Great day today, took the vet out to the Jordan chicken run and car show with family and the crew. First time I have really taken the vet on the highway, and not just puttered around town. She did great and was a blast on the highway.
My 1978 Z28 Camaro (I Know Not A Firebird)
- Thread starter 70formula
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Well, looks like I'm more than likely going with a 6.0 LQ4. my brother grabbed two 454s from his work...first one was locked up so we pulled it apart and found it full of antifeeze with a thrown rod. second one we pulled apart and it needs machine work. After two strike outs, I've decided it's going to be better to just pull a running motor. He messaged me a 2500 HD truck just came in rear ended but still running, so hes going to pull it for me and load her up, so we are locking it in with an LS.
Not much has happened, school has started back up and time is not my friend. I did meet up with the guy I bought the shell from and he gave me the rear sway bar he found that came off the z28. Pretty thick to..1 inch thick. Not sure if its stock or not, as I didn't think the rear sway bars on camaros was that thick. Ive usually seen 5/16 on them. Another piece of the puzzle anyway.
The hunt for a motor has paid off; my brother-in-law got hooked up at work and found me an LQ9.
We will have to pull it, but it will only cost me the time and a batch of homemade tamales for him and his boss.
From the sounds, a Denali got rear-ended, and we should be able to grab the computer, wiring, and all the accessories.
I don't think I'll use most of it, but I'll grab whatever I can get from the donor, just in case.
We will have to pull it, but it will only cost me the time and a batch of homemade tamales for him and his boss.
From the sounds, a Denali got rear-ended, and we should be able to grab the computer, wiring, and all the accessories.
I don't think I'll use most of it, but I'll grab whatever I can get from the donor, just in case.
I know I tend to want to do everything and make a show car, but the reality of time and law school has me realizing I want to start driving this car, not have it in the garage for a decade trying to do the most amazing show car race car, etc.
The LQ9 stock running and driving is still double the HP that a 78 z28 had, and it gets me enjoying it.
I want to enjoy the thrill of driving, and someday, when I have my garage, I can do a tube chassis and all the insane stuff I have locked in my mind as goals.
Getting the LS swapped figured out the way that makes sense.
I plan to use my new gas tank, run a Corvette-style regulator with built-in return, and an external in-line pump.
I've ordered some adjustable sliding mounts to get the motor in.
I plan to do the basics if needed, meaning oil pump, main and rod bearings, arp rod bolts, barbell, and gaskets, but if they look really good, maybe clean it, paint it, and send it.
I hope to do this clean and low budget, but make it a daily responsibility.
Some have said they have gotten away with using the stock truck accessories and intake, so if that is true, I'll run those, grab a stand-alone harness, and have the computer reflashed.
I will know more when we pull it.
I got the Corvette with a for sale sign posted on it.
I live right off campus, and tons of college kids keep asking about it, so if it sells, I can make a massive dent in finishing the Camaro.
The LQ9 stock running and driving is still double the HP that a 78 z28 had, and it gets me enjoying it.
I want to enjoy the thrill of driving, and someday, when I have my garage, I can do a tube chassis and all the insane stuff I have locked in my mind as goals.
Getting the LS swapped figured out the way that makes sense.
I plan to use my new gas tank, run a Corvette-style regulator with built-in return, and an external in-line pump.
I've ordered some adjustable sliding mounts to get the motor in.
I plan to do the basics if needed, meaning oil pump, main and rod bearings, arp rod bolts, barbell, and gaskets, but if they look really good, maybe clean it, paint it, and send it.
I hope to do this clean and low budget, but make it a daily responsibility.
Some have said they have gotten away with using the stock truck accessories and intake, so if that is true, I'll run those, grab a stand-alone harness, and have the computer reflashed.
I will know more when we pull it.
I got the Corvette with a for sale sign posted on it.
I live right off campus, and tons of college kids keep asking about it, so if it sells, I can make a massive dent in finishing the Camaro.
Let her air out a bit today, been rainy and cold in oregon now. Got a nice bit so just wanted to stare at her a bit. Ive been daily driving the 84 corvette, and its reminded me how if I want the camaro to be a good year round driver for oregon, I will need a functioning defroster. The vet doesnt and its a bit sketch to drive now...
Once I set the ls in here Ill swap these tiny front tires swapped over to 225s and then if needed, cut a coil out of the springs to lower the front a bit.
Once I set the ls in here Ill swap these tiny front tires swapped over to 225s and then if needed, cut a coil out of the springs to lower the front a bit.
Which means Im going to have to deal with all this....which currently when I look at it...a bit overwhelming. Wiring is my weakness for sure...
Any pro tips on what the best approach...think the stock 78 stuff can be made to work or think it be most cost effective / better to do an aftermarket situation? I don't really plan / think I need AC, Its a t top car, but I suppose if vintage air is the solution instead of trying to peice back together a factory system...anyway Im rambling now....photos tell the better story. I have a really clean 79 dash...and I do have the front and back Heater box...
Any pro tips on what the best approach...think the stock 78 stuff can be made to work or think it be most cost effective / better to do an aftermarket situation? I don't really plan / think I need AC, Its a t top car, but I suppose if vintage air is the solution instead of trying to peice back together a factory system...anyway Im rambling now....photos tell the better story. I have a really clean 79 dash...and I do have the front and back Heater box...
going to be using the sliding ls style mounts on the standard chevy mount / position to get the motor in. I know, boring update just collecting puzzle pieces as money allows.
well, looks like the plan is coming along...
Tomorrow I am picking up a freshly rebuilt 454 to drop in the 78.
big block and a 4 speed...cant got wrong with that.
Tomorrow I am picking up a freshly rebuilt 454 to drop in the 78.
big block and a 4 speed...cant got wrong with that.
motor acquired. Im always Leary not hearing it run...but he had video from the engine shop on the break in stand, and all the receipts, so Hopefully didnt get scammed. Pulled the valve covers and things looked good and clean to me but never know till its in and running....or not.
Casting Code is 14015445, and while I didn't pull the intake to confirm or pull the head codes yet. he said it had square port heads on it. Casting is a truck block, and I didn't think trucks got square port heads, but ill pull all the numbers and solve the riddle and see what we got.
Casting Code is 14015445, and while I didn't pull the intake to confirm or pull the head codes yet. he said it had square port heads on it. Casting is a truck block, and I didn't think trucks got square port heads, but ill pull all the numbers and solve the riddle and see what we got.
Tore the engine down enough to verify the seller's story. Unfortunately, it seems it was a tall tale. It does look clean and like a runner, but it definitely isn't a fresh rebuild, cam hadn't been pulled out, and the cylinders definitely weren't just honed. While it does look clean and lower mileage, it definitely wasn't the deal as sold. Such is life, and a reminder why facebook marketplace sucks lol.
Well, as bummed as I am that the engine wasn't truly built like sold, the show must go on! I put another 1500 into some parts using jegs black friday sale. Ordered a fuel pump, flywheel, chrome alternator, chrome timing cover, chromed water pump, fuel line set, brake line set, wheel cylinders, drums, pads, axel brake lines, hooker competition headers, intermediate shaft, full steering rebuild kit, a smaller oil pan from a 70-72 big block camaro, and the fuel tank straps. Basically, my goal was to get everything I needed to get it to be able to stop, steer, and get the motor installed. I have about a month off between the end of this fall term, and the start of winter term, so I am hoping to get some big strides done that month.
one the other things I have struggling to find any information on is this oil filter housing setup...
It came with the oil cooler lines, and when I removed the housing, there's no way to thread an oil filter on it without the adapter. On other 454s I've seen, once you remove the oil filter cooler housing section, you can screw an oil filte in.
So the question -
Is there any harm if I removed those 2 threaded lines, and replace with threaded plugs? Or do I need to buy an adapter or new housing or??
It came with the oil cooler lines, and when I removed the housing, there's no way to thread an oil filter on it without the adapter. On other 454s I've seen, once you remove the oil filter cooler housing section, you can screw an oil filte in.
So the question -
Is there any harm if I removed those 2 threaded lines, and replace with threaded plugs? Or do I need to buy an adapter or new housing or??
Knightrider189
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Got a month off roughly from college....but definitely doesnt mean I wont be keeping myself busy
I have been hard at work over this short holiday weekend. I Spent hours behind a wire wheel, a wire brush, and used several cans worth of foaming cleaner, brake cleaner, and degreaser. Motor all tore down, and the sellers were definitely full of ****, the motor was a runner, but it definitely wasn't rebuilt. The cam looks great, but hadn't ever been pulled, balancer hadn't been off, etc. But, overall, it seems like it was cared for and low mileage, I expect it will be a killer motor for the Camaro. I wish I had the money to do something about the compression now with a new set of pistons. but money doesn't allow.
