My 1969 Camaro is Running!!!

[RichieB16]

Well, I haven't been that active on the boards lately but rest assured...I am still lurking around.

Anyway, as many of you know, I have a 1969 Chevy Camaro that I have been working on for the last couple years.  I have been doing an engine swap removing the basically stock spec 350 and replacing it with a high performance 396 big block V8.  After nearly 2 years, I finally got the car running today.  We broke in the engine and it is running fine.  I still don't have it drivable...I'll bleed the brakes tomorrow and take it for a test drive when thats finished.  If all goes well, I'll drive it about 10 miles to my muffler shop on Tuesday (using back roads as I have no exhaust system on the car and its awesomely loud) to get the exhaust put on.  

The first car cruze of the season is June 2nd, and I will be there.   8-)

Here are a couple pics, the first was taken before the engine swap.  The car has a cowl-induction hood now (stock size cowl) that has yet to be painted...its primer black right now and will be painted.

Here is a pic of the motor taken about a week ago.  As you can see (in the back), the distributor isn't in it yet...but it is now.  It's all put together.

[Sir_Crashalot]

That's a nice looking car, Richie. Shiny block too.

Crash

[Mushroom_Farmer]

mmmm......big block chevy.......please tell me you have the proper open chamber, rectangular port cylinder heads.

[Fly2e]

WOW!!!
Looking real mice Richie!!

Nice big block!!!
I may go that route when I swap motors!

Ironically my good friend Rich had a 1969 Camaro that looked identical to yours!!!

Keep posting the progress!!!

Dave

[bok269]

Sweet ride.

[RichieB16]

mmmm......big block chevy.......please tell me you have the proper open chamber, rectangular port cylinder heads.

Actually, I do have the correct open chamber rectangular port heads.  

[BMan1113VR]

Looks great richie, congrats on finishing it! You do anything to the 396 or is it the standard gm performance 396?

[Jared]

looking GOODDDD! I bet it sounds amazing too!

Hope all goes well in the following days!

rest assured I'm extremely jealous as I would love to be able to remove and rebuild the engine on my ole comet

[RichieB16]

Looks great richie, congrats on finishing it! You do anything to the 396 or is it the standard gm performance 396?

It's moderately built, using computer dyno sims its coming out at right about 400hp.  Here are the basic specs:

396 bored .040 over (so, 404ci) with Forged crankshaft
Factory Heads with stock valve train except double valve springs
Comp Cams 270 camshaft (intake & exhaust 224 @ .050) - hydraulic flat tappet cam
Holley 770 Street Avenger carb
Performer Intake Manifold (Chinese Edelbrock copy)
Ignition: GM Performance HEI Distributor
Hedman Elite Headers (Ceramic Coated, 14-Gauge, 1 3/4in primary tubes, 3in collector)
2 1/2in dual exhaust with Magnaflow XL Mufflers and Magnaflow X-pipe

[Mushroom_Farmer]

mmmm......big block chevy.......please tell me you have the proper open chamber, rectangular port cylinder heads.

Actually, I do have the correct open chamber rectangular port heads.

[RichieB16]

I personally would use a Mallory dual-point distributor, but I'm just old skool.

I was thinking about going mallory or MSD down the road.  The MSD E-curve distributer is somewhat intreguing to me...but eventually I want to upgrade the ignition system.  I'm using the GM HEI right now because it was on my small block and it saved me a little money for the time being (when my funds are nearly depleted).

One thing is I need to get it all timed in just right...I don't have it there yet and I'm not sure exactly what it needs.  So, I guess I'll just have to experiment (although its not bad where it is right now).

I also need to have the transmission kickdown linkage hook up (it has a T/H350 3-speed automatic with a TransGo shiftkit).  Without that kickdown I really can't tap into the motors full power potential.  The kickdown linkage I have I think is a little to short and I'm not completely sure how to hook it up.

[Mushroom_Farmer]

[quote]I'm using the GM HEI right now because it was on my small block and it saved me a little money for the time being (when my funds are nearly depleted).

One thing is I need to get it all timed in just right...I don't have it there yet and I'm not sure exactly what it needs.