68 L78 smog

[Don_Lightfoot]

About 15 years ago I met a guy who was having his 68 Camaro repainted at my buddy's resto shop. Not a full restoration, just paint and some replating. I chatted with him a bit and learned he bought his Camaro brand new in Montreal.

Fast forward to today. Me and a friend are walking through a local car event and, sure enough, there is the Camaro I remembered. Paint looked very good, but the engine bay could essentially be considered untouched/survivor. I told my friend the car should have a smog setup. He didn't think 68's got them and I assured him they did. I pointed out what were likely the original manifolds which had plugs installed where the tubes would go. The same owner from way back when showed up and showed us some paperwork (partial photocopy of what was probably GM Canada docs). There was an RPO on there showing "deletion of A.I.R. system". This was obviously available on certain export cars from the U.S.

I do not believe such an option was available for 69's coming to Canada, but I stand to be corrected. Just thought this was interesting as I hadn't come across this before.

[WILMASBOYL78]

I have heard of this 68 smog delete before for Canadian cars...first time paperwork was included...perhaps GM of Canada documentation services can help confirm.

[Charley Lillard]

We had a member bring his green low mile 68 L78 to MCACN in 2010 for Vintage certification and it was a Canadian smog delete car. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2014/09/full-23-15462-p1180018.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2014/09/full-23-15463-p1180001.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2014/09/full-23-15464-p1180027.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2014/09/full-23-15465-tn_img_1805.jpg

[L78M22Rag]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Charley Lillard</div><div class="ubbcode-body">We had a member bring his green low mile 68 L78 to MCACN in 2010 for Vintage certification and it was a Canadian smog delete car.
</div></div>

Hey, I know that car. It's one of a pair of matching L78 twins originally ordered by two brothers (both were still low mileage survivors last I heard) that had gone separate ways. I always thought it would be neat to reunite the two cars, especially since both were still unmolested and very low mileage. Who's the member that owns it now? I have some old photos of one car, possibly both, that I could probably dig up.

[Ryan1969Chevelle]

Oh Canada!!!

I want to see an L89 Canadian ordered with snow tires!!

Ryan

[Ryan1969Chevelle]

Oh Canada!!!

I want to see an L89 Canadian ordered with snow tires!!

Ryan

[Don_Lightfoot]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Ryan1969Chevelle</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I want to see an L89 Canadian ordered with snow tires!!</div></div>

Haven't you seen that picture enough times already Ryan? <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif

http://www.pbase.com/don_lightfoot/image/106286806.jpg

[PeteLeathersac]

And towing a '71 TNT!
I was thinking this was Don's car but don't see a B-pillar?
What's the whole story Don and how's things?
<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/hmmm.gif
~ Pete

[Ryan1969Chevelle]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Don_Lightfoot</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Ryan1969Chevelle</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I want to see an L89 Canadian ordered with snow tires!!</div></div>

Haven't you seen that picture enough times already Ryan? <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif

http://www.pbase.com/don_lightfoot/image/106286806.jpg
</div></div>

Don, I could look at that picture every single day and not get bored!!!!!! I think I rebuilt the &quot;bogies&quot; on a skidoo like that as a 16 year old kid while I was on an exchange to Quebec. (off topic????)

Ryan

[Don_Lightfoot]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: PeteLeathersac</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
And towing a '71 TNT! What's the whole story Don and how's things?</div></div>

I'm dealing with some health issues Pete like most of us at my age I guess, thanks for asking.

A current friend of mine ordered that L78 car new. Back then he would drive it like a fanatic to be honest. Power shifting at seven grand and other foolish stuff. He totalled the car into a rock cut probably not too long after that picture was taken.

[Don_Lightfoot]

Thanks for your post Charley. Certainly another interesting car.

Last night I did something dangerous and starting thinking about the aspects of this subject. Did any 68 Chevrolets (all models) get shipped to Canada with a smog setup?

Do you know if the car in your picture had smog manifolds Charley? It is commonly known that the manifolds were installed at the engine plant, while the smog setups were installed at the car assembly plant. So, if Tonowanda is assembling a 68 L78 Camaro engine they would not know what car it would be installed in, nor where it would be shipped. For that reason I am assuming Tonowanda would automatically install smog manifolds on it. As mentioned in my first post to start this thread, it appeared the manifolds were original on the car I was referring to and they had plugs.

Then you have to consider the next question. Were the tube plugs put in by Tonowanda on every engine (removed at the car assembly plant as required) or were the plugs put in at the car assembly plant once they knew the car was being exported? If I had to give an opinion I would probably go with the latter scenario.

I get a kick out of this stuff trying to figure out what GM did fifty years ago.

[firstgenaddict]

The assembly manual for 68 Camaro lists the Less Air injection reactor and shows the plugging of the manifolds etc.

[Kurt S]

KD1 was a 68-only option. The plant just plugged the manifolds.
It is unknown why some 68 Canadian Camaros don't have KD1 on the Canadian docs.

[Don_Lightfoot]

I don't have any 68 manuals so it's good to get this confirmation. Thanks guys.