Well, after 3 years of talking and blowing steam, I have finally pulled the trigger and begun the transformation on my L78 from bracket racer to car show, cruise night invader. I have no idea how far I am going with this or what the end result will be, but with no set deadlines to meet, I figure it will be done when a gallon of premium pump gas is either no longer available or will cost about 7 bucks a gallon. Here are a few of the very first pics.

Original motor and heads in race trim, just before teardown.......
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v600/MagicRatt/1970%20SS%20L-78%20Camaro/IM000005.jpg

Always smiling for a photo op.......
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v600/MagicRatt/1970%20SS%20L-78%20Camaro/IM000244.jpg


Work has begun......
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v600/MagicRatt/L78semiresto001.jpg


The tag.......
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v600/MagicRatt/08999147.jpg


Need a lift????
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v600/MagicRatt/L78semiresto002.jpg


A little blurry..........TO226CKO
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v600/MagicRatt/L78semiresto003.jpg

After spending last weekend prepping the car for engine removal...........

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v600/MagicRatt/1970%20SS%20L-78%20Camaro/L78semiresto008.jpg


The project continues on...only real casualty was a small scratch on the firewall from the transmission tailshaft as the engine was removed. Other than that, the day was a success.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v600/MagicRatt/1970%20SS%20L-78%20Camaro/L78semiresto010.jpg

Just leave the engine around back - I'll pick it up. You did say $500, right?

Wow - can't believe that the rarest of the 2nd gens was a bracket racer! Nice car.

Just leave the engine around back - I'll pick it up. You did say $500, right?

Wow - can't believe that the rarest of the 2nd gens was a bracket racer! Nice car.


Had a blast.......raced points at E-town back in 2002 until I had an accident with my private car. Also raced in 2004 season in a heads up division at Atco, NJ. I have an E-town pic somewhere around here..........most of the 23 years I owned the car I raced it at nostalgia events during the season and an occasional street race back in the 80's........

Rich

very nice

Englishtown Summer 2002..........

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v600/MagicRatt/1970%20SS%20L-78%20Camaro/100_0741.jpg

Atco 12.00 Index race 2004

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v600/MagicRatt/1970%20SS%20L-78%20Camaro/100_0742.jpg

cool looking car..

Some disassembly required....

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v600/MagicRatt/1970%20SS%20L-78%20Camaro/L78semiresto015.jpg


I promised there would be no fingerprints on the table.....


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v600/MagicRatt/1970%20SS%20L-78%20Camaro/L78semiresto028.jpg


Factory windage tray..........

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v600/MagicRatt/1970%20SS%20L-78%20Camaro/L78semiresto031.jpg


Head casting dates....L 6 9 L 8 9

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v600/MagicRatt/1970%20SS%20L-78%20Camaro/L78semiresto019.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v600/MagicRatt/1970%20SS%20L-78%20Camaro/L78semiresto022.jpg

That is a sweet car and sweet motor!!! Keep the pics coming! Classy looking!

and an occasional street race back in the 80's........

Rich


And at least once in the 2000's that I witnessed against a 69 Camaro :p

And at least once in the 2000's that I witnessed against a 69 Camaro :p



LOL....yeah, that pesty orange one I bet

Halfway there.......damn those heads are heavy!!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v600/MagicRatt/1970%20SS%20L-78%20Camaro/L78semiresto029.jpg

Just leave the engine around back - I'll pick it up. You did say $500, right?

Wow - can't believe that the rarest of the 2nd gens was a bracket racer! Nice car.

Gordo you would say that wouldn't you.:eek:

SWWWWeeeeetttttttt car by the way:)

LOL....yeah, that pesty orange one I bet


How did you guess ?? :D

That left a lasting impression as to the big block power.

front end removal....

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v600/MagicRatt/1970%20SS%20L-78%20Camaro/L78semiresto047.jpg


VIN location on block.....extremely blurry

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v600/MagicRatt/1970%20SS%20L-78%20Camaro/L78semiresto038.jpg

Hey Rich the car is looking good! DId you yank the motor mainly for piant? I liked the silvery finish, but for a resto I can see your point.
Sean

Thats a really nice car, good luck.
Im subscribed.
Seeing your car has given me renewed motivation to continue on with mine.:cool:

This is going to be an interesting thread.

Keep us updated.

Magnus

Sean, I yanked the motor mainly to paint it the correct color and swap out the crane cam and go back to the factory L-78 cam. Now that it is apart i am going to re-ring and re-bearing the bottom end. The color now is simply a cast iron color.


71Z27LS3....Thanks!! I am hoping to keep my motivation going thru the summer so I can cruise this little gal in the fall sometime.



Magnus.....stay tuned. I be removing the uppers and lowers soon to replace the "racing" bushings with factory ones. I can't wait to fix the firewall either............my favorite


Rich

Lookin good bro.

Can't wait for the finished product :)

Plus I didn't know you owned the car for that long....wow.

almost ready for paint......

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v600/MagicRatt/1970%20SS%20L-78%20Camaro/L78semiresto073.jpg


Casting date.........

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v600/MagicRatt/1970%20SS%20L-78%20Camaro/L78semiresto072.jpg

underside ready for some paint and assembly....

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v600/MagicRatt/1970%20SS%20L-78%20Camaro/L78semiresto075.jpg

It's been almost a year and I haven't touched my project. I finally had a chance today to figure out where I left off and what I am going to be looking for. After todays disassembly project, I have determined I will be looking for a big block core support for starters. Anyone???

Still taking things apart.....the more I do, the more things I find to fix.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v600/MagicRatt/1970%20SS%20L-78%20Camaro/DSCF0315.jpg


The front end sheetmetal scattered all over the back yard.......

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v600/MagicRatt/1970%20SS%20L-78%20Camaro/DSCF0318.jpg

Making a little progress here and there...........some small repair and paint work done to the firewall

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v600/MagicRatt/1970%20SS%20L-78%20Camaro/DSCF2209.jpg


A cam swap and some chevy orange paint completes my weekend work.....

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v600/MagicRatt/1970%20SS%20L-78%20Camaro/DSCF2206.jpg

I got around to putting in a few hours in this weekend. I been putting this job off for a few weeks. I hate detailing boosters:mad: :mad:

Stripping the old...........
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v600/MagicRatt/1970%20SS%20L-78%20Camaro/DSCF2321.jpg

Dull aluminum base applied..........
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v600/MagicRatt/1970%20SS%20L-78%20Camaro/DSCF2330.jpg

The finish color added...........
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v600/MagicRatt/1970%20SS%20L-78%20Camaro/DSCF2333.jpg

the motor looks sweet keep up the good work.

super nice car man. i just turned my car from a pos to a decent race car ( bad gaps ets.) it makes me appreciate the hard work it takes to restore a car perfect or better than perfect. get er' done!

heater box assembly finally in.....:confused: :confused:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v600/MagicRatt/1970%20SS%20L-78%20Camaro/DSCF2356.jpg

pedal assembly and some wiring harness work done......:eek: :eek:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v600/MagicRatt/1970%20SS%20L-78%20Camaro/DSCF2358.jpg

I finished the tail panel last week and forgot to snap the pics........:rolleyes: :rolleyes:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v600/MagicRatt/1970%20SS%20L-78%20Camaro/DSCF2360.jpg

Looks AWESOME! The car looks great already. That tail panel make it look SINISTER!

Looking good

I been wanting to get the motor and trans in the car now for a few weeks. Finally a nice day, not one of those 106 degree deals that have been clobbering the area. If I accomplished anything, I made some room in the garage........

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v600/MagicRatt/1970%20SS%20L-78%20Camaro/DSCF2422.jpg

Not so bad, just a little "creative rattle can" work to do and it's on to the next job.........

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v600/MagicRatt/1970%20SS%20L-78%20Camaro/DSCF2426.jpg
:bowtie: :bowtie:

With the front clip removed from the car, it sure makes balancer and pulley assembly so much easier. The balancer is finished and ready for install. As soon as I locate a crank pulley, I can begin assembly of the front of the motor:happy: :happy:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v600/MagicRatt/1970%20SS%20L-78%20Camaro/DSCF2435.jpg

Awesome work so far!

I know what you mean when you say the more you remove from the car the more work you find. My engine and transmission swap turned into an engine and transmission upgrade that has ground to a halt. The heat out here isn't helping my motivation much either.

I'm subscribed to this thread to help keep myself motivated.

I been wanting to get the motor and trans in the car now for a few weeks. Finally a nice day, not one of those 106 degree deals that have been clobbering the area. If I accomplished anything, I made some room in the garage........

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v600/MagicRatt/1970%20SS%20L-78%20Camaro/DSCF2422.jpg

Not so bad, just a little "creative rattle can" work to do and it's on to the next job.........

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v600/MagicRatt/1970%20SS%20L-78%20Camaro/DSCF2426.jpg
:bowtie: :bowtie:


What kind of transmission case is that?? I like the heavy duty ears on it

What kind of transmission case is that?? I like the heavy duty ears on it


That is the M-22 Supercase by Autogear in upstate NY. I bought it new back in 03 or 04. Heavy duty case, cast iron mid-plate, 26 spline input, 32 spline output, it's a nice box.

I needed to do some parts organizing this morning:confused: :confused: so i went thru my baggie stash of small parts to see what I was missing....

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v600/MagicRatt/1970%20SS%20L-78%20Camaro/DSCF2443.jpg

...so far, still missing some stuff!!!

I got to do a little work on the front of the motor this morning. Once I get the crank pulley and lower radiator hose, I can hoefully wrap this part up and bolt on the radiator support. My goal is to fire this thing before Sept. 24th!!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v600/MagicRatt/1970%20SS%20L-78%20Camaro/DSCF2447.jpg

Still trying to decide on hunting down the correct manifolds, or just pop on a new set of headers.........

went with a new set of Hooker 2217's.......and we're almost ready for fire!!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v600/MagicRatt/1970%20SS%20L-78%20Camaro/DSCF2660.jpg
:bowtie: :bowtie: :bowtie:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v600/MagicRatt/1970%20SS%20L-78%20Camaro/DSCF2662.jpg
Just need a little more water and some spark plugs.......can't believe I lost a set of plugs:mad: :mad: :screwup: :screwup:

Motor is completely stock with the exception of headers, ignition, and rocker arms.......

shes looking great

Finally swapped out the Mallory ignition for a stock delco point distributor. Had trouble locating my old tach and dwell meter though............Pics to come soon on the most recent progress

Rich

Finally swapped out the Mallory ignition for a stock delco point distributor. Rich

But a little confused on your intentions, as I thought you were going OEM...if going with the headers and moroso valve covers why swap out the ignition for points?

Don't get me wrong...I would be going totally OEM...and the repop exhaust manifolds are a nice fit:

http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o93/GregM06/IMG_1496.jpg

I replaced my headers when I did the exhaust over.

Are you taking the car to the L78 display in Nov. at MCACN?

But a little confused on your intentions, as I thought you were going OEM...if going with the headers and moroso valve covers why swap out the ignition for points?

Don't get me wrong...I would be going totally OEM...and the repop exhaust manifolds are a nice fit:



I replaced my headers when I did the exhaust over.

Are you taking the car to the L78 display in Nov. at MCACN?


Moroso covers are gone, Mallory ignition is gone, but I elected to keep the headers. I shopped a few months for the correct manifolds and then decided on a new set of headers. I am still struggling with some health issues so I won't be attending in Nov. I just hope to have the car back together by then. I should have some pics up by the weekend of the engine bay. Right now I have some repop valve covers in place along with a factory delco distributor.

Rich

Nice build Rich

great car and thread ! Build it the way you want, nobody else matters !!

Repop covers and Delco distributor......
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v600/MagicRatt/1970%20SS%20L-78%20Camaro/DSCF2674.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v600/MagicRatt/1970%20SS%20L-78%20Camaro/DSCF2676.jpg
I have a few things hooked up so I can run the motor and gently move the car when I need to. Beats pushin' it!!

Next up is to get the brakes working and re do the inner wheelhouses. Also need to shorten up heater hoses and rewire alternator and a few other minor fixes............as soon as the damn weather warms up around here.

Next up is to get the brakes working and re do the inner wheelhouses. Also need to shorten up heater hoses and rewire alternator and a few other minor fixes............as soon as the damn weather warms up around here.
Looks good Rich.I wish mine would move under its own power:( lol.

Are you the same MagicRatt that drove his sleek machine over the Jersey State Line?

Nice L78.:D

This is great thread , thanks for sharing !!!

Are you the same MagicRatt that drove his sleek machine over the Jersey State Line?

Nice L78.:D

LOL........spent many a nights out cruizin' in this ride across the jersey state line..........me and the BOSS!!

Rich

Yeah, hammering a 4-speed in a Camaro without some Springsteen is just sacrilege. How long you had that car?

Nice one to bring to MCACN in November - that's going to be a historic event for 70 L78s

Yeah, hammering a 4-speed in a Camaro without some Springsteen is just sacrilege. How long you had that car?

Nice one to bring to MCACN in November - that's going to be a historic event for 70 L78s


I bought the car back in the summer of 1985. I was 19 and spent many an early morning driving home from a night of street races in south philly with Bruce. Locals will know the area well. Front street, JFK, meadows, delaware ave. so on..........One tank of fuel down, one tank cruizin' around, and another tank to get home, back when you could buy sunoco ultra 94 for about a 1.20 a gallon, and oh yeah, springsteen cassettes all over the floor. The good old days.............
Would like to make MCACN but health issues and lack of employment are keeping me away................this year.

Rich

I bought the car back in the summer of 1985. I was 19 and spent many an early morning driving home from a night of street races in south philly with Bruce. Locals will know the area well. Front street, JFK, meadows, delaware ave. so on..........One tank of fuel down, one tank cruizin' around, and another tank to get home, back when you could buy sunoco ultra 94 for about a 1.20 a gallon, and oh yeah, springsteen cassettes all over the floor. The good old days.............
Would like to make MCACN but health issues and lack of employment are keeping me away................this year.

Rich
I was there two,lol.Same timeframe.I used to hang more down the airport though(my neighborhood)

FENDERWELLS!!!!! :( :(

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v600/MagicRatt/1970%20SS%20L-78%20Camaro/DSCF2678.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v600/MagicRatt/1970%20SS%20L-78%20Camaro/DSCF2679.jpg

:bowtie: :bowtie:

I managed to get the inner fenderwells installed before stepping in a rut and rolling my right ankle...............again!!!!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v600/MagicRatt/1970%20SS%20L-78%20Camaro/DSCF2680.jpg
:bowtie: :bowtie:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v600/MagicRatt/1970%20SS%20L-78%20Camaro/DSCF2681.jpg
.......and yet another piece is off the floor and back on the car. WOOHOO!!!:bowtie: :bowtie:

Next job is to shorten up the heater hoses, do some minor re-wire, and install aftermarket fan shroud......

Figure I would try some paint work and fix up the cowl area........
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v600/MagicRatt/1970%20SS%20L-78%20Camaro/DSCF2691.jpg
Tried using another flavor this time........."Low Gloss Black"
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v600/MagicRatt/1970%20SS%20L-78%20Camaro/DSCF2692.jpg

Slow but steady progress putting this car back together. I was hoping to have it done by the end of summer but not quite there. Maybe springtime.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v600/MagicRatt/1970%20SS%20L-78%20Camaro/DSCF2841.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v600/MagicRatt/1970%20SS%20L-78%20Camaro/DSCF2842.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v600/MagicRatt/1970%20SS%20L-78%20Camaro/DSCF2844.jpg

I'll see how far I get next week........

Green machine gets some lovin'..........
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v600/MagicRatt/1970%20SS%20L-78%20Camaro/DSCF2859.jpg

Hopefully she's got one shine left on her...........
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v600/MagicRatt/1970%20SS%20L-78%20Camaro/DSCF2860.jpg

Nice thing about this part of the job is that I am running out of parts to put on the car and have more room in the garage to move around. Grille finally installed...............next job is to fix the turn signal light and install front bumper.............yeeeee haaaaaa!!!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v600/MagicRatt/1970%20SS%20L-78%20Camaro/DSCF2863.jpg

...installed!!!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v600/MagicRatt/1970%20SS%20L-78%20Camaro/DSCF2866.jpg

Just need to get headlights adjusted and install the trim and up on jackstands we go........

I was there two,lol.Same timeframe.I used to hang more down the airport though(my neighborhood)

How I miss those summer nights street racing in the 80's.......:cool: :cool: Different time, different place.......

Wow - can't believe that the rarest of the 2nd gens was a bracket racer! Nice car.
What exactly is the rarest 2nd gen?

What exactly is the rarest 2nd gen?
Boy! This could be a thread in it's self. Rare also needs to be clarified. A 1967 with a 6 cylinder and a bench seat with a column shift is "rarer" than an SS 350, but which one would you rather have?

What exactly is the rarest 2nd gen?

L78 is the rarest RPO of the 70-73. Including non-RPO a COPO optioned 70 is also rare.


GREAT THREAD!! Where have I been???? :bowtie:

And a 70 L78 Camaro with a factory turbo 400 is the most rare of all.

gonna be nice.

And a 70 L78 Camaro with a factory turbo 400 is the most rare of all.

I would agree! :bowtie:

I had a discussion with Jim Mattison at MCACN about the TH400 in the L78. While he couldn't give a definitive yes or no, he could not imagine why it would have never been offered for the car considering it was available for other HP models which required a HP tranny.

Need to resurrect this thread and project again. I hope to her back on the road by the end of summer.:cool: :cool:

What's goin on Rich?

What's goin on Rich?

Got married, had a son, got another due in 4 weeks, and realized I was losing my car and garage to the laws of nature. Almost had a panic attack when I realized I had mice running track meets on my dashboard.