The engine is rebuilt and in a running Base Camaro RS. They rechromed the valve covers, use all original components with exception of arp head bolts. When I first spoke to the the current owners they have even considered pulling the motor because of the perceived value of the engine and constant maintenance.

I'm thinking when my car is up and running and I have that MQ engine done I'll do what Chuck (427 King) has advised and do a one time sweet offer of perhaps an engine plus cash plus cost of a swap, I just hope they are open to it.

My car has the docs, the rear, the history, and the hard to find parts. If the original engine can be reunited it will greenlight a restoration and I'd like to show the car at nationals before and after a resto with the original motor sitting beside the car (pre resto). What a story that would be and how cool would it be for the owners of the original motor to be a part of it. They have taken great care of the motor and I'm lucky it's even still around.

Bruce turned 81 a couple weeks ago and going through his things anything he finds car related he will set aside.

He says there is a chance the POP may have been in the glove box when he sold the car to John Goss who was a teenager at the time.

He also provided clarification on the air cleaner, he made a duct that screwed directly to the cowl and stuck out a few inches, the inner tube went over both that duct and the air cleaner base duct as a slip fit. When he first mentioned the inner tube I thought he meant that the inner tube screwed directly to the cowl. He also said the duct that was screwed to the cowl may have been on the car when it was sold. It should be easy to make but for now I'll run a stock air cleaner assembly.

I'm working on making my own 67 L78 fuel line but for now I modified a 66 Corvette fuel line to work with the service ZL1 fuel pump. I added an inline fuel filter.

I temporarily installed the front clip and it feels good to see it resemble a car again. It will come off to install the emblems and button up the engine bay before firing it up.

Awesome!!!

I bought another car from a member here Fred Yates. So I've been cleaning up and making room for the El Camino and parts.

This is the first time the Camaro has been outside in a while. The small parts I needed to start the car have arrived now it's just a matter of labor.

I have an Instagram profile and made a short reel of the car here:
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CyYx3...RlODBiNWFlZA==

Bruce says it brings back memories to see the car coming together. Hopefully I'll go to OH with the car soon.

Cooling system installed, correct driveshaft installed. I swapped the yoke to fit the larger output of the '70 M22. This driveshaft was removed from an L78 race car. I also removed the correct early shroud from the same car.

It's alive! I used the 10 10 10 method for break in. Nothing broke, no leaks, steady oil pressure at 65psi. I still need to tune it. This is the first time since '83 this car had a running engine.
https://www.instagram.com/tv/Cz4u93i...RlODBiNWFlZA==


https://youtu.be/j0GpBW5Ub2g?feature=shared

Congrats!! Sounds great!!

After some adjustments. Getting closer!

https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cz7Xp...RlODBiNWFlZA==

‘

Looks great, keep rockin!
:beers:
~ Pete

.

Great progress Jose!

The stance on this car is killer! Everything is, but the stance is dead on

First drive a success! I was terrified but ecstatic all at the same time! Next time I'll get a better video it definitely needs an alignment.

https://youtube.com/shorts/2lCRClNe4JQ?feature=shared



https://www.instagram.com/reel/C0IZe...RlODBiNWFlZA==

And another. Engine was still warming up. Pulled off mid drive.

https://youtu.be/lR6vxlRJFhI?feature=shared

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C0IeQ...RlODBiNWFlZA==






More to come I promise!

‘

It’s Alive…again!:headbang:
:3gears:
~ Pete

.

Awesome!!!!!

Project update photo dump. Can't believe this car has been off the road 40 years! Sorry if there are duplicates it's tricky uploading one at a time from my phone. This project is a huge undertaking but I'd like to give a special shout out to Bentley who went out of his way to help me get this car and has been so patient with my constant messages! Bentley, Darrell and I are in a group chat and are always guiding me and even sending me ads to parts I need. Thanks guys! Also shout out to everyone here who are following this build, supplying parts, and encouragement. Thanks to Bruce Cremean the original owner who has been fully supportive along the way. Thanks everyone! Next up interior, alignment, bumpers, exhaust.

Cold start

https://youtu.be/iYF-1ktc4Uw?feature=shared



Here's a warm idle video.

https://youtu.be/qIJfR6EgVYY?feature=shared

Finally installed the exhaust. I bought the 2.5" pipe kit from jegs, and cut everything up to run the NOS hush thrush turbos. A mouse was immediately evicted from the muffler after blipping the throttle. I drove the car to the gas station for the first time and the car terrifies me in a good way. Tonight I'm doing an alignment in my garage and will hopefully take it out again in the morning. One gremlin I had was the battery wasn't charging. Turns out the new voltage reg was bad so I installed the original dated 7D and it solved the problem.
This car is fun guys! Sorry for the short clip I'll get a better exhaust clip soon.

https://youtube.com/shorts/g1w7FUaEuvw?feature=shared

Awesome!

I was able to adjust the caster and camber in the garage last night which was way out of spec. I haven't done the toe yet but I'll get to it. Specs are now caster +1.9 on both sides and camber is now -.4 on both sides. With that said my confidence in the car is improving so I took the car out again in the morning. I'm still getting used to the torque so there will be better burnouts to come!

Awesome!

I want a ride!

Jason

Great job Jose! Keep it up!

I wanna drive it,lol!

Just an FYI in case it matters to you but this is the assembly line correct style of shift boot that should be in the car. The one in there now is a generic service replacement piece. https://www.ebay.com/itm/26441459069...Bk9SR_r918WeYw

You should drive it too!


I had no idea! Thanks!

I drove the car to a local shop in Salinas who was able to perform an alignment with the specs I provided. After this my confidence in the car was enough that I installed the wiper motor and took it out for a morning drive. However, there are a few gremlins that have popped up.

Turn signal indictors stopped working. I ran ground straps, I did everything and it turns out the NEW bulbs do not work like originals. I simply swapped bulbs for originals I took from a spare cluster and the problem was solved.

Original rotors are warped. I may bite the bullet and buy the 2 piece repops. I already had the original rotors turned.

The original gm steering box binds and I can still drive the car but I will need to address this.

I connected the distributor to manifold vacuum and finally got the idle set where it fires right up, idles at 850 when warm and produces 15 inches of vacuum. The factory tach reads too high a few hundred rpm and I used the timing light to set the rpm. Because it reads too high I'm going to go ahead and connect the mechanical tach.

The NEW voltage regulator was bad out the box, swapped for a April 67 original and solved the problem

New problem I have is around 65 mph I feel the car slightly vibrate left to right. I'm suspecting the driveshaft, perhaps it was damaged while being shipped.

However, the car sounds great and when I launch it I feel like I'm guiding a missle. Per recommendations from Joe on this site, I'm running the pro tracs at 20-22psi and It has made a big difference in how the car performs.

Next I want to finish up the interior, and fix the gremlins.

If you have instagram my username is josebetancourt831 I try to add photos and clips there as well.

Balanced driveshaft would make a world of difference.

Warped rotors could also cause issues with wobble but you have done great progress and I enjoy seeing your posts.

There is a potentiometer on the back of the tach behind this sticker to adjust the rpm reading. Just be careful, the potentiometer can be fragile after all these decades.


Jason

Check your tires as they look old but see what the fine print near bead says - are cords Nylon or polyester? nylon are horrible till they warm up - they flat spot bad polyester do not flat spot old correct tires look cool but ride horrible.
Great to see it on the road again!

Thanks all for the helpful tips. Turns out the rear wheels were never balanced. After a balance the vibration issue is gone.

Love it!!!

Just a little fun after a grocery run. My neighbor says he likes the understated "big block" sound of the exhuast while I'm pulling out the driveway. I really like how it sounds when the rpms climb!

My username on instagram is @josebetancourt831

So much fun Jose.....keep it coming!

Rear bumper installed, a lot to do but any progress feels good at this point.

Yep, that's bad-a$$!

Jose or anyone restoring or correcting a 67 Camaro, I just posted some very detailed picture of a 67 RS Camaro survivor for reference.

https://www.yenko.net/forum/showthre...=176912&page=2

post 18 is a 66 chevy II nova L78. The 67 RS Camaro starts at post 19 and also 20. Next up is a 67 Z28...

Keep up the progress, it may seem incremental but when you are finished you will be amazed at what you've accomplished and learned along the way!!!

Carpet is cut and installed. Finished installing RH side water shields and panels, shifter boot installed.
Next I will finish up LH side, install rear belts, install console, install seats! Original rear seat is being cleaned by local detailer. Front seats I scored locally and are done!

Wow, it's all that. L78 SS 396, M21, A-A Tuxedo Black, Z=A50 Strato buckets without headrests, tinted all glass, deluxe exterior trim, the tach is intact and black interior. It is a dream car for anybody who knows. Your dream just came true so good for you and keep it dry. Best wishes for that special car.