Junkyard/Craigslist 3rd Gen Camaro Build

[TurtleTamer]

I appreciate the warm welcome, kind words and encouragement guys. Yes, the body is straight but that color is a dull white roll-on primer the PO put on there. It actually looks better than the old rusty off-white it was before that. I was going to get into painting. I bought a set of HVLP guns and was going to move into a house with a garage I could set up as a paint booth in February, but before I could buy a compressor I ended up needing a welding machine first. Then I landed the LT1 and it seems I'll stay here for another six months to save some cash. Maybe by then I'll be blowing doors off local imports haha. Though I already do that in the Eclipse. Them and mustangs too.

Don't really have any updates because I had duty yesterday and for some reason the computers at work wouldn't let me reply. Then all day today I've been doing a lot of OTP work (other peoples' cars), but got to do some cleaning on the intake and lifter spring. I did get my balancer and flywheel in today so Tuesday if the machine shop is open I can take them to Willy so he can balance everything and after the First I might be able to assemble the shortblock minus lifters.

[TurtleTamer]

I don't have "before" pictures, but this is a drastic improvement. There was about 1/4" of sludge on the underside of this intake as well as the cooling tray. What I've done here is soak the parts in a Simple Green/water solution, cleaned with wire brush, and, for the intake, took to the car wash and this picture is just after baking at 350*f for about 20 minutes. Now the leftover gunk should be dried and will crumble instead of spreading. For the heat shield, I went from the wire brush to some red scotch brite.

The intake will get as clean as I can get it and then I'll port it. After that, it'll get hot tanked/blasted and then I'll paint it, polishing the fins and fuel rails. I'm thinking I'll go black for paint since I love the way it looks against polished aluminum.

Does anyone know if the stock valve covers will clear 1.6 roller rockers? I've heard the covers can be clearance for them if they don't fit. New covers would look nice but I'd rather put the $200 elsewhere.

[jeffp1167]

I started with this



back yard painted









and this











using el-cheapo paint, spray gun, compressor

[TurtleTamer]

It's come a long way...



Pic of the large seam indicative of the forged crank. Willy also rung it like a bell with a wrench, haha.

[JCzNova]

Does anyone know if the stock valve covers will clear 1.6 roller rockers? I've heard the covers can be clearance for them if they don't fit. New covers would look nice but I'd rather put the $200 elsewhere.

I had CC 1.6 roller rockers under my stock VCs with zero issues.

[TurtleTamer]

Well, work has slowed on the project for at least a couple weeks. My uncle died on Christmas Day, so I'll be going up this week once I go on leave for his service next Saturday. The good news is that I look to be inheriting a car from him. He had about 10 and didn't specify where he wanted them to go in his will, just left them to my aunt, and she doesn't need 10 cars, haha. My dad's got his eye on a Trailblazer and I might be getting an SSR but I really have no clue. I did at least get a spoiler today from the junk yard, and I contacted my buddy to drop the car off here at the house soon so I can at least start cleaning it up and getting the rear built and stuff. On the 15th I should be able to cover the bottom end and pick it up from the machine shop.

[TurtleTamer]

Alright, so after some setbacks and progress, I got my bottom end picked up and here is what I've been doing the past week or so:

[NoMoneyZ]

Looks nice and clean. Mine was old and thrown together. I don't even know if it'll run yet. Your paint looks pretty good for a "backyard" job.

[TurtleTamer]

Alright so, I had toyed with the idea of putting the LT1 into my Fiero, even started a thread on here. I've decided against that and am going to continue with putting it into the Camaro. It's been slow progress but I've been working at it. Here is some progress: