67 Camaro Build

[regan wilson]

I Love Hammers! They fix lots of things.

[mongocanfly]

Yeah..lots of hammers...I'd be scared to know how many i have

[7dee2]

Originally Posted by regan wilson

I Love Hammers! They fix lots of things.

Yeah, they do!

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

Yeah..lots of hammers...I'd be scared to know how many i have

Same here, lots of hammers. I’ve got a collection in all my toolboxes.



It fits! Other than a little trimming on the pedal mount and some tweaking on the park brake assembly. Oh, and a small fight with the steering column support rods all this OE stuff from our donor is in there. False alarm, no Hammer Time was required after all. Kudos to the body builder Real Deal Steel. https://realdealsteel.com/

[7dee2]

Here’s a look at the other side of the firewall and a quick check of the bell crank, clutch rod, steering column, etc. I'm not seeing any problems. Wasn’t particularly happy with the old OE park brake assembly, the mount for the park brake light switch is all bent up and I noticed the peddle pivot is showing wear and sloppier than I'd like. So, here’s a new one fitted to the car, much better. The throttle linkage, wiper motor, and wiper transmission were test fit as well.

[7dee2]

It was a good time to tear down the steering column to see just how bad it really was. Yep, many parts are flat worn out, the lower bearing was completely gone, hazard is broken off, yada yada. Bagged it up and put it back on the shelf while I looked for parts.

Several weeks later after searching my usual vendors without much luck, I did run into a complete rebuild kit that had everything we needed including a turn signal switch (Genuine GM?) that didn’t require a wiring adaptor. A recurring theme with this build seems to be that I’m getting one of the last ones available, which held true with this rebuild kit also. https://gmtiltcolumns.com/product/placeholder-box-4/

[7dee2]

Here’s some progress on our “Good to go!” 511 at Fastlane. All oiled up and getting the last of the block machine work (cylinder hone), next up a final wash and onto assembling the short block.

Ha, I can’t wait to have this big girl all together!

[joesscamaro]

Looks like those headers tuck in there just right. That's a good feeling when you install a part like that and it fits so nice.

[7dee2]

They sure do, it makes my day when something goes right on and just works as intended. Got this funny from Nate’s FB page, ha guessing we got the clean oats.



Getting ready to send the car out for a custom 3” exhaust system. One of the better custom exhaust shops in northern Utah is the Master Muffler in Clearfield. After meeting with Tage (the owner) he suggested I check out a very similar 3” system built for a rowdy big block Chevelle just down the street. After seeing and hearing that system I was sold. Tage requested that all the actual components, drivetrain, suspension, subframe connectors, fuel tank, wheels & tires, etc. be installed so that we’ll have proper clearances with the new exhaust.

The second pic is a shot of our resized driveline, it is a perfect fit now. The third pic needs a little explaining I think, sewing is one of Mrs. 7Dee2’s many superpowers. A while back I asked her for something to help keep body shop dust out of our new shocks. The sleeves she made have been on there ever since and doing a great job. Next, I asked her if she could make me a cover to help protect the new gas tank. It's powder coated and I really don’t want the finish messed up.

Don’t think I’ve mentioned the Aeromotive fuel tank yet, they had a promo at the end of last year that we took advantage of. Like most parts at the time, it’s an order-and-wait supply chain kind of deal. Grabbed a few fuel system components from them including this Tanks fuel tank that we will get into later.
https://aeromotiveinc.com/product/67...tched-corners/

The last pic, just before loading it on the trailer for the short trip to the exhaust shop. Hopefully, these covers will protect the parts from a little welding splatter and not just stick and melt to our new parts.

[regan wilson]

Originally Posted by 7dee2

They sure do, it makes my day when something goes right on and just works as intended. Got this funny from Nate’s FB page, ha guessing we got the clean oats.



Getting ready to send the car out for a custom 3” exhaust system. One of the better custom exhaust shops in northern Utah is the Master Muffler in Clearfield. After meeting with Tage (the owner) he suggested I check out a very similar 3” system built for a rowdy big block Chevelle just down the street. After seeing and hearing that system I was sold. Tage requested that all the actual components, drivetrain, suspension, subframe connectors, fuel tank, wheels & tires, etc. be installed so that we’ll have proper clearances with the new exhaust.

The second pic is a shot of our resized driveline, it is a perfect fit now. The third pic needs a little explaining I think, sewing is one of Mrs. 7Dee2’s many superpowers. A while back I asked her for something to help keep body shop dust out of our new shocks. The sleeves she made have been on there ever since and doing a great job. Next, I asked her if she could make me a cover to help protect the new gas tank. It's powder coated and I really don’t want the finish messed up.

Don’t think I’ve mentioned the Aeromotive fuel tank yet, they had a promo at the end of last year that we took advantage of. Like most parts at the time, it’s an order-and-wait supply chain kind of deal. Grabbed a few fuel system components from them including this Tanks fuel tank that we will get into later.
https://aeromotiveinc.com/product/67...tched-corners/

The last pic, just before loading it on the trailer for the short trip to the exhaust shop. Hopefully, these covers will protect the parts from a little welding splatter and not just stick and melt to our new parts.

Looks nice 7dee2. I'd rather have the fresh Oats also.

[7dee2]

Thanks Regan. Ha, fresh oats are the way for sure!



Some “Good to go!” progress pics from Fastlane Machine. Looking at earlier pics of the pistons, Mike removed some material off the bottoms while balancing.

[7dee2]

Doh, my bad! The first two pics in the last post somehow ended up in my engine pics and are not my pistons. Notice the color, skirts, and wrist pin gussets are very different compared to the last pic, which is of our actual pistons.




Checking the rods and rod bearing clearances prior to installing the pistons on the rods. I happened to stop by right after the camshaft went in, Mike was really pleased with the installation. These last two pics must have been right before the crank went in for the final time. She’s a beauty, it’s like mechanical porn!

[joesscamaro]

Exhaust looks perfect in my book and just how I'd want to run it if it were mine.

[7dee2]

Thanks Joe, I can’t wait to hear it!



Final installed pics before I started removing stuff. The exhaust needed to be removable so there are some hidden v-band clamps up high in front of the differential.

[72 tigger]

Getting exciting!

[7dee2]

You betcha, it’s starting to become a car.



Degreeing the camshaft, Mike is so close to having the short block done. Here’s the cam card for our Straub hydraulic roller (ground by Clay Smith Cams), it should be fairly street friendly and easy on valvetrain parts. Yes, I’m leaving some horsepower and torque on the table with our Winters (snowflake) heads, dual plane intake, cam, and carburetor choices. The old school L-88 type parts with a little modern reliability are what I’m after for this build. Besides, it’ll still have gobs (oh yes, gobs ) of power for the street.
https://claysmithcams.com/hr-9202-7-...rpm-5800-6200/

[7dee2]

The cam was ground with 3 degrees initial advance. Mike opted to pull that 3 degrees as you can see if you look at the pics of the crank timing gear and the 2nd pic installed. 3rd pic is showing the supplied oil galley plugs with weep holes. These are the last pics before the oil pan and timing cover went on, short block is done!

[joesscamaro]

Thanks for the updates...always good catching up on this build and watching the progress.

[7dee2]

Thanks Joe, I’m enjoying documenting the build and appreciate your kind words.



Factory-style reproduction firewall insulation for the 1st gen Camaro is not the greatest these days (cheapo quality, thin crap). With that said I went ahead and grabbed what is available. I’m thinking in conjunction with a butyl type of product (Dynamat, FatMat, etc.) and maybe some jute, glued into the right areas should do it.

While everything was out of the way I stuck the insulation on the outside and marked it for future trimming. During this stage, I’m also looking for any holes that need to be filled (taped) and any missing ones (silver sharpie). Need to add a 1” hole below the wiper motor for the speedometer cable. This along with some clips gives the correct right-side speedo cable routing for a Muncie.

[72 tigger]

Good catch on the missing slots- would have been scary post paint

[7dee2]

I can’t take the credit on that one, if I remember correctly a friend spotted it a while back. After getting a few suggestions from folks on how to remedy this issue, the fixture and long drill bit idea came to me. You're right that would’ve been a gotcha moment for sure.



The front clip is mostly back on the car and the car trailer is in front of it, what could this mean? Ha, Mrs. 7dee2 is having some car trouble is one reason, it’s always something.

[7dee2]

The other (main) reason for the car trailer is that the Camaro has got another date back at Perks Auto Body for round #2. We still have some fitment issues that need to be addressed, front and back glass and the trim needs to be checked, etc., etc. and of course paint, oh yes paint.

I’m working to fit the front bumper to the car before it goes. Prior to hanging the front clip back on the car, it needed the frame horns straightened (earlier pics of both sides that were pulled slightly outward). The subframe bumper bracket mounting holes will also need some attention, especially the forwardmost holes. I took pics to reference the areas that’ll need to be filled when the subframe gets restored.

Earlier Van Nuys subframes are unique as they don’t have the large tie-down holes (comparison pic taken from http://www.pozziracing.com/first_gen...s.htm#Subframe), also fewer core support holes and the bumper bracket mounting holes are not slotted (no adjustment).

[joesscamaro]

Oh man...looking forward to seeing the results! I know you're excited as well!

[7dee2]

Oh yeah, you betcha I’m excited! Turn up the volume and watch the videos it’ll be like you were there, it was a very cool experience.



The break-in is complete and no drama, motor acted as expected. Mark commented on how really clean the remote Clear View Filtration filter was, he says he usually traps a lot of junk, shop rag lint, bearing material, etc. so kudos to Fastlane Machine for such a trouble-free, clean build. Bonus, no leaks except for one seeping head bolt that self-healed itself with more heat cycles.

Here’s a bunch of short break-in and full pull videos, Mark was dialing in the tune (mainly jetting) the whole time.

https://www.youtube.com/@6dee7-7dee2

Break-in #1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GU6e45Ys_DQ
Break-in #2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXWwPgcaegk
Break-in #3 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEszC5iLJqw

Dyno Tune #1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sajkNSklotQ
Dyno Tune #2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtL_Fd0vMfo
Dyno Tune #3 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AiQc4uEgUCA
Dyno Tune #4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-OJSALZh7IY

[rgunlock]

That's a monster! Bet you were at least a little nervous the first time he took it up to 6K. I know I would have been. I'm excited for you. That's going to be so much fun in that Camaro!

[mongocanfly]

Man..that's killer..!!!!