68 Yenco clone
 

Hi Guys and galls,

I am new in this site and need some help as to what is an acceptable mod and what is a no-no for a Yenco. I am restoring a 68 comaro and so far have the correct snorkel hood, a 427 with patriot heads, a t400, and 12 bolt rear with 4 leaf springs and 4 wheel discs. I am looking for a genuine block and heads to go with a powerglide to put in at a later stage.
I have the gauge console,tictoc tack and 140 speedo and intend to paint it matador red.

my question is what is acceptable ?? headders, brakes,ect and what is not like paint, trans, hood, decals, wheels.

Cheers: auschris

Re: 68 Yenco clone
 

Not trying to be a smarta** - but my first suggestion would be that you spell it correctly - Yenko rather than Yenco.

Re: 68 Yenco clone
 

Welcome to the site. There can be a pretty steep learning curve here. For starters it's Yenko with a "k".
http://www.cartype.com/pics/1183/ful...o-camaro_1.jpg

You'll find it can be tricky building a socailly acceptable clone. I would recommend you build the car the way you want to and not worry about anything else. I personally feel you could just try and keep it as a "period build" using all the parts which would be correct to a certain time-line. Say speed parts form 1968-1970 for example. it doesn't have to be a Yenko Clone to be cool!

Got any pics of your project?

Re: 68 Yenco clone
 

Guys,

sorry about the spelling, still learning American english Yenko see there I did it!!! I swear it's spelt that way in Australia.
I think the main thing I am thinking is that a good 68 Comaro ss clone is worth say $50K and a good Yenko would be $100K give or take. My point is that for a few more bucks getting those main parts that make it a Yenko should be worth it in the long run.

Yes I agree that it should be period correct for the ss or ss/rs
and I think things like wheels that can be changed easily I can get away with but the core parts I want to try keep correct. I just need a starter list on what Yenko did in 1968 as I am hearing different stories.

Cheers: auschris

ps:I will post some pics soon (have to reduce size)

Re: 68 Yenco clone
 

Chris-

Perhaps a Yenko clone is worth $100K in Australia, but you'd be hard pressed to get that kind of money for one here. I've noticed COPO clones going for as low as $40-45K as of late.

I think that's why the others above stated as they did. You're probably better off making the car as you want it. If that's a Yenko, then, so be it, but I'd certainly not do it because you think it's going to increase the value of your car.

Someone else should be able to chime in with what Yenko did. There's also a few good books out there with are very informative.

Re: 68 Yenco clone
 

Not trying to be a smart a$$ but, no respectable Yenko clone would have a Powerglide either.

Re: 68 Yenco clone
 

Guys,

This is the feedback I need to hear as it sounds like I am getting the wrong info, its more me being a dumbass when it comes to these cars so here goes with a couple more questions.

Q, Was a powerglide with a manual valve body an option in a 68 SS or rs ?? (i think they called it a torque drive)

Q is a T400 acceptable as I think they came in 69 not 68

Q is it better to go long or short water pump as I believe these were 427 corvette engines.

Q what was the difference between the L88 and the L72, my thought was the L88 was a 4 bolt with 7/16 rods, 11.1 forged pistons and closed chamber rectangular port aluminum heads.

Cheers: Chris

Re: 68 Yenco clone
 

T400 was only an option in 1969, as far as I know. 4-speeds only in 1968.

An L72 has iron heads.

From 1965-1968, BB Chevy engines used the 'short leg' water pump on all passenger cars & the Corvette. Should be pump # 3856284. In 1969, L72 engines on passenger cars had a different pump than the Corvette.

Re: 68 Yenco clone
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: auschris001</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Guys,

I am thinking is that a good 68 Comaro
</div></div>

Now that you've learned how to spell &quot;Yenko&quot;, it's CAMARO. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/rolleyes.gif[/img]

Re: 68 Yenco clone
 

Thanks Tom,

These are such a cool car and I just want the main parts/theme right.

So if the L72 had iron heads were they still closed chamber rectangle port (where did the aluminum head fit in the picture). and did they have a solid or hydraulic cam ??
someone also said they had a 780 vacuum holley.
and was the L72 a 4 bolt steel crank deal???

Cheers: auschris

Re: 68 Yenco clone
 

Guys,

Yawl must be retired school teachers, I am so used to the Monaro (GM 67-74)Australian muscle car. my bad

Cheers: auschris

Re: 68 Yenco clone
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: auschris001</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

...I am so used to the Monaro (GM 67-74)Australian muscle car...
Cheers: auschris </div></div>

Cool!.
I've always admired the Chevy V8 Monaros from afar...and their 'Chevy SS' brothers!.
Do you now or have you ever owned any GTS 327 or 350 cars?!.

Welcome aboard Chris!.
[img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif[/img]
~ Pete

Re: 68 Yenco clone
 

Welcome Chris! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif[/img]

I believe the connecting rods were <span style="text-decoration: underline">3/8&quot; dimple </span>rods in 1968 and it was a solid lifter flat tappet camshaft.

Kurt [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img]

Re: 68 Yenco clone
 

Pete,

I had a 1968 HK Monaro 186 cubic inch 6cyl 4 speed that I got for my then wife.
I have built many for others and came oh so close to buying a mint 350 HQ 4 speed one time. Tried to buy one before I came here but those available were too expensive instead I brought over a HX one tonner (cab chassis) that I have built into a super gas/pro street car.

Cheers: auschris

Re: 68 Yenco clone
 

Kurt,

Ok then let me ask this, were they even designated 4 bolt blocks, I remember that there was an LS6 cam that was about 520 lift and I think that also came in the L88.
So then, did an L88 just come in the Corvette ???

Cheers: auschris

Re: 68 Yenco clone
 

I suspect you'll be looking for a four bolt block. The L88 in the first design configuration is a long way away from the L72 and the second design L88 is even further away (more radical). I think though in your own best interests, it might be good to start gathering printed info (books, magazines, etc.) on these cars and other Chevrolets of the era. Even though I do this for a living, I'd really suggest you dig deeply into the research part of the equation first (just like teachers I guess -- in reference to one of your earlier comments). If you're determined to build an accurate clone, there's still a rather steep learning curve that is likely going to be far greater than a few questions and answers posted here.

Best of luck.

Wayne [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif[/img]

Re: 68 Yenco clone
 

Wayne,

I am learning this very quickly, it is not so cut and dried as I first thought.

My thanks go to you and the others that have posted this has helped me a lot.

So what you are saying is that the L72 is a plain jane 427, cast oval port heads and not even a guarantee of a 4 bolt block or a steel crank??

Can I ask, in your opinion what would be the main points to look for in a Camaro Yenko clone.

Re: 68 Yenco clone
 

Uhm. No. I didn't say that (and no else did either as far as I can see). The L72 is a rectangular port, 11:1 forged piston, 4-bolt main, steel crank, 3/8-inch rod bolt, mechanical cam, high rise aluminum intake, Holley carburetor engine combination. It saw service from 1966 to 1969 inclusive. It was far from plain jane. It was the workhorse high performance big block of the era. And from most accounts (and personal experiences of mine and countless other old &quot;farts&quot; like me [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/wink.gif[/img] here), it did pretty good for itself on both the street and the track....and still does in plenty of cases. In other words, you're pretty much dealing with the backbone (or dare I say, the &quot;Holy Grail&quot;) of Chevy high performance in the sixties.

There are too many components and variables to get into to provide you with a handful of points to look for. With that said, you really need to know what exactly the L72 was, what a SS396 was all about, what Yenko accomplished and take it from there. To understand these cars, you have to gather as much printed data as possible, then ask about the little details. Start looking for books my friend. There's plenty out there (some good....some not so good).

I hope that helps.

Wayne

Re: 68 Yenco clone
 

https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/ubbt...e=100_3650.JPG


more pics of this....creation? [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/dunno.gif[/img] [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img]

Re: 68 Yenco clone
 

Wayne,

This has been most entertaining and yes I will go hit the books as I do want to learn. Back in the day (as I class myself as a young old fart) I ran a blown BBC sedan and my favorite combo was a 427 steel crank in a truck block with 4.375 bore and 10.5 pistons with a 1471 fuel blower and rectangle iron heads.made about 1200 hp on a good day.

Cheers: auschris

ps: so the main difference between a L78 and a L88 was 7/16 rods and aluminum heads

Re: 68 Yenco clone
 

Yep have more pics but need to resize them down like my Camaro pics.
it has an intercooled turbocharged 427 and a glide

Re: 68 Yenco clone
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: auschris001</div><div class="ubbcode-body">so the main difference between a L78 and a L88 was 7/16 rods and aluminum heads </div></div>

Chris, the L88 had aluminum heads and the L72 had iron heads. The intakes were similar. Both were dual plane but the L88 had the divider cut down a little where the L72's divider wasn't altered at all. I'm sure someone has pictures of the two.

Re: 68 Yenco clone
 

The L78 was a 396. The L72 was a 427. And so was the L88. The first design L88 used a closed chamber 12:1+ piston with a matching aluminum head; second design had an open chamber 12:1+ piston with a matching aluminum head. L88 cams were different (considerably more aggressive) than L72's. Carbs were larger. Intake was the same, but the divider was milled. Different oil pump. Larger diameter pushrods and a few other details. Tell you what: Try going to this site:

http://www.nhra.com/competition/blueprints.aspx

You can download basic blueprint specs on the engines, as they apply to NHRA (class) drag racing. It's not the ultimate source, but it'll give you a toe-hold on the info. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/grin.gif[/img]

Take care...

Wayne

Re: 68 Yenco clone
 

Wayne,

Thanks again for the help, I used to have a bunch of books and I am just going from fading memories.

So did a 68 Yenko Camaro come with an L88 as well as a L72
and my understanding is that the L72 had cast heads right???

I hope it's not a sin but if I get bogged down in detailed parts I will never get this done, but if I can avoid things like having alloy heads where they should be steel or the wrong air cleaner, things that are obvious I will be happy. I will do this car to the best of my ability making it a kinda tribute to Yenko.

Re: 68 Yenco clone
 

Hello once again....

The L72 heads were closed chamber, rectangular port, cast iron jobs. I can't comment about the L88 in a 1968 Yenko. I suppose there's a chance one might have been swapped in.

This is a bit of a commercial [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/wink.gif[/img] , but in an upcoming issue of <span style="font-style: italic">Muscle Car Review</span>, you'll see an article I wrote on what to look for in a clone (it goes both ways here -- for the guy who hates clones and for the guy who wants to build one). It's called &quot;Clone Wars&quot;. I don't have a cover date, but when it hits the newsstands, it should help point you in the right direction.

Take care man.

Wayne Scraba

Re: 68 Yenco clone
 

Hi chris Im Bob krueger I would be happy to answer any questions you have on a 68 yenko camaro.I am the original owner of one 1968yenko camaro #8016 dec. 2004 featured car that month.(look it up at this site under featured cars) In fact I still have all the paperwork on the car inc. windowsticker, sales contract,paymentbook, and lots of pictures.the present car as I view it has about 5 mistakes on the restoreation Im the guy in the picture at NORTHSTAR DRAGWAYS next to the ralley green yenko with the trophy.lots of bad info. about that car under the pics. on this site. car had about 600 650 h.p. then ,I did the work. please reply Bob krueger

Re: 68 Yenco clone
 

Thanks Bob,

The guys here have been a big help and my thanks again to Wayne and I will read his article coming up in Muscle car review magazine with interest. This has always been a touchy subject as for the purist there is the original and the original only and I can understand that. My thought is that the quality of the car remains long after the conversation on real or fake has stopped.
The questions I am asking have surely been asked a thousand times and I suppose I am just after a basic list of do's and don'ts for the 68 Yenko.
It is not a numbers car but, unless you looked hard it would be hard to tell, is what we want here.
So without looking at stamping # on housings and distributors ect, what, in your opinion would be a walk up necessity for a Yenko??

Regards: Chris

Re: 68 Yenco clone
 

Wayne,

Thanks again for clarifying the cyl head deal as it turns out I have a pair of closed chamber rect port cast heads (same head but 2 different p/n) and actually wanted to swap them for some open chamber heads for another project. Now they are the start of an L72 I hope.

Cheers Mate: Chris H

Re: 68 Yenco clone
 

Glad you're on track. You and I are on the same page when it comes to original and clones. I for one will never have sufficient $$$ to buy an original, even though I pine for one. That makes clones the only reasonable option. I think you'll have a nice hot rod! And as far as I'm concerned, you can keep asking questions. If can answer them, I will.

Catch ya' later.

Wayne

Re: 68 Yenco clone
 

Baldwin motion,

here are some more pics of my creation that you asked for.

it is a 1977 Holden one tonner cab chassis made by General Motors Australia and is factory apart from the rear clip. They were sold as a commercial vehicle so concreters, plumbers,builders ect had them. point was they came with heavy duty stuff 10 bolt 4.11 posi rear end with big axles a 308 CI V8 and your choice of 4 speed or T400. They were light and they were cheap (this one has a 427, glide and 9&quot;) (I intend to run super gas with it this year)

Cheers: auschris

Re: 68 Yenco clone
 

pxtx,

Here are the pics of the project I promised (finally worked out how to reduce them)

Cheers: auschris

Re: 68 Yenco clone
 

Wayne or Bob,

Did the 68 Yenko come with a 140 MPH speedo or was that just 69

and what about things like power steer, air and power windows, I know they came on SS and RS but did they come on a 68 Yenko

Cheers: Chris

Re: 68 Yenco clone
 

chris, 68 yenkos had 140 mph speedo's, mine had no P.S. as allthe other ones kline chev sold in 68, also no ac, nopower steering all were ss's 4 speeds. you should really get rid of the auto. trans. They had passenger car engines ( L 36's, low comp. 10.25 to one,hydro lifters small carb,small heads, small intake manifolds, mild cams.) the factory rating wae 390 H.P. which was very high. Had this motor in a 69 vette. absolutly no where to go, to up H.P. You want a L 72 4 speed 100%. As to clones , yenkos new, were the biggest clones of all, think about this and reply. thanks Bob krueger

Re: 68 Yenco clone
 

Bob,


Are you trying to say the cars that Yenko converted came from gM with L-36 engines???

Re: 68 Yenko clone
 

As I've always understood, all '68 Copo 9737 cars were shipped w/ the unique MV Suffix 396 L78 engines installed and planned for Yenko to transplant 427/425 L72 shortblocks reusing the heads etc..
* Note not all cars were converted and some were sold and/or dealer traded w/ their MV Suffix L78's still intact..

Can anyone post the unique carb #'s shipped w/ these MV Suffix L78's?.
Also what was the factory HP rating of the MV Suffix L78's?.

[img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif[/img]
~ Pete

Re: 68 Yenko clone
 

Bob,

From what I am reading 1968 was a mix of corvette engine transplants and later that year the COPO 9737 and all 69's were COPO
Even though the torque drive was an option, it was never in a Yenko as they were all 4 speeds. I am hearing a lot were L78 396
and L72 427 and they had the same cyl head cast rect port closed chamber.(I have 2 heads #3964291 &amp; 3873858)can someone tell me which number is correct for 1968.
Now what about the L88 427 ??? is there a 1968 L88 Yenko

Cheers, Chris
ps; thanks again , someone said this would be hard and they were right.

Re: 68 Yenko clone
 

Pete &amp; Bob,

I have found at least 4 block numbers #3869942, #3904351, #3916321, and #3935439 that are 427 numbers
Q: Is there just one specific number for the L72 L88 ???

Cheers,Chris

Re: 68 Yenko clone
 

Gentlemen the camaros sold in 67 and 69 with the auto tran's, had hydro, lifters, There H,P. ratings were 1967 410 H.P. 1969 425 H.P. There are no hydro. lifters on L72 427 V8's. In 1968 all camaros were m21 4 speeds, with L72 427's The L36 was producted according to G.M. from 1966 to 1969. G. M. futher states that the L36 was ment for large pass. cars,, med. trucks, but also found it's way into corvettes, plus the large body bel air, Impala car's in the late 60's.the same motor with 3x2 barrels in a vette was rated at 400 H.P.With a diff. L number.I had one in 69 an L36. As to 67's,most had the blocks changed at dealer(yenko) except auto trans cars.Factory built that way,the tranny's of the day had a very hard time in auto form handling the H.P. of the L72. All 68's had 4 speed m21's,L72's(as all the three year's should have had, no auto's) And the majority of 68,s had the L72,s FACTORY installed and all 69's.This comes from several people who I talked when I worked for chev. in the mid 70's,who worked on this project for chev. yenko over rated the H.P. in the 68 camaro's from 425 to 450 also the 69's, the same. the auto trans camaros were also over rated. 67 from 390H.P.to 410, 69 from factory rating 390 to 425 yenko H.P.?The 68 4speed camaros, L72 factory 425, yenko 450H.P.But in his defense he did modify them some. never heard of a L-88 yenko camaro, but thats just the ones I saw shipped to minnesota. Question of the day whats a ZLX 427 chev v8. thank you Bob krueger.

Re: 68 Yenko clone
 

http://mecum.com/auctions/lot_detail...D=SC0509-79421

Re: 68 Yenko clone
 

Hey Bob...in answer to your question of the day, the ZLX was a Motion promoted big block configuration ....L88 shortblock with iron open chamber heads.

Additionally, I don't believe the L36 was <span style="text-decoration: underline">ever</span> intended for medium duty work. Medium duty trucks had 366 and 427 tall deck engine configurations; 10.200-inch deck height versus a passenger car deck height of 9.800-inches. As many are aware, the extra deck height was incorporated so that a four ring piston could be used on the medium duties.

None-the-less, thanks for the Memories! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif[/img]

Wayne