I did something minor today. The HiJackers stickers I put on are repops, and as such don't have the white background and ® symbol. So I found two of them on eBay, and bought them. The first came in today, and I put it on. One of those minor differences that most people won't notice, but I love.

Vintage one I put on:
https://i.imgur.com/w63BkWF.jpg

Repop I took off:
https://i.imgur.com/Z9zKBm6.jpg
Does this make it more drivable? Obviously not, but I can't really afford to fix the actual problems right now, so this was just a small thing I'd been wanting to do.

Looks great!

Love them Hi Jackers! Have them on my Chevelle now and had them on my Deuce before!:biggthumpup:

Thanks guys! I got the other one in today! Unfortunately, I slightly messed up putting it on and folded one of the edges over. But oh well.

I also ordered 454 emblems for the fenders, snubbers for the traction bars, and Traction... Action decals (I'm planning on painting the bars yellow soon)

My idea is to implement a few visual ideas I had before taking it to my grandfather's for the summer (Dad wants his garage space back for the summer) so I can pull off on the way there and snap a few good pictures of it.

Traction bars are done and reinstalled! I still need to fix the brakes (not happening this year) and yank the valve covers and figure out the lifter situation. But it looks good at least.

Never did post the little photo shoot I did with it. I drove it basically around the block because obviously with the brakes the way they are it's not safe to go any further with it. This was August. On the way back, I gave it a little bit more gas for giggles... and it backfired and stalled right outside my grandfather's house and scared the hell out of me. D'oh! I blame the lack of being driven and sitting with no Sta-Bil in it.

Next year, I WILL get this car on the road. Tired of beating around the bush, I wanna start cruising in it. Oh, and the engine badges are missing because the ones I ordered were too small, and I never got around to getting the right ones.

It's also funny to go back and read through this thread again. While I'm still by no means an expert, or hell, really even that experienced, I'm not nearly as clueless as I was when I first started posting.

You're doing great - keep working on it! Your car has a great "look":biggthumpup:

Thank you!

I'm itching to drive it again.

GReat color combo, nice stance. Those clouds cooperatied for your shoot! Lookin’ GOOD! :biggthumpup:

Thank you! It really was a perfect day. I just wish I had a better camera!

It's (almost) time.

Come spring, Pap and I have agreed it's time to put disc brakes on it. He knows I want to start driving it (which is according to Dad, why he went with a 650 double pumper when it needed a carb- he specifically wanted to have it under-carbed for my safety. I can't blame him.) and so the front drums are coming off.

I. Cannot. Wait.

I'm not sure what's going to be done about the lifter. Something has to be, obviously. I'm just not sure if we're going to do it ourselves or not. Pap can't be out in the garage like he used to, sadly.

I think the 650 will still get you into plenty of trouble.

I’m somewhat local if you need a hand with the lifter.

Oh, I also forgot. I talked to a prior owner at Autorama. He said the 454 is engine #5 and it originally had an M22.

If it really is an L78 car, that makes it pretty unique. But, given the lack of proof, I'm not going to run around claiming it.

Heartbeat City Camaro rocks! Ordered these belt buckle assemblies yesterday morning (bye bye paycheck) and they were here by 5 today. For some reason, the car's missing a pair of the belt buckles. Given that it was raced, I'm wondering if it had a harness or something at some point. Either way, I'm glad I'll be able to use the shoulder belts now. These are supposed to be restored originals. I say supposed to be because I don't know how to tell, and to be brutally honest, don't care. They look right and they'll work. That's all I need. Hopefully we can get the car running this spring. I'm itching to cruise it so damn bad. My buddy's got a '72 Ranchero that he wants to go Day 2 style with and I want to help bring the 70s back with him.

(The Ranchero is supposed to be getting slots soon, and most likely an original grille)

Magnet test on the '68.
 

Got the buckles installed and looking good.

However, more importantly, I did the dreaded magnet test. I expected the worst, with quite a bit of bondo.


AND GOT NONE. The magnet stuck every where! She's got some bubbling, but no rot that I can see (because God knows what's lurking under the vinyl top) and isn't full of mud. Not even behind the rear tires!

Biggest relief in quite a while.

'

Great updates and keep rockin'!
Your '72 Ranchero friend may like the '72 Torino YouTube link in this thread...
https://www.yenko.net/forum/showthread.php?t=159317
:beers:
~ Pete

.

That's one of the best car chases I've ever seen.

Perhaps someone can school me a bit on the headlight bezels and grille trim. I've seen a couple like this, not painted and just bare stainless, but what's the deal? I know they were black from the factory.

Did repops used to be like this? Just worn off paint? And where can I find more incase something happens to these, because I like the look.

(Also, this virus is driving me nuts. I'm supposed to be waiting for my grandfather to schedule it for going in the shop!)

So not 12 hours after my last post, I got a call from Pap. It's going to the shop "next month". Since it was March 31st, I'm not sure if that means April or May.

BUT IT'S FINALLY HAPPENING.

Hah, I bet!

FYI I removed the spammer post and banned!

Christmas was kind.

Got a set of Accel plug wires (so I can learn how to make them in the Spring) and a pair of speakers to replace the no longer functioning ones (it has kick panel speakers that were cut into it 30 years ago- so I'm not hacking anything up!)

After New Year's, I'm going to have Pappaw call his friend so we can set a CONCRETE date for April or May.

For the last 4 years I've been saying "this spring" and it never happens. (2020 has been a mess from front to back not just due to COVID, but for other reasons)

So I'm not making any more promises, but I can say we're going to try to plan things better. I need to drive this car in 2021.


I actually came across the son of the guy who painted it for Pap, on Facebook. He installed the vinyl top himself (though it did originally come with one). Said it was the second top he ever did. And he must be a natural because it came out perfect and still looks good almost 20 years later.

Who says the youth don't do anything these days? Got a set of Accel plug wires for Christmas, so today my friend Darren and I put em together and put em on. Tomorrow I'm ordering valve covers for it (M/Ts, baby!) and I'll at least see if any valves are loose even though I'm not qualified to fix them.

Why am I doing all this if it just has to be disassembled again? Simple. Morale.

This is old, I know, but I finally did the valve covers. The heads are 291s.
The date code looks like 12-9. December of 1969 maybe? At least, I think that's the date code. Could be wrong. But they're definitely 291s.

Here it is buttoned up. Still got a couple minor things to do (mainly re-cleaning the plug wires on the driver's side from where I got oil on them and verifying the firing order again (diagrams confused me so dad will help me with it tomorrow) and then I'll fire it up again. There was one loose rocker arm and I'm hoping (but doubting) that was my valve train noise. If not, It's above my skillset- and budget.

But for now, enjoy the pretty!

Just a small update. I fired it for a minute. Sounds like it's got a header leak, but that loose rocker was indeed the issue for the knock. When it gets warmer, I'll change the oil. try to perfect the timing, and motorwise she's good.

Joe,

Michelin radials were around (aftermarket) back then so, “Day 2” acceptable in my opinion :biggthumpup:

That August day I bought my new 69 Chevelle, I drove away with a set of Michelin radials (just a couple of weeks old, off my 66 Chevelle) swapped by Bill Allen’s shop as part of the deal :)

Yeah, but to my eyes, nothing looks better than a fat pair of bias plies sticking out a touch past the rear quarters!

Annnnd my knock is back!

Using a stethoscope, it seems to be coming from near the timing cover.

And, it wouldn't be this car if something else didn't also go wrong- the fuel pump is leaking. Great.

That header leak sound, though? Gone. Was either from the wrong firing order, or, something cam related if that rocker arm nut came loose. I'll probably yank the cover again and double check.

EDIT: Cranking it by hand while watching the rotor proves the chain is trashed. I'll start there.

Noise in timing cover...
 

The factory nylon gear and crappy chain were an accident waiting to happen. If you can see the wear from watching the rotor, don't wait too long take care of it. Be sure you get a quality double roller steel chain and a new set of gears.

Other items to check are the valve train parts...the big block motors of that vintage were known for 'dropping valves'. The BB springs and hardware were part of the problem...you might want to look at changing out the top end pieces, if time and budget allow. I did it on our 70 TH400 car many years ago...the timing chain fell off into my hand when I took the cover off :tongue:

I changed all the valve springs, keepers, retainers...installed new valve seals. Reused pushrods and rocker arms, balls and nuts....they looked pretty good. Those 291 heads are the hi-perf units...big valves, rectangular ports...typically meant for high compression like 11 to 1.

Good luck with the car...

-wilma

Most, if not all of the valve train, is probably Comp Cams at this point. It had a 305H installed at some point in the 80s and I'd imagine the pushrods and springs were done too.

As for the chain, it's definitely getting done sooner rather than later.

I've been toying with it here and there when it's a touch warmer, now that we've got a couple heaters for the garage.

Been fighting the shifter. With the new detent plate it won't go into park or 1st, and the cable from inside the car looks good, so I'm just waiting for it to warm up enough for me to work on the car with the garage door open so I can jack it up.

But looking at the old one, it's no wonder why it sucked!

I've managed to get some useless stuff done, but nothing of importance.

I'm pretty much certain it's got the wrong shifter cable. To distract myself from that disappointment, I decided to put the speakers I got for Christmas into it. Well, the old wires were just too brittle to trust, and I had a hard time getting the radio out, so.... RETROSOUND!

Of course, even that can't go smoothly. I had to order the plastic retainer for the dash bezel, which I'm waiting on. And I only ordered one speaker grille (the ones I got didn't come with 'em) so that too.

Trying to finish one project at a time, but I need some help.

I have to do the fuel pump, so that's the next project. I'm sure it's not, but I am hoping and praying that's where my engine noise is from, rather than a timing chain or god forbid dead cam lobe. It's always run just inconsistent enough to where none of them can be ruled out. I really don't know. I'm sure replacing the chain would be a good idea, but between the brakes (which still aren't done- and I need to find someone else who can do them, as the guy we wanted is retiring, and I sure as hell don't have the skill and brakes are one area I don't want to play around with) and whatnot, the money just isn't there right now.

It's a 454, 10.25:1, 291 heads, and a Comp 305H flat tappet. What's the right flow? 80 GPH? 110? I've never replaced one (and I've been warned of making sure I get the lever in the right spot)


Oh, and I was jamming to Beggars' Day when I took the picture, in case you wondered!

Just get a standard AC pump. I have a rebuilt one in the classifieds.

What’s wrong with your brakes? Sounds like an easy one to knock out. How far are you from Grosse Pointe?

They need to be converted to disc, that's the issue lol. I've never even so much as changed a master cylinder, and have done a caliper like once. I'm in Garden City, so about 35 minutes according to Google (not much of a traveler so I had to look it up)

Beggars Day !!! Good Old Nazareth Hair of the Dog 8 track ,that brings back some memories of my V8 Vega Days

Time for the yearly update, and it's... not a good one.

As you all know, the car has never gone into the shop like we've been saying for years.

Which means it's still knocking like a Jehovah's witness, and still has faulty brakes.

The reason was I never wanted to push too hard for Pappaw to do it- technically his car, his money, but it just never felt right for me to badger him about it since it would have been for my benefit. So I figured when he was ready he was ready.

Well, last month, our family lost our hero. Pap was 70. Lung cancer took him from us.

Our last conversation was about 20 minutes before he passed. It was about a 383 stroker in his garage. My parents, my sister, and my aunt and uncle all said his voice was much clearer when we were talking. I like to think I gave him one last burst of energy. I'll miss him the rest of my life.

But what sticks with me is something he told my aunt.

He said he never was able to figure this car out. A big part was life getting in the way. But it's never, ever run quite right no matter where the timing was, or how the carb was tuned, even before it started making noise.

He told her it's my car to fix, it's up to me.

I'm not super mechanical but it's time to learn. Because I will fix this car with my own two hands if it kills me.



As for the other 3 cars? The Foxbody is also mine- that car is the one he set up exactly how he wanted it. It has parts that he designed himself. It's staying in this family forever.

The National is going to my aunt. This is a good thing as she loves it more than I do. Which is saying a lot.

The Chevelle is up in the air to be honest. Long story.

I can't really work on any of them right now. Another long story. But as soon as I'm able to, I'll be posting updates.

Hey man, really, really sorry about the loss of your grandfather. My dad passed from lung cancer/emphysema/COPD, partially from smoking, but mostly from bodywork and painting for over 50 years of his life. Prayers for you and your family.

Sorry for your loss - we're all here to help when you are ready.

Very sorry for the loss of your Grandfather. Thoughts and prayers to you and your family.

Sorry for your loss. As I mentioned, I’m not far if you decide to fix it yourself.