1969 Camaro Restomod Project Thread

[will69camaro]

Cam was sent but was ground wrong by comp (on a 114+2 instead of a 118)...They ground a new cam yesterday and was overnighted so hoping it's here today! I'll work with GAP to get the engine assembled as I will now have all the parts.

In other news, I went to working on the car finally in my garage. Ran into a few issues with the painter's assembly that caused some headache. He ran up the stainless hardware with no antiseize. Bolts on the core support were locked up and the support wasn't even tight!





I think it's safe to say that bolt isn't "tight." But here's another shot for good measure.



It however was most definitely locked up!



I got one out then broke the socket on the second one. You can tell by this bolt that the hardware was installed dry and had galling.



Oh well, the show must go on! Got some bigger tools and had a friend come over to extract the last bolt holding my old core support in.





Success! (Dont mind that it's a little dusty, it's being cleaned up)



Now time to fit test the new AutoRad piece!



Yep, that looks pretty good.





Intercoolers had some interference but I should have seen that coming. Pass-through pipes were left long intentionally to give us flexibility. Just a little TOO long to get them mounted up. That's an easy fix.





They will look good once they're on there!



I plan to put the front end back on (temporarily) tonight and take some pics of the pieces raw behind the grille. Trying to make my mind whether to coat or leave it bare. To be honest, I'm liking this look right now.

It'll be a few days before I cut those pipes and put the IC on, so front will be coming back off, but that's ok. This was just a mock up test anyway

William

[sleepertime]

Oh the fun of stainless. I found that they make an anti seize specifically for stainless steel.
Those pieces really do look good.

[will69camaro]

Originally Posted by sleepertime

Oh the fun of stainless. I found that they make an anti seize specifically for stainless steel.
Those pieces really do look good.

I will have to find that anti-seize.

Thanks!

William

[rickpaw]

Car's coming out great Will. Sucks to hear about the ss bolt. I forgot to add anti seize on my tie rod ends, and they seized solid to the hotchkis aluminum adjusters. $250 down the drain.

[will69camaro]

It'd be slightly less frustrating had I done it. However it was installed by a person I paid to do it and expected to be competent enough to do it right (painter). Luckily GAP is helping me out and has another pair of bolts for me to use!

William

[sleepertime]

Here is a link to some that I have used. You can find it at different places and different manufacturer's. http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0002U...&robot_redir=1

[tones2SS]

That sucks about the bolt, but at least it was caught now.
Car is looking good buddy! Keep us posted.

[will69camaro]

Got started on the motor. Unfortunately I had expected the TSP shortblock to come with head dowel pins. So heads will be going on Monday after I get dowels from a dealer...

Here are some progress pics:
















That was the end of engine work. Got the cam installed, front end of the motor on, and waiting on dowel pins. I have everything I need to (aside from those pins) to get it all together.

Went to put the front end on the car and ran into a few problems. Test fitting everything with the core support so some small issues were expected.
This is how it started.


Then came the front sheet metal (got a few chips on the way). I think there is a problem with paint adhesion on this car. Was very gentle with everything and in some areas the paint just flakes.


DAMN YOU CHIP!


Beyond that there was a more serious issue. I put it all together and put the front spoiler on for the first time and noticed the lower valence has issues the painter was SUPPOSED to fix and didnt.


Keep in mind spoiler is new. valence is dented at the mounting point and above the spoiler (just below the fog light) about the entire length of the valence. I will be getting a new one and getting it painted to match the car. Considering aftermarket options now to help get air moving into the intercooler/radiator area.

Drivers side (how it's supposed to look)


Passenger side (obviously damaged valence)


That's where we're at today. Front being on has me wanting to leave the core support raw aluminum. I think (at the advice of friends) I'll paint the back side black to match the engine bay, but I'll leave the front raw aluminum.

Its never ending!
William

[sleepertime]

Car building, two steps forward, one step back....
Wow seeing the engine come together reminds me of a building a master piece
or work of art....

[will69camaro]

Thanks! I'm pretty over the paint job and painter. Just want it running. It'll be repainted by a competent shop down the road.