73 Camaro

[TreySmith]

After searching and searching I finally found the right car. I picked it up today for $2500 and drug it home. It doesn't have very much rust at first glance but I still need to check it over a little better, I think I felt some on the left quarter.

It has a 454 and it should start up with some fresh gas. I don't think the shifter linkage is hooked up or that the brakes work. I might just get away with bleeding them.

On the list now is getting it running, bleed the brakes and get it on the road. I can't wait to be cruising around in this thing. Can't decide on a color but it comes down between black, blue and white. I think a flat white with black rims and a chrome lip would be killer. It will also be converted to a split bumper.


Goal for now, get it running Monday.

This is gonna be another one of this 17 year old kid on a budget cars. :D

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[TreySmith]

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[70rs]

Nice work Trey! Hey, can you get a clear picture of the trim plate on the firewall? I am curious to see how it started life as. PM it to me if you like.
I don't need or want the VIN, just the trim tag only.:cheers:

[nvr2fst]

Way to go Trey, much better condition than some of the other cars you were inquiring on. At your age, I can tell you have a great passion to continue moving forward. Good find for ya! Lets see what Eric comes up with on the trim tag if you sent to him.

[TreySmith]

Nice work Trey! Hey, can you get a clear picture of the trim plate on the firewall? I am curious to see how it started life as. PM it to me if you like.
I don't need or want the VIN, just the trim tag only.:cheers:I tried to pencil etch it the other day but it didn't come out.. I will make sure to get that for you tomorrow along with more pictures.
I ran it through the VIN Decoder and it's an LT car with a 350. What does LT stand for? The only thing I can tell from the trim tag is that it was dark red with a white top.

[tony byram]

Nice score! The headliner and upholstery are retro! Looks like a pretty good starting point. Congrats!:thumbsup:

[WSSix]

LT means loaded. I can't remember if LT replaced the Z28 in 73 or if it was just 74-76 as the top of the line camaro.

GM still uses LT as meaning loaded. My 02 Trailblazer is an LT. The only thing higher is LTZ. Mine's loaded with leather and all that nonessential but ok I guess stuff

Nice find. Did the child seat come with it as well?

[TreySmith]

Nice find. Did the child seat come with it as well? Yup lol.. :D

[NOT A TA]

Nice score Trey! Lets hope the brakes are better than the ones on the TA were! Good luck with it.

[GregWeld]

Trey --

Nice find!

Okay -- A little 'advice' -- you know I'm full of it... right!

Make a list -- every BASIC function of the car...

Each basic function needs to be looked at and serviced - one by one. I'm talking
Brakes
and then do sub lists - such as Pads/shoes, fluid, bleeding, brake lights.
Motor
Oil, will it turn over by hand, belts, alternator hooked up?, water,
Trans
fluid, will it shift

You know -- just break each MAJOR component down... and think about what each major component "needs" to function.

If you try to look at the overall "job" it's too overwhelming... so just start out with your list -- and then do the work and check off your list... making a list of what doesn't work - or needs immediate attention/parts.

No point in throwing carburetors and stuff like that at a project that has no brakes or transmission -- if you see what I'm saying. Once you assess what does and doesn't work... then you can make your plan of attack.

[70rs]

Uh, yeah! What he said ^^^^^

[70rs]

LT means loaded. I can't remember if LT replaced the Z28 in 73 or if it was just 74-76 as the top of the line camaro.

GM still uses LT as meaning loaded. My 02 Trailblazer is an LT. The only thing higher is LTZ. Mine's loaded with leather and all that nonessential but ok I guess stuff

Nice find. Did the child seat come with it as well?

Correct, LT was a trim level. Currently there are 1-LT. 2-LT, 3-LT on many of the cars and trucks from GM as well as LTZ.
On your Camaro there was only one LT designation, it was added to the Z package or any of the other camaro packages as well. It later became the Berlinetta model I think.

I don't need a picture of the trim tag Trey, just write down everything in order line by line, I can get it all from there. I will be able to tell you everything about it (drivetrain, interior/exterior colors and trim...) If you include the VIN I can tell you more.
Eric:cheers:

[GregWeld]

Heck Eric -- I don't need no stinkin' numbers!

Trey -- Here's what you got!


It's a primer black paint - reddish/orange velour interior - with a 454 bb and automatic..:thumbsup:


:>)

[TreySmith]

I will get onto that tomorrow. Going to go over it completely and check it for rust first. When we swapped out the tire I noticed the calipers looked almost new. All of the body panels are horribly aligned so that needs to be taken care of. I shouldn't have any problems with the engine. He said it was swapped in 3 years ago and they had it running. It was the engine out of his truck and he said he never had any problems with it.

School is out Monday so I will have a full day to work on it. What should I use to wash out the tank? Would water be ok? I am guessing no. I was gonna clean it out along with the lines. Then check the oil and try to crank it up.

[70rs]

I will get onto that tomorrow. Going to go over it completely and check it for rust first. When we swapped out the tire I noticed the calipers looked almost new. All of the body panels are horribly aligned so that needs to be taken care of. I shouldn't have any problems with the engine. He said it was swapped in 3 years ago and they had it running. It was the engine out of his truck and he said he never had any problems with it.

School is out Monday so I will have a full day to work on it. What should I use to wash out the tank? Would water be ok? I am guessing no. I was gonna clean it out along with the lines. Then check the oil and try to crank it up.

NO,,water is not what you want to use. Just drain it (keep the EPA in mind....:_paranoid ) and let it dry out, if there is any rust flakes you can dump them out too. Check it out with a flash light inside, if you need a new one they are really cheap for a carb'd version. You can flush the lines with slovent if you think they need it, but again new ones are reasonable if your are shot.
The numbers when ever you want. Just shoot it over in a PM or email.

[awr68]

Good for you Trey! I really appreciate your love for these older cars! And this one will be a lot more affordable than a Mopar!! But still have great resale! :thumbsup:

[67rstbkt]

Nice, congratulations on the new purchase. Are you going to reupholster these seats as well? And yea, make some lists. Hopefully you won't find too much rust.

[TreySmith]

Nice, congratulations on the new purchase. Are you going to reupholster these seats as well? And yea, make some lists. Hopefully you won't find too much rust. Yes but I am probably going to swap them out for Camaro seats first, what's in it now is from a 79 or so Trans Am.. I am going to make a video tutorial for reupholstering them instead of the picture tutorial I made for the T/A to help some people out.

[nvr2fst]

Heck Eric -- I don't need no stinkin' numbers!

Trey -- Here's what you got!


It's a primer black paint - reddish/orange velour interior - with a 454 bb and automatic..:thumbsup:


:>)
^^^^^^^:lol:

Dont worry Trey, beauty is in the eye of the beholder

[GregWeld]

I wasn't making fun of the project - I was poking fun at ERIC and his decoding.

Trey knows I like his projects!

Makes me re-live when I was a young-un and doing this kind of stuff... but back then we didn't get much help. I think my dad just kept his mouth shut and hoped I'd bury myself... but much to his chagrin - I actually got this stuff up and running and usually was able to turn a buck and move on!

[GregWeld]

Trey --

You should be able to drop the tank fairly easily... and then get the sender out - that's the "big hole" - remember - gas FUMES are the danger... even flicking on or off of a flashlight could be enough to light 'em off - so be "respectful" when working on these!

I knew a guy that was doing his fuel lines over - laying on the ground - and using a "work light" --- D U M B

Anyway - they sell a fuel tank repair in a can at Eastwoods --- and that stuff REALLY works... the instructions will walk you through the cleaning and "coating" the tank. I have a buddy that did his 57 Nomad about 15 years ago - and it's still good as new. Normally I'm not for this type of "repair" but in this case I think it's probably a good choice.

[nvr2fst]

I wasn't making fun of the project - I was poking fun at ERIC and his decoding.

Trey knows I like his projects!

Makes me re-live when I was a young-un and doing this kind of stuff... but back then we didn't get much help. I think my dad just kept his mouth shut and hoped I'd bury myself... but much to his chagrin - I actually got this stuff up and running and usually was able to turn a buck and move on!

I know Greg, I just liked your description. Because your right. Trey's got my thumbs up, I posted earlier.

[70rs]

Heck Eric -- I don't need no stinkin' numbers!

Trey -- Here's what you got!


It's a primer black paint - reddish/orange velour interior - with a 454 bb and automatic..:thumbsup:


:>)

Ok, I admit it....I am kind of a numbers nerd for these cars. BUT...only for curiosity sake. I'm all for cutting them up and making them better. The ONLY second gen I would NOT want cut up is the one Charlie has. That one needs to be left alone.:cheers:

[burntnova]

I have a checklist that is tailered towards modern vehicles I work on when they come in for schedule maintenance. I used one when I started my my Nova. Post up here if you would like one or PM me that go's for anybody, and just tailer the list to your build.

[cees67]

good find .....looks like a solid car for a good price!

[thedude327]

Great starter proj. !!!! Should be fun as you get into it. LT's used Burl wood accents on the door panels and had their own special badging. Post up more pics when you can of your 'maro.......

Paul
:thumbsup:

[TreySmith]

Some pics from today, the paint makes the car look a lot worse than it is. I can't wait until Monday when I can start on it. It's got 3/4 tank of gas so it's gonna be a bitch to drop the tank.

Even got a pic of it and my red WS6 together, I am considering getting that Mustang too, someone just left it there.

I did find a bad spot on the left quarter though.

As for my checklist, I am going to need every interior panel, seats and carpet. I am too tall to fit in this car with these seats so I will probably put 4th Gen Camaro seats in(97+). One of the few downfalls of being 6'4 lol. My 80 was perfect so I think the seat tracks might be stuck. Also may need a quarter panel patch for the left side, I might be able to get away with using scrap metal. Also need a trunk lid and nose. I think that's it for now.

Some guy wants my Turbo 301 so I might trade him that for all the interior pieces I need if I can find his number.

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[GregWeld]

Plan your work - and work your plan!

People don't realize - PRIMER makes for really crappy paint. Unless it's an epoxy primer - it won't keep moisture out. I have friends that had their hot rods stripped to bare metal - they bring them home and shoot some poly primer on them and then they sit in an unheated garage (remember I live in the Pacific NorthWET)... and they start rusting the day after...

BONDO is also Hygroscopic -- meaning -- like brake fluid -- it ABSORBS moisture... so if you slap bondo on something - and then just shoot it with filler primer - it will absorb water, and then... that's UNDER your paint... :willy:

[70rs]

Trey


PLEASE get in touch with me before you start buying body parts. I have a lot of stuff including both brand new, never installed partial (80%) quarters that you can HAVE FREE. Just cover the shipping. And like I said in my PM, I have a bunch of other things I have taken off my RS that you can have that will save you a TON of cash if you are doing the RS nose conversion. It really is worth your time to make a list, let me know what's on it and we can work it out from there. I have several RS specific parts that you will need. Many are in VERY good shape and they are original GM 1970 first gen parts. Including that dash bezel I see you need.
I would love to help out on this in any way I can. Let me know what I can do.
:cheers:

PS I also have TWO SETS of brand new door glass. :D

[TreySmith]

Trey


PLEASE get in touch with me before you start buying body parts. I have a lot of stuff including both brand new, never installed partial (80%) quarters that you can HAVE FREE. Just cover the shipping. And like I said in my PM, I have a bunch of other things I have taken off my RS that you can have that will save you a TON of cash if you are doing the RS nose conversion. It really is worth your time to make a list, let me know what's on it and we can work it out from there. I have several RS specific parts that you will need. Many are in VERY good shape and they are original GM 1970 first gen parts. Including that dash bezel I see you need.
I would love to help out on this in any way I can. Let me know what I can do.
:cheers:

PS I also have TWO SETS of brand new door glass. :D Do you have a windshield somewhere in there too? :D Pm me some prices on the front end parts.

I emailed the guy that wants my engine so hopefully that will work out, if it does then my interior will be practically finished once I get some seat covers and re-dye the dash and console. I am considering keeping the headliner lol..

[srh3trinity]

Great find, so far you have owned two cars that I plan to buy/build. Late second gen TA and an early second gen Camaro. This one looks like it is going to be fun to watch.

[TreySmith]

I got the car running today, it sounded great and ran strong for the few seconds it was going. I thought there was gas in the tank so I disconnected it and just dumped gas down the carb. Since there was no gas in the tank, I am going to get an inline filter, hook the tank back up and run it like that just to get it going. I stripped one of the bolts for the gas tank so I couldn't drop it out. I will drop the tank before I really start driving it though.

The wiring harness is a mess so that will be fun. None of the lights work right now but it's probably something simple.

[GregWeld]

Sounds good Trey... and yes -- an inline filter would be a good addition -- and maybe a bottle of "gas dryer" just in case some water has gotten in there...'


But a couple of cans of your favorite bolt and nut liquid wrench -- and start spraying anything you think you might be unbolting... it never hurts to have it soaking - the longer the better.

[70rs]

Sounds good Trey... and yes -- an inline filter would be a good addition -- and maybe a bottle of "gas dryer" just in case some water has gotten in there...'


But a couple of cans of your favorite bolt and nut liquid wrench -- and start spraying anything you think you might be unbolting... it never hurts to have it soaking - the longer the better.

X2^^^ get that stuff soaking asap! My 70 has stuff so nasty I had to start cutting bolt heads off. A LOT of them. Soak it all before you try to remove more. You will be glad you did.

[GregWeld]

Trey --

And get a tetanus shot!

In fact - anyone working with rusty metal should get one -- or at least a booster!

Especially if the car has been stored around a "dirty" area...

Many people believe injuries caused by rusty nails are the most dangerous. This is true only if the nail is dirty as well as rusty, as is usually the case. It is the dirt, not the rust, that carries the risk for tetanus.

[WSSix]

I love PB Blaster for a rust penetrating spray. Glad to car runs.

[70rs]

Trey --

And get a tetanus shot!


What??? Be safe????? We don't need no stinkin shots! A little electical tape to hold the wound shut and some Neosporin, done! And forget saftey glasses too, that rust in the eyes builds character :thumbsup:


:rofl:

[GregWeld]

Electrical tape? That's sooooooo old school dude!! I use SUPER GLUE!

[TreySmith]

There's a cadillac in the back that if you walk 10 feet near it you will get struck down with tetnus.. Lol it's that bad..


Uh.. Anyone have any links to people doing custom turbo builds from scratch? :_paranoid My teacher is going to show us how to custom make headers and exhaust.. I think paint can wait. :D Need to get some dog dish hubcaps though.. Would be a cool sleeper.


Anyways the brakes work also so now I just have to connect the shifter and get a couple gallons of gas..

[srh3trinity]

Had a long day at work, but I was excited to come home and check out the forums. I was especially looking forward to seeing if you got the Camaro running. Nice work.

[CRCRFT78]

Great project Trey. I would love to own a 2nd gen f-body one day.

[TreySmith]

Man, took 2 and a half hours to install the fuel pump because I didn't know what I was doing and it still doesn't work. Maybe something is clogging up the gas line or 3 gallons of gas in the tank isn't enough. I will have to just rig a cup of gas to the fuel pump to see if it's even sucking.

[GregWeld]

Just have someone crank it over - and hold your finger over the inlet side and try to feel some suction. Make sure you plug the other side when you disconnect it or the fuel will run out of the tank. Be careful with electric drop lights and heaters etc. Or disconnect from the carb and run a LONGER piece of hose to a bucket -- see if it pumps. These are dual action pumps - suck and blow. LOL


:rofl:

Invest 12 bucks and get a service manual. Try "Books4Cars" -- search on google -- they're local here and have manuals and all manor of stuff for cars. Reasonable.

[1970camaroRS]

Man, took 2 and a half hours to install the fuel pump because I didn't know what I was doing and it still doesn't work. Maybe something is clogging up the gas line or 3 gallons of gas in the tank isn't enough. I will have to just rig a cup of gas to the fuel pump to see if it's even sucking.

Is it running? What kind of noise is it making. You can usually tell by sound if its cavitating (just spinning, not pumping) or moving fuel along.

[1970camaroRS]

X2^^^ get that stuff soaking asap! My 70 has stuff so nasty I had to start cutting bolt heads off. A LOT of them. Soak it all before you try to remove more. You will be glad you did.

I have a fresh can of PB blaster at the ready for the next part of my build- replacing the power steering box and redoing the engine compartment.

[TreySmith]

Nothing's happening, we put the line in a cup of gas and it wouldn't suck it up. I just gave them a random year for the engine so maybe the pump is wrong or even bad.

[GregWeld]

You didn't leave the push rod out did you??

BTW - a "trick" on the pushrod is to put some "grease" on it - White grease -- or just a dab of chassis lube... that will hold the rod UP in place long enough for you to get the pump/gasket/bolt in place.

On some motors there is/was a 'threaded bolt hole" you could take the plug out of and insert a bolt finger tight against the rod and that would hold it up -- lots of guys <never me> would forget to undo this little trick and put sealant around the plug...

[TreySmith]

I have it running now and it runs really well. We didn't tighten up the hoses and it was spewing gas all over the place so I didn't run it too long. Tomorrow I will tighten up the hoses and get a video for y'all. Now I just need to fix the wiring, hook up the shifter, transfer the title and I should be all set for the road :thumbsup:

[TreySmith]

So my step dad said he may lend me $2000 to help with my car, but I have to give him 10% +$2000 or something whenever I sell it lol.. So expect the body work to be done and the paint to flow pretty soon :thumbsup: .. That should be enough for paint/body and most of the interior. So I guess now I need to pick a color..

So, hugger orange with white stripes?
Blue with black stripes?
Black?
Silver and black stripes?

I guess black or H/O would be best for resale. I would like to keep the car and enjoy it through the rest of my Junior year and sell it at the start of summer.

[70rs]

Silver, black stripes. And keep it for a while and have some fun.:thumbsup:

[awr68]

Good for you Trey!! :thumbsup:

I grew up next to a guy with a red w/ white stripe and interior 70rs and I loved that car! If you are looking to sell I would go red! If you do black interior do black stripes....it will look killer and everyone will appreciate it and want to buy it! :cheers:

[TreySmith]

I got a bunch of clamps and fixed all the gas lines. I let it run for several minutes and set off a few car alarms lol. It's a pain in the ass to start though, need to adjust the timing, took 3 cars to jump it. :willy: This thing is gonna shred those poor 205's in the back lol.. Now I am onto the wiring.... :faint:

[TreySmith]

Car drives now, scared as hell to drive it though. But I moved it to the body work bays, if it stops raining I will start stripping it down maybe tomorrow, most likely Wednesday. The car will be painted black, same as my Trans Am.


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[srh3trinity]

Nice to see you got it going down the road. Minitubs are overrated. Tuckin' 205's is where it's at. I know you are going step by step, but do you have any ideas for wheels?

[thedude327]

Trey,

Good to see you making progress on the 73'...........what wiring were you working on? Should be sharp in black !!

Paul
:thumbsup:

[TreySmith]

Trey,

Good to see you making progress on the 73'...........what wiring were you working on? Should be sharp in black !!

Paul
:thumbsup: Everything lol, nothing works, not even the ignition. I have to turn it off by disconnecting the distributor. I need to at least get the tail lights and head lights working. I ended up breaking the blinker moving the car.

Started stripping it today and I also got my antique plates. All I need is insurance and working tail lights and I have a road legal car. :thumbsup:

Anyone think I should sell the 454 and build a sbc or LQ4?

Thinking about getting something like these.. Probably just get some dog dish hubcaps for now lol.. Have a little sleeper.


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[GregWeld]

I NEVER have an opinion....

#1 -- SLEEPERS are old skool kool... understate and over deliver... dog dish or AKA Poverty Caps -- on rallys are kool... EVERYBODY has billet wheels... and they won't do much for "performance" --- your money would be better spent on GOOD TIRES.

#2 -- A little 454 is better than a big small block... They're more fun down low in the RPM's and can deliver huge torque... which is what is really the fun part of a street motor. HP does nothing (is nothing actually except a math equation)... I'll take bottom end grunt any day. Makes the car way more fun to drive... every time you even touch the throttle. You won't get much for a 454 anyway... and you could probably drive the thing for 2 years with the money you'd save just keeping it - vs the "savings" you might get in gas milage.

[GregWeld]

One more "point" -- not a very good one - but a point non the less...

What rear gear ratio does that ol' rat have? Do you know how to check this without opening it up? The ole mark on the ground - mark on the tire - mark on the driveline - spin the tire ONE TIME and have someone count the turns of the driveline...

The right gear in there will really wake that baby right up -- and if you get it right - should also give you decent highway cruising. I'm assuming it has a TH400 tranny.

[TreySmith]

Yeah, a sleeper would be pretty cool. Gotta figure out how to get 315's on these tiny ass wheels.. The open headers are gonna throw the sleeper thing out the window though haha.

I stripped the whole roof, trunk lid and some of the quarters to bare metal and of course it starting raining, oh well.. Need to re-strip the doors and quarters, haven't got to the fenders yet..

I am getting pretty good at body work, I repaired a fender on a suburban and it came out great. I wanna do as much as I can on this car, shouldn't be too hard and it will save some money in the end.