67 Camaro Build

[72 tigger]

Thanks for your updates
This is going to be a piece of art when done

[Lost in the 60's]

The lower windshield trim never did fit right from the factory, especially the fenders tucking up under it, like it is supposed to do. You will notice many cars at shows with a gap there, some huge. My '67 will require shims under the core support to close those gaps up too.

[7dee2]

Originally Posted by 72 tigger

Thanks for your updates
This is going to be a piece of art when done

Thank you Kirk, that’s really very nice of you to say I appreciate it. Perk’s Auto Body & Customs has put in a lot of effort to make the car stand out from the crowd.

Originally Posted by Lost in the 60's

The lower windshield trim never did fit right from the factory, especially the fenders tucking up under it, like it is supposed to do. You will notice many cars at shows with a gap there, some huge. My '67 will require shims under the core support to close those gaps up too.

Yes, it’s a troubling area for these cars for sure.



For giggles, I threw on both an Accel yellow and a GM red set of plug wires. I think both sets have some long wires and will need to be messed with later to make them look right. Colored wires were such a big thing back in the day and still are with many folks. I remember spending a few afternoons cleaning yellow wires with hand cleaner and shining up all the chrome bits under this 67 C10’s hood.

[7dee2]

Yes, Hot Dang! I got the call from Fastlane Machine that our 489 is done! Wasted no time and beat feet right down there to grab it. I’m thinking anything north of 500 horsepower with a gob of torque would certainly be a win for our C10.

Here’s what the Go Fast Math horsepower calculator thinks.
https://www.gofastmath.com/Horsepowe...wer_Calculator

Stage 2: Dual Plane High-Rise
Intake duration @ .050: 221
Tappet type: Roller
Dynamic compression ratio: 8.83:1 (best guess)
Engine displacement: 489
Cylinders: 8
Peak intake flow in CFM @ 28” of water: 320 (best optimistic guess)

Same as last time I need to grab just a few small items (distributor, block off plate, etc.) and make an appointment with Kidd Performance for a break-in and dyno tune. Then we’ll see just how close the calculator comes to the actual figures.

[7dee2]

Back to the body shop, and here’s an ugly update! Our right-side fitment issues (vent window, door, fender, cowl vent, and windshield) are partly due to the right A-pillar being slightly out of alignment. As Kelly was giving me this news, I’m thinking “SLIGHTLY OUT OF ALIGNMENT, WTF!!!”

Okay deep breaths, that explains a lot about why the issues in this particular area. Everyone including me has looked at this a million times and it’s not really noticeable at a glance. The misalignment was identified by comparing the B to A-pillar side glass opening on each side of the car. It’s completely independent of the front clip/subframe which btw is square to the firewall and level.

How do you fix that? I’ll start by saying I’m not a fan of cutting up the car to reposition the A-pillar a gnat’s a** forward as well as possibly undoing the work that’s already been done. I did make a quick call to Real Deal Steel that went as expected (it’s the first time they’d heard of this specific issue ), not that they could actually do anything about it at this point, dagnabbit.

What really brought this to light was with the windshield installed the dash top to glass gap would widen from the left to right side. The same thing on the outside of the glass the gap to the cowl vent panel widens from the left to right side. Kelly made the decision to split the difference, starting with repositioning the top of the dash which was set back on the right side. Last pic, concerned that we may ruin the dash or spend a ton of time repairing it I did get a new complete AMD dash assembly, just in case it was needed.

[joesscamaro]

That's definitely news you don't want to hear but it sounds like the car is in good hands and will come out looking A-OK.

[7dee2]

Thanks Joe, you’re right and that’s exactly why all this mockup work is being done to catch this kind of stuff.



After the “SLIGHTLY OUT OF ALIGNMENT!!!” moment it was decided to triple-check the side glass again. Especially the right-side glass including the upper weatherstripping on both sides this time. Kelly found the same thing that I did, it just fits without much adjustment on that side. The good news is it looks perfect and will function fine and shouldn’t cause any issues.

Decided to grab the inner fender wells from the body shop. Thought if I predrilled the tiny holes, it might make installing the splash shields staples easier (?) when they come back painted.

[7dee2]

While waiting for our dyno appointment at Kidd Performance, I took a minute to fit the dipstick on the 489. The nice thing is that both engines (489 & 511) have the same oil pan and universal kit. Perfect time to set up both of them off the 489 which has not had the oil level messed with yet.

To get to the correct level with the Moroso oil pan the tube needs to be trimmed losing the flair which doesn’t really work with the supplied compression sleeve fittings.
https://www.moroso.com/universal-dipstick-kit25970/

[ghackett1]

Nice project, here’s a pic of my 68 ragtop. Frame off restoration completed in 2000.

[7dee2]

Thank you, your 68 is pretty darn sharp ghackett1.



It’s 11/7/22 the day before our dyno appointment at Kidd Performance up in Twin Falls, ID and it looks like we’ll have some weather to deal with in the morning. Weird talking about snow in the (record heat) summertime but that’s where the timeline is right now. I’ve got the 489 tied down and all wrapped up for the weather they’re predicting.

Here’s an old part I wasn’t sure would happen for our Day 2, Grumpy’s Toy, Motion mash-up car. After looking for years and giving up a few times after just missing making a deal. That is a real deal Lakewood 3-point bolt in rollbar, it came all the way from Cleveland, OH. Funny there was a time you couldn't give these things away, now they they command a premium.

[7dee2]

Déjà vu, here we are again 3 hours up the road at Kidd Performance in Twin Falls, ID. Almost turned around after braving a freaking blizzard that lasted until I reached the Utah/Idaho state line, glad it was smooth sailing after that.

Mark is getting our motor ready for the break-in, it’s almost time to party!

[KevinK7]

I haven't been on the board in a while, but it looks like you are moving right along with the Camaro ; )

[7dee2]

Hey Kevin, glad you checked in. Yup, slow but sure progress on all fronts. Even a little progress for our C10 project here and there. I plan to drive the Camaro next year and work on finishing up the C10 the following year if I play my cards right.




Just like last time the break-in was complete with no drama, motor acted as expected. Mark was once again pleased with how clean the remote Clear View Filtration filter was so once more, kudos to Fastlane Machine (FB link) for another trouble-free, clean build. Also, no leaks at all this time, the 511 only had one cylinder head bolt that barely seeped oil and self-healed with some heat cycles. Man, these guys do a great job!
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063585696822

Here’s a bunch of short break-in and full-pull videos, so sit back turn up the volume, and click the links below. Mark dialed in the tune (mainly just primary jetting changes) which was different as this is a vacuum secondary 850 cfm rather than the mechanical secondary carb on the 511. Unfortunately, the O2 sensor pooped out (he said race gas just kills them) but Mark got us fairly dialed without it.


Break-in #1 https://youtu.be/qX0ZobCn2pM
Break-in #2 https://youtu.be/im5monZN7A4

Dyno Tune #1 https://youtu.be/lziWVraEocU
Dyno Tune #2 https://youtu.be/W4aOs3x7lCM
Dyno Tune #3 https://youtu.be/cE-7ixPoOqY
Dyno Tune #4 https://youtu.be/Bdp88ZrWKz0
Dyno Tune #5 https://youtu.be/lO4ifefw9sA

All my build videos are here:
https://www.youtube.com/@6dee7-7dee2

[7dee2]

This motor took a little longer, at just over 2 years of work, parts acquisition, waiting its turn as the 511 was first up. Then machine work, assembly, and finally the break-in and dyno tune. Here’s our “Why buy one when you can have two at twice the price…” 489 safe and sound back home from the trip.

If you didn’t catch it in the final video here’s the dyno printout. Horsepower is just shy of 550 @ 5400 and torque is almost 595 @ 4200 on non-ethanol 91 pump gas. Surprisingly close to our “Good to go!” 511 numbers of 575hp @ 5800 and 590tq @ 4600. Everyone was surprised it made that much power and nudged the 511 in torque by a few foot-pounds. I’m so pleased with both motors, they're going to make reliable and fun street engines for the C10 & Camaro.

[joesscamaro]

They are some solid numbers and definitely will get the job done!

[Dieselwrencher]

The engine sounds great glad to see you're getting the dash gap fixed. Good thing it wasn't painted with the interior 90% installed.

[7dee2]

Originally Posted by joesscamaro

They are some solid numbers and definitely will get the job done!

Thanks Joe, I’m really stoked about the outcome.

Originally Posted by Dieselwrencher

The engine sounds great glad to see you're getting the dash gap fixed. Good thing it wasn't painted with the interior 90% installed.

Thanks Ryan, no kidding you’ve got that right!




The windshield is back in (and the front clip) for another test fit of the trim and exterior panels. The new lower left trim piece is showing minor damage at this point (looks kinked, not sure if it came this way or just parts getting screwed up during the process). I’ve got another complete repro set coming for the final assembly. The good news is the dash top to glass gap is looking so much better than it was.

[7dee2]

For comparison, here’s what an original car looks like in this area. This particular 68 belongs to a friend of mine, other original cars I've looked at are very similar.

[7dee2]

The Camaro is going under the knife some more, surgery for the lower trim to the cowl vent panel. And yes, the right fender did get the same treatment, moving it back and up to match the left side.

[7dee2]

Here’s progress with the top side of the right fender done, Kelly is making these parts fit absolutely perfecto!

I located another Stewart Warner Bullet with the original foot. I've got an NOS one (in the box) with better chrome that’s missing the foot so this was a great find. The goal is a cowl-mounted mechanical fuel pressure gauge setup like the last two pics (borrowed pics of Grady Burch’s Day 2 69 COPO Camaro).

[7dee2]

Back to the Lakewood 3-point rollbar, it’s going to take a little doing to make it fit the Camaro. For starters it does have the base cut off the rear down bar, the PO did this for shipping purposes. No biggie, after some research I believe that this foot kit is for the 68-72 GM “A” Body. I know a few folks with Chevelles that may help me to confirm this.

Not sure why the Lakewood catalog doesn’t include the 1967 Camaro, or make reference to the numbers stamped on the bases either. No matter since we’re creating new feet to fit the car, I’m glad we’ve got this set of feet so we can model ours somewhat after the originals. Who knows when it’s all said and done maybe somebody will need the A-Body set?

[7dee2]

I ran into a second set of used valve cover spacers (black) on our local classifieds. After a test fit, I realized that they were a bit too tall for my liking. Both sets come 1-1/8” tall, and then you add gaskets on top and bottom making them close to 1-1/2” tall. So, I asked Mike at Fastlane Machine to mill them a little bit, 1/4” off the top on both sets. Here’s the finished product now just under 7/8” tall, I know Mr. Picky Pants!

And a test fit with milled spacers, gaskets, and still no M/T breathers added (yet). I found that this combo barely fits with the alternator bracket belt setup that I have.

The last pic shows plenty of ready to go drive train parts, let’s just say that I’m jonesing to start the Camaro's final assembly.

[7dee2]

The upper windshield opening needs more work, we're talking roof surgery. Kelly marked the patient and met with me to discuss the plan. Then straight into it, chop, cut, rebuild!

[7dee2]

Trim on, trim off, trim back on you get the idea. Kelly's making the roof skin exactly match, no pressure. Thanks to Perks for snapping some more pics for us (a few from the last post & all of these), and of course as always, the excellent work.

[7dee2]

With the rollbar’s rear down bar being cut and our foot kit being for an A-Body I decided to use all new material to make the down bar and feet. This way we’ll still have the original A-Body kit left over (to sell?). Luckily, a buddy’s scrap pile had some of the material needed (base plate, inner tube). I just had to order in the down bar material as my local suppliers don’t carry this size.

Here’s a pile of new rollbar hardware that was just crazy money from a local supplier, it seemed really quite expensive (and I'm cheap) so I’m going to look online and see if I can do better.