Introducing "TRACKDAY", 1968 Camaro

[deuce_454]

thanx... bear dont think i need one for some odd reason!

[sik68]

I finally have an update!

As I mentioned in an earlier update, I had a head gasket leak. So I picked up a pair of Mr. Gasket head gaskets (Summit #MRG-1134) 0.028" thick. I also replaced the intake manifold gaskets with Felpro 1205 gaskets, which are a very close match to the intake ports of my Pro Topline 200cc heads. Within a weekend, I tore the engine down to the short block, replaced the head gaskets, and built it back up.

After I debugged some electrical gremlins, the car had it's first startup in a year and a half!! Running straight headers (Only ran it for 30 seconds or so since I had no cooling system in).



The car jumps to attention nearly instantly after I turn the key!

I also took some glamour shots (I got the headlights working!)







I took Mr. Pozzi's advice and am now running a second dedicated belt to the power steering pump. Here it 's during my mockup:



I'm getting so close to taking it for a spin!

[sik68]

The past few weekends, I have been absolutely tormented by not having opportunities to work on my car. Finally though, my calendar was commitment-free, so I dove under the car.

I was able to cross off a couple more things off the list this weekend:

1. Install steering linkage
I ordered Detroit Speed's steering linkage overhaul kit, which includes all of the components you need from the pitman arm to the outer tie rods (except the center link). The tie rod adjuster arms are pretty slick looking and solidly made:



I encountered two problems. Firstly, the #6 header pipe is touching the rubber boot of the idler arm. Untreated, it will probably melt, so I am going to wrap the tube with some header wrap to keep the heat transfer minimal. I will continue to monitor it, as body flex or engine torquing could do some damage. The second problem is that with the steering stop knobs on the Global West arms, I am only getting 1.5 turns lock to lock! I know the Lee box's 12.7:1 ratio is quick, but looking at the angle of the spindles at lock, I'm thinking I will need more. Can someone tell me if it is ok to simply grind down the knobs a bit?

2. Plumb my power steering setup & finalize belts
The stainless braided hoses that I got from Unisteer are quality pieces, but I wouldn't have minded if they were made 2 inches longer. The hi pressure line is a -6 female on both sides, which was JUST long enough to be able to route cleanly to the banjo fitting on the pump. The return line though, I had to pull unacceptably tight to reach the reservoir. My solution? Earl's 921106 ($14 each?!?!) 90deg elbow fittings.



And here are the hoses attached. Note that the return line is actually a -8 end, and Unisteer includes the -8 to -6 adapter:



It's amazing what a bit of braided line and some nice fittings can do to muscle-up an engine room

[sik68]

Here's a (dust ridden) picture of my accessory drive system. Thanks again to Mr. Pozzi for "steering" me to run a dedicated belt to my pump.



3. Misc
I reinstalled the radiator, which went pretty smoothly. I also snugged up the bolt at the firewall that connects the gas pedal to the throttle linkage. I had noticed that my pedal travel was limited, and the carb linkage wasn't able to open the secondaries with the pedal to the floor. That oughta help the performance quite a bit

Night shot I took for fun:


Well, next weekend I will inch even closer to the project's completion, as I bleed the brakes and pray for a leak-free system. When that's finished, I do believe that Trackday will be ready for a shakedown run.

Thanks for tuning in!

[sik68]

Last weekend I took it up and down the driveway for its first spin!



Link to watch in High Quality: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRePBGRZFLY

Does it sound like its running on less than 8 cylinders to anybody else? I put in 8 new spark plugs but that didn't help. I'm going to change plug wires and see if that cures it. Otherwise, MSD for me.

All I can report for now, is that the steering is lightning quick. I'm up against the steering stops on the control arms, and the turning radius isn't that great so I may have to grind them down a bit. 1.5 turns lock to lock.

[GHOSTDANCER]

Sounds real good

[awr68]

Very cool! I'm having a good time watching this one come together! It will be on the road real soon!!

[JeffT]

Congrats on your first "driveway cruise"!

It's very hard to tell the health due to sound quality over the internet. Be sure to check your dist. cap/rotor and route the new plug wires as cleanly as possible and away from the header tubes. I wouldn't want them touching the tubes even with those high heat boot covers on them. If the new plug wires don't help, I'd suggest a compression check or better yet a leak down check before dropping the $$$ on MSD stuff that may not be the cure to your prob.