1978 Camaro pics
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Originally Posted By: TaterandNoodles
Smog pump gone, ac gone, pcv (right valve cover) is going to atmosphere I'd use a push in breather at least. Rather large fuel line and filter hanging unsupported right over the left valve cover, don't like that. Who's bringing the steaks to this car-bique.
I knew about the smog pump and ac. Didn't even notice the others as a problem. A push in breather will be cheap and easy to take care of. I'll have to figure out what to do about the unsupported fuel line and filter. I'll BBQ the steaks, mix up all the fixin's (though I'm NO mechanic, I'm a mean cook) and even serve your choice of beverages. So who else wants to join our camaroque?
Smog pump gone, ac gone, pcv (right valve cover) is going to atmosphere I'd use a push in breather at least. Rather large fuel line and filter hanging unsupported right over the left valve cover, don't like that. Who's bringing the steaks to this car-bique.
I knew about the smog pump and ac. Didn't even notice the others as a problem. A push in breather will be cheap and easy to take care of. I'll have to figure out what to do about the unsupported fuel line and filter. I'll BBQ the steaks, mix up all the fixin's (though I'm NO mechanic, I'm a mean cook) and even serve your choice of beverages. So who else wants to join our camaroque?
You need to make 2 lists if not 4. The 1st list is safety items that should be fixed right away. The 2nd list is smaller items that have no real effect on safety or the function of the car but still need attention.
I would put the wipers and at least securing the fuel filter on the 1st list. The 2nd list should be things that need a look when $ allows after the important items are done. The PCV venting to atmosphere is not a world ender that would be on my 3rd list if I was doing 4. Its also called a road pipe but a push in breather is better and cleaner. The throttle return spring running to the upper hose clamp that would be on my 3rd list as well. If the carb spring is working properly it should not even be needed. The filter would be on my 3rd list as well. It may not be the best but its there and functioning as long as you don't back fire the carb it will be fine.
Things that would make my 2nd list are the maintenance items you already know need to be done along with a thorough inspection to find any other items that should have been on the 1st list. Checking that the fuel tank is not leaking around the filler neck is always a good idea on older cars.
It's easy to spend someone elses money. I'd rather see a safe car that gets some attention in a few spots down the road.
I would put the wipers and at least securing the fuel filter on the 1st list. The 2nd list should be things that need a look when $ allows after the important items are done. The PCV venting to atmosphere is not a world ender that would be on my 3rd list if I was doing 4. Its also called a road pipe but a push in breather is better and cleaner. The throttle return spring running to the upper hose clamp that would be on my 3rd list as well. If the carb spring is working properly it should not even be needed. The filter would be on my 3rd list as well. It may not be the best but its there and functioning as long as you don't back fire the carb it will be fine.
Things that would make my 2nd list are the maintenance items you already know need to be done along with a thorough inspection to find any other items that should have been on the 1st list. Checking that the fuel tank is not leaking around the filler neck is always a good idea on older cars.
It's easy to spend someone elses money. I'd rather see a safe car that gets some attention in a few spots down the road.
Originally Posted By: TaterandNoodles
You need to make 2 lists if not 4. The 1st list is safety items that should be fixed right away. The 2nd list is smaller items that have no real effect on safety or the function of the car but still need attention.I would put the wipers and at least securing the fuel filter on the 1st list.
It's easy to spend someone elses money. I'd rather see a safe car that gets some attention in a few spots down the road.
OK, this is my 1st list (so far) - Fuel filter, wipers, the fuel line leak, the brakes which aren't as responsive as they should be and the need for a tailpipe. The brakes and the fuel line leak worry me the most. I took a ride in the back seat this afternoon and was really surprised by how powerful the gas fumes were, and that was with the windows down! I'm assuming that's due to the line I found under the car that drips gas when the car is warmed up? I hope a mechanic doesn't find anything else that needs fixed immediately.
I'm copying and keeping helpful posts like yours. As I said, I need all the help I can get! I appreciate you taking time to look at the pics and share your observations.
You need to make 2 lists if not 4. The 1st list is safety items that should be fixed right away. The 2nd list is smaller items that have no real effect on safety or the function of the car but still need attention.I would put the wipers and at least securing the fuel filter on the 1st list.
It's easy to spend someone elses money. I'd rather see a safe car that gets some attention in a few spots down the road.
OK, this is my 1st list (so far) - Fuel filter, wipers, the fuel line leak, the brakes which aren't as responsive as they should be and the need for a tailpipe. The brakes and the fuel line leak worry me the most. I took a ride in the back seat this afternoon and was really surprised by how powerful the gas fumes were, and that was with the windows down! I'm assuming that's due to the line I found under the car that drips gas when the car is warmed up? I hope a mechanic doesn't find anything else that needs fixed immediately.
I'm copying and keeping helpful posts like yours. As I said, I need all the help I can get! I appreciate you taking time to look at the pics and share your observations.
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OVERKILL
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Originally Posted By: TaterandNoodles
Yes and no. I have seen the foam from the edelbrock air cleaners break down and get sucked down the carb on fairly hot street motors. The problem is the edelbrock intake depending on which intake you have could be taller then stock. To fit an air cleaner under the factory hood you either use a low profile filter like you have or a drop base filter.
I would fix the important problems 1st then worry about the filter. The air cleaner on your vette is a drop base. You need to determine how much clearance you have between the carb base and the hood before you buy anything or the hood may not close. OEM filter bases are normally a drop base.
I prefer the full crinkle dress up kit myself.
I'm running a drop-base with a 4" on my 302, but I've never professed to be a GM guy, so no real idea on the under-hood clearance of a Camaro.
What I do know is that the Edelbrock filter is junk, they like to fall apart, and they can catch fire with a backfire. Garbage all around.
Yes and no. I have seen the foam from the edelbrock air cleaners break down and get sucked down the carb on fairly hot street motors. The problem is the edelbrock intake depending on which intake you have could be taller then stock. To fit an air cleaner under the factory hood you either use a low profile filter like you have or a drop base filter.
I would fix the important problems 1st then worry about the filter. The air cleaner on your vette is a drop base. You need to determine how much clearance you have between the carb base and the hood before you buy anything or the hood may not close. OEM filter bases are normally a drop base.
I prefer the full crinkle dress up kit myself.
I'm running a drop-base with a 4" on my 302, but I've never professed to be a GM guy, so no real idea on the under-hood clearance of a Camaro.
What I do know is that the Edelbrock filter is junk, they like to fall apart, and they can catch fire with a backfire. Garbage all around.
Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
What I do know is that the Edelbrock filter is junk, they like to fall apart, and they can catch fire with a backfire. Garbage all around.
Everyone is agreeing that the Edelbrock filter is worthless, so that's something I'm adding to the list.
What I do know is that the Edelbrock filter is junk, they like to fall apart, and they can catch fire with a backfire. Garbage all around.
Everyone is agreeing that the Edelbrock filter is worthless, so that's something I'm adding to the list.
I agree its not the best but for the time being its worth keeping until you know what the costs will be for all of the safety issues. It could be $200 to $1000 just for whats on the list now. I spent $1500 getting the brakes sorted out on my 67 VW when I ran out of time and had someone else do it. I just spent $244 on labor having the timing belt changed on my little rio. I had all the parts already just no time, I consider that a smoking hot deal.
Originally Posted By: Aspen7
OK, this is my 1st list (so far) - Fuel filter, wipers, the fuel line leak, the brakes which aren't as responsive as they should be and the need for a tailpipe. The brakes and the fuel line leak worry me the most. I took a ride in the back seat this afternoon and was really surprised by how powerful the gas fumes were, and that was with the windows down! I'm assuming that's due to the line I found under the car that drips gas when the car is warmed up? I hope a mechanic doesn't find anything else that needs fixed immediately.
I'm copying and keeping helpful posts like yours. As I said, I need all the help I can get! I appreciate you taking time to look at the pics and share your observations.
I'm glad you understood what I think I was trying to say.
I've caught up on some sleep so hopefully I will make a little more sense, no promises.
OK, this is my 1st list (so far) - Fuel filter, wipers, the fuel line leak, the brakes which aren't as responsive as they should be and the need for a tailpipe. The brakes and the fuel line leak worry me the most. I took a ride in the back seat this afternoon and was really surprised by how powerful the gas fumes were, and that was with the windows down! I'm assuming that's due to the line I found under the car that drips gas when the car is warmed up? I hope a mechanic doesn't find anything else that needs fixed immediately.
I'm copying and keeping helpful posts like yours. As I said, I need all the help I can get! I appreciate you taking time to look at the pics and share your observations.
I'm glad you understood what I think I was trying to say.
Yep get a better filter/housing housing at some point.
Nice cars, and welcome to the forum.
Nice cars, and welcome to the forum.
Originally Posted By: oilboy123
Yep get a better filter/housing housing at some point.
Nice cars, and welcome to the forum.
Thanks oilboy
Yep get a better filter/housing housing at some point.
Nice cars, and welcome to the forum.
Thanks oilboy
Originally Posted By: TaterandNoodles
I agree its not the best but for the time being its worth keeping until you know what the costs will be for all of the safety issues. It could be $200 to $1000 just for whats on the list now. I spent $1500 getting the brakes sorted out on my 67 VW when I ran out of time and had someone else do it. I just spent $244 on labor having the timing belt changed on my little rio. I had all the parts already just no time, I consider that a smoking hot deal.
As you all know by now, it would be quite easy for an auto mechanic to take me for a royal ride! I'll tell the garage I have a bunch of car savvy buddies who I'm going to run the quote by before I agree to anything.
I agree its not the best but for the time being its worth keeping until you know what the costs will be for all of the safety issues. It could be $200 to $1000 just for whats on the list now. I spent $1500 getting the brakes sorted out on my 67 VW when I ran out of time and had someone else do it. I just spent $244 on labor having the timing belt changed on my little rio. I had all the parts already just no time, I consider that a smoking hot deal.
As you all know by now, it would be quite easy for an auto mechanic to take me for a royal ride! I'll tell the garage I have a bunch of car savvy buddies who I'm going to run the quote by before I agree to anything.
It looks like an aftermarket intake manifold.
Never mind, I see that's been mentioned.
Might be worth the effort to find the factory bits and swap that in there.
I don't think a new driver "needs" a trick higher performance intake.
Never mind, I see that's been mentioned.
Might be worth the effort to find the factory bits and swap that in there.
I don't think a new driver "needs" a trick higher performance intake.
Originally Posted By: javacontour
Might be worth the effort to find the factory bits and swap that in there.
I don't think a new driver "needs" a trick higher performance intake.
We would both much rather it had never been modified. My daughter has been in wild love with this particular car for a long time. When she saw it had a for sale sign in the windshield last week, I told her she was going to end up needing CPR if she didn't take a deep breath and calm down
When the previous owner popped the hood and proudly announced the modifications,it was a disappoint. We decided to buy it anyway. I wouldn't buy a car like this for a typical teenager! My daughter is unusual. I think I'm reasonably level headed and responsible, but she's even more so than I am, and she's mentally and emotionally mature for her age (and she finished high school when she was only 15). I know she'll drive the car more responsibly than I would
But on the subject of the modifications, Becca (my daughter)is a Camaro nut and particularly loves 2nd gens. She prefers their only modifications be a deviation from the original paint color, so she wants everything under the hood to eventually be just as it was in 1978.
Might be worth the effort to find the factory bits and swap that in there.
I don't think a new driver "needs" a trick higher performance intake.
We would both much rather it had never been modified. My daughter has been in wild love with this particular car for a long time. When she saw it had a for sale sign in the windshield last week, I told her she was going to end up needing CPR if she didn't take a deep breath and calm down
When the previous owner popped the hood and proudly announced the modifications,it was a disappoint. We decided to buy it anyway. I wouldn't buy a car like this for a typical teenager! My daughter is unusual. I think I'm reasonably level headed and responsible, but she's even more so than I am, and she's mentally and emotionally mature for her age (and she finished high school when she was only 15). I know she'll drive the car more responsibly than I would
But on the subject of the modifications, Becca (my daughter)is a Camaro nut and particularly loves 2nd gens. She prefers their only modifications be a deviation from the original paint color, so she wants everything under the hood to eventually be just as it was in 1978.
Originally Posted By: Aspen7
We decided to buy it anyway. I wouldn't buy a car like this for a typical teenager! My daughter is unusual. I think I'm reasonably level headed and responsible, but she's even more so than I am, and she's mentally and emotionally mature for her age (and she finished high school when she was only 15). I know she'll drive the car more responsibly than I would
It's always a treat for a parent to have a teenager that isn't as much trouble as they were.
We decided to buy it anyway. I wouldn't buy a car like this for a typical teenager! My daughter is unusual. I think I'm reasonably level headed and responsible, but she's even more so than I am, and she's mentally and emotionally mature for her age (and she finished high school when she was only 15). I know she'll drive the car more responsibly than I would
It's always a treat for a parent to have a teenager that isn't as much trouble as they were.
Originally Posted By: XS650
It's always a treat for a parent to have a teenager that isn't as much trouble as they were.
I'm sure I made my mother go gray early. Looking back, I know God must have assigned a brigade of guardian angels to watch over me because I was a wild & crazy country girl. Nothing at all like my own daughters, (I've been talking about my 18 year old because she's the one with the Camaro but I also have a 16 year old who is just as amazing).
It's always a treat for a parent to have a teenager that isn't as much trouble as they were.
I'm sure I made my mother go gray early. Looking back, I know God must have assigned a brigade of guardian angels to watch over me because I was a wild & crazy country girl. Nothing at all like my own daughters, (I've been talking about my 18 year old because she's the one with the Camaro but I also have a 16 year old who is just as amazing).
That car has not been heavily modified, I wouldn't bother trying to change the carburetor, although I might change the manifold to a standard Performer. I have a 73 Camaro with the regular Performer and a stock QuadraJet, and I will try to take the time to figure out the hood clearance with that.
Their are two incidences of fuel hose on the chassis, other than the engine compartment. One in the vicinity of the door, where the hard line of the unibody connects with the hard line on the subframe, and another where the unibody line connects to the tank. The first is easy to fix for someone under the car, the second can be a real pain.
My .02 is to put the throttle return spring on the A list. I haven't looked lately but the bracket to do that properly is almost certainly available online.
What is the muffler situation? Does it still have the crossflow muffler, or has it been converted to duel mufflers? This will factor in to how you deal with the tailpipe issue.
At any rate - nice car!
Their are two incidences of fuel hose on the chassis, other than the engine compartment. One in the vicinity of the door, where the hard line of the unibody connects with the hard line on the subframe, and another where the unibody line connects to the tank. The first is easy to fix for someone under the car, the second can be a real pain.
My .02 is to put the throttle return spring on the A list. I haven't looked lately but the bracket to do that properly is almost certainly available online.
What is the muffler situation? Does it still have the crossflow muffler, or has it been converted to duel mufflers? This will factor in to how you deal with the tailpipe issue.
At any rate - nice car!
Originally Posted By: TooManyWheels
That car has not been heavily modified, I wouldn't bother trying to change the carburetor, ...
Actually, on closer inspection it appears that that carburetor does not have a choke, nor is there provision for it on the carb or manifold. Perhaps the seller still has some original pieces?
That car has not been heavily modified, I wouldn't bother trying to change the carburetor, ...
Actually, on closer inspection it appears that that carburetor does not have a choke, nor is there provision for it on the carb or manifold. Perhaps the seller still has some original pieces?
Another thing - the ported vacuum switch (on the thermostat housting, which keeps the timing from advancing until the engine is warm) has been disconnected. That is an easy fix, just requires another length of vacuum hose.
Originally Posted By: TooManyWheels
Another thing - the ported vacuum switch (on the thermostat housting, which keeps the timing from advancing until the engine is warm) has been disconnected. That is an easy fix, just requires another length of vacuum hose.
Thanks for your help
Lisa
Another thing - the ported vacuum switch (on the thermostat housting, which keeps the timing from advancing until the engine is warm) has been disconnected. That is an easy fix, just requires another length of vacuum hose.
Thanks for your help
Lisa
Originally Posted By: TooManyWheels
Another thing - the ported vacuum switch (on the thermostat housting, which keeps the timing from advancing until the engine is warm) has been disconnected. That is an easy fix, just requires another length of vacuum hose.
Thanks for pointing that out!
I was wondering what the heck a vacuum hose inlet/outlet was doing on top of the T-stat housing. Never seen that before.
Another thing - the ported vacuum switch (on the thermostat housting, which keeps the timing from advancing until the engine is warm) has been disconnected. That is an easy fix, just requires another length of vacuum hose.
Thanks for pointing that out!
I was wondering what the heck a vacuum hose inlet/outlet was doing on top of the T-stat housing. Never seen that before.
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