I wish there was a project of the month winner really. It would make me feel like I had a chance. I had to get e new set of rings because I snapped one. I built the motor almost seven years ago and I dont know why but the rings just didnt want to sping. It caused all kinds of hell. Glad I tore into really. The rings in two cylinders were stuck, and I broke the second ring on #6 trying to wiggle it out. Between that and the #1 needing all kinds of dusting to get it to spin freely I just ordered a new set so now I'm pulling it back down again. I will be in and running by the weekend hopefully. Rings and head gaskets will be here tomorrow.

You just need to have your subframe back in dont ya Tim? Then you can see haw bad azz that port job was.

 

With absolutely no disrespect intended, it seems like you've got a good chance at winning the ROTM anyway. I fully realize that I'm not contributing to the voting so I've got no room to talk. I looked at the ROTM a couple of times and it seems like it's more of a chore than anything else. Only a handful of people ever vote each month it seems. I'll submit my vote for you man! Not many have multiple project vehicles goin' at the same time anyway so you should be proud....I think.

Sorry you gotta open the stroker back up again, peace of mind is a good thing though and at least you were able to recognize an issue before it became a problem. Good luck getting everything back together and running. Technically you're right, if my main objective was to get the 327 running, I could probably do that within a week or two. However, I still need to wire wheel the entire bottom and all the rear end "stuff" before putting the sub frame back in. I'm finding myself often disheartened by how time consuming all this clean up and repainting is. Just don't want to start cutting a bunch of corners now, but man i'd like to sometimes! It's time to start "collecting" on some favors from some friends and get the bottom of the Camaro cleaned up quickly. The problem there is the old saying "IF you want something done right/completely....."

I got the frame connectors, brake lines, trans lines and some fuel fittings ordered today. Still waiting on the CA shaft to get here so I can proceed with the suspension assembly, hopefully tomorrow.

 

I wouldnt take anything you said wrong, you know that. I have my buddy bringing his ring filer to work tomorrow so its on track to get done this weekend. If not the fourth will be a good time. I have Vacation around then. I have a meeting Wed where I "should" get a bonus at work. Yippy! My first one as salary. I'm gonna donate it straight to the car.

 

Nothing too crazy, just a few progress pics. Finally got the CA shaft that I waited for almost all week to get. Should've kept my mouth shut about shipping times apparently. Anyway, got the lower ball joints pressed in and the bushings are all in as well (had to wait for the new shaft.) Things are going together nicely and I can't wait to see how the stance is with the new springs. After I put the 18" rims on (before disassembly) the back end had a perfect stance but the front was absurdly high. Should help at least a little. All I'm waiting on is the stainless brake lines to get here and I'll have the front end DONE! Need to make the bottom of the body a priority here this coming week and get the wire wheeling done as much as possible. The humidity is here with a vengeance and I'm not really looking forward to that job. Have a question (surprise surprise) about the leaf springs. I'm almost certain that I'll need the help of a press to change out the bushings. Is there a home remedy for doing the bushing removal/installation minus a press? Never would've thought that putting the CA bushings in would be so tough, but they were!

 

Once again pardon my ignorance but I'd like to verify the use/need for the washer(s) on the hydraulic brake hoses. I didn't get new ones with the new hoses and I'm pretty sure I've read several times about using these washers with the banjo bolts. Are they called "crush" washers? I only see one washer on the bolt I took out but I'm trying to get this stuff all buttoned up tomorrow. I ordered the correct sway bar bushings but got a set of duds that were too small diameter and different lengths. Quite strange looking bushings really, almost like they were a hard/solid graphite and not rubber. Anyway, if someone could please enlighten me about these washers that would be superb, thanks in advance.

 

Banjo fittings need two washers; one on each side of the fitting. Without these the bolt will tear up the fitting by gauling when tightened, and the caliper side will not seal with the hard fitting against the cast caliper. The washers are softer metal, so they will conform to seal both sides of the fitting. You can reuse the old washers, and I've done it often with no problems re-sealing.
I have seen some that didn't use a washer between the fitting and the caliper, but I don't remember if it was on my Camaro. I know my Austin's GM calipers use two.

 

Appreciate it Vall, I found a little info about this late last night. I'll have to head to the parts store as I can only find one washer on each that I took out. Not sure where the other's went to, they weren't stuck on the caliper either. I'd really like to get this stuff finished up. I got some cleaning done underneath this week, not as much as hoped but still some progress. Can't believe it's almost July already!

 

They often stick to the caliper, and sometimes well enough that it almost looks like part of the machined surface. But sometimes people leave them off and get lucky with not leaking.

 

I found 'em all Vall, each old hydraulic hose had one rusted/welded to the fitting on the end. After I took a wire wheel to them they each came off and cleaned up nice. Wanted to share some before and after pics of the front end finished up. I'm quite proud of how everything turned out. The rotors cleaned up much better than I ever thought they would and, well, everything did for that matter. The bushings, shocks, steering components and brake lines are new, everything else got wire wheeled and painted. Need to get some blankets on the front end now, everything's all dusty already! LOL I'm getting at it with the wire wheel underneath the Camaro now trying to get the bottom of the shell done and remove the gas tank, rear end, springs and fuel lines so I can get everything back there painted and put back together. Keep thinking of the time I could have saved if I only had a media blaster. Making progress though - slow and steady. Not sure what else I can do now as I've tried 3 or 4 times but I really wish I could've gotten the pitman arm up onto the shaft of the gearbox a little more. The nut is flush with the bottom of the shaft at least. I forgot how close all the steering "stuff" is to the frame as well as the rag joint but nothing hits anywhere when I turn the spindles side to side. The hard brake lines were supposed to be pre-bent and they are, just not in the correct spots! Thinking I might send them back and try for a set that has the bends in the right spots as I don't want to mess around and screw them up now. That's why they're not connected yet. I'm sure it would be easier if the frame was back in along with the booster/MC/prop. valve but it's glaringly obvious. Other than those, the frame is ready to get back in there!

 

Looks really nice!