Jed's '74 Type LT Camaro

[j.e.d.]

Well things have finally settled down a little bit for me to start a thread on my new old car.

Selling my hatchback was a massive headache but so happy it went to someone in the end who reckons he'll have on the road in about a year (he's a panelbeater which helps I believe).

I flew down to Christchurch a couple of weekends ago with the old man, & after having a good chat with the previous owner we jumped in & roared off. Been a while since I drove a LHD car, last time was about 15-20 years ago in my mates old '76 mustang, but it didn't take too long to get the hang of it. And dad piped up when he saw that I was starting to wander over the centerline too which helped.

The trip was a blast. 4 hours sleep the night before & barely half an hour on the ferry made for an interesting drive toward the end - especially driving through the night in pouring rain with the windows leaking. Fun times.

Took a coupla pics just round the corner from the previous owners place

Took a couple of days, but the hatch got picked up & I was able to park the Camaro in it's new spot

Discussion topics greatly welcomed here:

//oldschool.co.nz/index.php?/topic/52171-jeds-74-type-lt-camaro/

[j.e.d.]

Engine bay shot..

 

 

As you can see, the rocker covers, air cleaner & alternator bracket are a lovely patina of pitted cheap chrome. Dislike the rocker covers especially though, so while I was wandering around the Puke swap meet last weekend I happened across these cool old Weiand one's. Unfortunately the seller would only sell them as a set with the "matching" air cleaner, but for just over a hundy I thought it was a good deal.

 

 

Sanded the fins down to the alloy & cleaned them up a little bit then chucked them on. Nice improvement there I think

 

[j.e.d.]

Minor update. The seatbelt guides & rear seatbelt repair kit turned up yesterday from the US of A. Only took about 2 weeks to get here so pretty rapt with that.

 

For now I like the seat covers on the front seats so I cut a slot & steteched it around the guide mount..

 

 

Then popped the guides on easy as, so now the belt won't be cutting me in the side of the neck!

 

 

Rear seatbelt kit literally took 15 seconds to install. The insides of the belt buckle went missing at least 10 years ago, but never got pulled up for a warrant. These seatbelt buckles have the nickname "the exploding seatbelt", this is because the plastic retainer gets brittle & the spring pops everything out..

 

 

Very happy with this as now I can feel a bit safer taking my kids out for a drive. I'll probably pick up another kit on my next parts order so the other one matches, but that's not a biggie for me.

[j.e.d.]

More pleasant & positive progress with this good thing. Got these made up cos lug centric mags & washers suck..

 

 

Tidied up the area where they'll be seated..

 

 

Then gently belted them in place with a rubber mallet. Needed a little tap with a drift right at the end just to get them sitting a fraction below the mag surface..

 

 

But by god did these make a hell of a difference. From lining them up on the hub easier to how the car now drives, I wouldn't recommend anything else to anyone who have these kinda mags. The car behaves awesomely up to 100-110 and beyond to a number I better not mention. Needless to say I'm a happy man again 

[j.e.d.]

Next on the agenda is the suspension. The only thing I did notice at slow speed was a kind of "thrumming" for lack of a better description. It only happens every now & then & I'm not sure if its the road or possibly the shocks being worn out. Here are some pics of the current state of the suspension bushes & steering. Looks alright aye??..

 

 

Shocks are these Spax things. Is that a good brand? I've heard of them before but can't remember if that's a good thing or not..

 

[j.e.d.]

No progress, but been purchasing some necessary (and unnecessary) things for the car..

 

My Rockauto order came thru the other day..

 

Got the new manifold & bits & pieces, as well as a pair of exhaust cutouts... just cos loud is cool..

 

And the MSD setup & traction bars (just cos I like traction bars). I'll probably put them on, find they're a complete pain in the arse, then take them off again but hey thats part of the fun right?

[j.e.d.]

Oh, and the car decided to christen the garage floor after sitting for a coupla weeks..

Better check that out on the weekend. Trans oil level seemed fine (if not possibly too high on the dipstick), so perhaps (hopefully) just the gasket needs replacing (or bolts tightening up).

[j.e.d.]

Little update. My new best friend Ross Taylor gave me a warrant on this thing the other week, but he did mention the trans mount looked a little buggered. So out with the old..

And in with the new..

It was vibrating a bit on the last couple of drives so I'd imagine this will help things a little. The trans is still leaking so I'll have to look at that soon otherwise this mount will go the way of the old one I'd say.

[j.e.d.]

Totally unnecessary addition to the car.. because I've always wanted a bonnet scoop. I like it anyway

Out with the old..

 

In with the new..

I like the new view from the cockpit..