67 Camaro Build

[Troy Sr]

Hey looks great, I like the look of the tranny!! What's the bar welded across the timing cover for? I've never seen that before!!!

[7dee2]

Thank you Troy. I think it has to do with minimizing timing cover flex when retrofitting a roller cam and button into an earlier SBC/BBC without a cam retainer plate. It’s an old racer trick to strengthen the cover and aid in perfect timing, limiting the cam movement. He also ground the timing tab to a point at true TDC with our degreed balancer. Mike "Gold" Lane really went the extra mile and did lots of cool go-fast stuff for the 511.



After a few trips to the parts store, I’m satisfied that we have some correct-length fan belts. Not a lot of adjustment here due to the taller valve covers. Early high-performance big blocks used to run a short belt from the water pump to the crank (no adjustment) when equipped with manual steering. This type of alternator bracket pulley setup is found on L72/L88 427’s which is the look for our day two, Grumpy’s Toy, Motion mash-up car. I just can’t bring myself to paint everything flat black like the Grump so famously did.

[7dee2]

Just for fun, I decided to bolt on the carb and our old fly-eye air cleaner. If I remember correctly the replacement filter material, bought off eBay years ago is supposed to be flame retardant (?).

Here’s an old pic of Bill “Grumpy” Jenkins at the 1967 NHRA Nationals, this shot reminds me so much of Terry “The Tiger” from American Graffiti.

[69cam]

Looks great! Never thought of it but they could be brothers.

[Troy Sr]

My step brother had a V8 Vega back in the old days and he had one of those air cleaners!!! The problem is it always back fired and burned the filter!!!

[7dee2]

Originally Posted by 69cam

Looks great! Never thought of it but they could be brothers.

Thanks, this setup (valve cover, air cleaner) is the Toy III look. The toad comparison just popped into my head and I thought I’d share the fun.

Originally Posted by Troy Sr

My step brother had a V8 Vega back in the old days and he had one of those air cleaners!!! The problem is it always back fired and burned the filter!!!

These air cleaners sure are famous for having that problem.



Messing with the headers next, our Super Scavenger’s came with a round gasket vs the usual square style. Cutting some slots on the ends to make them easier to install.

Mark Kidd brought up something while he was tuning this motor. He said that when running headers on old-style heads, it’s nearly impossible to change the plugs without loosening the headers. He explained that you can’t get a socket on the larger 13/16” bodied plug, it won’t clear.

I haven’t run headers on an early set of bbc heads since I was a kid and I swear I was able to get the socket on them. My usual over the years has been exhaust manifolds, or if it was headers, they just happened to go on later heads with the short reach 5/8” peanut plug (for a 1970 on up bbc). I thought this was interesting and decided to try it, dang he was right (3rd pic cylinder #5 is the worst).

These headers are a 2” primary tube which probably has something to do with it. Perhaps all those years ago when more of these early style heads were around the header manufacturers gave more clearance, I don’t know.