1976 'Red Dead' Camaro

[LeighP]

Hey, nice job on the car....you'll like the earlier floor, the seats sit a bit lower. Really easy job on the subframe, you'll just have to use a hole saw to put two new holes a couple of inches further back.
I used a 75+ Camaro frame in my 71 Firebird.....I also plated over the old holes.
A couple of things to be aware of...if you're using solid body mounts, the later frame will have an uneven edge where the new rear mounts fit, you'll need to machine or grind the solid mount to take that into account. Heres a pic of mine....


The other thing to consider is you will probably have to use an earlier model gearbox crossmember....I found the later model crossmember will not fit with the early body floor pan...theres no room to get it up and onto the top of the rails to bolt it down. I had to use an early crossmember and redrill the holes further towards the rear of the frame rails. The two round holes in the frame you can see forward of the crossmember are the mounting points for the later crossmember - you can see how theres a big difference in location.
Again, heres mine with the early crossmember fitted.




Good luck with the car, I'll definately be following along.

[jordanh]

Thank you for that info, awesome. Gives me a little better idea on what I have in store. I am using dse solid mounts and subframe connectors. I actually have a subframe mount plate kit coming that comes with the plates to weld in, so that should take care of the uneven lip. If not I'll figure that out when I get to that point. I'm also building my own trans crossmember, so I'll be good to go.

Thanks again!

[Uneek68]

Well for a change of pace I thought I would post up my door cards I made. I have no prior experience in interior work. I was cruising the internet one night and stumbled across some youtube videos, and thought it looked pretty easy. I made these in the dining room of my apartment. Luckily my girlfriend was very layed back about having materials spread across the dining room... into the living room..with some crap laying on the kitchen island!

Old door cards torn apart. you can see a little brain storming with my sharpie.
Attachment 53903

I made a template from the original door panel and cut out these backing boards
Attachment 53904

I made another template of what I was after and cut out the high density foam.
Attachment 53905

Here I have the foam cut out and glued to the backing board.
Attachment 53906

Here I have the panel covered with vinyl. I was going to make the inserts out of foam also, but ditched that idea.
Attachment 53907

I decided I had better test fit them to the door. I did not have the door at my apartment when I was making them, so I had my fingers crossed.
Attachment 53908

Well I got lazy with the camera, but here is the finished panel.
Attachment 53909

Here are the door pulls I machined out of aluminum. The door pulls, and the aluminum trim washers on the flat heads screws that you see in this picture were also made by me.
Attachment 53910

I really like those door pulls where could I get me a pair?

[MikeDVC]

always happy to see another big bumper car in the forum; subscribed!

[Protournova]

Another one interested in the door pulls...

[jordanh]

I am glad you guys like the door pulls.. but they are one off pieces that I designed and machined. Unfortunately I do not have the time to make more. sorry guys.

[kmdracer]

Subbing in. I like the custom touches so far. Have always liked the "flocked" dashes, but didn't know what it was called or how to do it.

[workbenchracer]

Very nice work. Admire your passion and energy. I could use some!

[jordanh]

Took a break from the car to get a little bit to eat. I figured I might as well post a few pics of my progress this morning.

Started working on the cowl.

Heres the passenger side finished up. Moving onto the drivers side when I get back out to the shop.

[jordanh]

Well went back out and got the driver side finished up. This will be all my progress for today. I have to get cleaned up and head over to a family event.

I learned a lot doing the passenger side, so I feel that the driver side came out much better. I wasn't able to get all the way down into that corner to finish the weld. Thats the limitations of a 4 1/2" side grinder I suppose. I just got my Lincoln mig welder and 26gal air compressor, but I haven't collected any air tools yet. I will have to get a small angled die grinder I think. Is there a better tool you guys would recommend? I'm only 22 yrs old so I have next to no body work experience...so I'm just learning what tools I need.

Well heres the important stuff

[LeighP]

Nice patching job.....one of the common weak points for rust on a 2nd gen.

[jordanh]

If anyone knows where I can get the rear piece of the driver side rear frame rail, send me a pm. The passenger side of my donor car was good, but not my driver.

Looking for a cut out section to save a bit on money, or else I can get a repop.

[LeighP]

Contact Mike Freeman (screen name Kentucki Yeti) on www.transamcountry.com
He has various parts cars that he sections up for people, he may be able to help.....sorry I don't have an email handy for him.

[SLO_Z28]

Cool build! Good to see another big bumper coming back to life!

[jordanh]

Cool, I will have to give him a ring.

I found some pictures of the day I got the car home, when it was still a complete car (sort of)... Can you tell whats missing?

[FirebirdSteve]

I'll bite.....engine.

[jordanh]

Dang, to easy. It does have a useless to me th350 hanging in there.

[jordanh]

small wednesday night update..

Thought I would put up a few pictures of some parts I've been finding time to turn out in the last few months.

Petty boring in respect to the stuff I do for customers but...

Heres some pieces I made to connect the front subframe braces to the firewall. The flat pieces without a center hole will be blended into the firewall. The other piece with the thru hole will be welded to the end of the subframe tube.



Few pieces I started making for my trans crossmember.


Also started working on the tail lights. Need to be disassembled and cleaned.

[jordanh]

Got a few things done in the few hours I had saturday morning. I left early to head back home to beat the snow storm.

I got the trunk pan welded in and rear tail panel cleco'd and welded to the seam of the trunk pan. I will finish welding it 100% once I have the quarters hung, and trunk drop offs fitted.

[jordanh]

Had to cut this peice from the old trunk floor. Really not sure why they left this very small piece out of the repopped trunk?



Also some Good news, I'm going camera shopping today. So hopefully we wont have to put up with these painfully crappy pictures much longer.