pigeon Forge Grand Run last year for$12000.You cant restore any car for that.

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69 Camaro SS 350 4 speed
86 Monte Carlo SS

If this is your first attempt to restore a car this is "the" most important tip,KEEP IT RUNNING.I've seen way to many people get in over their heads on their first attempt.It all starts with great intentions and ends with disaster.Most will lose interest in a non drivable hulk that can be a money pit and headache for years to come.I know this sounds a bit negetive but trust me.I can count dozens of first time all apart restoration projects that end up as junk or sold at a loss to me or others waiting in the shadows.Start small,baby steps,can you handle it?It may sound like more work in the long run,but you can enjoy it.Save the major gutting for a later date,or to when you are sure you are up to the challange,really sure both mentally and mechanicly.Good luck with whatever you decide!

Steve

Thanks for the ideas ! I do like the idea of "keep it rolling". I was going to start out with a total teardown. As I have no engine ready for it, I was going to get one together during rest of winter. But, no $$ so I can dream of all kinds of ways to go as I have PLENTY of time. Just wanted to map out a good game plan as to what to focus on first. I guess, get it rolling and enjoy it + get the bugs out.
It is totally new to me, bought it (69-Z X-33) last summer. It was stored for 10 years or so.
+ there are some burnt wires under dash, should I replace just that segment of harness or rewire whole car ? (Painless wire set good?)

Thanks
Steve

A "proper" restoration can't really be done while it's driven. Best thing to do is learn..learn everything you can prior to taking anything apart. Learn to do most things yourself. Make a budget before you begin. And lastly, and most importantly, tune into Camaros.Net as often as possible.

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Is this YOUR project? "Someday I'll restore it"
http://members.aol.com/panther1967/camaro.jpg

I can't see your wiring harness, so I can't make a decision. If you think that something under there is dangerous, or might cause a disaster, then you might want to start with the painless harness. On the other hand, if you think you can just easily fix it, that's what I would do, and wait until you have the whole car torn down for the body work to try to replace the wiring harness.

I can't really see what would make a rolling restoration "unproper." If my car was in 32 coffee cans, and parts were here and there, the car wouldn't be very enjoyable. The restoration process would be much less fun, unless you are into waiting around for 6 or 7 years.

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68 Coupe, 350 4-speed
Jim's Camaro Corner (http://www.personal.psu.edu/jxu109/)

Regarding Wiring: In a nut shell, replace it, all of it. The fact of the matter is that this car is now over thirty years old. The wires are brittle, the next bump may break a wire and the connections are dirty or corroded. That plus the fact that for the past thirty years, people, either well intentioned or dip wads, have been hacking at the wires for whatever darn reason. Now having said replace it all, it does not have to be done all at the same time. You can do the engine compartment and then do the interior/rear light loom at another date.

Over all restoration.

Committment: This is where you need to look in the mirror and decide what you want to do here. If you want and investment, go to Wall Street. I mean that, I'm not being nasty in the least. This should be your hobby, your passion, your trophy. If you are married and have kids, this comes after them but before the dog and cat.

Also, realize your technical capability. Me, I am a parts replacer verse a mechanic and I am not a body man. Knowing where you sit in these areas will help you later, meaning the bucks you'll spend.


The money: Some one said take your wallet and throw it at your car. Wise words, it's true. It is damn true. Someone else said buy one that is already done. Again, very wise words. You wouldn't believe how much money I've spent on my car. I'm too embarrassed to type the number in.

One way, drive it and restor it, is what I am doing. The plus side is that Deb and I are enjoying the car. The down side is sometimes things can be duplicated and that makes things more expensive. Of course, having a good plan is a way of minimizing the additional cost but...

The other way is to buy one that is already done. Clearly the cheapest but the initial outlay of money hurts like hell. If you can't afford to toss 15 -20k right now, why would you think you can toss double that by going through the entire car? Yes, I am being a bit unfair by saying it like that. I'm just trying to make a point, not scare you away from your car. There are no absolutes here, where you land will be close to where we all landed, not the same spot and you'll get there slightly differently, but you'll be proud at what you've done and you'll be amazed at how much you spent.

The plan: Come up with one. Come up with a real, no kiddin' yourself, plan to restor your car. Use all the catalog sources and figure that your need to get EVERYTHING. Work those dollars into your plan and set your budget. From there, figure out what you can do yourself, what can be saved and restored and do your best to be in control.

I looked at my car as a hospital patient. My first task was to stabilize the car, (fix everything that is safety related.) Fixed the leaky gas line, did a complete restoration AND upgrade of the brakes. (From manual drums to power disk front and drums rear.) Replaced ball joints, tie rods, wheel bearings front and rear. Believe me, I know a lot of people who have bought cars for less than what I spent on just getting my car safe for road travel.

The rear of my car was just finished. I went form a 10-bolt to a 12-bolt that looks like it is brand spankin' new, (with a new Eaton Posi.) New leaf springs with Energy Suspension busingings. Added a rear sway bar. New gas tank and associcated hardware. New rear light wire loom plus all the other little items. The back end, (underneath) of my car looks like it just came off the line. Yipeee!! If you added up the cost of the parts you'll see the total exceeds two thousand dollars. Ouch, and that doesn't include the new rear bumper I need, yet another 150 to 200 bones with bumperettes, hardware and shipping.

To finish up here with this looooong message, (sorry.) Next is the engine. American Speed, 383,($4300) either 385 or 400hp at about six grand with March, carb, MSD, misc. items and shipping.

Next winter. Tear the front clip off, restore the subframe, Guldstran (sp?) modification, Detroit Speed frame braces, PST suspension components, paint job, new bright work, weather stripping. 7 to 10 grand. (I can't do body work.)

Next summer, interior. Parts alone, including new Corbeau seats, 2 grand.

As insane as this sounds, I wouldn't do it again, but...

I wouldn't do it any differently.


Best regards,

Rick-O
69-RS-SS (Cloned at that!)


[This message has been edited by Scoop69RS-SS (edited 01-31-2002).]

Spames, some of us find rebuilding a car from coffee cans of bolts enjoyable,almost as much fun as driving the car. I see your point, but "enjoyable" can be viewed differently by different people. As Scoop pointed out improvements that were made once may have to be made again while continuing to drive the car and that requires more money. No one can tell someone else how to restore their car. The post is just begging for differences. All anyone of us can do is make suggestions and I think we've all made some great ones. Now it's time for Higger to decide which is best for him and his finances.

[This message has been edited by 1967 Panther (edited 01-31-2002).]

Who's "Higger" anyway? Sorry, I meant Hugger!

Well, you're actually one that made the statement that there is only 1 "proper" way to restore a car (that is to totally tear it down). I was just questioning that, and sharing the opposing view point, for the less patient restorer.

I wasn't trying to say that my way was the only or best way to do something by all means. I think it can be done any way the individual wants to do it.

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68 Coupe, 350 4-speed
Jim's Camaro Corner (http://www.personal.psu.edu/jxu109/)

Chuck - Please use the Wanted section and post what you're looking for. www.camaros.net/ads/wanted (http://www.camaros.net/ads/wanted) Thanks,

[This message has been edited by DjD (edited 02-02-2002).]