1970 Camaro L78 - Original Engine?

[Hans L]

First, quick intro - while I follow and frequent this site often, I rarely post. I'm typically over at the CRG site, as I own a '69 RS Z with the born-with driveline.

Anyway, I know of a '70 Camaro SS L78 with what appears to be the original engine.

I'll post some images of the various stamps, codes, and casting numbers and would be great to get some feedback on whether it's the original engine or not.

Some background on the car:
- Car has been off the road since the early '80's
- Car is somewhat disassembled.
- Originally Cortez Silver. It was painted at some point blue. Paint has faded, cracked, and in places there is topical surface rust on the panels. The floor broads, trunk are solid.
- The original 4 speed transmissions at this time is missing. It maybe in a storage locker elsewhere.

Pics coming shortly.

Thanks,

Hans
San Diego, CA

[ronzz572]

Hi Hans. Sounds like a nice car. Please post up some pictures. There are a lot of knowledgeable people here to help. Also There is a specific Facebook page I administrate. It's the 1970 L78 camaro Facebook page. There are a lot of people there also who own and know these cars. Check it out also?

[Hans L]

Pics have been uploaded - just waiting for moderator approval!

[L16pilot]

Thanks for posting Hans...this site has strict limits on photo size, so if that becomes the issue, you can send the pics to me at [email protected] and I can resize and post for you.

[Hans L]

Thanks for posting Hans...this site has strict limits on photo size, so if that becomes the issue, you can send the pics to me at [email protected] and I can resize and post for you.

I uploaded using imbedded images from Photobucket - hope that works.

[Too Many Projects]

I uploaded using imbedded images from Photobucket - hope that works.
I use Photobucket also and it works good, unless you chose the full size link. Then it may be too large a format.

[MN 70L78]

Looking forward to seeing pics and hearing more about the car. Be interesting if this an original California car with the NA9 setup!

[Hans L]

I use Photobucket also and it works good, unless you chose the full size link. Then it may be too large a format.

I used Small and Medium imbedded images for the most part....as the large images tend to be overwhelming with the scrolling left n right.

[L16pilot]

Thanks Hans for the pics...I picked out a few that should give everyone a good idea of the stamps, codes, dates, etc. BTW...from what I see, I really like this car. sorry Scott, It's a Norwood car, so no NA-9.

[Hans L]

Thanks Hans for the pics...I picked out a few that should give everyone a good idea of the stamps, codes, dates, etc. BTW...from what I see, I really like this car. sorry Scott, It's a Norwood car, so no NA-9.

Thanks Steve! What are your thoughts of the double partial VIN stamp by the oil filter?

[MN 70L78]

Looks like a good car! The double VIN stamp is pretty common. Both of my cars have a double stamp, with one being a Norwood and the other a Van Nuys car.
The COO characters in the axle look a little odd but the build date is right on... Most of them are approx. 2 weeks before the cowl tag date.

No doubt it's been sitting a while... Can I have the throttle bracket!
Also, not that it matters but the passenger side front fender has been replaced.

[THNDER]

The rear axle stamp looks good to me. The VIN stamp looks ok...just a bit confusing.

[THNDER]

Hans I sent you a pm

[Hans L]

No doubt it's been sitting a while...
Also, not that it matters but the passenger side front fender has been replaced.

Yes, that fender is a place holder. He has the original fender in a trailer. Decent shape but will require some repairs. Lower inner fenders have been cut as well - so probably will need to be replaced.

[restore-z28]

Neat find Hans, best of luck and keep the pics coming.

[McCune]

Looks like a RS car as well.

[68camaroz28]

Hans, is the car now in your hands LOL?
Will make someone a nice find....

[L16pilot]

Hans - just talked to Dave...super nice guy. As 70 Camaro L78 projects go, that looks like a really nice honest car....and a silver Rally Sport to boot! Congrats!

[Hans L]

Looks like a RS car as well.

Yes, the RS brackets are there. He has the front-end RS sheet metal and endura bumper, as well as the split side bumpers.

Sheet metal:
https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/t478/jwlittooy/IMG_5805.HEIC?width=590&height=370&fit=bounds (https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/t478/jwlittooy/IMG_5805.HEIC?width=590&height=370&fit=bounds)

Endura Bumper:
https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/t478/jwlittooy/IMG_5794_bqv4cUz2JzwAdBF4chVAb9.HEIC?width=590&height=370&fit=bounds (https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/t478/jwlittooy/IMG_5794_bqv4cUz2JzwAdBF4chVAb9.HEIC?width=590&height=370&fit=bounds)

[Hans L]

Hans - just talked to Dave...super nice guy. As 70 Camaro L78 projects go, that looks like a really nice honest car....and a silver Rally Sport to boot! Congrats!

Yes, I've known Dave since the mid-80s when we lived in the same neighborhood in Woodland Hills. Wealth of knowledge around Camaros! He's the guy I hold responsible for getting me into this hobby - ha!

[Hans L]

Hans, is the car now in your hands LOL?
Will make someone a nice find....

Not yet. But we have a good agreement in place - basically a contingent deal upon verifying its a real deal '70 Camaro L78.

[MN 70L78]

Curious if the high dollar hard to find parts are there? Dual snorkel air cleaner, fan shroud and radiator, which are impossible to find.

[Hans L]

Curious if the high dollar hard to find parts are there? Dual snorkel air cleaner, fan shroud and radiator, which are impossible to find.

We're not sure yet. He has a storage container with more parts we have yet to go through.

[iluv69s]

VIN stamp is interesting. Looks like it was incorrectly stamped 563552 and then incorrectly restamped 56 523… ( maybe I’m wrong). But, totally incorrect and no doubt 100% original !

Nothing wrong with 375 ponies, a Muncie and 12 bolt in a silver split bumper SS !!
Sweet find ! Good luck with it!

[Rsconv68]

I would think a 22 over a 21 stamp would be more common, but anomalies did happen. I’ll be following this to see.

[Steve Shauger]

VIN stamp is interesting. Looks like it was incorrectly stamped 563552 and then incorrectly restamped 56 523… ( maybe I’m wrong). But, totally incorrect and no doubt 100% original !

Nothing wrong with 375 ponies, a Muncie and 12 bolt in a silver split bumper SS !!
Sweet find ! Good luck with it!

I agree 100% with iluv69s . Factory original mistake. Looks like a great project. Keep us posted on your progress!!

[Hans L]

I agree 100% with iluv69s . Factory original mistake. Looks like a great project. Keep us posted on your progress!!

Thanks Steve and thank you for all your support working through the issues I had posting images. All seems to be working well now.

[JRSully]

Third week June 70 build.? That could be one of the last 70 L78 Camaro's produced. Neat car, good luck with it

[MN 70L78]

VIN stamp is interesting. Looks like it was incorrectly stamped 563552 and then incorrectly restamped 56 523… ( maybe I’m wrong). But, totally incorrect and no doubt 100% original !

Nothing wrong with 375 ponies, a Muncie and 12 bolt in a silver split bumper SS !!
Sweet find ! Good luck with it!

Yeah tend to agree. I was trying to make heads & tails of the double VIN stamp.

[Jeff H]

My old 70 L78 Camaro had the VIN stamped multiple times but it was an early car and I don't think it had any mistakes. I think the first stamp had hit that raised round section so it was pretty light and I think they stamped it again further down.

[SPEEDYB]

You can’t beat those Norwood Cowl tags,
Nice car.

[Hans L]

You can’t beat those Norwood Cowl tags,
Nice car.

Indeed. Pretty straight-forward. We're having some luck finding some of the missing pieces - mostly interior parts as of now (original seats, door panels, and so forth).

[MN 70L78]

Keep us posted when you get it home and any additional parts you find.

Like I mentioned earlier, the 2 hardest parts to find for a big block car are the fan shroud and the 4-speed radiator with the 'XY' tank code... In 30 years, I have never seen another radiator available but have seen 3 or 4 fan shrouds.

[Vortecpro]

Looks like a good car! The double VIN stamp is pretty common. Both of my cars have a double stamp, with one being a Norwood and the other a Van Nuys car.
The COO characters in the axle look a little odd but the build date is right on... Most of them are approx. 2 weeks before the cowl tag date.

No doubt it's been sitting a while... Can I have the throttle bracket!
Also, not that it matters but the passenger side front fender has been replaced.

I have those throttle brackets.

[MN 70L78]

I have those throttle brackets.

I sent you a PM.

[Hans L]

Keep us posted when you get it home and any additional parts you find.

Like I mentioned earlier, the 2 hardest parts to find for a big block car are the fan shroud and the 4-speed radiator with the 'XY' tank code... In 30 years, I have never seen another radiator available but have seen 3 or 4 fan shrouds.

Crazy rare. Is the Camaro BB 4-speed radiator specific to the 375HP 396 or shared with the 350HP 396?

[MN 70L78]

Crazy rare. Is the Camaro BB 4-speed radiator specific to the 375HP 396 or shared with the 350HP 396?

Hans,
The same 4-speed radiator was also used in the 350hp 396 cars (L34). However, many of the L34 cars came with an automatic trans, so they received a different fill side tank.
It just seems like most brass radiators that people have had sitting around over the years have been recycled.