Big Gear Head's '69 RS SS396 Camaro

[big gear head]

I've been a member for several years, but never did a thread on my car. I thought I'd post some pictures before I go to SCR20 so that you would know how it came to be what it is now.
The first picture is what it looked like when I got it in Feb '84 when I was 18. I traded a pretty nice '67 SS396 Chevelle for the Camaro. The Chevelle had a Powerglide and the Camaro was a 4 speed. I don't like automatic transmissions, so I traded because of the transmission. The car had Z28 badges on it and a 350 from a truck. It took me a while to figure out that it was actually a SS396 car.
This was an original X22 RS SS396 4 speed car. It was huger orange with black top and black hockey stick stripes. The interior was black deluxe with the full gauge package. It was probably a 325HP 396, but the engine was long gone. The transmission was the M20. The rear end was a 3.73 12 bolt with the Eaton Posi.
The second picture is the beginning of the build that took 18 years before I got to drive the car again. I was probably 19 years old at this time, was working as a mechanic at Lester Ford, and was still living with my parents.
The next picture is the frame that I built at the age of 19. I had quit my job and was going to vocational school to be a welder. Most of the frame was built at school. This was the very first of many rear ends that I narrowed.
The car sat for many years due to a serious lack of money. After getting married, getting a real job as a DOD aircraft certified TIG welder at GE Aircraft Engines and buying a house and building a garage I was able to start on the car again. The reason that I decided to go Pro Street was because the car was full of rust and some after market parts were not yet available to fix it. This last picture shows the entire back end of the car removed.

[big gear head]

This was the first rear end under the car. The housing is from a '64 Galaxy, the nodular case, Daytona pinion housing and Detroit Locker are from a '69 Mach 1, the axles are from a '65 Galaxy, the 4.11 gears are from a F150 and the disc brakes are from a Lincoln Mark 5. I had to use what I could find due to lack of money. Some of you might notice that I had the ladder bars upside down. I was still learning.
This is the first time the engine was assembled. The block is one of the first Bowtie blocks, the crank is from a L78, the rods are LS6 and the pistons are TRW.
The heads are 3rd design GM aluminum D ports. The cam was a Comp Cams solid roller, rockers are Comp Cams and the stud girdle is an old Jomar. The engine has been apart many times since then. This was the first of 4 cams that have been in the engine.

[big gear head]

Things starting to come together. This is how I cut the new NOS GM quarters to fit the larger tires. In the late '80s these were still available and cost around $230 each.
I actually started off with a Predator carb, but quickly figured out that it wasn't going to work.
Roll bars and floor coming together. This was the first time that the car had rolled out of the garage on 4 wheels in many years.

[big gear head]

Even though the fenders, door skins and other parts were all NOS GM parts, they didn't fit perfect. It took a lot of work to get the seams right. The fenders didn't fit well at all and it took many hours to work out the problems. My brother helped me get everything fitting correctly.
I had originally wanted to use this pro stock style hood and a fiberglass trunk lid, but thankfully I changed my mind.
This is one of the body shops that the car was in before it finally got painted. I waited over 3 years for the first guy to do the car and I ended up getting the car out of his shop and taking it to this one. 18 months later it was painted. It was painted in '93. Tony Oglesby did a great job on the car and it still has this paint on it.

[big gear head]

Working on the interior. Dewayne Clark sewed everything together after I got things to fit. I used the dash from a '70 Nova.

[big gear head]

Interior finished. The Nova dash required several modifications. The steering column had to be raised, the dash frame had to be modified some and the Nova dash pad needed some modifications to smooth it out and make it fit. I used the Nova dash because I wasn't going to be able to put gauges in the Camaro dash and make them look the way I wanted them to look.

[big gear head]

Early picture of the 427 with the Milodon valve covers, high mounted alternator, plug wires laying on the valve covers and the old MSD ignition. This was the 3rd of 4 MSD boxes that have been in the car. At this time it still had the original big block radiator in it.

[big gear head]

Some pictures of when I first started driving the car again. The Pro Stock Centerlines were some of the first that were made. They have 1986 dates on them. The rear wheels are 15X14 and the fronts are 16X7. This might be the only set of 16 inch Pro Stocks that were made. The Unlimited Fiberglass Products hood took a lot of work to make it look good.

[big gear head]

First picture is of a display of cars in the Madisonville KY shopping mall. Second picture is at the Carl Casper show in Louisville KY. It had been a dream of mine to have a car in the Carl Casper show since I was about 9 years old. Third picture is at one of the car shows that our car club had at Greenville KY. This picture was in the local news paper. I was president of the club at this time.

[big gear head]

I decided to redo all of the rear suspension several years ago. I got rid of the leaf springs and installed a set of Varishock coil overs. The shocks in the picture are some old Chassis Engineering shocks that turned out to be no good. I made a new set of ladder bars and built a F150 9 inch housing. I made all new brackets and added a brace to the housing. I've got a set of wheelie bars for it, but I haven't put them on.

[big gear head]

I just thought that this first picture was kind of cool. This is when I was redoing the rear suspension. The next picture was when it was waiting on it's 4th set of rear tires. I started with Mickey Thompson 31/18.50 Sportsmans, then went with Hoosier Quick Times, then Pro Trac 445s and now it has Hooser 31/18.50 street radials.

[big gear head]

In the last few months I've built a new M23 Auto Gear transmission with the 2.99 first gear http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/autogear-m23-build-468129.html and got a new McLeod dual disc clutch. I also built 2 new chunks for the rear end. The one on the left is the street set up with a small bearing nodular case, Daytona pinion housing, 1350 yoke, Detroit Locker and 3.70 gears. The one on the right is a the race set up with a big bearing nodular case, Daytona pinion housing, 1350 yoke, spool and 4.86 gears. I also had a new 4130 drive shaft built by Strange Engineering with 1350 u joints and a 4130 yoke.

[big gear head]

This pretty much brings it up to date. I'm going through the whole car getting it ready for SCR20. All of the upgrades are just for this event. I've raised the compression ratio by at least 2 full points, lightened the rotating assembly, added strength to everything that I thought was weak and added as much power as I could while trying to keep it a street car. I didn't add any cubic inches to it because I like the 427 number. That is what the Corvette and COPO cars had and I like that. I've changed the crankshaft, rods, pistons, cam, lifters, valves, valve springs, locks, carburetor, ported the heads and several other things. The last picture shows the engine as it sits today, waiting to go to the dyno on Friday. I'm hoping for 600 HP, but I really want it to just stay together. I don't have time to go through it again before SCR20. The electric water pump is just for dyno use and will not be on the car.

[Lynn]

Have admired this car for a few years now. Freddy is a great help to (and very patient with) a lot of guys over on the the Team Camaro site. A real pro with a heart for the hobby.

I think this car is a great argument for using the Nova dash pad in a 69 Camaro. I think it looks great, and very clean. Almost did that to my 69 Z back in the late 70's.

If I had a non numbers car, I would definitley be looking at using that dash set up.

[COPO]

Cool car and great workmanship.

[mockingbird812]

Holy Moly!!!! Goal for the 1/4 at SCR?

[big gear head]

Yeah, trying to make a good showing at the strip. The car ran pretty good before, but do you ever really have enough horse power? I sold the '67 Chevelle that I was planning to fix and invested everything into this rebuild. I've been working toward this since SCR19. You guys got me hooked last year. I just hope I don't embarrass myself with my driving.

[BJCHEV396]

The dash looks great!Good job on the car Fred and thanks for sharing!!

[markinnaples]

Great pics, thanks for posting them up.

[WILMASBOYL78]

Very nice build...looks like great workmanship all the way around. That car will be a handful on the strip...good luck!

-wilma

[big gear head]

I put a clutch tamer in it and I'm hoping that it makes it a little easier to handle. We'll see on July 28th! http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/clutchtamer-69-camaro-468249.html

[NorCam]

Freakin awesome! I've always liked the pro street look on these cars when done right...and this one is very nicely put together! I really like the whole dash setup and I am SO happy you didn't put those tall silly looking pro street buckets in it and kept it with a stock appearing Strato bucket and deluxe inserts. That is a very well done concept that doesn't strive too far from what the General had right in the first place.

Can't wait to see how you do at SCR and trust you and the car will be a hit with everyone who can appreciate GM Muscle. Now you have me wanting to head down from the upper NW. Love what you have finished.

Cheers on a great car Fred! :beers:

[SuperNovaSS]

Awesome car. Great job!

Jason

[TDW]

I've followed your posts on other sites for years and always figured that you were a dedicated craftsman. I figured right. Mighty fine car that you have created. Something to be very proud of.

[Zman1969]

Freddie, thanks for sharing this! I have read a lot of your posts on other boards before, I agree, your a wealth of knowledge and that you readily help people out and share. Your a credit to any board your on. a BIG Thank You from the community!!
Rich

[GrumpyJeff]

Im Diggin the Nova Dash ! Nicely done !

[big gear head]

It didn't make the big number that I was expecting, but it didn't do bad for a street car. Scott Perkins in Bowling Green did a great job on the carburetor. He had it ready to go on the engine when I got there and only made one air bleed change the whole time. No jet changes or anything. He had it set up right out of the box. Dale Meers and his guys at Dale Meers Racing Engines in Buffalo were very nice to work with. Shane Smith helped me with parts selection and other advice. I brought it home with no damage, so that's a big plus. Got to get it in the car now. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqJcFvhQyq0&feature=em-upload_owner
It made 563 peak HP at 6500 and 532 ft lbs at 5000.

[Xplantdad]

Wow...what a cool Camaro! Thanks for sharing the build pics with us..:beers:

[big gear head]

Thank you all for the kind words. I'm glad you all like my old Camaro. I almost sold it a little over year ago. When it came time for the guy to put the money in my hand I couldn't do it and I backed out. I would have been sick if I had let it go.

Looking back I wish I had left the stock frame under it and not gone the Pro Street route, but it sure does get a lot of attention driving down the road. I could have done the same thing to a plane Jane 307 car instead of a RS/SS396, but it's too late now.

I got to get busy now and get the engine back in it and get ready for the Car Craft Summer Nationals at Bowling Green in 2 weeks. Then the next week is SCR20!

[DW31S]

Freddie, lots of cool stuff in the build. The dash looks surprisingly good in there and while I knew they were close in dimensions, I never saw anyone attempt the swap. I gotta say I like it! PLEASE do yourself a favor and go to at least one, possibly two or three test-n-tunes before heading out to race a stick. Trust me my friend, it gets busy in there when those lights are coming down on the tree. I'd suggest two things that can be added quite easily to your ignition: a Rev-Limiter and a Two-Step. The Rev-Limiter will save your bottom end (and your wallet) and the Two-Step will keep the launch RPM consistent on each pass. Both of these are inexpensive and will take some stress out of your day at the races. Don't beat yourself up if you goof up the first few times, like I said that cockpit gets busy in there. I run sticks in both of my cars and wouldn't race with an automatic.

[NorCam]

I run sticks in both of my cars and wouldn't race with an automatic.

Respect!!! :3gears:

[big gear head]

I've got a rev limiter on it, but no 2 step. I know it's going to be hard to drive, but we're just going to be there having fun anyway, right? I was trying to get the car finished by the end of March, but that didn't happen by a long shot. I wanted to get several test sessions in, but just didn't make it. I'm just going to be happy if I can get to the Car Craft event and SCR20. I'll depend on you guys to help me get the car to work right.

I've only had the car on a track 2 times, and I broke it both times. We had a local track called Windy Hollow Raceway. It's been closed for several years now, but there is a rumor going around that it might open again. It's a 1/8 mile track and wasn't very well maintained. The first time I tried running it I broke an axle. The second time I had 2 exhaust valves stick open and the pistons bent them. I hope things go better this time.

[bigsixman]

Beautiful car, good luck with it at your planned events this summer.

[big gear head]

Getting ready for SCR21!

[NorCam]

I had to come back and read this thread again. Awesome car and a great read while being cooped up here for the past 3-1/2 weeks.

[big gear head]

Thank you. I need to update this. There have been several changes in the last few years.

[NorCam]

Waiting...

https://thumbs.gfycat.com/UnawareScratchyHornedviper-size_restricted.gif

[big gear head]

OK, so here is what I've been doing for the last few months. New Strange Engineering double adjustable shocks all around, new Aerospace Components brakes all around, new AutoGear N24 transmission. I've always wanted a tunnel ram, so I found this old Offenhauser at a swap meet, did a little welding to fix some damaged holes and had it blasted. I looked for over a year for a pair of Holley 1850-1 carburetors with the same build date. These were both made on Jan 11, 1968. SP Carburetors in Bowling Green restored them, added down leg boosters and calibrated them to work with my combination. I swapped the modern valve covers for a set of Ansen covers that were on a jet boat for many years and were kind of rough. I had them blasted and got a set of Ansen spacers so that they would clear the stud girdles. The front suspension has new Del-a-lum bushings, extended upper ball joints and a few parts that I made.

[NorCam]

Love it. New Trans is gonna be a fun touch and digging the tunnel ram with velocity stacks. I have a set of those BBC Ansen spacers I should perhaps list in the classifieds one of these days as I'm not using them.

On the suspension end of things, I also had double adjusted coil overs on my 55 post and they worked really well. I can't wait to see the car with the driveline back in it. Keep up the great work. I'll be watching to see it finished up.

Graeme

[big gear head]

From SCR22 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMIOM7-hCqU

[L72Chevelle]

Hi Freddie, N24 trans first time I have seen one. My I ask what the difference is to what you had built up before? Thanks, Phil.

[Sean]

That video is awesome felt like I was in the car!

[big gear head]

Phil, I was using the M23 before, which is a great transmission, but there are some upgrades to the N24. It would probably be easier to share the link to the build thread I started on hotrodders.com. This shows the differences, and there is a link to my M23 build here too.

https://www.hotrodders.com/forum/autogear-n24-525359.html

[big gear head]

Thaks Sean. That was about a 11.24 pass. I'm hoping for something in the high 10s next time out. I know that there is going to be a lot of stuff to work out because I've changed so many things on the car, but high 10s is the goal.

[GM-26]

This is the best Member's Rides!

[69z2x4]

Thats an awesome Camaro!

[big gear head]

I've had my son in the shop working with me on the latest upgrades. I'm trying to teach him how to work on it so that he will be able to keep it running when it's his and I'm no longer able to work on it. Here he is measuring the rod bolt stretch and replacing the rod bearings. I've been letting him do the work and watching over his shoulder. He seems to be enjoying it.

He likes his MASCAR SCR22 shirt.

[big gear head]

I forgot to mention that I switched the 4.88 for a 5.29 about a year ago. It's crossing the finish line at about 7100 RPMs.

[A12pilot]

Man, Freddie. You better be sooooo glad I sold that Cuda. You’d be TOAST at SCR if I came with it!!! Why? You’d miss the first shift since you’d be laughing so hard at my pegleg burnout that I’d just walk on by!:laugh::hmmm::3gears:

Seriously....what an awesome ride!!! We’ll meet up soon....

Cheers:beers:
Dave

[69z2x4]

That was awsome! I had to watch it several times to get my fix as I don't know when my local track will open this year.. Nice work!

[big gear head]

Thank you all. I think I'm about 2 days from having it running again. I'll post more videos when it's running.

[ZoomXF]

Freddie,

That's some serious 3 pedal action!

[jbtech]

Thank you all. I think I'm about 2 days from having it running again. I'll post more videos when it's running.

Very cool can't wait! Very inspiring.

[Igosplut]

Thank you all. I think I'm about 2 days from having it running again. I'll post more videos when it's running.

A word of experience on the AG trans. I've used AG stuff for years without a problem. Last year, I went through hell with a AG M21 in a basically stock 64 Vette. It had a Non-correct drivetrain, and is an everyday driver so the owner just wanted a new 4 speed. I had him buy a kit (disassembled) M21 from AG. After assembly and installation, the trans shifted like shit, very hard. I won't go through the back and forth (I never have seen an aftermarket company that didn't blame the installer/assembler no matter how experienced). The trans was shipped back in one piece, and redone by AG (they said there was 18 different problems, but did not elaborate beyond that) SAME Exact problem after installing it. They shipped out another fully-assembled trans. SAME EXACT PROBLEM AGAIN (I will preface this with the car shifted fine with the old setup, and was done mainly because of a constant leak out of the front of the countershaft pin. In the interm of all this, I put a soft rebuild parts kit in the old trans, sealed the pin with RTV and re-installed with the same shifter/clutch/etc without any issues whatsoever) I have never used their sidecovers, and without having to remove the trans for the umpteenth time (I just spun it counterclockwise in the car with the obvious parts removed) I replace the sidecover/arms/forks with factory GM parts. Problem solved, trans shifted just as it should. This is not a hate-post on AG, but they had no mule-car to test stuff on (I kept telling the tech to just put it in a car, and he'd see what I was talking about, besides not having to do the labor AGAIN for free just to see if the trans worked correctly) That when they admitted they had no car to test stuff. So be forewarned, if you (or anybody else) have the same problem, THAT was the cause....

[big gear head]

Finally got it done. I'll try to get a video tomorrow after I clean it up.

[mockingbird812]

This is going to be EPIC!!!!:biggthumpup::eek2::drool:

[NorCam]

Looking great.

You been busy Fred.

[big gear head]

Here is another video from SCR22. Not my best run. The guys on the starting line had us mixed up, and I broke out, even though I let off at the other end. It ran 11.26 on this run. The best run of the day was 11.17 at 123. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bgxMfGPyi8

[GM-26]

Great video. Thanks for sharing.

[R68GTO]

That engine looks great Freddie!

[big gear head]

Thanks guys. It took me a day and a half to get it running right. I had a carburetor problem and a distributor problem and I almost gave up and put the single 850 back on it. It looks like it's going to rain here today, so I probably won't be getting it out. It needs a real good cleaning.

[big gear head]

It's been raining all day, so I couldn't get the car outside. I made this video inside the garage that's attached to my house, so it's too loud for the microphone on my phone, even with the mufflers on it. It still needs some tuning, so I had the idle too high. I did a quick clean up on the car and then shot this. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9PcAiOEHpM

[Crush]

Very nice!

[KenMaisano]

Thanks for sharing all the history of the build. I Love these stories, this is what Hot Rodding is all about! What a great job!!!

[big gear head]

It took a while to get there, but I finally got what I wanted. I'll try to get video posted tomorrow.

[Lynn]

In the 10's. Very cool Freddie.

[R68GTO]

Way to go Freddie!

[big gear head]

This wasn't the good run. I completely messed up my burnout on this run and it spun the tires. It still went 11.08 at 125. This is the only run that I have outside video of. I'm still working on the in car video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqZ7zMa4iC4

[big gear head]

Here's the in car of the 10.85 run. I need someone to show me the right way to post videos.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5eF8S5OYsE

[jbtech]

Here's the in car of the 10.85 run. I need someone to show me the right way to post videos.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5eF8S5OYsE

We need more videos like this! Awesome! Love the sound

[NorCam]

Nice run Freddie. I enjoyed that video. :)

F5eF8S5OYsE

[big gear head]

Thank you. How did you post the video like that?

[Xplantdad]

Freddie:


This should explain it:


https://www.yenko.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=175269&d=1601736247

https://www.yenko.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=175270&d=1601736247

https://www.yenko.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=175271&d=1601736247

https://www.yenko.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=175272&d=1601736247

[big gear head]

Bruce, those icons don't show up when I post.

[Xplantdad]

You have to change a few settings. PM me your cell number and I will call you tonight when I get home

[454_Malibu]

My settings look nothing like that!! Now I see why u guys have cool icons,, WTF..

[Xplantdad]

My settings look nothing like that!! Now I see why u guys have cool icons,, WTF..


Send me a PM...I can help

[big gear head]

Bruce, I sent you a PM several days ago. Did you get it?

[Xplantdad]

Bruce, I sent you a PM several days ago. Did you get it?


No sir...try again...or email me at [email protected]

[Too Many Projects]

Dang cool vids of the runs, Freddie. It's been way too many years since I yanked the stick on my '66 Chevelle and it needs to be assembled this winter. Watching that vid helps motivate me.

[Xplantdad]

Here's a step by step to make all of the extras show up:






Go to your user CP

177287














When you get to that page, look down the left side and choose "edit options"


177288












Once you are on that page-scroll ALL THE WAY TO THE BOTTOM of the page and choose the option shown in the picture, then save.


You should be good to go!



177289

[454_Malibu]

:BruceRocks:

[Xplantdad]

Happy to help!