69 ss396 x66 l34

HawkX66 · Oct 16, 2015

re: 69 SS396 X66 L34

Mounting a 70 and up M21 in a 1st gen isn't as bad as some people make it out to be. Mountain out of a mole hill. Here is what I came up with. First, a/m 69 Camaro Hurst big block shift rods fit perfectly. Second, fashioning my set up off the Hurst kit was easy. The top hole of the Hurst kit is in the right spot. The other two need to move, but it's not bad. $160 for the shift rods and the 69 bracket to modify as well as all the bushings, levers etc. I'll take it! I'm still going to make a mount out of my block of aluminum just for S&Gs, but at least I have a template with measurement to go off of now.
In these pics, I just have everything mocked up. It still needs the bushings installed. They also came with the Hurst kit.
You can see the drive shaft in one of the pics. It's 49" on the money with a TH400 yolk. Plenty of room.

HawkX66 · Oct 21, 2015

re: 69 SS396 X66 L34

I'm at a point where I'm kind of bouncing around a little bit as I mock different areas up. I just posted a new thread of my latest tool purchase so I can get the trim stud rivets welded up: http://www.camaros.net/forums/showthread.php?p=3291505#post3291505

I finished mounting my carpet last weekend. That included installing rivnuts for the console and getting the final mounting buttoned up for the console. Everything came out great. I already posted a lot of the pics of the carpet, but here's a couple of how the console looks now and how the kick panel area came out. I still need to detail the console and the kick panels.

HawkX66 · Oct 22, 2015

re: 69 SS396 X66 L34

Nice to get the rest of the nose on tonight. All except for the hood and inner fenders. I'm just making sure everything lines up and I'm not missing anything. The header, lower valence and grill aren't really bolted in well so the header isn't lined up real well. It fits perfect though. Now to break everything down again so I can strip what hasn't been then do whatever body work it needs, prime and paint. I know, over simplification... I might tackle the motor first. It's kind of motivating seeing everything together.

HawkX66 · Oct 25, 2015

re: 69 SS396 X66 L34

A few pics after throwing the hood, fender extensions etc on. Also, some of how my panel to trim fitment is working out.

rsgt · Oct 25, 2015

re: 69 SS396 X66 L34

Looking good. Nice work.

HawkX66 · Nov 6, 2015

re: 69 SS396 X66 L34

rsgt said:
Looking good. Nice work.

Thanks Randy.

Haven't been going too crazy with working on the car lately, but I got a few things done. I locked down my 733 flywheel, 11" clutch and pressure plate as well as my shifter mount. So now I'm good from my 621 bellhousing back.
Now for the bad news... My spare 396. Not so running condition. I pulled the heads, cam, pistons and crank for a looky see. I'm going to need new rings, bearings and hopefully I can get away with just honing the cylinders and can re-use the pistons. They're just the stock 8.5:1, but I need to keep the costs down for now. I might throw a cam at it too. I'll lap the valves and get some new springs and keepers too. I just want something that will run well. The crank looks good and the crank bearings didn't look too bad.
Too finish up with some good news... I gave my stud welder a whirl and welded my vinyl top trim rivets. They came out great and are real sturdy. Here's some pics.

HawkX66 · Dec 24, 2015

re: 69 SS396 X66 L34

One of the things I was procrastinating finishing was the lower windshield trim mounting. The lower part of my dash that's welded to the cowl has been repaired. The repair removed the piece of metal that had the holes for the lower trim mounts. After I figured out where they needed to go and drilled the new holes, I noticed there were cut outs on the cowl where each of them mount to. You would need a mirror or use a cell phone camera like I did to see under inside the upper cowl.
Once the trim has been attached, the cowl cover actual clips into the trim mounts for a nice flush clean looking fit.
Here's a few pics from today:

Prior to the repair:

Where I started after fixing the lower part of the dash. No, I didn't touch the VIN tag...

If you look next to the small weld spot, you can see an oval cut out with the screw drilled through it. There is an oval cut out for each trim mount. The two windshield adjusters do not have the cut outs in their locations.

Here's where I finished up. I temporarily set the windshield in place to make sure everything lined up well.

Last thing. I posted this before in another thread, but for anyone reading this it might help. Here are the replacement clips you need for the window trim. I've confirmed that the ones fit well for the vinyl top. I don't think the height is any different from the coupe clips.

After looking around for info on replacement clips for the front windshield molding, I saw one post where someone mentioned they thought there was a difference between a painted roof coupe and a vinyl top roof coupe. I knew mine were different and didn't appear to have ever been removed. Original vinyl top and original date coded glass along with good condition trim... Anyone know the reason for the difference? It seems like the regular clips could cover the added thickness of the vinyl.
I'm posting this so someone can find the information a lot easier. If someone sees something off in my information here, let me know. There is a misprint or omission in the AMK catalog page 160, but it's listed correctly on page 338 under p/n: G-6552. The clips listed for Camaro Fr & Rr 70-75 are also for vinyl top 69s (possibly other years as well). I confirmed w/ AMK that their p/n G-6552 and B-10707 are the same.

Painted roof front windshield side and top clips. GM p/n: 9895598 & AMK #s B-10059 (8 pcs), B-10894 (22 pcs) & G-4639

Vinyl Top front windshield side and top clips. GM p/n: 8717859, 9854717 or 9606232 & AMK #s B-10707 (10 pcs), B-10892 (22 pcs) & G-6552

Rear Window. GM p/n: 7698976 or 8736591. AMK #s B-10386 (10 pcs), B10706 (20 pcs) or G-6539

Front Lower. GM p/n: 1651460 or 7663148. AMK #s B-10711 (4 pcs) or G-4665

BRICO69 · Dec 24, 2015

re: 69 SS396 X66 L34

Well done! Everytime you post something new I find myself starting from the beginning and reading everything again just to remind myself of how much work you have done. Great job. Great car.

HawkX66 · Dec 24, 2015

re: 69 SS396 X66 L34

BRICO69 said:
Well done! Everytime you post something new I find myself starting from the beginning and reading everything again just to remind myself of how much work you have done. Great job. Great car.

Thanks a lot Brian. That's quite a compliment. I hate that the cold weather is here and I have to take a breather. I probably won't be able to do anymore serious work until March.
I think I'll throw the visor and shoulder belt screws etc in the roof so I'll be able to find the holes when I go to install the headliner. Even as careful as I was bagging all the fasteners, it still takes time identifying the correct ones. I'm just happy my nuts, bolts and screws are dwindling quickly. That means they are back on the car in the right spot until I strip it back down for paint in the spring.
Merry Christmas everyone!

HawkX66 · Apr 20, 2016

re: 69 SS396 X66 L34

Tis the season! It's been a few months since I've posted an update. The weather is finally nice enough to start working again. I had to take a break because just about everything I'm doing now involves painting and that wasn't going to work this winter. I ended up collecting and prepping parts etc.
My next part is going to be pulling the subframe back off to prep the cowl top for paint etc. Then I'll seal the floor and finalize the interior then spatter painting the trunk. I picked up the Quiet Ride firewall cover and stock style floor sound deadeners. I decided I didn’t want to cover up all my hard work on the floor permanently…

After that I'll tackle the finishing touches on my doors and fenders and get them all in epoxy primer like the rest of the upper body. I want to jam it too before putting it back together. I won't be painting it yet more than likely.
There hasn't been that much of a visual change, but I was able to lock down a lot parts. Ansen Sprints for $100 for starters. I had a mis-matched ET IV wheel. It was 15x6 when the rest were 15x7.5. The new wheels are 15x8.
I mocked up the oil line set up last weekend on my spare motor. Here is what it's supposed to look like for the 325hp & 350hp 396. The 375hp fitting is different. The motor is good to go. It just needs a fresh coat of paint. I already cleaned it.

Here's a couple pics of my 1108418 starter that I'm going to rebuild myself.

I never posted a top pic of the mounts I recreated for the lower windshield trim. Here they are...

lvfyrman · Apr 21, 2016

re: 69 SS396 X66 L34

Dave, when you get the quiet ride mat installed, could you please let us know how the fit and install went. Thanks.

HawkX66 · Apr 21, 2016

re: 69 SS396 X66 L34

lvfyrman said:
Dave, when you get the quiet ride mat installed, could you please let us know how the fit and install went. Thanks.

Will do. I already held it up in place and everything looked good so far.

BRICO69 · Apr 21, 2016

re: 69 SS396 X66 L34

Dave, could you measure how long your black oil pressure line is and let me know? I bought the same set up for my car and the line is way to short. Glad to see you back at it and keep the pictures coming!

HawkX66 · Apr 21, 2016

re: 69 SS396 X66 L34

BRICO69 said:
Dave, could you measure how long your black oil pressure line is and let me know? I bought the same set up for my car and the line is way to short. Glad to see you back at it and keep the pictures coming!

There are a total of three kits that you need including the block fitting. One had the fittings & hard line I posted. The hose that comes with that kit is like you said, too short and the hard line needs to be trimmed down. There must be a difference with the 375hp set up besides the block fitting. There's another kit for the 350hp & 325hp 396 U17 center console gauge hose that's needed. I can get a measurement for you though when I get home.
Don't forget the grommet where it goes through the firewall. I'm using my original, so I didn't buy one.

Console Gauge Oil Line Kit 396ci 375hp & 427: $34.95 (AIM UPC U17 view C)

Camaro Oil Line Kit w/ console 67-69 Big & small block 396/427:
GM part# 3921433 $11.95

Oil Line Elbow 396 325hp/350hp 67-69 #3954219 - (AIM UPC L35 A9)

I believe these are pictures of an original L34/L35 oil line fitting. Obviously A/M didn't quite nail it...:

HawkX66 · Apr 26, 2016

re: 69 SS396 X66 L34

I found a few minutes here and there over the last few days to knock out a few things. I completely disassembled my front end for final tweaks and re-assembly. I pulled the born with engine that I've been using to mock up my engine compartment and trans etc also. I threw new brake lines in the front end. I figured if I were replacing the rears, I might as well do the fronts too. My originals are still good, so I'll store them away even though the Right Stuff brake lines I bought are excellent reproductions.
I snapped a couple of pics of my power steering lines that I installed too. Spooky from CRG set me up with a couple real nice hose covers. I wouldn't install my hoses in the bracket without them.
Last thing I did was start to install the headliner retainers.

You guys like the way I put all the pics in one post or is it easier if I break them up over several?

OE Headliner Tack Strips:

Staples used to staple the headliner to the tack strips

Rear Headliner retainers. I was surprised to find these were date coded.

Born with out, identical engine, but healthier and able to replace going back in:

RideTech_Ryan · Apr 27, 2016

re: 69 SS396 X66 L34

keep the progress coming!

HawkX66 · Apr 27, 2016

re: 69 SS396 X66 L34

RideTech_Ryan said:
keep the progress coming!

That's the plan Ryan! A lot of small details now that don't look like a lot has been accomplished it seems. Nice to know now that once things go back on this time, God willing, they're getting torqued down and staying on.
Thanks for checking in!

HawkX66 · May 9, 2016

re: 69 SS396 X66 L34

I got quite a few little things buttoned up this weekend. I was also able to paint my big block finally. I started out with simple green and then soap and water. She was seriously grungy from a long term oil leak from someone stripping out the two front most intake mount bolts. Thankfully all bolt threads are intact on my born with 396. That was a couple of weeks ago, so I hit it with WD40 after it dried so it wouldn't flash rust. Last night, I scrubbed it with Simple Green again, then washed it thoroughly with gasoline. After scrubbing off the gas, I ran a propane torch over the whole engine to make sure I got everything off and to heat up the block. Last step before paint was to wipe it all down with Wax & Grease remover. I flipped the motor upside down and taped off what needed to be. I painted it with several coats of Seymour EN-48. You can buy it here for less than $7/can. I picked up six… Seymour Of Sycamore EN-48 12 Oz Chevy Orange Engine Paint It took less than two cans for the full motor. I checked it out in the garage this morning, and it looks even better after it dried. Here's a couple of before and afters:

Everett#2390 · May 9, 2016

re: 69 SS396 X66 L34

Nice, very nice

HawkX66 · May 10, 2016

re: 69 SS396 X66 L34

Everett#2390 said:
Nice, very nice

Thank you sir. I'm pretty happy with the result. Now to detail all the brackets, water pump, alternator etc...

69 ss396 x66 l34

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