Grandfather's 68 SS Camaro. - Page 11

**earntaz** · #**101** 10-19-2015, 01:59 PM

Get the small things first ... get a bolt on timing tab and then locate the true TDC of #1 -- set the timing. The "sloppy" TH400 could be attributed to the poor tune of the engine -- accomplish a basic tune-up on the engine before doing the shift-kit deal. Eric on this site is the ACE with the Q-J carb. He can accomplish a basic rebuild or a "show piece" if you so desire. TAZ

JRC99 · #**102** 10-19-2015, 04:08 PM

Ah, It's got a Holley 750. I don't know about this yet. Timing is my main concern, since it stopped bogging under throttle.

JRC99 · #**103** 11-15-2015, 06:49 PM

Crawled under the rear to get the code. It's completely covered in grease but the second letter looks to be A. It's a 12 bolt, meaning it'd have to be code QA, which means it came with 4.10 gears in it. Either they were swapped out, or it really isn't running right, because it certainly doesn't feel like it.

JRC99 · #**104** 11-17-2015, 08:02 PM

Cleaned the pad below the cylinder head. T0510TRH. So it's a 73-74 454 out of a pickup. Wow. Feels so weird. On the one hand, I'm sad it's not the original engine, on the other hand, oooh it's a 454. Also, I was wrong on the rear end. Not a 4.10. Was looking at the date coding and didn't give it a second thought. My bad.

JRC99 · #**105** 11-18-2015, 09:13 PM

Brakleen works wonders...

njsteve · #**106** 11-19-2015, 09:55 PM

As for the "sloppy 400" you should consider installing one of the B&M shift kits (around $90). I had the same problem in my Gramma's 1975 Firebird that we put the 455 in. The shifts were so mushy it felt like the tranny was going. After the shift kit install, the shifts are crsip and you know exactly when they occur. It chirps second and third now, too!

JRC99 · #**107** 11-19-2015, 11:35 PM

Put the battery from my truck in it, started it... and the SOB was in reverse. Shifting= bad. If I hadn't slammed on the brakes, it would've gone into Dad's Harley and my '96 Dakota. On the bright side, I did this myself, and not a thing went wrong (other than the reversing outta nowhere). Shift kit is definitely possible. I've got a Hurst Pro-Matic 2 out in the garage and all it needs is a shift cable (Grandfather needed it for the Chevelle and bought a whole new shifter just for it.)

JRC99 · #**108** 11-20-2015, 07:58 PM

Pulled it out so Dad could get his Harley in the Winter position. Would've gone for a ride, but, whoever is in charge of the roads for the city had the roads salted already (No snow yet) and my truck was in the way and Dad didn't feel like swapping batteries more than was necessary.

markinnaples · #**109** 11-20-2015, 08:08 PM

That Camaro is sweet.

JRC99 · #**110** 11-20-2015, 08:19 PM

Thank you! I absolutely love the car despite some faults.