Introducing "TRACKDAY", 1968 Camaro

[AALynch]

Looks great! I'm also 23 years old, but I've had my 69 Camaro for 9 years now...I've unbolted every single bolt on the car, so a little more work than you, but I'm still on stock CA's/front suspension...at least I have the motor out of the way!!!

Keep the posts coming...

[sik68]

Originally Posted by AALynch

...at least I have the motor out of the way!!!

Keep the posts coming...

Well we now have something in common.



So it sounded like I was running on 7 cylinders. Thats because one of the spark plugs was submerged in antifreeze. And actually, I took my passenger header off and and 2 ounces of fluid dripped from the pipe. As this is my second try with mating the heads to the deck, I'm pretty sure the 40-year-old deck is bad.

Meet my latest batch of oil that I found the day after Christmas:


In my own sick, twisted way though, I was happy...an excuse to rip out the engine, rebuild it, and go with a solid roller cam and a bunch more compression. Besides, I have a 5 speed on my shelf!

So today, I got my grandpa's "cherry picker" and went to town on pulling the 327/TH350.



The hard part is getting everything ready for the pull, it took 1/2 the day...yanking the engine only took 20 mins.



So, here they sit, torn apart on such short notice. But drastic times call for drastic measures:



Please stay tuned, as I am making a decision very soon on whether to go with a solid roller 350, built by Rex Hutchinson Racing in Sacramento (using my heads/manifold), or overhaul my existing 327 with block work and a solid roller, built by a more pedestrian, local machine shop.

Things just went to the next level.

[will69camaro]

Well sorry for the news about the motor but it'll be fun upgrading. I dont know what I'd do honestly. I mean what is the cost difference in the two motors? You could always go cheap and do a basic build on the 327 and save cash for a diff motor later. Money saved now can turn into a MUCH nicer motor later without putting you in the hole now. Car will be plenty fun for a bit I'm sure with the nice suspension and brakes and a rebuilt 327 with heads/cam/intake.

Just my thoughts on it.

[sik68]

Originally Posted by will69camaro

Well sorry for the news about the motor but it'll be fun upgrading. I dont know what I'd do honestly. I mean what is the cost difference in the two motors? You could always go cheap and do a basic build on the 327 and save cash for a diff motor later. Money saved now can turn into a MUCH nicer motor later without putting you in the hole now. Car will be plenty fun for a bit I'm sure with the nice suspension and brakes and a rebuilt 327 with heads/cam/intake.

Just my thoughts on it.

Ugh! That's exactly my dilemma. I could get the 327 rebuilt for about $2000, but the impression I got meeting with them wasn't so positive. I don't think they build too many performance engines. For $4500, Rex will take my shortblock on trade and assemble my engine with their stout 350 shortblock, 230ish solid roller, test my heads and assemble my engine.

So I am doing it right, and going with the 350. I could always think of more exotic combos, but this engine is the perfect combination of affordable and badass. The engine should be done in February. I'm broke, but so pumped.

[Josh69]

There is always a silver lining right? Keep up the enthusiasm though, it'll pan out. I'm a younger fella too, but you have me by a few years. I got my car running this summer after a year and a half, only to have to pull the motor out due to a pesky leak, that turned out to be the freeze plug behind the camshaft popped out (Pontiac block). Yay, burnt oil an my new exhaust and coated headers, and a full oil bath for the rest of the chassis.

Oh well, it's part and parcel of hot-rodding!

Happy New Year!
Josh

[thedugan]

Somebody on the board has to have a motor that they can sell you. This is a great thread.

[sik68]

We dropped the engine off on Saturday.


I'm sure some of you locals have heard of Rex Hutchison Racing in Sacramento, CA. They have built a solid reputation over the years, firmly rooted in local level and national level racing. We have known the owner personally for 14 years, and treats us like we buy an engine every month. I still remember him from back in 1995 (I was 12), when my dad had a 454 built for our Eliminator. The shop tour they gave us was incredible, and probably the first time I understood the addiction to horsepower.

However, when it came to building my engine, I started out a bit skeptical of my dad's recommendation to call Rex. I didn't like the idea of an engine build by a shop that I considered "old school." Aluminum heads, solid roller cam, high revs, pro touring...I didn't see my ideas meshing well with a shop that's been around since the stone ages. Long story short, my misconceptions were smushed when I spoke with Dan, who is arranging the details of my build as we speak. Not to mention Rex, who makes you feel like his grandkid within about 10 minutes. We got a shop tour again...the fully-ported LSX 454 with a sheetmetal intake quelled any fears I had about the shop stuck in the stone ages.

The details are still pending, but so far this is the direction we are headed (with help from the great guys at www.camaros.net too):

Engine Build
355ci 4 bolt, forged pistons, moly rings, brass plugs, etc
10:1
Pro Topline aluminum 200cc heads (off my 327), possibly port
XR280R solid roller cam, 242 248 duration
Victor Jr or RPM Air Gap
Holley 750 DP
1 3/4" headers

Summary of the rest of my Drivetrain:
Aluminum Flywheel
Centerforce clutch
TKO 5 speed
3.73 Rear

Should be good for 450 hp at 6500rpm, and peak torque around 4800 and rev like a monster

[deuce_454]

the power is made in the heads and cam... you could propably bump the compression alittle and gain alittle.. but that sounds like a strong engine...

i would spend the cash and have it ballanced... it will last longer and run smoother..

but looking good

[sik68]

Originally Posted by deuce_454

the power is made in the heads and cam... you could propably bump the compression alittle and gain alittle.. but that sounds like a strong engine...

i would spend the cash and have it ballanced... it will last longer and run smoother..

but looking good

Thanks Deuce! The shortblock was pre-assembled actually, and is balanced.

It's basically a top end build for these guys, but there will likely be some time involved in machining my heads. Back when I assembled the 327, a couple of the rocker arms wouldn't center over the valve stem, and the pushrod was already against the head. Rex said that have had some issues with Pro-Topline heads on this, and will clearance if necessary. They will also pressure test, and might port them a bit if they feel it's worth it.

[sik68]

UPDATED 2/28/09

Today was the big day, when I picked up my newly built engine from Rex Hutchison.





Final Specs:
355ci, 9.8:1 compression, balanced & blueprinted
200cc Pro Topline Aluminum heads, performance valve job, bowl blend, polished chambers
Comp cams solid roller, XR274R 236int 242exh 0.564"int 0.570"exh
Edelbrock 7501 air gap intake, port matched
1 3/4" Dougs headers

To be purchased this month:
Custom built Pro Systems carb

The engine should be a beast, and will produce way more power than I am comfortable with. I'm sure this thing will scare me for a long time. I will install it once I piece together my transmission parts, so I can slide everything in at once. Probably mid April.

Speaking of transmissions, here's what I discovered today when I was taking measurements of my craigslist-purchased TKO:



It's supposed to be 4.85". When he sold it to me, the jackass failed to mention that he lathed 0.2" from the diameter to accomodate his bellhousing. Thus, I need to replace that piece, so I am trying to source it now. I hate liars...and I hate that I got worked.