1970 L78 Camaro Progress

[Seattle Sam]

Finally got some time on the big block today, torqued the heads on, dropped in the lifters and pushrods, and installed the rockers -

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v348/sbesser/L78%20Rebuild/rollers.jpg

I think I'm gonna have some traction problems..... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif

[Seattle Sam]

Once I button her up, she's off to the paint shop and then on to the dyno --

I can't decide if I like the CP valve covers?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v348/sbesser/L78%20Rebuild/cpcovers.jpg

Or the M/T's? Do the M/T's clear a power brake booster in a '70?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v348/sbesser/L78%20Rebuild/mtcovers.jpg

[MosportGreen66]

Nice progress....
You need some Cal Custom BBC valve covers or some M/T BBC valve covers polished, NOT painted...

[Stefano]

Gotta tell you Sam. With such a rare car, I like the stock look. JMO.

[COPO]

[ QUOTE ]
Gotta tell you Sam. With such a rare car, I like the stock look. JMO.

[/ QUOTE ]

Ditto!

[427TJ]

I'll bet the M/Ts will clear the booster easily. Isn't there more room between the engine and the booster in a second-gen compartment?

[nrjulin]

When I bought my 70 L78 Camaro it had the Cal Customer covers and they cleared the booster. Pretty dirty when I got it but I have pulled the motor to rebuild back to original.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d82/nrjulin/IMG_0057.jpg

[DarrenX33]

Very cool Sam. Keep posting those pictures. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[PeteLeathersac]

Looks great Sam! . A real L78....without a doubt I'd prefer the stock look too. . I know it's not, but with the angle of the pic showing the MT covers it almost looks L89....especially compared to the pic w/ the CP's. ~ Pete

[canadian_ssl78]

[ QUOTE ]

I think I'm gonna have some traction problems..... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif

[/ QUOTE ]
Oh!! I think so too. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif Looks good but I'd have to go with a set of stock covers.

[70-SS/RS-L78]

Sam it Looks Great! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif Is that the original block you are doing the mods too? I cant remember the last time I saw
a nicely done day two 70 SS/L78 that was not a Clone.
Keep the pictures coming?

[Seattle Sam]

Mark, I am not making any mods to the stock block - in fact, it's still standard bore!

Stefano, I think I will have some fun with the Day Two look as well, but for sure I'm not throwing away the smog or any other original stuff - The way I want to do it could all be changed back in a weekend.

Dan, I hear what you are saying about the M/T covers - those are painted because I picked them up that way, I would certainly strip and polish them before installation if I go that way. Meanwhile, they make good "paint booth" covers!

I think with those tall rocker adjustors and locks I may need to run spacers under the stock chrome covers - although that could look cool too - more of a stealth look. Current plans are to also run white-coated headers and an open element air cleaner.
Thanks for all the opinions so far, please keep 'em coming!
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif
-Sam

[Stefano]

Sam,
Anyway you go, it is a very cool car and the Day two look can be awesome, as that is how the majority of them ended up soon after they got home. I can't wait to see it either way.

Correct real & restored L78s are on a very short list. It seems the list of the same with some day two modifications added is just as exclusive.

Since your L78 qualifies as a Chicago "Dealer" Car can we expect to see it at SR9?

[Seattle Sam]

Stefano,
If I can work out the transportation, I would LOVE to bring it and bang out a couple passes at the track!
-Sam

[Seattle Sam]

Got a little cleanup to do before the motor can go back in -

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v348/sbesser/L78%20Rebuild/engine%20bay/batterytray.jpg
A little surface rust but mostly just grease, oil, and dirt..

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v348/sbesser/L78%20Rebuild/engine%20bay/firewalldriver.jpg

[Seattle Sam]

Pulled the old steering wheel off, and got the new one ready to go back on - I think these are all 1970 Camaro only parts -

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v348/sbesser/L78%20Rebuild/steering%20wheel/newwheelspring.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v348/sbesser/L78%20Rebuild/steering%20wheel/centersection.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v348/sbesser/L78%20Rebuild/steering%20wheel/1970Camarosteeringwheelshrouds.jpg

[Seattle Sam]

Here is the wheel all ready to be installed -
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v348/sbesser/L78%20Rebuild/steering%20wheel/wheelreadytoinstall.jpg

And here's the tilt column, only one thing is missing..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v348/sbesser/L78%20Rebuild/steering%20wheel/tiltcolumnfor70.jpg

At 10:00 on the hub, you can see a plastic sleeve that carries a spring-loaded contactor which brings voltage from the column, through the wheel, and to the pot metal horn bar in the top picture, which is isolated by the red rubber washers.

Before I can install the wheel, I need to find one of these contactors - does anyone know what it is called or where I can get one?
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[TDW]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/67-68-69-...617049117QQrdZ1 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/67-68-69-70-72-74-76-77-79-81-Z28-Camaro-SS-RS-Horn-Kit_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ34206QQitemZ4617049 117QQrdZ1)

I think this is still available from www.gmparts direct.com.

[Seattle Sam]

Thanks Tony! GM parts direct has them for $1.70!
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[TDW]

Cool.

[69LM1]

The CP covers are way cool.

[Seattle Sam]

Thanks Rich!

I buttoned the engine up yesterday and took it to the painter - and forgot my camera! DOH!!

Since my horn contact is still not here, today I started cleaning up that engine bay - and I attacked the rusty areaa first, removing the battery tray to get underneath it. I also removed the core support bolt and washer out of the way. Still needs some more wire brushing..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v348/sbesser/L78%20Rebuild/engine%20bay/coresupportboltremoved.jpg


A little crusty under the radiator pad on the passenger side -
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v348/sbesser/L78%20Rebuild/engine%20bay/passsideradiatorpad.jpg

but a lot nicer on the driver side
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v348/sbesser/L78%20Rebuild/engine%20bay/driversidemuchcleanerthanpass.jpg

[Seattle Sam]

Those radiator pads actually rusted from within, there is a metal brace encased in the rubber (here, shown on the left after I pulled them out). These parts are still available new from GM - pn 6264100.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v348/sbesser/L78%20Rebuild/engine%20bay/radiatorpadsrustfromwithin.jpg

[Seattle Sam]

Picked up TWO big blocks from the painter today, my friends '67 Camaro 325 horse and the L78..

Here's a shot when I dropped it off last weekend at D& Restorations in Everett..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v348/sbesser/L78%20Rebuild/engineatdandl.jpg

Here it is all painted up, hope we got the "right" shade of Chevy orange on there!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v348/sbesser/L78%20Rebuild/newpaint.jpg

It's in the back of the truck, headed back to my friend's shop.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v348/sbesser/L78%20Rebuild/paintedengineontruck.jpg

No more work on it this weekend, I'm off to Las Vegas for a few days.
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif
-Sam

[Xplantdad]

Enjoy yourself in LV Sam...try to stay dry. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

Engine looks great!

[DarrenX33]

Lookin' good Sam! Keep posting! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[70-SS/RS-L78]

Sam,
What kind of paint did they use to spray the engine?
It looks GREAT!!!!

[Denis]

Who's painting the water pump?

[Seattle Sam]

Thanks Darren!

Bruce, I hear ya, I'll be taking my rain slicker! Did you Arizonians (Phoenicians?) finally get some rain?

Denis, Water pump and balancer were painted off the engine, at the same time.

Mark, I will ask about the paint, I think it's polyurethane.

-Sam

[Denis]

[ QUOTE ]
...Denis, Water pump and balancer were painted off the engine, at the same time

[/ QUOTE ]

Darn! Thought I had you there. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[Seattle Sam]

Back to the bay today - engine bay that is, to finish cleaning up. A wire brush, some rust mort, and a little Krylon. I think this looks better, don't you?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v348/sbesser/L78%20Rebuild/engine%20bay/batterytray.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v348/sbesser/L78%20Rebuild/engine%20bay/03-26-06rustgone.jpg

[Seattle Sam]

Scrubbed everything else with a brush and degreaser, and wiped it down - now it's ready for the big block to slide back in!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v348/sbesser/L78%20Rebuild/engine%20bay/03-26-06baycleanedup04.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v348/sbesser/L78%20Rebuild/engine%20bay/03-26-06baycleanedup03.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v348/sbesser/L78%20Rebuild/engine%20bay/03-26-06baycleanedup02.jpg

[DarrenX33]

Nice work Sam. Keep them pics coming. Let's see step by step of that motor going in. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/headbang.gif

[Seattle Sam]

Well, she's starting to look like a motor again!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v348/sbesser/L78%20Rebuild/carbonfront.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v348/sbesser/L78%20Rebuild/carbondriverfront.jpg

[Seattle Sam]

Today I mocked up the parts to see what is missing and what is too ugly to put back on...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v348/sbesser/L78%20Rebuild/carbontopshot.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v348/sbesser/L78%20Rebuild/carbonpasstop.jpg

[Xplantdad]

Looking good Sam! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[Rick Cell]

Sam with all the nice work and detail you should at least put the right intake manifold on. It will save you from opening up the engine in the future.

[427TJ]

[ QUOTE ]
Looking good Sam! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

I'll second that! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[canadian_ssl78]

Sam. I will need to take my original comment back.. Those valve covers look great with everything painted.

[Seattle Sam]

[ QUOTE ]
Sam with all the nice work and detail you should at least put the right intake manifold on. It will save you from opening up the engine in the future.

[/ QUOTE ]

Rick, I thought I had the right intake - it's a 3963569? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v348/sbesser/L78%20Rebuild/intakeandthermostatpartnumbers.jpg

What part number should I be looking for? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif
Thanks,
-Sam

[Rick Cell]

Sam the part number is correct for the intake for your car but you have an intake for a 71 LS6 Corvette which also has the same part number. The 70 intake manifold did not have the numbers 1 to 8 on the runners. Sorry to bring this to your attention. Regardless engine looks great.

[Seattle Sam]

Wow, I learn something new every day!
Thanks Rick..
-Sam