67 Camaro Build

[Dieselwrencher]

That is going to look really nice! Yeah, the shell prices are insane. At least now I have a shell. It is rough but I won't feel bad about cutting it up. Maybe it'll get a 6 cylinder since I sold the vette to my Dad.

[KevinK7]

Definitely looking forward to following this along.
I too was not aware how much those shells went up in price...wow!!
Crazy when I think, about 5-6 years ago I sold a low mileage (original CA black plate) 67 (327/275hp) for not a whole lot more than the current shells cost ...yikes.

[7dee2]

Originally Posted by 72 tigger

Good call on the tire/wheel choice! That rearend assembly is nice

Thanks Kirk, yeah, the M&Hs are a new old school cool product that fits our build well IMO. I’m hoping the Chassisworks 4-link stuff will also work out for our rowdy streetcar. I like the adjustability it will offer as well as the gas tank fitment option I mentioned earlier.

Originally Posted by Dieselwrencher

That is going to look really nice! Yeah, the shell prices are insane. At least now I have a shell. It is rough but I won't feel bad about cutting it up. Maybe it'll get a 6 cylinder since I sold the vette to my Dad.

Ha, Ryan I can see you doing that, a first-gen soot puffer! It would be bad azz!

Originally Posted by KevinK7

Definitely looking forward to following this along.
I too was not aware how much those shells went up in price...wow!!
Crazy when I think, about 5-6 years ago I sold a low mileage (original CA black plate) 67 (327/275hp) for not a whole lot more than the current shells cost ...yikes.

Thanks Kevin, crazy times man. Our shell was assembled here in Sanford, FL by Real Deal Steel using AMD panels. Joe Whitaker an operating partner posted this last July on the companies Facebook page. It’s amazing the challenges the suppliers/manufacturers have been going through. https://www.facebook.com/realdealste...75871692714371



I was concerned for years that we wouldn’t be able to get any skinny Cragar’s for this build (the Toy 3 look), they had been out of production for quite a while. Prices were skyrocketing for rusty pitted crap that would have to be taken apart and reconditioned, sending the final cost for a set into orbit. As luck would have it timing was on our side, Cragar announced that they were going to make them available again, YES, we immediately ordered a set. Took a while (after being on a waiting list at Summit) but we got them and have had them on a shelf close to a year before ordering up the rears which shipped immediately.

[KevinK7]

Those wheels are going to look great!!!

With that said, since you mentioned Summit, and this is for ANYONE who places an order (BACKorder).
I needed to order a replacement Wheel Vintiques steel wheel for my 68 utility. I was placed on backorder, then about 6 months later I get an email from Summit that the order was "cancelled". I called Summit to find that they automatically cancel an order not filled within (whatever timeframe). The sad part is, I had to re-place the order...........and now I'm back at the end of the line. I am still awaiting that rim... (coming up on 1 year)

Long story short if you want a BACKorder to stay "active" with Summit, be sure to tell them to set it active indefinitely.
Granted there may be cases where you don't want to do this, but since Wheel Vintiques (in my case) is the only supplier, it's my only choice.

Didn't mean to divert from the Camaro, ...but thought to hopefully save others the 'headache'.

[Dieselwrencher]

That is going to look sweet! I wish they would make a 17x4.5 so I can put these on my 71. Some ding bat put big brakes on the front and I'm not sure I can get a 15"x4.5 on there now. I might have to get these for my 40 though. Where's that crack to sell to all these free crack pipe winners?

[7dee2]

Originally Posted by KevinK7

Those wheels are going to look great!!!

With that said, since you mentioned Summit, and this is for ANYONE who places an order (BACKorder).
I needed to order a replacement Wheel Vintiques steel wheel for my 68 utility. I was placed on backorder, then about 6 months later I get an email from Summit that the order was "cancelled". I called Summit to find that they automatically cancel an order not filled within (whatever timeframe). The sad part is, I had to re-place the order...........and now I'm back at the end of the line. I am still awaiting that rim... (coming up on 1 year)

Long story short if you want a BACKorder to stay "active" with Summit, be sure to tell them to set it active indefinitely.
Granted there may be cases where you don't want to do this, but since Wheel Vintiques (in my case) is the only supplier, it's my only choice.

Didn't mean to divert from the Camaro, ...but thought to hopefully save others the 'headache'.

Thanks, I like Cragar SS’s and always have, some folks not so much (you know, crazy people ). Going to the back of the line really sucks, too bad you can’t source an OE wheel locally. When we ordered the skinny Cragar’s they had to be paid for in advance. I remembered thinking they must need the funds for production costs and didn’t want anyone backing out. Since then, it seems to be more common as we’ve had several vendors require full payment upfront.

Originally Posted by Dieselwrencher

That is going to look sweet! I wish they would make a 17x4.5 so I can put these on my 71. Some ding bat put big brakes on the front and I'm not sure I can get a 15"x4.5 on there now. I might have to get these for my 40 though. Where's that crack to sell to all these free crack pipe winners?

Thanks, they’d look great on the 40 also. I remember seeing a black 40 sedan at the track here years ago that had them, very sharp. Ha, “Some ding bat” was that you? I’m betting the 71 stops on a dime which is a very good thing. Besides, the wheels that you chose look great on your 2nd gen.



Downloaded this form years ago from a differential vendor (not sure who?) that came in handy for organizing our car's measurements and then calculations. With an actual set of wheels and tires that fit measured everything again to double, triple check, we are going to nail the differential width.

[LT7A]

Glad I found this thread - it's full of all sorts of fun. Your enthusiasm is contagious. I remember Grumpy's cars being in the magazines back in the day. I've got a set of Cragars that will be with me always. I will probably stipulate that they be mounted on the hearse for my last ride, whenever that happens, haha. And to top it off, you got a big block o rama going on. I look forward to checking back in.

[7dee2]

Thank you LT7A, I appreciate your comments. Ha, that would be going in style!


Yes, the 4-link is here and I picked up our BBC cores. Both cores got the AOK to build from this particular machine shop, they didn’t find any cracks etc. (the suspense was killing me too! ). Obviously, both will need machine work but so far this is good news. Still going to keep the 2-bolt motorhome block as a spare, but I’ve got some really big ideas for the good to go block.

[Dieselwrencher]

That is good on your blocks. I haven't had much luck lately. There's always some weird issue that ends up being expensive to repair or just will make the block weaker some how. Big plans must mean bigger inches?

[7dee2]

Both blocks showed signs of getting pretty hot so I am feeling lucky. At this point, they should be bored to see if the cylinders can be cleaned up. Yep, you got that right, starting to brainstorm on how big we can build the good to go block!



Here’s the bolt on fixture mentioned earlier for locating the upper control arm brackets and then the upper & lower brackets themselves. Boxed these items back up and immediately sent them to Moser along with the Chassisworks instructions for locating all the brackets. Thought that since we’re having them build us a differential we’d have them weld on the link brackets also. Thinking the welds will be better, the axle tubes will be straight, and the seals will go in after the heat.

[7dee2]

The rest of the kit looks like this and I’m wasting no time getting it installed. I want the car ready when the diff gets here. The install seems straightforward enough, good instructions, and the rotisserie made it way easier.

[7dee2]

So the Chassisworks kit has you strengthen existing mounting areas utilizing stitch welds, then you fit and bolt the cradle pieces. Tack the crossmember together to fit your car, then go back and bolster some areas with a reinforcement cap and refit the same cradle pieces back to their original positions. Finalize the installation by bolting and welding in the cradle pieces as well as the crossmember. I’m impressed, this sucker is really in there for good!

[KevinK7]

looks great, ...nothing like a rotisserie to make the job a bit easier ; )

[Dieselwrencher]

Very nice!

[7dee2]

Thanks Ryan, I’m impressed, it’s a nice piece and should work out well.


Had to remove the cover and see the goods. Yep, that’s what’s supposed to be in there. Very nice gear pattern.

[Dieselwrencher]

She's beautiful Clark! Made in ? Dang it

[KevinK7]

That is definitely a nice looking setup

[7dee2]

Originally Posted by Dieselwrencher

She's beautiful Clark! Made in ? Dang it

Originally Posted by KevinK7

That is definitely a nice looking setup

Thank’s you guys. Yes, that’s one beautiful bare naked rear end! Marty McFly would probably say all the best stuff is made in ?????, time will tell if it’s junk. The last Trutrac’s we purchased were for the K30 Build if you squint hard enough you can make out the Country of Origin: USA on those boxes, might have been some of the last built here. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...&postcount=488



Ok, now I’m done ogling over the Moser diff it’s time to install it with the unrestored front subframe. I’m so ready for this project to be a roller, wez gotz planz yo. Pulled the wheels off our C10 project just in case more height was needed to get the body off the rotisserie, it was unnecessary didn’t need to go that high.

[7dee2]

So far so good with the old Centerline roller set. The rear Centerlines have less backspace, I believe they are 3-3/4” vs 4-1/4” for the new Cragar’s. Thinking the Camaro’s backside is going to look great, way better than some.

[rgunlock]

That rear end is looking pretty sexy Brett. To be clear, I am NOT talking about the last picture

[Dieselwrencher]

Very nice!

[7dee2]

Thanks Rick & Ryan, looks like a real-life leader of the minions. Miss’s 7dee2 said that’s what a frog would look like wearing shorts.


And now the Cragar’s, I’m liking what I see and really dig that last pic. Should have pulled the rotisserie brackets off for the pics, but, I grabbed the camera too fast.

[KevinK7]

Those wheels look REALLY nice on there

[7dee2]

Thanks Kevin. I’m really pleased with the look and glad that it’s off the rotisserie for the first time since we took delivery in October of 2018.



Time to mock up the sheet metal and see what we have. Reinstalled our complete 402 and the T-10 to simulate the weight of the actual pieces. Not really sure how well all these repro panels will fit, it’s almost all AMD stuff so I’m hopeful.

Dropped in an HEI distributor to check firewall clearance, I’m very satisfied with the motor placement. Thinking it sure makes for less headache when you use the correct motor stands and trans cross member for the BB swap.

[KevinK7]

You probably already know this, but just to mention. The motor mounts and trans crossmember are different from SB to BB. If you don't already have those details, I'll dig them up and post pics/pn's.