Grandfather's 68 SS Camaro.

[JRC99]

Haven't touched it since pulling the motor. My cheapo HF engine stand doesn't work with the 454- the holes don't line up right and I really don't trust it to hold this thing up.

BUT! I did find out a little more about the car. That converter is a Vega converter. Old school budget trick! Probably going to replace it eventually since they seem to be hit or miss behind a 500hp big block. I was also told the original engine and transmission were sold off so they're probably out there somewhere. I have no desire to purchase them for the car (well, okay, maybe I do- but I'm out of space and money), but if anyone has a 396 or Muncie 4 speed with the partial VIN 399642, you've got my car's original parts.

The fella who built it also said he'd gladly help rebuild it so that'll be cool! I told him I want it set up pretty much as he had it back in the day. I'd put his name out, but I don't know how he'd feel about it. For what it's worth, he's a ProMod racer (and Detroit area guys might know exactly who I'm talking about since Autorama is this weekend)

What I'm thinking is sell my Ram in the spring, daily my Foxbody until I find a cheap beater, and use the money from the Ram to build either this car, or my F-150 (F-150's cheaper to insure, and although it's scrap to 98% of people, I'm psychotically devoted to it- it has tremendous sentimental value, almost as much as the Camaro and Mustang do- it used to be dad's truck. Dad is still shaking his head at me for buying the rustbucket back but the heart wants what the heart wants)
So, not much to report, but I do like learning more about it.

[JRC99]

Can anyone recommend a good engine stand for the 454? My cheapo HF one I got from Dad did not want to handle the weight, at all. I'm starting a job at Ford this coming week so hopefully I'll be able to jump into the car this winter. The engine's been sitting next to the car in a tire with the chain hooked to the intake all year.

Oh, none of what I said happened, by the way. Ram is still the daily, F-150 still has no floors. Oops. I want that truck to at least move backwards and forwards by the end of September (30 years to the day it rolled off the line) and then jump all in on the Camaro after.

[BillyHawk]

Nice car

[Too Many Projects]

Harbor Freight has a nice HD stand rated for 2,000#. Basically the same as their engine hoist, with spread front legs for stability. The front legs also fold up for a smaller foot print when not in use. Not cheap, but lower price than any other I saw that would compare.
I will say, whoever put the model together for the pics has the front legs on the opposite sides they should be on, as it is severely toed out !!

https://www.harborfreight.com/automo...and-59200.html

[JRC99]

Originally Posted by Too Many Projects

Harbor Freight has a nice HD stand rated for 2,000#. Basically the same as their engine hoist, with spread front legs for stability. The front legs also fold up for a smaller foot print when not in use. Not cheap, but lower price than any other I saw that would compare.
I will say, whoever put the model together for the pics has the front legs on the opposite sides they should be on, as it is severely toed out !!

That's within a range I'm comfortable with! Thanks!

[JRC99]

Got a stand for free from one of my best friends. His dad's moving back down south and didn't want to take it with him so it became a birthday present for me. I'm still hoping to tear down and rebuild over the winter. Please excuse the mess in the garage. As soon as this car runs again, I'm going to completely clean everything.

[JRC99]

Pulled the pan off tonight. I could feel the grit in the bottom of it. I'm very glad I listened to the folks on here and my friends outside of here who told me it needed to come out of the car. Might check one of the bearings tomorrow just to see how bad they're mangled. I know it needs a set regardless (and even if it somehow didn't. I see no reason not to do it).

[Too Many Projects]

May as well accept that the engine needs to come down to bare block, tank cleaned and start from there. That "grit" can hide all over in the block, especially oil passages and come back to haunt you.
How is the new job going ? I assembled Fords for a year too, waaaay back in '72/73.
But I did drive a Chevrolet to work...

[JRC99]

Originally Posted by Too Many Projects

May as well accept that the engine needs to come down to bare block, tank cleaned and start from there. That "grit" can hide all over in the block, especially oil passages and come back to haunt you.
How is the new job going ? I assembled Fords for a year too, waaaay back in '72/73.
But I did drive a Chevrolet to work...

Job's going okay. It's rough on the body but the pay's good. Call me hardheaded but I really, really don't want to go to a bare block. Afraid I'll never get the damn thing back together if I go that far. Who knows, I'll probably end up doing it.

[BJCHEV396]

Good luck,hope it goes well for you!