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Subframe complete, rear end complete. Just need to install axels, seal up rear end cap & oil, build the brakes (front & back) and install brake lines on subframe, rear end and gas line. I won't have time to work at all on the car for the next two weekends, so that leaves me a couple weeks put the body back down on its belly and install rear end and subframe. So, by the end of March (first week of April) I should have a roller. Take me another two/three weekends to finish seam seal and temporarily fit panels for transport. That would put me end of April for paint start and finish all the touch-ups and misc. Well ready for pain that is, not necessarily start paint due to painters schedule. Anyway, once it's at the painters, give me time to work on cleaning up transmission, driveline, gas tank, chrome parts and everything else I'm forgetting. Transmission has already been rebuilt, so just needs a cleaning and probably a couple seal replacements since its been sitting so long. The engine will be the last big item before assembly. Still have not yet decided to either send the engine off to get rebuilt or fly a good friend in from Texas and rebuild together in my garage. Thank those again who have given input. I still welcome any advise, opinions and even criticism at this point as to make corrections as I move forward.
Hey what's up Camaro lovers... just an update. Have not had much time to work on my 68", but I finally got the body back down and the rear end installed. Brakes and axles installed too. Had a hard time lining up the rear end, just one bold was difficult, but still only took me about 45 min to install. Subframe ready too, but will end up installing at the end of March when I have the next available time slot. I had a little hick-up with the bolts for the upper ball joints when I did the final tightening. For those who are purchasing the upper ball joints from Camaro Central (not sure if other shops sell the same product), the bolts that come with the ball joint are crap. Do not use them. I stripped the first three, but I was only giving them a snug fit with a small 6" ratchet. Maybe 10-15lbs, not much. Didn't realize they were stripped until I went back to put the final torque of 20lbs. got two off without any cutting and the third I had to very carefully cut the top of the nut. Got new bolts.. just needed a little paint touchup on the control arm. Oh... that used original lower control arm I purchased on line (see my previous rant post), we'll turns out that one of the lower weld-on bolts for the shock stripped on me. The control arm had a lot of rust pitting and I was worried about the threads, so looks like I was right. So, looks like I got to put a longer bolt with a nut... not happy. Hope to be on wheels by March 27th.
Oh, man, you must be so jazzed to have it down and horizontal, looking closer and closer to a real car!!! 'Too cool for school', we used to say. Regarding stripped threads, having to use long bolts, and the like, I suggest reciting my old Bobby Dylan mantra, used with great appreciation by me through the years when I meet head-to-head with King Frustration: "If it rhymes, it rhymes, if it don't, it don't. If it comes, it comes, if it won't, it won't." Then close your eyes, imagine the most comforting shade of blue. Finally, think how incredible it will be to drive this puppy down the road, shifting gears and grinning a great grin. Hah! Finish line can be visualized.
Moving slow, but getting excited. Now just seam sealing and panels... oh and tires. I forgot to clean up the brake drums, that's why not on wheels. I hope I'm not missing any steps. Have to go through my notes to make sure. My next update will have panels and wheels on and off to paint for them to take all off again. See before and after pics below (of course without the engine)
Wahoooooo... got myself a roller. Wheels on, doors on, trunk on and seam sealing done (except for the gutter above the doors). Soooo close....
OH, somewhere on the far side of Cool! You have to feel so good!
Boy, we both have Camaro's hitting the road with rubber! Nice timing, I would say. But I, for one, am NOT saying "close". I made the mistake last week of going over my task list and all I can say is "wow". Frustrating for me as I am powerless to make it go any faster, yet the end is in sight...
I have a sister in Sacramento, her daughter in Antelope, and my wife's 'high school-to-present day' best friend and her husband live outside Greenwood, so we will be down later this summer. Maybe we can take our toys out for a spin after these parallel Major Surgery runs...
Anyway, we'll see... AND CONGRATULATIONS on finding the ground!!!
That would be great to know your in town, but your about two-three months ahead of me in the build. If this would actually happen, send me a private message and can coordinate. By late summer, I hope to have the engine rebuilt and installed with the trans and drive line, wiring complete and other mechanical items completed. I would guess the interior would not be done, but maybe the head liner and dash assembled. Would be running but not drivable. Like you said, once you start looking at the list, is just keep getting longer. Also, what I meant about "so close", was talking about ready for paint. I got a little ahead of myself on that... After looking at your list and combining to mine and pages of notes, its none stop. I like that I'm doing 90% of the work on the car, but some things I'm not that experienced and want to make sure it's done right. Like the headliner, windshield and back window install, exhaust, engine rebuild, brake fluid & bleeding and the painting. Those would be the major items I'm having someone else do. I'll have to do some research to see who in this area does mobile service on classics. I also keep forgetting to budget in the back and forth for towing for some items and starting to blow my budget on items I never though of including. If I can keep my paint cost between 12-13K, then I'll end up spending about 35-37K on the complete rebuild. All this work is so worth it. I am enjoying my self a lot and I actually want to do another car (truck). I'm the second owner of a 1986 Toyota 22RTEC 'Turbo' that I want to restore. I've had it since 1998 and I already rebuilt the engine, so just need to do the rest. My other passion is the 1968 or 69 Corvette. Maybe when I retire and have more money.
it's a go-cart,.... no it's rickshaw.... oh wait, its a Camaro. Very happy, panel install went fairly smooth. Couple issues with the gaps between the door and fenders and a couple minor issues that I hope the painter can resolve. This would be my last photo post before paining. Once it's out of the garage, I'll keep working on other items. Have lots to still do and prep for its return. I have never given my car a name. It would seem fitting since 1St. Gen calls his 'Ricky' and many others have given there cars a name. I was given one day a week to work on the car. I started the first week of January 2021 and as of now, it's starting to be tiresome among the loved ones. Bringing home parts to clean, working all day once a week, spending time researching, keeping track of photos and videos, notes and all kinds of deliveries, so it has no become my obsession and now get the eye roll from the wife and kids when I want to talk about the Camaro. 'The Albatross' has been used in our household to mock my time away from my family to work on this monumental project. It has not yet stuck, but it currently fits the current description needed. My buddies back in High School called is '*****en Camaro' based on a very strange song by 'The Dead Milkmen'. Never did like that name.
I'm now freaking out that I'm missing something. I have made sure things like the glove box door, gas cap, heater core cover at fire wall go with the car to be painted. But what am I missing. I could use some help on a list of items that would need to be installed and go with the car for final panel assembly. I don't want to remove something to access a bolt or install a random clip I'm missing. I know there are a couple items like the fuel and break lines need to be installed (already in), but what am I missing. What about the heater blower fan. Can that be installed after (fender will not be in the way..? ). Any pointer would be greatly appreciated.
Wheels on, doors on, trunk on and seam sealing done (except for the gutter above the doors). Soooo close.... 
. After looking at your list and combining to mine and pages of notes, its none stop. I like that I'm doing 90% of the work on the car, but some things I'm not that experienced and want to make sure it's done right. Like the headliner, windshield and back window install, exhaust, engine rebuild, brake fluid & bleeding and the painting. Those would be the major items I'm having someone else do. I'll have to do some research to see who in this area does mobile service on classics. I also keep forgetting to budget in the back and forth for towing for some items and starting to blow my budget on items I never though of including. If I can keep my paint cost between 12-13K, then I'll end up spending about 35-37K on the complete rebuild. All this work is so worth it. I am enjoying my self a lot and I actually want to do another car (truck). I'm the second owner of a 1986 Toyota 22RTEC 'Turbo' that I want to restore. I've had it since 1998 and I already rebuilt the engine, so just need to do the rest. My other passion is the 1968 or 69 Corvette. Maybe when I retire and have more money.
