Yep, nothing worse than stripping paint and undercoating!

 

Hi, it took me almost 4 weeks, 3 to 4 hrs each day plus whole days sundays and saturdays to get it stripped to bare metal. Finally is ready, just the final touching before taking it for soda blasting.

Finally I got the brakes ordered from Bear Brakes. Total of 5300 which includes qty 2 - 6 piston front with 14 inch rotors, qty 2 - 4 piston rear with 13 inch rotors with parking brakes, cables, flexibles, arp bolts & CPP show stopper.

Cant wait to see them!!!!!!!!!!

 

If you're taking it to soda blasting, why didn't you just have them blast the paint off? Did you chemically strip it or sand it off? I prefer the paint stripper discs that look like a sponge. They are about $10 ea., but I can strip a whole car in one day, and they wont gouge or warp the metal underneath. I buy the type that fit my 4.5" angle grinder.

don't forget that you'll need to immediately epoxy seal the metal once it's blasted, or your car's body will quickly begin to rust, and ruin the surface for future paint! Should be done within 24 hrs., or you'll have to sand the whole car again before sealing it.

 

Hi, I used chemical paint remover. I did not know about the disk. Looks quite good. But I preferred to use chemical paint remover as I am more familiar with it.

Yes all the parts which I soda blast, I am taking them to my painter and immediately give them the epoxy primer. Now all the parts which are removed from the car are all blasted and epoxied. On Wednesday, (not the one coming but the next one) I booked a slot for the blasting. The moment I have been waiting is finally coming. I am investing quite nice time now on the camaro.

Today I started to remove the stubborn black stuff from underneath the car. A dirty job as well but I have more than 2/3 done. I am really happy because all the camaro sheet metal is all original except the rear quarter patch panel which the previous owner just welded this path on the original panel. As well there is very minor repairs to be done on this camaro after the blasting. I am very happy for this.

The plan is to continue underneath the car and clean the paint remover to completely get rid of it from the lap joints. I am cleaning with white spirit and degreasing and skothbright.

My target for this year is to assemble the camaro altogether so that I can take it to the sheet metal guy for repairs.

Next year will focus on the ford rear end and wheels.

 

Ya I agree on proper direction, a big block is fine but for what you want it for a 496 is plenty and maybe still to much for an around the block first time big block, just take some time and figure it out.

 

Question:- Can anyone explain or tell me if the second gen camaro was ever manufactured from the factory with a big block engine installed? Or only small block?

Thanks

 

Yes, the 2nd gens had factory big block 402 engines. My '71 was a factory 402 that was pulled and swapped with a 427 at the dealership. No factory BBC engines in 2nd Gen Camaros after 1972.

 

So not a 454. I had the wrong impression that the 454 was a stock engine for the 2nd gen camaro. Therefore where was the 454 engine used?

 

Chevelle, Caprice, Monte Carlo, trucks, and the Impala in 1970-'72. Prior to 1970, the Impala SS had a 427 option for a couple years. No 2nd gen Camaros, and no Novas with factory 427 or 454

If you're talking non factory dealer installs, then places like Yenko, Baldwin, Nickey, and some other small dealerships, did dealer installs of other BBC engines; just not the factory.

 

So Baldwin was a dedicated dealer who buys camaro with small/big blocks and convert them to 454 BBC? Was it approved by chevy that time? Just for my knowledge. Thanks