Messages

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Trans-Am Camaros / Re: Watts Linkage And Other Locating Devices

« on: March 31, 2015, 02:32:16 AM »

I posted in the General Discussion Forum looking for information on my 1969 Camaro SS 396 / 375.  Based on the owner history / information available, it appears to have been modified when new for some form of racing.  The most interesting modification I found are stout brackets welded to the rear frame rail kick ups and what's left of the corresponding brackets that were welded to the top of the differential housing tubes, just inboard of the leaf spring 'U' bolts.  It seems that some type of 'override' traction bars or shocks (as pictured in the Chaffey College car photos) were installed. Additionally the car had a full roll cage previously installed and later removed prior to 1973.  I believe the car was set up for drag racing but I've only seen the underride type of traction bars used for 1/4 mile cars.  Any thoughts?

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General Discussion / Re: 67-9 Fuel lines

« on: March 28, 2015, 08:53:11 PM »

On my car there are four clips that fasten the fuel line to the front sub frame, all are the same style clips.  There are two that fasten the fuel line to the under body about 2/3rds of the way back, one right behind the spiral wire covered 'S' curve is the two finger design clip like the ones you see on Vince's car on his front sub frame.  The second under body clip / fastener is the dual hump line retainer and the last two clips on the unibody sub frame rail are the same as the four on the front.  Interesting note, the diagrams in the AIM UPC 8 pages B2 & B3 show the front and rear subframe clips as being the two finger design and the one described above as the two finger clip is shown as solid.  Any input on differing style clips found on Los Angeles cars?

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General Discussion / Re: 67-9 Fuel lines

« on: March 27, 2015, 12:43:08 AM »

Kurt - 69 L78 fuel line routing / engine compartment pitcure.  Do you know of varying styles of fuel line clips between different 69 L78's from Los Angeles?  I've seen clips with two fingers that wrap around the fuel line that are different from those found on my car.  Mine is not a validated L78 and the clips are solid around the line with a 'V' toward the bottom of the clip where it curves back toward the sub frame.  Attached is a picture of a clip that looks like the ones connecting my fuel line to the sub frame.

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General Discussion / Re: 1969 SS 396 / 375 assistance

« on: March 26, 2015, 04:34:16 PM »

Thanks for the input!  I was considering going back to manual and this seals the deal. Any thoughts on what the average manual steering box date code to build date (2/21/69) spread should be? Was there only one manual box ratio available for the L78s? Recommendations on sources to search / buy a date specific manual box?  Thanks again..

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General Discussion / Re: 1969 SS 396 / 375 assistance

« on: March 25, 2015, 09:42:03 PM »

I originally thought the relay rod (center link) was the larger diameter version and was replaced when the PS conversion occurred. Whoever did the changeover used a non-Camaro power steering pump and brackets. I measured another 69 SS 396 with PS and that relay rod diameter was 1.145”.  The relay rod in my L78 is .943” which, I believe, was used for manual steering.  I wonder which type of steering box, manual or power, was more prevalent in the 69 L78s. Thanks for the info on the pulleys.

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General Discussion / Re: 1969 SS 396 / 375 assistance

« on: March 25, 2015, 02:21:19 AM »

Gents - Thank you for your input, definitely appreciate it.  I checked the radiator and there are no tags on the tank at all.  It seems to be the right size and the big block shroud fits as it should.

The springs do not have any tags but on closer inspection they seem to be a smaller wire diameter than another 69 SS 396 (350 or 325 hp, not sure as the original engine is also gone) I have.  That car still had a green tag (look dark brown before cleaning) with the P/N 3955727.  Also the springs in the L78 seem to have been heated at some time.  Even with the car on jack stands, there are two coils on each side that almost completely touch.  I don't know the dynamics of spring choice for drag racing (as I suspect the car was used for when new) but I'm thinking maybe someone installed lighter springs for better weight transfer.  It appears they also removed a leaf from the rear springs as well.  The car sits lower overall than stock.

None of the engine pulleys are deep groove but the engine and trans are not original to the car.  I believe the engine was originally in a 1969 396 / 325 HP Chevelle.  Trans is an M21.

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General Discussion / Re: 1969 SS 396 / 375 assistance

« on: March 24, 2015, 07:46:31 PM »

I agree with your appraisal.  There is a picture further back in this posting that shows the upper bracket for the radiator shroud.  The lower shroud was held in place by two clips that attach to each radiator side tank.  The car currently has power steering but I question if it's original. The power steering gear assembly date is after (but not by much) the production date of the car and also the PS brackets on the engine are not accurate to a ’69 L78.  The car has the longer steering arms (3954873 & 874) which I think are used mostly on manual steering cars.  The pitman arm is the long 5.8 (3953227) PS version.   It believe these parts are possibly a mismatch.  It seems a previous owner swapped out the manual steering box for PS along with the pitman arm and relay shaft.  I wonder if this was done for a steering ratio / feel that worked better for drag racing.  Does anyone have information on the percentage of L78 cars that came with manual steering vs power steering?  Any thoughts on my combination of steering parts?

The engine is not original; It's a 396 out of a 1969 SS Chevelle by the code on the pad, I believe.  I would be nice to try to reunite it with its original car.

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General Discussion / Re: 1969 SS 396 / 375 assistance

« on: March 24, 2015, 06:29:37 PM »

Kurt - Thank you for the excellent information, I appreciate it.  Sorry I missed the engine mount question.  I believe it does have the BB mounts.  Picture attached.

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General Discussion / Re: 1969 SS 396 / 375 assistance

« on: March 24, 2015, 03:41:40 AM »

I did drop the tank but unfortunately no sheet.  The insulators and foam block were both missing as well.

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General Discussion / Re: 1969 SS 396 / 375 assistance

« on: March 24, 2015, 12:43:45 AM »

Kurt - I would think with the comparatively low production numbers for 1969 L78 and 4:10 gear set options and with the percentage of those made in Los Angeles making those numbers significantly lower, there could easily have been rear ends waiting for an L78 to come down the line.

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General Discussion / Re: 1969 SS 396 / 375 assistance

« on: March 24, 2015, 12:33:16 AM »

Kurt -  NCRS shows a build date of 2/21/69.  The car has a big block heater box cover, and a big block radiator shroud.  3/8" single fuel line with patina on the line and clips and bolts that fits the overall patina of the undercarriage.  On the PS in front of the rear wheel where the fuel line makes two 90 degree turns, there was contact with another object that bent the line at the spiral protector and dented the floor pan.  In an attempt to bend the line back so it would fit in to the 'M' shaped retaining clip, it cracked and now leaks.  I purchased a replacement line from Heartbeat City Camaro parts with new clips and bolts.  I hate to remove the original line and would probably have done a splice repair but seeing as the crack is under the spiral wire protector, have decided to replace it.  I've taken numerous detail photos of what I believe are the original line, clips and bolts and when I remove it, I'll keep the line, clips and bolts intact and store them away.

12

General Discussion / Re: 1969 SS 396 / 375 assistance

« on: March 23, 2015, 05:29:19 PM »

Any thoughts on override traction bars installed in late 60's? Picture shows the bracket and stub, welded to the frame rail and the remnants of a bracket that was cut off of the top differential tube.  First time I've seen these on a Camaro, There was some info I found online regarding their use in road racing the early Camaros.  Car had a full roll cage, hi volume electric fuel pump installed over the rear axle, eyelet anchor welded on the DS frame for a torque strap, trailer hitch plug installed on the DS headlight bucket and wired into the brake / turn signal circuit at the steering column and a leaf removed from the rear springs and replaced with a thin block spacer between the bottom of the spring and the retaining plate.  My thoughts are that this car was drag raced but under the leaf spring traction bars were more common, the override bars have me wondering.

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General Discussion / Re: 1969 SS 396 / 375 assistance

« on: March 23, 2015, 03:56:23 PM »

Kurt - pictures of housing casting number and tube stamp

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General Discussion / Re: 1969 SS 396 / 375 assistance

« on: March 22, 2015, 08:21:50 PM »

VT - Here is a picture of my 69 SS.  I have additional pictures of modifications made for racing.  I don't want to post too many to take up a bunch of space.  Let me know if you'd like to see anything specific.

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General Discussion / Re: 1969 SS 396 / 375 assistance

« on: March 22, 2015, 08:04:56 PM »

Thank you for you offer and assistance.  I am simple.... teach me.  jhnoel4@sbcglobal.net