Curt's 1969 Camaro Project - Page 28 - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Ivan @ Southwest Speed · 10-07-2011, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PIANOMN

Cool Hoping to see it at Sonic!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bethgrce

We are all hoping to see it at Sonic tomorrow...the weather is supposed to be nice, but cold! Hope you can make it Curt!!!!

Yeah totally.....

Let me know if you need a wiring stud!
Ivan

cjingle · 10-09-2011, 12:37 PM

The following is my first experience with my new Camaro:

On the way out to the SMS, I was cruising down the freeway doing about 65 MPH. I noticed something fly by my driver’s side. A little “flash”. A few moments later, another one. I didn’t think nothing of it and thought the tires picked up stone or something. At the time, I was more focused on the horrible sounds coming from the engine compartment. Clattering, vibrations, and drones. I took it easy on the way out. Kept it very slow.

When I got parked at the SMS and prepping the car for show, a guy was standing on the driver’s side and said, “did you know you’re missing several lug nuts?” I circled around and low and behold, indeed, there were missing lugs. I pulled out my little hand socket set and lucked out that I happened to have the correct socket size. I promptly started checking all of the lugs around the car. The rear wheels were still tight. A few were loose. In fact, I took one from the rear to place on the front, driver’s side.

When I got to the driver’s side, all three remaining lugs were extremely loose. I tightened them down the best that I could with my little ratchet. I attempted to add the extra lug I took from one of the rear wheels but it wouldn’t “grab”. Looking closer, I saw that the two missing lugs had “sheared” off the studs. I went to the passenger side and found that all of the lugs were still there. However, they were all very loose. It’s a miracle I’m alive. A lot of scenarios rushed through my head. As I told the story to others, they were astonished.

Now thinking back, the last mile or so before getting to the SMS, I was hearing (but not feeling) a funky drone. I thought it was the exhaust, but was unsure as the racket from the engine compartment suppressed all other noises.

Needless to say, I was extremely nervous on the way back home. More so than I was on my way to the SMS. I had Lorenzo, the president of the Camaro Club, follow me to the Big-I, just in case. I did make it home.

Back to the motor… I’ve decided to swap it out for a ZZ4 Turn-Key Crate Motor. The motor I have now sounds like it’s about to blow any second. When I was nearing home, the oil pressure gauge was bouncing between 0 and 25. I’m thinking it’s still okay and there’s just a loose wire on the sender. But, it doesn’t add to my confidence.

On a positive note, the body, the paint job, the suspension, the drive train are all awesome! The ride was great with the exception of the last few miles (due to the front tires). Everybody at the show loved it. In fact, I’ve gotten invites to the Supercar Nationals, another show at the end of the month, an exposé in the Rods and Rides magazine, and a story on the Garage Built Rides web site. A lot of accolades.

What an experience!

cjingle · 10-09-2011, 12:40 PM

I decided not to go to the Sonic Show n' Shine yesterday with the state the car is in. I'm hoping I'll make it back to Car Crafters tomorrow to begin work on swapping motors.

For those folks thinking of doing a project like this... I guarantee you'll run into problems along the way. And it's not cheap!

Ivan @ Southwest Speed · 10-09-2011, 01:50 PM

Holy crap dude......seriously. That scared me reading it. I'm really glad you're ok man. Cars can be fixed but I know what youre talking about when it comes to our safety. I'm really glad things turned out for the better.

I'm sorry we missed you yesterday as well....I had to wait most all day for a customer to pick up a car and had way too much on my plate once he did come.

Car looks fantastic. You already know that. I'm just glad you're alright man.

I've been a witness in a civil court case where a man lost his life when his front right wheel came off after recently being serviced.

Scary as hell to just hear people talk about it

Ivan

DwRed1LTV6 · 10-09-2011, 04:53 PM

Glad to read that wheel(s) stayed on

Car looks great ! ! ! ! !

Bethgrce · 10-09-2011, 05:53 PM

I'm sure glad you are alright Curt! Scary stuff. I guess we all should check our lug nuts after any servicing just to make sure!
Hope to see it soon!

ZoMBiE_KMF · 10-09-2011, 06:43 PM

Thats crazy Curt. Glad you are alright!

Jmack25 · 10-09-2011, 07:34 PM

Glad you are ok!

2010 BADSS · 10-10-2011, 08:53 PM

Yikes!!!!!

Sorry to hear about the troubles, hopefully everything will be worked out soon.

It sure is beautful in the pictures, and in person though! I'm very glad that you are ok, and am still looking forward to the fine tuned finished car that I know is around the corner.

cjingle · 10-12-2011, 01:34 PM

We finally cracked open the engine.

It's bad!

It's a bastardization of engine parts. There are several different kinds of piston rods, pistons, the top of the pistons were hand ground, the balancer is ground up for a crude balance job, the list goes on.

We didn't go any further to find out the source of the knocking noise. Maybe later out of curiosity.

It would cost several thousand dollars to rebuild this engine properly. More if we wanted to get some horsepower.

As such, we're getting a ZZ4 385 Fast Burn Turn-Key motor. Here are some of the specs: http://gmhorsepower.com/Fast-Burn-385-Turn-Key.php

This motor will be here today. Simple bolt in and we have all of the parts we need. It'll be in the car and running by Monday.

What I like the most is that it comes with a warranty.

At this point, there's not much "original" left in the car. This is a brand new car. A pricey brand new car.

PIANOMN · 10-12-2011, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cjingle

We finally cracked open the engine.

It's bad!

It's a bastardization of engine parts. There are several different kinds of piston rods, pistons, the top of the pistons were hand ground, the balancer is ground up for a crude balance job, the list goes on.

We didn't go any further to find out the source of the knocking noise. Maybe later out of curiosity.

It would cost several thousand dollars to rebuild this engine properly. More if we wanted to get some horsepower.

As such, we're getting a ZZ4 385 Fast Burn Turn-Key motor. Here are some of the specs: http://gmhorsepower.com/Fast-Burn-385-Turn-Key.php

This motor will be here today. Simple bolt in and we have all of the parts we need. It'll be in the car and running by Monday.

What I like the most is that it comes with a warranty.

At this point, there's not much "original" left in the car. This is a brand new car. A pricey brand new car.

Can't wait to see it still! Maybe before I leave in April you will have it running and complete?? lol

Sevn86 · 10-12-2011, 06:21 PM

Wow Curt! Thats one nice camaro! Im glad to hear your ok. Cant wait to see it finished 100%

WiSSDiver · 10-13-2011, 02:06 PM

Wow,, what a great thread. I thoroughly enjoyed reading your whole experience. Makes me want to do the same to my 68, but if so, will really take what you experienced to heart before I do. Maybe just a paint job to match the 2010. :0) Thanks for sharing this whole experience and drive safe!

cjingle · 10-14-2011, 08:46 AM

Here's the new engine. 350 cu in ZZ4 Fast Burn Turn Key. 385 HP, 385 ft lbs torque. Comes with the serpentine set up and accessories.

I should've not listened to the "experts" and bought this motor from the start.

The good thing is that Jim is not going to charge me for the old motor. However, I did dump alot into accessories for it.

Keep an eye on this thread as there's going to be a fire sale coming up!

You can see the old block. The guy actually "hand ground" the forged pistons. There were different piston rods throughout. Also, the rods were in the wrong positions. It's amazing!

The new motor should be in the car on Monday. Hopefully running by Tuesday.

10-09-2011, 12:37 PM	#380
cjingle Drives: 1969 Camaro RS, 2010 Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico Posts: 587	My First Show The following is my first experience with my new Camaro: On the way out to the SMS, I was cruising down the freeway doing about 65 MPH. I noticed something fly by my driver’s side. A little “flash”. A few moments later, another one. I didn’t think nothing of it and thought the tires picked up stone or something. At the time, I was more focused on the horrible sounds coming from the engine compartment. Clattering, vibrations, and drones. I took it easy on the way out. Kept it very slow. When I got parked at the SMS and prepping the car for show, a guy was standing on the driver’s side and said, “did you know you’re missing several lug nuts?” I circled around and low and behold, indeed, there were missing lugs. I pulled out my little hand socket set and lucked out that I happened to have the correct socket size. I promptly started checking all of the lugs around the car. The rear wheels were still tight. A few were loose. In fact, I took one from the rear to place on the front, driver’s side. When I got to the driver’s side, all three remaining lugs were extremely loose. I tightened them down the best that I could with my little ratchet. I attempted to add the extra lug I took from one of the rear wheels but it wouldn’t “grab”. Looking closer, I saw that the two missing lugs had “sheared” off the studs. I went to the passenger side and found that all of the lugs were still there. However, they were all very loose. It’s a miracle I’m alive. A lot of scenarios rushed through my head. As I told the story to others, they were astonished. Now thinking back, the last mile or so before getting to the SMS, I was hearing (but not feeling) a funky drone. I thought it was the exhaust, but was unsure as the racket from the engine compartment suppressed all other noises. Needless to say, I was extremely nervous on the way back home. More so than I was on my way to the SMS. I had Lorenzo, the president of the Camaro Club, follow me to the Big-I, just in case. I did make it home. Back to the motor… I’ve decided to swap it out for a ZZ4 Turn-Key Crate Motor. The motor I have now sounds like it’s about to blow any second. When I was nearing home, the oil pressure gauge was bouncing between 0 and 25. I’m thinking it’s still okay and there’s just a loose wire on the sender. But, it doesn’t add to my confidence. On a positive note, the body, the paint job, the suspension, the drive train are all awesome! The ride was great with the exception of the last few miles (due to the front tires). Everybody at the show loved it. In fact, I’ve gotten invites to the Supercar Nationals, another show at the end of the month, an exposé in the Rods and Rides magazine, and a story on the Garage Built Rides web site. A lot of accolades. What an experience! Attached Images __________________ Enjoy! Curt

10-09-2011, 12:40 PM	#381
cjingle Drives: 1969 Camaro RS, 2010 Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico Posts: 587	I decided not to go to the Sonic Show n' Shine yesterday with the state the car is in. I'm hoping I'll make it back to Car Crafters tomorrow to begin work on swapping motors. For those folks thinking of doing a project like this... I guarantee you'll run into problems along the way. And it's not cheap! __________________ Enjoy! Curt

10-09-2011, 04:53 PM	#383
DwRed1LTV6 Drives: '11 VR 2LT HHr Join Date: May 2011 Location: Gateway to the West Posts: 2,721	Glad to read that wheel(s) stayed on Car looks great ! ! ! ! ! __________________ 2011 Hhr Formerly known as Silver85IrocZ !!

10-09-2011, 06:43 PM	#385
ZoMBiE_KMF Camaro Club of NM Drives: '10 2SS/RS, Sold: [COTW 2/20/12] Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 1,570 View My Garage	Thats crazy Curt. Glad you are alright! __________________ My Build Thread:

10-10-2011, 08:53 PM	#387
2010 BADSS Drives: 2010 2SS/RS IOM Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: New Mexico Posts: 1,210	Yikes!!!!! Sorry to hear about the troubles, hopefully everything will be worked out soon. It sure is beautful in the pictures, and in person though! I'm very glad that you are ok, and am still looking forward to the fine tuned finished car that I know is around the corner. __________________ LPE 650 BHP package Dual disc clutch set Borla catback exhaust-S type DSS 9" rear with 3.90 gear Pfadt suspension/Hotchkiss chassis brace Forgeline Wheels VR3S/Nitto tires Beware of the LPE Sisterhood

10-09-2011, 01:50 PM	#382
Ivan @ Southwest Speed Drives: '15 Z06, '01 NBM SS, '97 SS Join Date: May 2009 Location: Rio Rancho, NM Posts: 12,170	Holy crap dude......seriously. That scared me reading it. I'm really glad you're ok man. Cars can be fixed but I know what youre talking about when it comes to our safety. I'm really glad things turned out for the better. I'm sorry we missed you yesterday as well....I had to wait most all day for a customer to pick up a car and had way too much on my plate once he did come. Car looks fantastic. You already know that. I'm just glad you're alright man. I've been a witness in a civil court case where a man lost his life when his front right wheel came off after recently being serviced. Scary as hell to just hear people talk about it Ivan

10-09-2011, 05:53 PM	#384
Bethgrce Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS/RS Black/IOM Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Buckeye, Arizona Posts: 616 View My Garage	I'm sure glad you are alright Curt! Scary stuff. I guess we all should check our lug nuts after any servicing just to make sure! Hope to see it soon!

10-09-2011, 07:34 PM	#386
Jmack25 COTW 5/7/12 Drives: 10' IOM 2SS RS Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Rio Rancho, NM Posts: 535 View My Garage	Glad you are ok!

10-12-2011, 01:34 PM	#388
cjingle Drives: 1969 Camaro RS, 2010 Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico Posts: 587	Engine We finally cracked open the engine. It's bad! It's a bastardization of engine parts. There are several different kinds of piston rods, pistons, the top of the pistons were hand ground, the balancer is ground up for a crude balance job, the list goes on. We didn't go any further to find out the source of the knocking noise. Maybe later out of curiosity. It would cost several thousand dollars to rebuild this engine properly. More if we wanted to get some horsepower. As such, we're getting a ZZ4 385 Fast Burn Turn-Key motor. Here are some of the specs: http://gmhorsepower.com/Fast-Burn-385-Turn-Key.php This motor will be here today. Simple bolt in and we have all of the parts we need. It'll be in the car and running by Monday. What I like the most is that it comes with a warranty. At this point, there's not much "original" left in the car. This is a brand new car. A pricey brand new car. __________________ Enjoy! Curt

10-13-2011, 02:06 PM	#391
WiSSDiver Drives: 1968 Coupe, 2010 2SS, 2011 2SS/RS Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: WIsconsin Posts: 1,252 View My Garage	Wow,, what a great thread. I thoroughly enjoyed reading your whole experience. Makes me want to do the same to my 68, but if so, will really take what you experienced to heart before I do. Maybe just a paint job to match the 2010. :0) Thanks for sharing this whole experience and drive safe!

10-14-2011, 08:46 AM	#392
cjingle Drives: 1969 Camaro RS, 2010 Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico Posts: 587	New Engine! Here's the new engine. 350 cu in ZZ4 Fast Burn Turn Key. 385 HP, 385 ft lbs torque. Comes with the serpentine set up and accessories. I should've not listened to the "experts" and bought this motor from the start. The good thing is that Jim is not going to charge me for the old motor. However, I did dump alot into accessories for it. Keep an eye on this thread as there's going to be a fire sale coming up! You can see the old block. The guy actually "hand ground" the forged pistons. There were different piston rods throughout. Also, the rods were in the wrong positions. It's amazing! The new motor should be in the car on Monday. Hopefully running by Tuesday. Attached Images __________________ Enjoy! Curt

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