Valve cover and air cleaner assy

[lemarin]

I'm trying to bring back to original my 69 LM-1 engine compartment. The previous owner like very much chrome....(yark!!!). Anyway I go part by part, slowly but surely !

From what I've found here and there, the original valve cover for an LM1 should be the orange ones, same color as the engine ? And the air filter assy should be black, with the chrome top ? Right ? Anyone can confirm me this information, also is it the same parts as the SS 350 ?

Finally where can I get those same parts, repro or NOS ? I'm lost since there was so many options and different setup.....aluminium cover, chrome, etc etc...

Thanks again guys, it's so nice to see all your knowledge !

here's a picture of my engine bay, like it is now:

[ko-lek-tor]

Lemarin, please,where do you live? So,if a memeber wants you to have something we know how far for shipping.

Consider these: Are you prepared to move the A/C compressor back to the driver's side?
I may be corrected, but I believe LM1 air cleaner lid is painted (black) and only the SS (L48) had the chrome lid, you speak of. Going by memory, but you know how that goes.

If you could clarify your desire about originality a little better?  meaning, there is "original appearing" and then there is "correct original" or date matched and details corrected that only a small percentage of car guys could ever discern. In the same order mentioned: First: Is expensive enough and time consuming and, fortunately, you can always go the repro route to save time, not sure about saving money. Second: Will be a much more time consuming and could be very expensive. In your favor though, most of the engine parts are somewhat reasonable (excepting smog related)( man trans.only) and common to many engines/(Chevys) of that era.
Cannot remember, is that an auto or stick?

Gotta say, Many guys would die to have that chromey looking, accessorized engine bay, but are stuck with (in their minds) something that looks stock and, in their eyes, pedestrian and boring, yet others like you have all the 'bling' and don't want it...isn't that how it goes? Maybe you could find someone that wants your stuff in trade for original. A lot of your parts look pricey, so,don't trade straight up,IMO, you should have some change $$ when all is done.

[joesauer]

Looks like you have Billet Specialties valve covers & air cleaner....high end stuff & worth a few bucks.  I see an Edelbrock intake (performer?).  Check your carb to hood clearance to be sure the stock air cleaner fits.  Should be ok with a performer intake, but may be trouble if its an air gap.  How far do you plan to go getting back/close to original?  You have headers, serpentine setup, etc.  Expensive to change all that back to original.

[lemarin]

Hi guys and thanks for your answer. My mechanic told me the same: "you have an engine built with full chrome at one opposite, and at the other opposite you want it back to original.....it's far and complicated to achieve loll"

I know many people love chrome, but I don't. My car (LM-1), is auto (TH350) full matching numbers, so I think it worth it to put her back to her original specs. And for the look, I hate chrome in engine compartment....I means, too much chrome !

I'd like to bring her back like this one, per example (I know it's not an LM-1 like mine):


From the pictures of survivors I found on the web, the air cleaner cover should be chrome as well, just like an SS350. But I couldn't find any picture of an LM1 restored to factory specs.

For the A/C, it was not there originally from the factory, it works great but I can live without it as I'm taking the car only occasionally, and anyway in Canada it's not as warm as in the US.

What I hate the most I believe, is the fact that with this pulley kit, the original fan has been removed and there's only an electric fan (static) to cool down the engine (radiator), and it works very often and is much more noisier than any other fan I've heard....it's a shame it's even noisier than the V8 engine !

Any comment or help is welcome.

[zman1969]

I like stock too, those radiator and heater hoses above are horrible leave that stuff to the tuners  IMO

[ko-lek-tor]

I may be corrected, but I believe LM1 air cleaner lid is painted (black) and only the SS (L48) had the chrome lid, you speak of. Going by memory, but you know how that goes.

Correcting myself, Says Chrome Lid on A/C. http://www.camaros.org/lm1.shtml

[crobjones2]

A couple of questions -
Date of assembly of your motor?
what is the foundry of your block? T or V
would the intake manifold have had an oil fill?

I will have other questions later
Chris

[KurtS]

Oil fill on 69+ was via the valve cover.
Yes, it should have the chrome AC lid.

I'd unbolt that whole top end and change that back. But probably leave the serpentine.

[lemarin]

A couple of questions -
Date of assembly of your motor?

H28/8

what is the foundry of your block? T or V

Where to find this one out ?

would the intake manifold have had an oil fill?

I believe yes, but that's one of the reason why I'm here and asking questions: I'm new into the Camaro and Muscle Car, so I'm learning through every post/topic you guys make!

I will have other questions later
Chris

[crobjones2]

unfortunately I have pre-69( oil fill on intake) valve covers and I have mid year exhaust and intake manifold

[BULLITT65]

I think if you unbolted all the after market items, You may be able to sell it as a package deal on Kiiji (Canada's version of craigslist). The good news is for a quick turn around, most of it is available reproduction. *OR you could find a Nova, Chevelle, Impala, or another Camaro parts car and source a lot of that stuff.
 
I gotta say the guy that did that probably had close to a couple grand swapping all that over. To bad you can't just go back to the seller and ask for all the parts he took off.....Or can you?

[1968RSZ28]

I'd change that battery cable too.  The other cable also if it has that type of replacement battery terminal.  That type of replacement battery terminal is prone to corrosion build-up and will eventually fail.



Paul

[lemarin]

Hey guys, my project is under process. It will cost me a fortune, roughly about 12k$ in parts, and probably the same to my mechanics for 300 to 400 hours, but I'm so happy that it's now underway, and it will look awesome ! Everything has to be changed, replaced or relocated. He's painting everything as it should be, the proper color.....it's a real nice project !

Still looking for this air cleaner assy, anyone know the correct GM part number for it ? My engine is a 350 4 bbl automatic (TH350). Maybe a good repro to recommend me ?

Here's how it look right now:

[BULLITT65]

Hey way to go, you are knee deep in it now. Take your time, and reference a lot of original cars, and it will turn out nice.

[lemarin]

Thanks Bullittt, that's what I'm doing by now. My mechanic is very well qualified, as he's in this business for over 30 years now. Good thing also, he's very passionned and perfectionist.....exactly the person I need for this job !