67 Camaro Build

[7dee2]

Here’s our clutch setup sitting on a new internally balanced flywheel, ordered them last fall with all the motor parts. No big surprises, going old school with a single disk, mechanical linkage, etc. This Hays 11” street clutch is advertised up to 650hp na and is even supposed to handle some track time.
https://www.holley.com/products/driv.../parts/92-1005
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/p...make/chevrolet

On closer inspection, I thought it was odd that only half of the disk’s hub springs are encapsulated. Especially odd since they advertise the additional shock load the hub can withstand because all the springs are encapsulated. Decided to call Hays (actually Holley) about it and they told me that’s how the discs come now. All righty then thought maybe it was a manufacturing flaw but no worries, I guess.

Well, maybe one worry is just how stiff could this pressure plate really be.

[rgunlock]

Still watching you accumulate a lot of cool parts. I've got to admit it was kind of sad to see the front end taken back off. Looked so sharp, but you gotta do what you've gotta do!

[CG]

This is one of the threads Im constantly checking in on. Very nostalgic for me as a kid that lived and breathed cars from the 60's and 70's (Ill be 63 next month). But after saying that I still cant believe I never saw the orange headers before. I have boxes and boxes of car magazines from back in the day. Makes me want to start going through them again, probably should some day any way and put them in some kind of order so when I die and my family tosses them they fall neatly into the recycle bin haha.

[7dee2]

Originally Posted by rgunlock

Still watching you accumulate a lot of cool parts. I've got to admit it was kind of sad to see the front end taken back off. Looked so sharp, but you gotta do what you've gotta do!

Thanks Rick that’s nice of you to say, it’s like building the car several times over before the final assembly. I know the body shop sure blew it apart and then put it back together a bunch, partly because some crazy person wanted 2 hoods!

Originally Posted by CG

This is one of the threads Im constantly checking in on. Very nostalgic for me as a kid that lived and breathed cars from the 60's and 70's (Ill be 63 next month). But after saying that I still cant believe I never saw the orange headers before. I have boxes and boxes of car magazines from back in the day. Makes me want to start going through them again, probably should some day any way and put them in some kind of order so when I die and my family tosses them they fall neatly into the recycle bin haha.

Thanks CG, glad you’re enjoying the build. You’ve got me by a few months, I turned 62 last July. I wouldn’t say orange headers were very common, mostly black, white (my 2nd choice, just like Grumpy had) and chrome come to mind. I’ve got a buddy that took his car magazines and dedicated a reading room full of magazine stands and such, it’s pretty cool.




The decision was made, I’m moving forward with a Hurst Ram 4 style inline shifter. Posted earlier was this setup of our Mr. Gasket V-gate on the Muncie (I really like this shifter, btw). What wasn’t mentioned is that I’d also put our old Hurst Ram 4 shifter with a nice new t-handle and reverse knob in the vise (vertically, not leaning as pictured). Both were set up enough that you could work the shifters a little, kind of a comparison deal, racing engine sounds being totally optional. After a few friends as well as my wife tried them out, everyone felt that the Hurst was going to be easier to live with.

Side note; Finding some correct usable boots (a big surprise to me after years of looking) made this a possibility. Also, not mentioned earlier is that Mrs. 7dee2 could not work the V-gate at all. Her lady hands are too small to reach the pull-up lever to actuate 1st & 2nd gear. Not a problem for her with the Hurst shifter.

[7dee2]

And the day arrived, time to cut a humongous hole in the new Camaro floor. Took the shifter apart some so I can use the mounting plate as a template. Thoughts are an opening that's just big enough to mount and service the shifter from above but no larger. After some smaller cuts and some shaping of the opening, it’s getting there. Ha, I’ll tell ya, I’ve seen some really bad openings cut for these shifters.

[72 tigger]

Looks very clean and professional!

[7dee2]

Thank you Kirk, I appreciate the compliment. These shifters are quite infamous for causing tunnel butchery. A good friend recently acquired a 1st gen Camaro that was rumored to have had a V-Gate, here’s what he found when he pulled back the carpet.



And voila, the shifter is mounted in the car for the first time. This is a real love-hate thing, I’m going to love the shifter but not a fan of the hole it requires. Thinking out loud, perhaps I could form a removable panel around the lower part of the shifter (?). Alright, done whining, so a quick test fit of our repro dash pad and Yumpin’ Yiminy went right on and looks great!

[regan wilson]

Originally Posted by 7dee2

Thank you Kirk, I appreciate the compliment. These shifters are quite infamous for causing tunnel butchery. A good friend recently acquired a 1st gen Camaro that was rumored to have had a V-Gate, here’s what he found when he pulled back the carpet.



And voila, the shifter is mounted in the car for the first time. This is a real love-hate thing, I’m going to love the shifter but not a fan of the hole it requires. Thinking out loud, perhaps I could form a removable panel around the lower part of the shifter (?). Alright, done whining, so a quick test fit of our repro dash pad and Yumpin’ Yiminy went right on and looks great!

That's a nice job of not butchering a tunnel! It's probably going to be fun covering it up but? The end reward is your vision.

[7dee2]

Thanks Regan. I’m good with the opening, for now, we’ll see where it goes from here. Ha, my vision could be unique.



Inner and big block outer heater boxes were up next, both are new aftermarket pieces. After a week-long national search, I was able to locate that inner box, they’re scarce at this time. Both of them fit fairly well after slightly enlarging a few of the mounting holes. The original blower motor (dated 10 66) and squirrel cage fit great from the donor car. Bench tested the blower motor and dang, it works like a new unit. Yes, it is going on the short list of original parts that will be used.

[7dee2]

The only other original heater part that's being used is the defrost y-duct. It’s better than most of the other original heater parts we have. Found the inner dash top structure (not as good as a factory fit) was keeping the duct from fitting flush. Reshaped the offending area out of the way and moved the upper mounting holes slightly up and to the right (silver sharpie dots) on both sides. This centered our y-duct in the openings and in addition to the thin foam gaskets that are used should seal better when done.

Side note: I don’t really think we’ll use the heater that much and debated even adding one. But this is a street car and in Utah, the weather changes quickly. So, windshield wipers, heater, radio, you know, street car stuff is all happening.

[7dee2]

The peddle assembly and steering column I’ve heard can be a real problem area for some reproduction bodies. Hammer Time!

As mentioned earlier in the thread our original clutch pedal and rod showed a lot of wear as well as being for the wrong application (6-cylinder, 3-speed stuff). Took a quick pic to aid in the reassembly of the new pedals on the old mount. After disassembly and the initial fitment, it was obvious some trimming was going to be required.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...&postcount=120

[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!

[7dee2]

Eric at Axis Driveline fixed us up with a new driveline using 1350 series stuff. The first attempt ended up just a bit too long, which he says is a much easier fix than if it was too short! These are the same guys that built our K30 drivelines, they always do a great job. https://www.facebook.com/axisdriveline/

Installed a newer-style drive line loop and I was really glad the seat pans were not welded in yet. Oh yes, I somehow managed to drop hardware in there, both sides (just cuz, I’m special ). Metco makes this loop, it’s designed for the 1st gen tunnel and was an easy install. https://metcomotorsports.com/mdl7000

[7dee2]

I updated our 72 K30 Build thread a few days ago and thought I would mention it here also. Put “Ray” (short for the Rancho El Rae motorhome that it was built from) in for truck of the month!
Don’t know if we have a shot and wish I had some better pics but decided wth. Here’s a link to the huge ground-up build thread. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=645614


I’ve gotta say I’m impressed with the orange headers, they fit really well. Here’s a look at the tuned aka “equal-length” pipe feature of the M/T Super Scavenger header design.

[7dee2]

And some pics up top, the fit is better than the Hookers headers I test fit earlier. These clear the steering box and right upper control arm where the Hooker headers just touched or barely cleared.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...&postcount=110

Sent Nate at Sweet Ave. Fabrication a message telling him just how impressed I am.
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063470412787

[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!