Sounds good, but if you posted pictures, they didn't come through, or maybe my work's IT Dept stuff is working.

 

No pics posted. I'll take some tomorrow, before the rest the front sheet metal goes on, and the engine bay is easier to see.

 

Pics or it didn...., well you know the drill.

 

But I swear, it really did happen! And the aliens didn't probe us either!!

 

Old dash top rusted out:


New top welded in:




Smoothed firewall, new 427, new suspension:


Started the conversion on the grille and headlights today to swap to an RS. Holy cow! Very surprised at how much had to be modified to allow the RS vacuum doors to go in, plus all the trim and back pieces! Had to drill large holes to allow for the pivot mechanism that works off the vacuum motors. Also had to remove all the spot welded trim tabs around the headlights on the old fenders. Had the pieces for the doors, and all the bracketry in and out 4-5 times per side test fitting, and modifying to get it all figured out. A full day for two of us, just to get the headlight door assemblies mounted, aligned, and able to swing them open and closed by hand!
Next is mounting the reservoir tank, actuators, and running all the lines to their locations. Then test fitting the rest the grille before blowing it apart for paint.

 

Nice work, is that flame retardant newspaper?
You guys could have done the diy electric headlight conversion. It's cheaper, and less problematic.

 

We were trying to protect the stainless posts and trim on the car. Surprisingly the paper didn't burst into flames, and did it's job.
I tried to get him to return the stuff, and get the electric kits, but he's had this kit for 7-8 years, and the local place he got it didn't really want to even give back their cost on it, let alone all the money. We're stuck with the vacuum kit now. I even tried to get this kit exchanged towards a stock grille and headlights, but no go there either. Seller didn't want to trade straight across either. He said his cost on the RS parts is $670, and his selling price for the stock components is $430. Still didn't want the RS kit back, even in unopened packages.
So we're converting to RS, like it or not. It does look nice, although we only have the headlight doors on it. The reproduction header, core support, and lower valance were typical junk! Lots of work to open up holes, and shift things to line up. Then more work to shift again to get the RS headlight doors to align in the openings! Had to tweak some, and hammer some out of shape pieces to get things looking and fitting well.

 

Got the entire grille assembly test fitted, and then pulled it back out. Didn't want to have any surprises after paint with the aftermarket header and lower valance panels. Of course we did have to make some alterations, as with most aftermarket pieces, they were tweaked. The bends on the header panel made the top grille trim sit at a whacked angle, so had to bend it into shape until the trim sat right. Also had to use a die grinder and 1/4" rotary file to move the holes until the bolts aligned. This stuff is always junk compared to original Chevy panels.
Got the newly built stainless steel fuel cell installed, and poured 5 gals. of gas in it. Gas began leaking out at the welded seams. Had to pull it out, and take it back to the local shop that built it, so couldn't do a test fire of the 427. We know it ran a year ago, but need to adjust the timing and carb, as it has a new intake and carb since it went in the Camaro. Put the chrome dipstick and tube into the engine, and it was way out of calibration. Couldn't even get oil to show on the stick! Had to use a small rod to see where the level was, and then trim off excess on the top of the tube until it read properly. Must have been a universal for all BBC engines.
All the rest the wiring checked out, except the left rear turn signal, and indicator. We had to use an adapter plug to go from the stock curved connector on the tilt column, to the flat plug used on this harness. Turned out a couple connectors in the adapter plug weren't locked in, and pushed back when we installed it. Pushed them in and all was great. Love these Speedway 20 ckt. GM universal harnesses, as they always go in flawlessly.
Since this is a convertible, the windshield A pillars are stainless, so he had the windshield installed. Didn't want someone working over the windshield after the car is painted, and dash is already painted, so it went in.
Just need to fit the side exhaust and make sure the hangers align. Then we'll sand the body, and shoot epoxy primer, so it will be ready for final bodywork and paint.

 

Well after some prodding from me, my buddy finally decided he better get the title changed for the Camaro! Can't believe he waited this long, and put so much money into a car without getting the title first!
Anyway, it went just fine. Loaded it on the tilt bed car trailer, which made the super low stance of the car not an issue loading. Took it and all the paperwork to DMV, and it sailed through. So now we can proceed with bodywork, and shooting some paint.

 

he was holding a title unsigned after getting it from the previous owner??