1967 Camaro Build - Houston, Texas

[Brianstanford]

Finally getting around to making a build thread. After reading many of y'all's builds, getting inspiration and ideas to help me along the way. I figured it's time to share mine...

Project started back in May 2015 when I purchased the camaro and the tear down started shortly after. My nephew helping my brother and I

It was in rough shape but I was in love. Pretty complete - so I thought- running and driving with a sbc/th350. Already had new sheet metal on the front end

[Brianstanford]

November 2015- Started ordering parts, still tearing down and getting my plan together

Ridetech Level 2 kit front and rear

99-02 camaro rear disc brakes & Tobin @ KORE3 set me up with the rest of the brake parts

Detroit Speed goodies - smooth firewall plate and mini tubs

[Brianstanford]

December 2015- Camaro loaded up and heading to the body shop. After sandblasting, turns out she was in much worse condition than I expected...

[Brianstanford]

March 2016- Ordered all the Goodmark sheet metal that was needed

From March through June 2016 the sheet metal was getting replaced

[Brianstanford]

DSE firewall insert

[Brianstanford]

June 2016- Got the stock subframe fully welded along the seams and powder coated satin black. Installed the Ridetech front end and Ridetech sway bar. Bolted back to the camaro with new energy suspension body mounts. New fast ratio steering box from Pro Touring Texas. Kore3 caliper brackets. New Moog steering components at this time as well. Firewall sprayed satin black

[Brianstanford]

July 2016- After searching Craigslist day and night for months for parts, I found my wheels. Forgeline WC3 18x8 front & 18x10 rear a guy was selling off his '69 camaro

Front brakes are 99-02 camaro

[Brianstanford]

August 2016- Built a 10x12 shed for lawn equip and storage to have more room in the garage

[Brianstanford]

July - October 2016- Car in primer and starting to look more like a car again! Rear fender lips rolled and whole under side of the car is sprayed in "bedliner"

[Brianstanford]

Ridetech gas cap. More Craigslist shopping found a 99-02 Camaro T56

[Brianstanford]

November 2016- She's in the spray booth getting some color. Went with Dodge Billet Silver Metallic

[Brianstanford]

December 2016- Clear coat, engine bay, tail panel, wet sand & windshield/rear window in

Holley LS swap motor mounts installed

[Brianstanford]

December 2016- 1 year and 28 days later she's loaded up and coming home

[Brianstanford]

January 2017- Parts! Ricks resto mod tank, Ididit tilt column, Dakota Digital VHX gauges, sound deadener

[will69camaro]

Car looks incredible. Cant wait to see it in person at one of the local events!

[Brianstanford]

January 2017- Craigslist buy- '73 nova 8.5'' 10 bolt. Installing Ridetech 4-link. Built rear - narrowed 1/2'' each side, 3.73 gears, eaton posi, moser 30 spline axles & cover. 99-02 camaro rear brakes

[Brianstanford]

January 2017- Tough Stuff 9'' booster and S10 master. Ididit column with Grant wheel and Flaming River knuckle

[Brianstanford]

Car looks incredible. Cant wait to see it in person at one of the local events!

Thank you! It's been a long process with a long way to go! haha

I need to get with y'all and get to some of the local events

[Brianstanford]

March 2017- Roller status!! I'm looking in to why the rear wheels sit so forward in the wheel wells. Would like to have them centered- picture #3....Any suggestions?

[Brianstanford]

June 2017- Clutch hydraulics/parts. Sound deadener. American Auto Wire Classic Update Series

[Brianstanford]

June 2017- Motor is here! LS2 out of a '07 corvette. Holley 302-2 oil pan and PSI harness

[Brianstanford]

July 2017- Grill and H4 conversion headlights. Original door glass and Morris Classics round Clear Shot Mirrors

[Brianstanford]

August 2017- BIG NEWS!! We are having a BOY!!!!! Gender reveal, air powered cannon shot blue chalk over us

[Brianstanford]

September 2017- This one is a hard one to post. With my wife being 7 months pregnant Hurricane Harvey made landfall and we got a little over 1 ft of water in the house, the water stayed in for 8 days. Very thankful it wasn't more like a lot of Houstonion's. We stayed with friends and family until FEMA got us a temp house to stay in while we rebuild our home.......

[Brianstanford]

I was able to keep the camaro dry during the flood. Had built some 2x4 cribs that picked the car up about a foot. Water got to the bottom of the wheels

[Brianstanford]

November 2017- Greyson is born!!!! Happy and healthy!!!!

[Brianstanford]

November 2017 to June 2018- Home repairs continue. Very lucky to have a Dad that taught me woodworking. We did 90% of the rebuild ourselves

[Brianstanford]

A buddy of mine had an empty garage that I stored the car in for 6 months

[Brianstanford]

July 2018- little man is 8 months old! I'm a proud dad! Buddy of mine stopped by with his kit cobra - 351w/' 5 speed/ 9'' rear/coil overs- Camaro is home in a "finished" garage

[will69camaro]

Wow definitely a wild couple years there. Glad you were able to keep the camaro dry! Good on you for putting it on the wooden cribs or you'd have had water inside and been re-doing some work!

Congrats on the healthy baby boy!

Onto car stuff, wheels being far forward, are your 4 link arms adjustable? Looks like you need to lengthen them to bring the wheels further back into the wheel wells. I had to center up my DSE stuff similarly.

[Brianstanford]

Wow definitely a wild couple years there. Glad you were able to keep the camaro dry! Good on you for putting it on the wooden cribs or you'd have had water inside and been re-doing some work!

Congrats on the healthy baby boy!

Onto car stuff, wheels being far forward, are your 4 link arms adjustable? Looks like you need to lengthen them to bring the wheels further back into the wheel wells. I had to center up my DSE stuff similarly.

Yes it has been a wild couple of years.

Thank you! He's our first

The lower 4 link bars are the fixed ones. Was thinking I need to get the adjustable one's

[Brianstanford]

Gauges in, PSI harness integrated with chassis harness, Cooling fan relays, Main power breaker, Ricks resto mod tank - forgot the strap liners - will install, fuse block, VHX gauge controller and PCM in glove box. Detroit speed drive by wire pedal mount, 2 much tank vent

[joeko23]

Great build and you are super neat with the wiring and labeling. What are you using for fan control?

[Brianstanford]

Great build and you are super neat with the wiring and labeling. What are you using for fan control?

Have a Griffin ExactFit rad combo with dual fans. It came with the relay kit. The fans will be controlled with the PCM with temps set for on/off

http://www.griffinrad.com/load_details6.php?PartID=104&id=CU-00048&year=67&make=Chevrolet&model=Camaro&select_Main_Group=1967&select_Sub_Group=Chevrolet&select_Sub_Group_model=Camaro&select_Sub_Group_Engine=23%20X%2018.47&select_Sub_Group_Transmission=N/A&key_id=6-00048

[glassman]

Nice thread and great write up. Thanx for taking the time to do so.
the ups and downs of life. Good times and bad times, living life to its fullest while playing with our "legos" from time to time in our garages!!
Congrats on the little one, they sprout fast dont they?!?

cheers, mike

[Brianstanford]

Nice thread and great write up. Thanx for taking the time to do so.
the ups and downs of life. Good times and bad times, living life to its fullest while playing with our "legos" from time to time in our garages!!
Congrats on the little one, they sprout fast dont they?!?

cheers, mike

You're welcome. Gotta make the best of it and keep moving forward! Thank you, yes they do!

[rickpaw]

Congrats on the little one.

That's a really nice wiring job you've got there. Hope to see the car at local events.

Tu

[Brianstanford]

Congrats on the little one.

That's a really nice wiring job you've got there. Hope to see the car at local events.

Tu

Thanks!

I need to get up to one of the events to meet y'all and hang out. Your firebird is looking good with "part 2" upgrades!

[rickpaw]

Thanks!

I need to get up to one of the events to meet y'all and hang out. Your firebird is looking good with "part 2" upgrades!

Thanks. It's been a long process with the 'bird. Started out as a 6 speed swap, then snowballed into a full on mechanical re-do.

[F'in mine]

Hey man, I'm happy for you considering all you've been through with the flooding.
Car is looking great!
Just wondering about the brake master you're using, I've looked online and found that most are plumbed on the passenger side, what S10 did yours come from?
Thanks in advance.
Simon

[Spiffav8]

Looking good man!

[Brianstanford]

Hey man, I'm happy for you considering all you've been through with the flooding.
Car is looking great!
Just wondering about the brake master you're using, I've looked online and found that most are plumbed on the passenger side, what S10 did yours come from?
Thanks in advance.
Simon

Thank you!

The master cylinder is from a right hand drive s10 from what I remember Tobin @ Kore3 told me

http://www.pro-touring.com/threads/91277-DSE-M-C-amp-Booster-part-s

[Brianstanford]

Looking good man!

Thanks! Your's is too!

[Brianstanford]

Wanted to get the broken exhaust bolt out of the head. Seen that mig welding a nut to them typically works. Well that's where it started going down hill for me. Mig weld melted into the aluminum head, didn't stick. Couldn't get the bolt out. Weld kept breaking.

[Brianstanford]

Second try at removing the broken exhaust bolt + weld. Got some left hand drill bits and extractors. Center punched and started drilling with a 3/32 bit and tapmatic fluid. Was going great. About 1/2" deep I broke the drill bit off in the bolt inside the head. It broke clean and none sticking up to "grab" on to.

Then I grabbed a 1/4 bit and tryed to drill the whole bolt out. Knowing you can't drill a drill bit, I had to try. Well I got through the weld and down to the bolt with drill bit stuck in it and that's is as far as I can get

[Brianstanford]

Any suggestions on what step to take next? Can a machine shop fix my mess up or do I just buy a new head? 07 LS2 243 head

Thanks

[randy]

machine shop could easily fix that but i dont see why the weld isnt sticking to the nut and bolt? make sure both surfaces are very clean. Weld inside the bolt and walk away for 10 min to let the weld cold down. After that come back and heat up around the head and back out the nut to see if it holds.

[71 Camaro]

Any suggestions on what step to take next? Can a machine shop fix my mess up or do I just buy a new head? 07 LS2 243 head

Thanks

If there’s a drill bit stuck in the hole, then probably best to take it to a machine shop. It will be tough to get any weld to stick with the drill bit. By the way great job on the Camaro. Great to see others in the Houston area working on their rides!!

[Brianstanford]

Thanks for the replies. Not sure why the weld didn't stick either.

Do you have a recommendation on a machine shop?

[F'in mine]

If all else fails.... I have this on file, can't verify if it works or not but might be cheaper to try than buying a new head. Sert or helicoil might be needed afterwards.
https://www.theoriginalrescuebit.com/

[Brianstanford]

Well after some reading I decided to take the head off and just have a machine shop fix me up. Read good things about Late Model Engines in Houston. Cool, no big deal getting the hole repaired. So I get the head off and see bunch of rust on the cylinder walls. Guessing hurricane Harvey waters sitting in the garage for a week got moisture in the motor through the exhaust ports, they just had rags stuffed in them. I've had enough of this for today lol. Time for a gun range trip to relax

[Brianstanford]

Motor is a 70k mile LS2 from a 07 corvette

[Brianstanford]

Cleaned on the motor today. Will do more once I start putting the top end back on

[BigBronco]

Just as a tip to help you prevent some flash rust in the cylinder by taking a clean rag and putting some Automatic Transmission Fluid on it and wipe down the cylinders liberally.

Build looks great! Hopefully, my car will be up and running in the next 5 months and we can get some cruising done!

Gray

[Brianstanford]

LME out of Houston got me fixed up with a heli coil

[Brianstanford]

Heads back on and motor off the stand. On a cradle stand now so I can get the ls7 clutch kit installed

[Vegas69]

Was there water in the crankcase?

[Spiffav8]

Way to stay with it Brian.

:captain:

[Brianstanford]

Was there water in the crankcase?

No there wasn't. Everything was very clean when I had the oil pan off to install the holley pan

[Brianstanford]

Pilot bearing in. LS7 clutch on. Bellhousing on. T56 ready with slave and quick bleed line

That's all for today. On graveyards this weekend

[Brianstanford]

Motor and trans together. Had to put an 1/8" shim behind the slave cylinder

Excuse my messy 2 car garage haha!

Waiting on polyurethane motor mounts to show up and then I'll be stabbing the motor/trans in the car 🤞

[67goatman455]

looks great! where at in Houston are you? I'm over in cypress.

[Brianstanford]

looks great! where at in Houston are you? I'm over in cypress.

Thanks!

I'm actually south of houston in the lake jackson area - just easier to say houston haha

[BigBronco]

Thanks!

I'm actually south of houston in the lake jackson area - just easier to say houston haha

Working the overnight shifts make more sense then! LOL (I'd assume you are a Dow guy)

Cypress location for me as well.

[Brianstanford]

Working the overnight shifts make more sense then! LOL (I'd assume you are a Dow guy)

Cypress location for me as well.

Yep, plant operator. dupont schedule, rotating 12hr shifts

[Brianstanford]

Holley clamshell mounts and polyurethane motor mounts. Motor and trans in. Using all Holley swap parts

[Spiffav8]

Looking good Brian!!

:captain:

[Brianstanford]

Looking good Brian!!

:captain:

Thanks Curtis!

Don't know why my pictures upload rotated?

[Brianstanford]

Little more progress

[Brianstanford]

Hole for t56 shifter cut

Most of the wire harness routed

Griffey direct fit radiator in

[jamminj007]

Very nice build! Looks like you’re getting close. Hope to see you at one of the” Houston” meets

[Brianstanford]

Very nice build! Looks like you’re getting close. Hope to see you at one of the” Houston” meets

Thank man. Do you have a build on your car here? I'd like to check it out

[jamminj007]

No, no build on here or any other. I do believe there are some on another forum, but here are a couple of mine

[Brianstanford]

very nice!!!

[jamminj007]

Thank you sir, hopefully I will finish it by next spring. Maybe all of the “Houston” guys can do a get together. I’m down for a meeting

[70rsss396]

I'd be up for a Houston Pro-Touring get together, especially once I finish my 2nd gen. :y0!:

[Brianstanford]

Thank you sir, hopefully I will finish it by next spring. Maybe all of the “Houston” guys can do a get together. I’m down for a meeting

That would be fun!!

sent the pcm off today to norris motorsports for a mail order tune and deleting the stuff for a swap

[Brianstanford]

I'd be up for a Houston Pro-Touring get together, especially once I finish my 2nd gen. :y0!:

count me in! im hoping within a year to have mine on the road

[will69camaro]

I can bring a few people I'm sure.

Myself - If my trans is back in time.
Big Bronco - Gray (if he gets his going - 72 nova)
Nine Ball - Tony (convertible 69 camaro on here)
NvrDun - Jess (72? Nova)

Few others that aren't on here, but have cool classic cars, some pro-touring some not.

William

[rickpaw]

I can bring a few people I'm sure.

Myself - If my trans is back in time.
Big Bronco - Gray (if he gets his going - 72 nova)
Nine Ball - Tony (convertible 69 camaro on here)
NvrDun - Jess (72? Nova)

Few others that aren't on here, but have cool classic cars, some pro-touring some not.

William

Count me in as well

Tu - 67 Firebird

[Brianstanford]

power steering pressure hose

earls -6 powers steering hose
2x xrp 90 degree -6 hose ends
earls -6 an to 18mm X 1.50 adaptor
earls an adapter to power steering pump 961961ERL

return hose i used a edelmann 39106 fitting and rubber hose

[Brianstanford]

air intake. 4'' spectre tube, summit silicone hose couplers and a 7'' airaid dry filter

[aany001]

Motor and trans together. Had to put an 1/8" shim behind the slave cylinder

Excuse my messy 2 car garage haha!

Waiting on polyurethane motor mounts to show up and then I'll be stabbing the motor/trans in the car ��

Why did you have to put a shim behind the slave cylinder? What a great build. Im subscribed!!!!

[Brianstanford]

Why did you have to put a shim behind the slave cylinder? What a great build. Im subscribed!!!!

thank you!

quote from tick performance-

During your next clutch install, determine if your slave cylinder needs to be shimmed or not. To do so, you need to take two measurements:
Measurement "A" is the distance between the surface of the bellhousing that meets the transmission to the tip of the pressure plate fingers. To get an accurate measurement, the clutch must be torqued properly.
Measurement "B" is the distance between the throwout bearing surface to the transmission surface that meets the bellhousing. To get an accurate measurement, the slave spring must be removed and the bearing must be fully seated at the bottom of it's travel; resting on the slave's base.
Once you've got your two measurements, make sure that measurement "B" is ~1/16" to 1/8" LESS than measurement "A". If you come up with more than 1/8", add an appropriately sized shim between the slave and the transmission in order to get the measurements where they need to be.

If there is no difference between the two measurements, or if "B" is greater than "A", there could be a problem with clutch engagement which could result in premature clutch slip and eventually a total failure.

my #'s were-
trans side 1 7/8''
motor side 2 1/8''
1/4'' gap
need 1/8'' shim

[aany001]

thank you!

quote from tick performance-

During your next clutch install, determine if your slave cylinder needs to be shimmed or not. To do so, you need to take two measurements:
Measurement "A" is the distance between the surface of the bellhousing that meets the transmission to the tip of the pressure plate fingers. To get an accurate measurement, the clutch must be torqued properly.
Measurement "B" is the distance between the throwout bearing surface to the transmission surface that meets the bellhousing. To get an accurate measurement, the slave spring must be removed and the bearing must be fully seated at the bottom of it's travel; resting on the slave's base.
Once you've got your two measurements, make sure that measurement "B" is ~1/16" to 1/8" LESS than measurement "A". If you come up with more than 1/8", add an appropriately sized shim between the slave and the transmission in order to get the measurements where they need to be.

If there is no difference between the two measurements, or if "B" is greater than "A", there could be a problem with clutch engagement which could result in premature clutch slip and eventually a total failure.

my #'s were-
trans side 1 7/8''
motor side 2 1/8''
1/4'' gap
need 1/8'' shim

Wow that's really good info there. Im running a stock T56 and clutch and had no issues with clutch engagement but did go through 2 slave cylinders 1 new and 1 used both GM pieces ( both leaked and ruined my clutch disc) I removed the shim that I had and so far no issues with 4k miles. Weird huh
Maybe a fluke thing

[Brianstanford]

Wow that's really good info there. Im running a stock T56 and clutch and had no issues with clutch engagement but did go through 2 slave cylinders 1 new and 1 used both GM pieces ( both leaked and ruined my clutch disc) I removed the shim that I had and so far no issues with 4k miles. Weird huh
Maybe a fluke thing

that is crazy! hopefully it works out for me with the shim. defiantly don't want to buy another clutch or slave lol

[Jimmy Sean]

air intake. 4'' spectre tube, summit silicone hose couplers and a 7'' airaid dry filter

Hard to tell if the intake tube is in front of the fan or not. It looks very similar to mine and i had to raise mine up above the fan. If it is in front of the fan it will get heated when the fan is on. Problem being is the mass air is reading the incoming air temp and the air gets heated directly after the mass air. It could cause a spark knock because the ECM thinks the air temp is lower. Any-who something to think about.

[Brianstanford]

Hard to tell if the intake tube is in front of the fan or not. It looks very similar to mine and i had to raise mine up above the fan. If it is in front of the fan it will get heated when the fan is on. Problem being is the mass air is reading the incoming air temp and the air gets heated directly after the mass air. It could cause a spark knock because the ECM thinks the air temp is lower. Any-who something to think about.

Thanks! It is in front of the fan a little bit. Didn't even think of heat soak on the intake tube.

[F'in mine]

This might help in keeping the intake tube as cool as possible......exhaust wrap, plus if you're not into polished aluminum look it tones down the shininess of the tube with a few colour options.

[Jimmy Sean]

This might help in keeping the intake tube as cool as possible......exhaust wrap, plus if you're not into polished aluminum look it tones down the shininess of the tube with a few colour options.

Not sure I'd do that, wouldn't it heat soak and then take longer to cool? The heat reflective tape, the gold or silver work better at reflecting the heat?

[Brianstanford]

Not sure I'd do that, wouldn't it heat soak and then take longer to cool? The heat reflective tape, the gold or silver work better at reflecting the heat?

i was thinking about the gold or silver tape, wish it came in black

[Ricochet]

Great looking build Brian! You've through quite a bit of life's trials and tribulations during this process. Enjoyed reading your thread. Way to keep at it!

[Brianstanford]

Looking for help on the radiator hoses

griffin rad with in and out on same side
corvette ls2 motor

any suggestions is appreciated

[dhutton]

Looking for help on the radiator hoses

griffin rad with in and out on same side
corvette ls2 motor

any suggestions is appreciated

Lower hose ACDelco 24403L trim to fit.

Upper hose pretty sure a section of this will work. Gates 22358

Don

[Gmachine1911]

Looking for help on the radiator hoses

griffin rad with in and out on same side
corvette ls2 motor

any suggestions is appreciated

I went with a couple from NAPA. Looks like your radiator layout is really similar to mine. I've got part numbers and pics posted on page 11 of my build thread if it helps...Nice project, btw, been following along!

[Brianstanford]

Thanks guys!

[Brianstanford]

Upper and lower radiator hoses. Both had to be cut a little to fit

[Brianstanford]

Tipton clutch master cylinder reservoir

[glassman]

i was thinking about the gold or silver tape, wish it came in black

I used self etching primer on mine. Then rattle canned it matte black. Both sourced from a body shop paint supplier.

https://lateral-g.net/forums/showthread.php?t=41800&highlight=glassman&page=48

post#472

[rickpaw]

You're making great progress. Looking forward to seeing it in person.

[Brianstanford]

I used self etching primer on mine. Then rattle canned it matte black. Both sourced from a body shop paint supplier.

https://lateral-g.net/forums/showthread.php?t=41800&highlight=glassman&page=48

post#472

That's what I'm planning on doing. Think it looks good that way

[Brianstanford]

You're making great progress. Looking forward to seeing it in person.

Thanks man. Looking forward to seeing yours too!

[Brianstanford]

trying to figure out the wiring for a neutral safety switch on the clutch pedal.

i think this is the correct way to wire it.

-"start" position on ignition switch sends power to purple starter wire and pin 85

-once clutch pedal is depressed, closing switch to ground. energizing coil in relay

[GregWeld]

Just read from #1 post to the end —— and all I can say is WOW! And I don’t mean wow about the car..... but to see what you’ve done and had to endure - rotting old pile of car (all of em are like that by the way) - Baby boy! (Need updated pics!!) and a Flood.... and your car still keep progressing. I’m seriously impressed young man (at 65 I can say that).

I’d try to help with the safety switch but my cancer med has kicked in - so brains don’t work very well after that.....

I have some things to say about the rear end centering - but will hold this thought until I can really write what I want to tell you. It’s not bad — I don’t post bad — I want to help and try to help save you some headache at the same time - but that is going to need my full attention.

Just wow — still shaking my head at you! What perseverance you have!

[Brianstanford]

Just read from #1 post to the end —— and all I can say is WOW! And I don’t mean wow about the car..... but to see what you’ve done and had to endure - rotting old pile of car (all of em are like that by the way) - Baby boy! (Need updated pics!!) and a Flood.... and your car still keep progressing. I’m seriously impressed young man (at 65 I can say that).

I’d try to help with the safety switch but my cancer med has kicked in - so brains don’t work very well after that.....

I have some things to say about the rear end centering - but will hold this thought until I can really write what I want to tell you. It’s not bad — I don’t post bad — I want to help and try to help save you some headache at the same time - but that is going to need my full attention.

Just wow — still shaking my head at you! What perseverance you have!

Thank you sir! yes, it's been a wild ride haha. It hasn't been easy but i have learned a lot from it!

As far as the rear end centering- I've been in contact with ridetech and Josh has gotten me lined out with it. I installed the tabs with the pinion at a -3 angle and it needed to be a +3 angle(my fault for not reading the instructions). I haven't fully welded the tabs on yet, just a strong tac weld. It's looking much better

[Beechy]

trying to figure out the wiring for a neutral safety switch on the clutch pedal.

i think this is the correct way to wire it.

-"start" position on ignition switch sends power to purple starter wire and pin 85

-once clutch pedal is depressed, closing switch to ground. energizing coil in relay


YES.....assuming the "clutch switch" closes the circuit when the pedal is on the floor.....:flag2:

[Brianstanford]

Questions about fluids--- Brands & weights welcome!

What oil to use? 70k mile LS2 unknown history of what oil has been used

What coolant to use? All aluminum motor, griffin rad. with overflow tank

T56 is dexron 3?

Power steering?

[rickpaw]

Questions about fluids--- Brands & weights welcome!

What oil to use? 70k mile LS2 unknown history of what oil has been used

What coolant to use? All aluminum motor, griffin rad. with overflow tank

T56 is dexron 3?

Power steering?

I have similar drivetrain set up as yours, but my LS2 is a rebuilt, and I used the following:
-Engine oil: Penzoil 5-30W (non synthetic). Used Walmart cheap oil in the first 50 miles.
-Coolant: Prestone green premix
-TR6060 - Walmart cheap dexron 3 first, as the trans is used. Then changed out to Redline D4 after 200 miles.

[Brianstanford]

Got the battery hooked up and function tested my wiring. All seems good so far. Fluids and gas this weekend/week for the first fire up

Clutch pedal neutral safety switch worked perfectly

[Brianstanford]

I have similar drivetrain set up as yours, but my LS2 is a rebuilt, and I used the following:
-Engine oil: Penzoil 5-30W (non synthetic). Used Walmart cheap oil in the first 50 miles.
-Coolant: Prestone green premix
-TR6060 - Walmart cheap dexron 3 first, as the trans is used. Then changed out to Redline D4 after 200 miles.

Thanks! Why green instead of dexcool?

[rickpaw]

Thanks! Why green instead of dexcool?

I can be wrong - it's my understanding is that dexcool works best with a factory sealed cooling system. So I used green type that works with all engine.

Believe it or not, I got my oil/coolant from the neighborhood Home Depot. They have the best prices compared to Walmart/Autopart store.

[Brianstanford]

Well I got everything ready for a first start and had a couple of problems. Main on was oil pressure. Tried to prime motor with plugs out, no fuel or ignition relays. That didn't work. Tried to prime motor with pressurized oil tank, still no pressure. So I start to trouble shoot electrical. On the phone with psi and Dakota Digital. Both companies very helpful. Bim module wasn't reading the obd2 port. DD got me to verify that my bim was working properly by hooking it up to another vehicle and it worked as it should. So on the phone with psi we found that my oil pressure sensor wires were mixed up (black & brown swapped- fixed them) and a ground wire wasn't hooked up to the back of the head- I missed that one somehow. Go to crank engine over again and still nothing. Starting to think I may have punched the oil pickup tube o ring or something in the motor like bearings are shot. I'm stressing out. Motor is a 70-80k mile pull out. Sat in garage for 3 years. Installed holley 302-2 pan

[Brianstanford]

I did start the motor for a couple 5-10 second runs to see if more rpm would build pressure. No luck with that either

[Spiffav8]

Keep at it man!

:captain:

[Gmachine1911]

Well I got everything ready for a first start and had a couple of problems. Main on was oil pressure. Tried to prime motor with plugs out, no fuel or ignition relays. That didn't work. Tried to prime motor with pressurized oil tank, still no pressure. So I start to trouble shoot electrical. On the phone with psi and Dakota Digital. Both companies very helpful. Bim module wasn't reading the obd2 port. DD got me to verify that my bim was working properly by hooking it up to another vehicle and it worked as it should. So on the phone with psi we found that my oil pressure sensor wires were mixed up (black & brown swapped- fixed them) and a ground wire wasn't hooked up to the back of the head- I missed that one somehow. Go to crank engine over again and still nothing. Starting to think I may have punched the oil pickup tube o ring or something in the motor like bearings are shot. I'm stressing out. Motor is a 70-80k mile pull out. Sat in garage for 3 years. Installed holley 302-2 pan


Might make sure you don't have a gauge issue. Would be worth hooking up a temporary mechanical gauge just to make sure you're not chasing your tail.

[Brianstanford]

Might make sure you don't have a gauge issue. Would be worth hooking up a temporary mechanical gauge just to make sure you're not chasing your tail.

That's my next step! Like you said I'm not chasing something that's not

[rickpaw]

Well I got everything ready for a first start and had a couple of problems. Main on was oil pressure. Tried to prime motor with plugs out, no fuel or ignition relays. That didn't work. Tried to prime motor with pressurized oil tank, still no pressure

Might make sure you don't have a gauge issue. Would be worth hooking up a temporary mechanical gauge just to make sure you're not chasing your tail.

If you're priming it with a pressurized oil tank, and it's not showing pressure on the gauge, then I'd try a mechanical gauge to confirm, as Gmachine1911 suggested. Another thing to check is pull the valve covers while priming the motor with pressurized oil tank - oil should seep up thru the push rods.

[Brianstanford]

Best $20 I've spent in a while :)

Cranking with a mechanical gauge, got pressure!!!!

[Spiffav8]

That's a gotta be a huge relief!

[Brianstanford]

that's a gotta be a huge relief!

huge!

[Brianstanford]

https://youtu.be/X9PKx7toD6E

Running vid

[Brianstanford]

Greyson heard the camaro start and had to come see what was going on! I love it!

[will69camaro]

Awesome man. Huge milestone there.

[Brianstanford]

Awesome man. Huge milestone there.

I'm pretty excited about it!!!

[Brianstanford]

X9PKx7toD6E&feature

[Brianstanford]

Starting to work on brake lines. I have a roll of 3/16 nicopp line and all the fittings and a Eastwood flaring tool but suck at bending.... would it be better to order pre fit lines?

I know the pre fit lines won't line up with my master cylinder (DSE) but dont mind bending some of the lines. Main one's I'm concerned with is the front one that goes under the motor on the subframe & the one that runs to the rear

Any suggestions? Thanks

[Tinker]

I used the prebent stainless lines from inline tube on my Firebird. I have the Wilwood m/c and all the lines worked well with it. I was very happy with the fit and appearance. I added the hardware and clips for a very nice install.

[ScotI]

I've done the Pre-Bent route to save time & it worked fine. I also used Inline Tube.
For me, I just needed to tweak certain areas vs. needing to make every single bend. Work smarter.... not harder.

[Brianstanford]

Thanks guys! Sounds like pre-bent is the way to go

[Brianstanford]

Dad and I ran NiCop brake lines front to rear with a wilwood prop valve & Kore3 flex lines. Used an Eastwood flaring tool to make the double flares

[Brianstanford]

Time to mount up the seats out of a '15 Hyundai Genesis. Seats are full manual with sliders and recline

[Spiffav8]

Nice!! :thumbsup::thumbsup:

[jamminj007]

Car’s coming along nicely! At this rate looks like you’ll be done before me! Lol

[Brianstanford]

Car’s coming along nicely! At this rate looks like you’ll be done before me! Lol

Thank bud! I'm trying to get it done...well... on the road this year. Around the block counts to me lol

[Brianstanford]

Driveshaft in. 3.5" spicer joints and yoke. Randy's driveshaft in Houston. Ordered over the phone Monday morning and had it installed on Wednesday!

[Brianstanford]

Seat brackets made, and seats mounted. Had a friend re-weld the brackets before installing. Couldn't get clean welds with mine for some reason

[Brianstanford]

Finished hanging the hooker blackheart exhaust. The included over the axle tail pipes wont fit due to the 4 link

[Brianstanford]

Drove the car around the block this weekend! Need to get seat belts, insurance and registration ASAP!

[camcojb]

Car looks great! :thumbsup:

[DWC]

The car turned out great, love the body/wheel color combo. I like the hangers, looks clean.

Daniel

[Brianstanford]

The car turned out great, love the body/wheel color combo. I like the hangers, looks clean.

Daniel

Thanks. Wheel color happened by accident, found them used on craigslist and it worked out perfectly

[rickpaw]

Car's looking great Brian.

[MtotheIKEo]

Car looks fantastic.

[jamminj007]

Looking good!

[waynieZ]

Very nice!

[Brianstanford]

Thanks everyone!!

Installing some Morris Classic 3 point belts now

[jamminj007]

Thanks everyone!!

Installing some Morris Classic 3 point belts now

Now that it running, I think we should plan a Houston get together. Mine is not completely done, but it's drivable. Still waiting on interior. :D

[rickpaw]

Now that it running, I think we should plan a Houston get together. Mine is not completely done, but it's drivable. Still waiting on interior. :D

I concur. Let’s wait for some cooler weather

[will69camaro]

I concur. Let’s wait for some cooler weather

Yea it's pretty brutal out. Been trying to drive mine a bit more and it's just HOT. Need to tune a bit and get the temp to stay down when sitting in traffic. And eventually finish the AC so I can be a bit more comfortable as well!

William

[Brianstanford]

Now that it running, I think we should plan a Houston get together. Mine is not completely done, but it's drivable. Still waiting on interior. :D

Sounds like a plan! Working on insurance and reg now. Plan is to use Grundy for ins and reg it as a antique

Having to remake my seat brackets because they interfere with the seat belt brackets. Always something lol! Was wanting to lower the seats anyways. Have a plan and will be working on them the next couple of days

Carpet kit ordered also

[Brianstanford]

I concur. Let’s wait for some cooler weather

It is HOT!

[jamminj007]

Sounds like a plan! Working on insurance and reg now. Plan is to use Grundy for ins and reg it as a antique

Having to remake my seat brackets because they interfere with the seat belt brackets. Always something lol! Was wanting to lower the seats anyways. Have a plan and will be working on them the next couple of days

Carpet kit ordered also

Try American Collectors.(MK insurance)tel:866-695-2774. You can get a policy where you can drive it to work occasionally as well. I have used them since 2005.

[will69camaro]

I use American Modern. Very flexible with driving/mileage with the plans they offer and good pricing too.

[jamminj007]

I use American Modern. Very flexible with driving/mileage with the plans they offer and good pricing too.

Actually that's who I have as well. Great company

[sleepertime]

I have Larue. No problems setting it up.

[Brianstanford]

sleepertime beautiful!!

[sleepertime]

Thanks,
We affectionately refer to it as my ole beater...

:rules:

[Brianstanford]

Little update. Couldn’t get the Hyundai seats to fit the way I wanted so I ordered up a set of the Procar Elite seats and camaro specific brackets. Fit overall is good and they are very comfortable

[Brianstanford]

Got the car insured with Grundy and registered! Put 50 miles on it the other night around town. Everything went great! Very happy and re-motivated to get more done

[Brianstanford]

Been tire shopping. Wheels are 18x8 front and 18x10 rear. Thinking a 245/40/18 in front and either a 285/40/18 or 295/35/18 rear (it’s mini tubed). Not wanting to widen the wheels at this point

[Gmachine1911]

Car looks great! I like those seats...keep up the good work, you're on the home stretch!

[Brianstanford]

Made a hanger for the cold air intake. It’s a 1” roll bar mount and brazed the aluminum tab on the tube

[Brianstanford]

Got 72 miles on her now. So far so good! Working on little things and the interior still

[Brianstanford]

Narrowing the rear seat. Hopefully get to my buddies house with a welding machine today to finish it up

[Brianstanford]

Rear seat narrowed. Was super easy

[Brianstanford]

Up on a buddy’s lift nut and bolt the car.

[572Camaro]

Your 67 is awesome!
I like the stance.
I love the color
Wheels are killer
Now go enjoy!

[Brianstanford]

Your 67 is awesome!
I like the stance.
I love the color
Wheels are killer
Now go enjoy!

Thank you! Very happy with how it turned out! Have been driving it every chance I get. Went in it for a sweet tooth craving for the wife the other night lol. Up too 143 miles now

[Brianstanford]

New tires. Continental Extreme Contact sport's front- 245/40/18 & rear - 295/35/18

Alignment done as well per Ridetech instructions

My son working on daddy's car

Rolling pic with a buddy driving coming home from new tires & alignment

[Brianstanford]

Don't know why my pics upload sideways?!?!

[Beechy]

Brian, congratulations on completion, great color/wheel combo. Enthusiastic pit crew!

Question (not complaint) : how come so little caster? I would have thought at least 4* if not 6*? Seems like the alignment shop has used generic 68 Camaro reference data (which gives the red and green highlights) rather than contemporary set-up numbers?
Do you know the specs from your front clip vendor?

[Brianstanford]

thank you! wheels ended up matching by luck lol. found them used on craigslist after i picked the body color

front subframe is stock, with a ridetech level 2 kit. handed the ridetech instructions to the alignment guy and said this is what i need

from my instructions when i bought the kit in 2015 - Have the alignment shop set the car with ½ degree negative camber, 2-3 degrees positive caster, and 1/8” toe in.

double checked my instructions with what is online now 2019 and they are different.....now online - Have the alignment shop set the car with ½ degree negative camber, 3-5 degrees positive caster, and 1/16”-1/8” toe in.

[Beechy]

double checked my instructions with what is online now 2019 and they are different.....now online - Have the alignment shop set the car with ½ degree negative camber, 3-5 degrees positive caster, and 1/16”-1/8” toe in.

This caster setting sounds better.....assuming the arm geometry is the same as yours (same part number upper and lower wishbones) this will give better turn-in, slalom and high speed stability.

[Brianstanford]

This caster setting sounds better.....assuming the arm geometry is the same as yours (same part number upper and lower wishbones) this will give better turn-in, slalom and high speed stability.

What about tire wear? Car will be 100% street use for now, no foreseeable track use

[dhutton]

I would add a little more negative camber to help avoid any tire rubbing. -.5 degrees is good imho.

Too much caster can result in a fair amount of jacking. I had quite a bit of caster with my Ridetech Tru-Turn setup and the steering joints were groaning when I turned the wheels. Those heims are not very forgiving of dust etc imho....

Don

[Brianstanford]

I would add a little more negative camber to help avoid any tire rubbing. -.5 degrees is good imho.

Too much caster can result in a fair amount of jacking. I had quite a bit of caster with my Ridetech Tru-Turn setup and the steering joints were groaning when I turned the wheels. Those heims are not very forgiving of dust etc imho....

Don

Already had some rubbing. Replaced the outer fender bolts with button heads and made some room with some hammer taps. No more rubbing

[will69camaro]

Already had some rubbing. Replaced the outer fender bolts with button heads and made some room with some hammer taps. No more rubbing

I did the same thing.

There is a classic car cruise on 20th if interested.

[dhutton]

Already had some rubbing. Replaced the outer fender bolts with button heads and made some room with some hammer taps. No more rubbing

Add some negative camber for increased margin.

Don

[Beechy]

What about tire wear? Car will be 100% street use for now, no foreseeable track use

99% of driving miles are run straight ahead, caster doesn't affect the angle of the tire relative to the pavement, so does not affect wear. It DOES improve stability and "return-to-center" after turning.

During turns, caster tilts the outside wheel inboard at top so preventing tire "tuck under" thereby improving tire life.

Extreme caster (8* and more) will cause tire wear and is too much on a wet road with low profile tires.....car will PUSH BAD.
Four degrees is very conservative.

Everybody needs "slalom" when that autonomous Tesla comes out of the side-street.......not just for autocross guys.

VERY simple explanation (there are other factors at work)::::Caster is the difference between shopping cart wheel flutter, and a bicycle when u push it along using the seat only. Caster being the angle of the head stem where the steering bearings are.

[Brianstanford]

I did the same thing.

There is a classic car cruise on 20th if interested.

Where at? Give me some details please

[Brianstanford]

99% of driving miles are run straight ahead, caster doesn't affect the angle of the tire relative to the pavement, so does not affect wear. It DOES improve stability and "return-to-center" after turning.

During turns, caster tilts the outside wheel inboard at top so preventing tire "tuck under" thereby improving tire life.

Extreme caster (8* and more) will cause tire wear and is too much on a wet road with low profile tires.....car will PUSH BAD.
Four degrees is very conservative.

Everybody needs "slalom" when that autonomous Tesla comes out of the side-street.......not just for autocross guys.

VERY simple explanation (there are other factors at work)::::Caster is the difference between shopping cart wheel flutter, and a bicycle when u push it along using the seat only. Caster being the angle of the head stem where the steering bearings are.

Thank you! I get it better now

[will69camaro]

Where at? Give me some details please

Sent on Instagram

[Brianstanford]

Had to replace the pilot bearing last week....thinking it was my fault it went out, installed wrong. Anyways got it replaced with the bushing this time and things are good to go again!

[Spiffav8]

Had to replace the pilot bearing last week....thinking it was my fault it went out, installed wrong. Anyways got it replaced with the bushing this time and things are good to go again!

Pain in the azz to get to.

[Brianstanford]

Pain in the azz to get to.

that ain't no lie! lol

[Brianstanford]

Have a Griffin in it now and it’s been leaking on both sides where the tanks connect to the core.

Looking for a new setup. Let me know what y’all suggest. Thanks!

[rickpaw]

Have a Griffin in it now and it’s been leaking on both sides where the tanks connect to the core.

Looking for a new setup. Let me know what y’all suggest. Thanks!

Believe it or not, I've been using a Champion radiator since 2011 and so far haven't had any issues.

However, I've been looking at the C&R set up.

[Brianstanford]

Believe it or not, I've been using a Champion radiator since 2011 and so far haven't had any issues.

However, I've been looking at the C&R set up.

My brother runs a champion with good luck too

[randy]

Small leak? If so just add the gm radiator tablets. It was actually suggested by a prc before and solved my buddies issue on his

[dhutton]

Did you use wellnuts to install your radiator so it can move when it expands?

Don

[Jimmy Sean]

I've had three of those Griffin radiators fail. Two under warranty and one not. They act like they never have any failures in the LS swap line. It was mounted with well nuts on one side and bolts on the other like to OE is. I eventually switched to a universal triple pass and made rubber mounts. So far so good.

[Brianstanford]

Small leak? If so just add the gm radiator tablets. It was actually suggested by a prc before and solved my buddies issue on his

Both tanks dripping where the core meets the tanks almost top to bottom

[Brianstanford]

Did you use wellnuts to install your radiator so it can move when it expands?

Don

Used well nuts to mount

[Brianstanford]

I've had three of those Griffin radiators fail. Two under warranty and one not. They act like they never have any failures in the LS swap line. It was mounted with well nuts on one side and bolts on the other like to OE is. I eventually switched to a universal triple pass and made rubber mounts. So far so good.

Bummer! Seems like most people’s experience with them are the same

[Brianstanford]

Ordered up a DeWitts lsx with fans. Can’t wait!

[Brianstanford]

Haven't updated this in a while. Lets see if I can get it caught up

Got the Dewitts rad installed, quality unit! Installed a better overflow can at this time as well

[Brianstanford]

Next the t56 started having some issues after a night out of playing. GW helped get it out of the car. Love having him help on it.

[Brianstanford]

Drove 9hr round trip to drop the t56 off at Texas Drivetrain Performance in Dallas. Jason and his crew tore it down on the spot and reviewed everything with me! Had it shipped home

Got it installed and it feels so much better and more positive! Kept the LS7 clutch and its doing great

[Brianstanford]

Ordered a Vintage Air kit before going on paternity leave, hoping to install it while I was off. No luck on that happening. Time to wait till it cools off and knock it out then

[Brianstanford]

Savannah Paige. Proud dad!

[WSSix]

Congrats to you and your family, Brian.

Glad the car is coming along for you as well.

[ScotI]

Congrats!

[BigBronco]

Congrats! I am looking to mimic this with my Wife's 68 Firebird.

Funny enough, we are due with our first child in March and I would like to have the whole swap done before the little man arrives!

Wish me luck. LOL

[214Chevy]

Congrats on the car!! But screw cars and I love cars to death. Moreover important...congrats and welcome on the beautiful baby girl.

[Brianstanford]

Congrats! I am looking to mimic this with my Wife's 68 Firebird.

Funny enough, we are due with our first child in March and I would like to have the whole swap done before the little man arrives!

Wish me luck. LOL

Wishing you and your wife all the luck with the little man! Kids are the best thing that's ever happened in my life

Try and get as much done on the car now lol. You'll still have time to work on it once he's here, they sleep a lot at this age lol.

[Brianstanford]

Congrats on the car!! But screw cars and I love cars to death. Moreover important...congrats and welcome on the beautiful baby girl.

Thank you! I agree, love my kiddos even more

[Brianstanford]

Congrats to you and your family, Brian.

Glad the car is coming along for you as well.

Thank you!

[sleepertime]

Congratulation’s on the newest member.

I can see it in her eyes saying.

"Dad when are we going to cruise in the car?"
:theresa:

[rickpaw]

Congrats Brian