New Project Car: '79 Z28

[Midnightmoon]

Cool! Tunes are VERY important.

Especially important once it actually runs down the road. For now, I can listen to the radio and pretend like its moving....LOL

 

[Midnightmoon]

This is the wiring harness that we are using in the car. One of the previous owners did and hadn't fully finished the install.

26 Circuit Direct Fit 1978-81 Camaro Harness Part No 20114

This direct-fit harness includes circuits for: Accessory Accessory / Cigarette Lighter Backup Lights Blower Motor Brake Lights Charging Courtesy and Dome Light Electric Choke Electric Fuel Pump Emergency Flashers Fused Power Source Glove Box Light Headlights Horn...

painlessperformance.com

 

[stinger608]

Painless wiring harnesses are great. Very direct and as simple as they can get.

 

[Midnightmoon]

Installing a B&M Quicksilver shifter today with a new cable. Not finished yet but looks nice in there.

 

[JFlightRisk]

Yes it does. Nice shifter installation.

 

[Midnightmoon]

Decided to look for the cowl tag today. If my decoading skills are correct, it was built the first week of May 1979 in Ohio. Originally black with the red deluxe cloth buckets.

 

[Grumpy]

Decided to look for the cowl tag today. If my decoading skills are correct, it was built the first week of May 1979 in Ohio. Originally black with the red deluxe cloth buckets.

Probably in Norwood (CIncinnati) that's where the Camaro and Firebird Plant was, it closed in 1987. It opened in 1923.

 

[Midnightmoon]

So, a few updates. New B&M Quicksilver Shifter is installed and operating. New transmission mount. Car is moving forward and backwards under it's own power at this point.

Now that we've verified that the rest of the driveline basically functions, we are pulling the top off the engine tomorrow to see exactly what we are dealing with. Wish us luck.

 

[Midnightmoon]

Found out engine problem. As I suspected, an issue on assembly. The person must have broke off a head bolt in the block and attempted to install a helicoil. Unfortunately, they either installed it incorrectly or it pulled through. It was left obviously above the block surface. The head never had a chance to sit flat against the block.

Pictures attached are from cylinder #8. You will see the raised helicoil and corresponding markings on the head where the gasket blew. Can't believe someone would assemble something like this and attempt to run it.

 

[Midnightmoon]

 

[stinger608]

Oh damn!!! That sucks bro!!!!

Really washed number 8 intake valve.

If the head bolt threads were stripped, I would have taken it to a machine shop and had the oversized ARP studs put in the block.

Expensive, yes, but not as much as tearing the engine back down and getting a different block. LOL

Can't tell from the head pictures, but are them .192 intake valves?

 

[Midnightmoon]

2.02 intake 1.60 exhaust.

 

[Midnightmoon]

Zoom in on the picture of that head for a second. I just noticed this. Did the raised helicoil cut a grove around that bolt hole on the head? Looks to be almost in to area where the gasket would seal around the cylinder. The head is at the shop right now so I can't confirm in person. But it sure looks like a groove there.

 

[stinger608]

Oh heck, that's great!!!!!!

What, are they ole double hump heads?

Man, the memories.

Wow, I built so many small block Chevy's, I couldn't even count that many.

 

[stinger608]

Zoom in on the picture of that head for a second. I just noticed this. Did the raised helicoil cut a grove around that bolt hole on the head?

Oh wow, it looks like it brother. Dang, that could be an issue.

It's so close to the combustion chamber! Take them heads to the machine shop and see if they can give a suggestion or repair.

202 heads are getting really hard to find!!!!!!!

 

[Midnightmoon]

They are actually an aftermarket Aluminum head. Low end "Patriot" heads from what I can gather.

Here's an old article I found about them.

Patriot Aluminum Heads 64cc - Dirt Cheap Aluminum Heads From Patriot

Check out if these new pair of 64cc heads from Patriot could be best for your muscle car. - Car Craft Magazine

www.hotrod.com

 

[JFlightRisk]

It does look like the helicoil caused a groove there.

I've never thought they were an acceptable fix for a thread repair for head bolts. I have used the ARP O/S bolts. Well, at least I sent them to the machine shop to install. The head bolt torque on those doesn't seem high, but I liked happy customers and long running engines.

 

[Midnightmoon]

So...this begs the question. LS swap or source another small block Chevy to get this car running. (Keeping in mind that I already have a 6.0L LQ4 on a pallet)

 

[Midnightmoon]

Today's update. Found out the source of the damage. It appears that the helicoil in question broke, got stuck in the gasket and then ground itself in to the head and block. Have everything disconnected. Engine will be pulled tomorrow.

 

[Midnightmoon]