[Insert Cool Name Here] '69 Camaro LS1 Project

[OBeer-WAN-Kenobi]

I seem to be moving backwards....

Last week I rebuilt the 12 bolt rear end that I had ready to go into the car. This Saturday I took out the 10 bolt and then we had to proceed to grind off every single bolt involved in holding the rear springs to the car. All the shackle bolts, all the j-nut bolts...everything. Nothing would come loose with normal means of persuasion; not even the "smoke wrench" could get it done. And here I thought I might be able to get the 12 bolt installed. Luckily I knew this was probably going to be an issue and already have the parts on hand to rebuild everything however; I just had hoped it wouldn't take me 7 hours to get it apart.

On Sunday, I cleaned my shop of the complete mess caused by the above procedures, including gear lube, grinding dust and various pieces/particles of Camaro. Now I can actually work in it again.

Some good news is that I heard my front subframe and parts are ready to be picked up from the powder coater. With my car being up on my lift with no wheels or axles whatsoever, it will be really nice to just get the thing on the ground again! Hopefully within the next two weeks, I'll have a roller or even have a roller with the engine mounted in it; at least in an initial test-fit.

Some more bad news is that I have to buy more stuff. Specifically I must decide on headers very soon.

[OBeer-WAN-Kenobi]

Upon further inspection, the leaf springs that came off of my car had two completely different arches. So, either one was worn out, or they are actually two different springs. I'm leaning towards the latter.

Anyway, I was able to score some new ones locally for $111 a piece and they'll be delivered tomorrow.

Better news! I'm picking up my newly coated subframe and parts tonight!

[Stovebolter]

Aren't these cars fun! May the force be with you.

I vote the mods give us a smiley with a light saber!

David

[aggie91]

Originally Posted by OBeer-WAN-Kenobi

I seem to be moving backwards....

Last week I rebuilt the 12 bolt rear end that I had ready to go into the car. This Saturday I took out the 10 bolt and then we had to proceed to grind off every single bolt involved in holding the rear springs to the car. All the shackle bolts, all the j-nut bolts...everything. Nothing would come loose with normal means of persuasion; not even the "smoke wrench" could get it done. And here I thought I might be able to get the 12 bolt installed. Luckily I knew this was probably going to be an issue and already have the parts on hand to rebuild everything however; I just had hoped it wouldn't take me 7 hours to get it apart.

On Sunday, I cleaned my shop of the complete mess caused by the above procedures, including gear lube, grinding dust and various pieces/particles of Camaro. Now I can actually work in it again.

Some good news is that I heard my front subframe and parts are ready to be picked up from the powder coater. With my car being up on my lift with no wheels or axles whatsoever, it will be really nice to just get the thing on the ground again! Hopefully within the next two weeks, I'll have a roller or even have a roller with the engine mounted in it; at least in an initial test-fit.

Some more bad news is that I have to buy more stuff. Specifically I must decide on headers very soon.

I can relate, you get ready to get a job done and it fights you the whole way...

Hope your header decision goes easy...

[OBeer-WAN-Kenobi]

Originally Posted by Stovebolter

Aren't these cars fun! May the force be with you.

I vote the mods give us a smiley with a light saber!

David

Haha, I've got a picture for you. Some have a shop dog, I've got a shop Yoda...


Every time something I get stuck on something I look up and think about this:

Originally Posted by aggie91

I can relate, you get ready to get a job done and it fights you the whole way...

Hope your header decision goes easy...

That last part was a sick joke wasn't it?
I think I actually have decided on headers. Ones I can cut on and weld if they don't fit but cheap enough that I won't feel bad that I did it.

Here are a couple of pix of my powdercoated sub!



Well, I guess I have a shop dog as well. He's annoyingly in the way all the time though and absolutely worthless for fetching tools or anything else. The ladies like him though, so that's something I guess.

[OBeer-WAN-Kenobi]

A little progress this weekend. I was able to get my 12 bolt fully installed and filled with lube and some friction modifier.



I also did a little work on my CAA A/C system. I'm to the part where I need someone to help me lift up the unit from under dash while I bolt it up from the engine side of the firewall.

Once that's done, it's on to test fitting my engine into the subframe again and seeing if I need to cut out a bit for the alternator.

[OBeer-WAN-Kenobi]

A lot of progress this weekend!

Friday night we finished up the cutout in the subframe for the alternator.

It turned out pretty nice. I did have to mess up the nice powdercoating but the paint I used matched really well. You would never be able to tell.

After the alternator cutout we worked on the transmission crossmember.

The middle part is from the donor 2004 GTO and I'm using a new GTO mount as well.


It may need a little strengthening or bracing later, but for now it looks like it will work really well.

On Saturday we worked on getting the subframe up underneath the car again, and getting all the brake stuff hooked up. I did have one little SNAFU in that I didn't get the right rag joint for the 3rd gen steering box I'm using. I've got it (GM 7826542) on order now at the local auto parts store.

After the Easter family stuff we decided to play with the car some more and actually install (hopefully I won't have to take it out anytime soon) the engine and transmission.

Here's the transmission mounted under the car.



And Here's the engine in it's new home.


It fit pretty well. I have probably around a 3 to 4 degree downward angle on it and the trans fits pretty tight. I'm going to remove some of the welded in nuts in the body for a little clearance and do a little cutting around the reverse lockout solenoid.

Here's the alternator resting nicely in it's new home.

To remove it, you just need to remove the bolts that attach it to the engine first and pull out the whole assembly towards the front of the vehicle. Then you can unhook the wires and it pops right out.

Here's a pic of the new master and 8" booster. No clearance issues there anymore.


This wasn't planned but turned out really good for me. The wiring harness from the GTO that went to the alternator starter and battery looks like it will end up right where my battery is in the Camaro. That will save me some time and headaches!




I'm starting to get a little excited, and I'm hoping things keep going smoothly even though I'm planning that they won't.

Now I've got to order some fuel line and fittings. My radiator should be here this week. Next though, is the wiring from hell! That's what I'm most worried about at this point. I'm hoping to get some pointers and help from this forum on that.

Until the next update: May the Schlitz be with you!

[Ron in SoCal]

Is it running YET??

[OBeer-WAN-Kenobi]

Originally Posted by Ron in SoCal

Is it running YET??

I've got some crappy tires on there that are just begging to be destroyed so we'll see who has the first burn-out video.

[OBeer-WAN-Kenobi]

Argh!!!!