DWC's 1968 Camaro project

[DWC]

I have been fighting an ignition no/intermittent spark issue. Turns out it was the Chinese Pro Comp distributor that came with the engine when I bought it. It was an MSD Pro Billet distributor knock-off and I knew it was used. It *looked* fine, no excessive wear, wires looked good, but it obviously has some issue.

I installed a new MSD Pro Billet distributor and now everything is happy. Still have some carb tuning and timing adjustments to do.

The TMI headliner, sail panels, and A pillar covers are installed. The A pillar covers weren't the best fit, but I massaged them in. The sail panels have a "tab" attached on the backside that slides up and under the outer edge of the headliner to hold it in place. Only problem is TMI made them about an inch short of what they need to be. :confused: So, I epoxied some aluminum strap to the existing tab to extend them and it fit well.

The roof rail weatherstripping is installed. The door glass is installed and adjusted. The driver side went smooth, the passenger side was a PIA and I'm still not completely happy with it.

Just need to get the quarter window glass installed and then I can hang the interior door and quarter panels.

Daniel

[RdHuggr68]

Originally Posted by DWC

I've been working on a dash console to house some gauges, vents and HVAC controls. Still need to bodywork the seams, then paint it. It will attach over the OEM piece, then to the dash.

Daniel

What gauge metal did you use, and size of the vents. Thanks

[DWC]

I used 18ga metal and the vents have a 2.5" diameter HOLE. Bezel is about 2 5/8".

Daniel

[DWC]

The steering gear box that's currently on the car is leaking at the input shaft. I ordered a rebuilt Cardone 276550 from Amazon on Friday. It showed up today and it's a 14.4 ratio box, not 12.7 that I wanted. I'd heard it was a crap shoot as to what ratio you actually receive with these rebuilt boxes.

Is 12.7 going to make that much difference over a 14.4 box? I will autocross the car and I'd like to kill two birds with one stone if I swap boxes- fix the leak and quicken the steering. But, if it's not that much different I may settle.

Thoughts?

Daniel

[c4racer2]

Originally Posted by DWC

The steering gear box that's currently on the car is leaking at the input shaft. I ordered a rebuilt Cardone 276550 from Amazon on Friday. It showed up today and it's a 14.4 ratio box, not 12.7 that I wanted. I'd heard it was a crap shoot as to what ratio you actually receive with these rebuilt boxes.

Is 12.7 going to make that much difference over a 14.4 box? I will autocross the car and I'd like to kill two birds with one stone if I swap boxes- fix the leak and quicken the steering. But, if it's not that much different I may settle.

Thoughts?

Daniel

I feel it is significant and for autox you want the faster ratio for sure. Some people even like 10:1 for autox although personally I think that's overkill.

[DWC]

Thanks c4racer2. That's what I thought, just needed some confirmation before I continued the hunt for the right box.

Daniel

[DWC]

The past few days I've been working on the interior. I've installed the package tray, door panels, door sills, kick panels, shifter and boot, carpet, seat belts and driver's seat. TMI sent the incorrect seat sliders for the passenger seat, so I'm waiting on the correct ones.

Getting dangerously close to a first drive...

Daniel

[DWC]

After receiving two rebuilt Cardone boxes with the wrong steering ratios (first was 14.4:1, second was 15.5:1), I ordered a new Borgeson 12.7:1 box from Summit on Thursday and it arrived on Friday. Got it installed Saturday morning. It was a tight fit that required some grinding on the box and some BFH on #3 header tube, but it finally wrestled in.

Yesterday, I took it around the block a few times for the first time. First drives are always exciting. I have a few issues to address- PS pump fitting leak, belt pulley alignment, finalize timing, and a driveline vibration. Once I get those sorted I can take it for a proper alignment and AC charge.

Daniel

[pw2006]

I just read the entire thread, congrats! After too many years in body/paint jail, my 69 finally has color. Hoping to get it back in my garage by end of summer so I can start assembly. Your build turned out beautiful!

[Goosesdad]

Fantastic!