1970 L78 Camaro Progress
 

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/v3...ld/rollers.jpg

I think I'm gonna have some traction problems..... https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ins/3gears.gif

Re: 1970 L78 Camaro Progress
 

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/v3...d/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/v3...d/mtcovers.jpg

Re: 1970 L78 Camaro Progress
 

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

Re: 1970 L78 Camaro Progress
 

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

Re: 1970 L78 Camaro Progress
 

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

[/ QUOTE ]

Ditto!

Re: 1970 L78 Camaro Progress
 

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?

Re: 1970 L78 Camaro Progress
 

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/d8...n/IMG_0057.jpg

Re: 1970 L78 Camaro Progress
 

Very cool Sam. Keep posting those pictures. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif

Re: 1970 L78 Camaro Progress
 

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

Re: 1970 L78 Camaro Progress
 

[ QUOTE ]

I think I'm gonna have some traction problems..... https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ins/3gears.gif

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

Re: 1970 L78 Camaro Progress
 

Sam it Looks Great! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.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?

Re: 1970 L78 Camaro Progress
 

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!
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif
-Sam

Re: 1970 L78 Camaro Progress
 

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?

Re: 1970 L78 Camaro Progress
 

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

Re: 1970 L78 Camaro Progress
 

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

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...atterytray.jpg
A little surface rust but mostly just grease, oil, and dirt..

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...walldriver.jpg

Re: 1970 L78 Camaro Progress
 

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/v3...heelspring.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...tersection.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...eelshrouds.jpg

Re: 1970 L78 Camaro Progress
 

Here is the wheel all ready to be installed -
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ytoinstall.jpg

And here's the tilt column, only one thing is missing..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...olumnfor70.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?
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif

Re: 1970 L78 Camaro Progress
 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/67-68-69-...617049117QQrdZ1

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

Re: 1970 L78 Camaro Progress
 

Thanks Tony! GM parts direct has them for $1.70!
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif

Re: 1970 L78 Camaro Progress
 

Cool.

Re: 1970 L78 Camaro Progress
 

The CP covers are way cool.

Re: 1970 L78 Camaro Progress
 

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/v3...oltremoved.jpg


A little crusty under the radiator pad on the passenger side -
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...adiatorpad.jpg

but a lot nicer on the driver side
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...erthanpass.jpg

Re: 1970 L78 Camaro Progress
 

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/v3...fromwithin.jpg

Re: 1970 L78 Camaro Progress
 

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/v3...ineatdandl.jpg

Here it is all painted up, hope we got the "right" shade of Chevy orange on there!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...d/newpaint.jpg

It's in the back of the truck, headed back to my friend's shop.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ineontruck.jpg

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

Re: 1970 L78 Camaro Progress
 

Enjoy yourself in LV Sam...try to stay dry. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif

Engine looks great!

Re: 1970 L78 Camaro Progress
 

Lookin' good Sam! Keep posting! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif

Re: 1970 L78 Camaro Progress
 

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

Re: 1970 L78 Camaro Progress
 

Who's painting the water pump?

Re: 1970 L78 Camaro Progress
 

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

Re: 1970 L78 Camaro Progress
 

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

[/ QUOTE ]

Darn! Thought I had you there. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif

Re: 1970 L78 Camaro Progress
 

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/v3...atterytray.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...06rustgone.jpg

Re: 1970 L78 Camaro Progress
 

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/v3...leanedup04.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...leanedup03.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...leanedup02.jpg

Re: 1970 L78 Camaro Progress
 

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

Re: 1970 L78 Camaro Progress
 

Well, she's starting to look like a motor again!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...arbonfront.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...riverfront.jpg

Re: 1970 L78 Camaro Progress
 

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/v3...bontopshot.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...bonpasstop.jpg

Re: 1970 L78 Camaro Progress
 

Looking good Sam! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif

Re: 1970 L78 Camaro Progress
 

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.

Re: 1970 L78 Camaro Progress
 

[ QUOTE ]
Looking good Sam! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

I'll second that! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif

Re: 1970 L78 Camaro Progress
 

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

Re: 1970 L78 Camaro Progress
 

[ 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? https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...s/confused.gif
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...artnumbers.jpg

What part number should I be looking for? https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/dunno.gif
Thanks,
-Sam