Team Camaro Tech banner
Cancel
Create thread New Garage Forums

1968 driver build

Jump to Latest
41 - 60 of 125 Posts
#42 ·
jadams said:
Well, a setback like this may not be a bad thing after all, I came in the house yesterday after jacking the engine up as far as I could, still would not enable me to drill straight enough to extract it. Janice asked me why I was working so hard at it when all I was going to do with this 350, was get the bugs out of the car. So, I think now, I will get it going and run it in tinted primer with all trim and build the SS motor on the stand. Change engine, and then final paint. Then, I will not risk scratching and denting fresh paint. Good to hear your progress. I will post some pics when I get more done.
Click to expand...
At least you'll get to enjoy it this season before tearing it back apart for final redo. I was hoping to be able to get mine on the road this summer but that probably won't happen.
 
Discussion starter · #43 ·
Maybe you will. Don't give up. This little snafu has taught me not to get in a big hurry on this car. Some builds just flow and some fight you tooth and nail. This one is being difficult. I have the engine compartment together from the h2o pump back and wiring connected. Pass fender and inner fender are in, and after dinner, I'm going to head out there and put some more sheetmetal in place.Will add some photos later. It's been such a beautiful sunny 65* day here, and I just couldn't force myself to work out in the shop.
 
#44 ·
jadams said:
Well, a setback like this may not be a bad thing after all, I came in the house yesterday after jacking the engine up as far as I could, still would not enable me to drill straight enough to extract it. Janice asked me why I was working so hard at it when all I was going to do with this 350, was get the bugs out of the car. So, I think now, I will get it going and run it in tinted primer with all trim and build the SS motor on the stand. Change engine, and then final paint. Then, I will not risk scratching and denting fresh paint. Good to hear your progress. I will post some pics when I get more done.
Click to expand...
Janice=Very smart!
 
#45 ·
jadams said:
Maybe you will. Don't give up. This little snafu has taught me not to get in a big hurry on this car. Some builds just flow and some fight you tooth and nail. This one is being difficult. I have the engine compartment together from the h2o pump back and wiring connected. Pass fender and inner fender are in, and after dinner, I'm going to head out there and put some more sheetmetal in place.Will add some photos later. It's been such a beautiful sunny 65* day here, and I just couldn't force myself to work out in the shop.
Click to expand...
Jealous of this. It was a cold overcast 36* day here. Sure to be many more like it still to come. I did a couple hours on the kids car tonight but at the end it felt like I got nothing accomplished. :confused:
 
Discussion starter · #46 ·
I have those days for sure. Storms moving in after lunch so I think it's a wrap for today.
I hung my inners and all f/e sheet metal yesterday and today. Good fit all in all. Decent gaps, no fender rubbing when you open doors. Engine ready pretty much to crank. I still have to
Image
install the fan and get a carb on it, but that is for another day.
 
Discussion starter · #48 ·
Hope so. Spent today changing oil, finishing the engine bay
Image
and putting together a punch list. . I think it will run by next week. I don't know how well. It is totally incorrect in looks but it is a driver and this looks better that the six it came with. At least to me.
 

Attachments

Discussion starter · #49 ·
Swapped the Holley Demon carb out.
Sorry, not a Holley fan and found a period correct air cleaner. It was for an automatic car, so filling and bodywork will be needed to make it look somewhat ok. Here is a before picture of my engine bay. In a few days, I will update with a nice engine shot.
Image
 
Discussion starter · #50 ·
Well today was epic in the life of the 68. First time ever a v8 was running between her rails. Got it cranked about 2 oclock.. Was having issues, turned out to be an HEI ignition module. I went ahead and changed out the coil. Time to concentrate on hooking up the driveshaft and ebrakes and on to the exhaust shop. I about have the air cleaner restored. Soon...
 
#51 ·
jadams said:
Hope so. Spent today changing oil, finishing the engine bay View attachment 300772 and putting together a punch list. . I think it will run by next week. I don't know how well. It is totally incorrect in looks but it is a driver and this looks better that the six it came with. At least to me.
Click to expand...
Easy now...I drive a six. 🤔🤔🧐🧐😆😆
 
#52 ·
jadams said:
Swapped the Holley Demon carb out.
Sorry, not a Holley fan and found a period correct air cleaner. It was for an automatic car, so filling and bodywork will be needed to make it look somewhat ok. Here is a before picture of my engine bay. In a few days, I will update with a nice engine shot. View attachment 300905
Click to expand...
Leave the air cleaner as such as it.will confuse the know it all purists! Hell, I put a 290/302 sticker on the 6 banger. Loved to hear the discussions....
 
Discussion starter · #53 ·
I had a 235 (I believe) six in a 65 GMC in 1980. It had nylon timing gears. It jumped time and I worked and worked and never got it running. Put a 283 in it and have never ran another one since. Nothing against them, I'm just not a fan.
 
#54 ·
jadams said:
I had a 235 (I believe) six in a 65 GMC in 1980. It had nylon timing gears. It jumped time and I worked and worked and never got it running. Put a 283 in it and have never ran another one since. Nothing against them, I'm just not a fan.
Click to expand...
Bummer….the Camaro 250 is direct steel gear drive. Quite possible yours was a cheap rebuild. I’ve seen many a V8 nylon camshaft gear fail at the worst possible time. Not everyone has to be a fan.
 
Discussion starter · #56 ·
Beautiful engine bay. I get roped into going with my car buddies to some of these local cruise ins. I really dont spend much time cleaning up underhood. This one, I decided to spiff it up just enough not to be embarassed when I raise my hood. Thanks for the kind words, guys.
 
Discussion starter · #58 ·
AnimateMe said:
Looking good. Just a simple job of cleaning up your lengths will make quite a difference too.
Click to expand...
Yeah, those ugly yellow plug wires have gotta go. They are just what I had laying around that would work to start it up.
The" get it on a trailer" punch list is getting shorter each day. Built a throttle rod and painted the driveshaft today.I need to
Hook up fuel line, drive shaft install, adjust clutch and slap the hood on and I'm taking it to my exhaust guy.
Swapping rear end gears when I get her back and maybe I can enjoy working out some bugs. On the road that is.
Then, there will be another one back on the highway after a 30-40 year absence,
 
#59 ·
jadams said:
Yes. Makes no difference. I took them out. No change. It must be a stamping issue.
Click to expand...
Ran into this a half dozen time or more at my shop. Remove the hood place the corners on blocks, put a 2x4 on the edge and remove the bow by standing on it. Does no damage to the hood. You also need to know how to properly adjust hood hinges. Most people do not.
 
Discussion starter · #60 ·
I've had to do that to the front corner of two or three aftermarket cowl induction hoods, you know, where they dive off in the front. This car came with a cowl hood that fits pretty good, except it has the same issue as the GM hood. I bought the GM flat hood hoping it would fit better. I straighten tailgate bows in the same manner. Only I use a floor jack under a truck front end for a press. Precision, right?
 
41 - 60 of 125 Posts
About this Discussion
124 Replies
15 Participants
Last post:
jadams
Team Camaro Tech
posts
2.4M
members
90K
Since
1998
A forum community dedicated to 1st generation Chevy Camaros owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about performance, builds, restoration, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, reviews, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
Bench Racing Engine Body Shop Performance Brakes, Suspension & Steering