My 1978 Z28 Camaro (I Know Not A Firebird)
- Thread starter 70formula
- Start date
Well, we have some forward progress again...
New OEM cast Water pump is installed, and I have started getting the wiring and engine bay a little better. I had "universal" plug wires which means they fit nothing properly lol. So I got a set of msd ends and cut them down a ton to fit better and installed a set of sparks plug organizers. Getting the wiring into loom and starting to figure out the routing for now. I'm not getting super OCD yet, as I'm planning to take this car back apart for paint and body work once we move to a new house for law school in a few months. Got heater core lines on and will get the clip on them soon that anchors them to the wheel well. I changed the air cleaner setup to a drop base and ran a hard bend line to get the fuel inlet to clear the new base. Now I can run a normal air filter instead of the tiny one I had on there that was getting crushed by the hood. This one is a 3 but I think I'll run a 2 inch and get a tiny bit more space as it still is really close to hitting. Still not happy yet with how this bay looks, as it still is a hot mess, but its a work in progress.
New OEM cast Water pump is installed, and I have started getting the wiring and engine bay a little better. I had "universal" plug wires which means they fit nothing properly lol. So I got a set of msd ends and cut them down a ton to fit better and installed a set of sparks plug organizers. Getting the wiring into loom and starting to figure out the routing for now. I'm not getting super OCD yet, as I'm planning to take this car back apart for paint and body work once we move to a new house for law school in a few months. Got heater core lines on and will get the clip on them soon that anchors them to the wheel well. I changed the air cleaner setup to a drop base and ran a hard bend line to get the fuel inlet to clear the new base. Now I can run a normal air filter instead of the tiny one I had on there that was getting crushed by the hood. This one is a 3 but I think I'll run a 2 inch and get a tiny bit more space as it still is really close to hitting. Still not happy yet with how this bay looks, as it still is a hot mess, but its a work in progress.
To be honest even OEM stuff is poor these days, seems the only reliable stuff is old shelf stock.
Before / after - driver seat frame. Not sure why I was so intimidated to try interior and upholstery... but here we go. I got tired of waiting for a shop, and the quotes I got were out of budget. So going to try my hand at restoring my seats.
I spent a few hours with the orbital and some hand sandpaper, and even still, my ocd is not thrilled as there's so many nooks in there but kept telling myself - these are going to be hidden. They weren't painted from factory, and long term I'm sure eventually I will want seats that recline long before these even think of rusting out.
I spent a few hours with the orbital and some hand sandpaper, and even still, my ocd is not thrilled as there's so many nooks in there but kept telling myself - these are going to be hidden. They weren't painted from factory, and long term I'm sure eventually I will want seats that recline long before these even think of rusting out.
Happy new year everyone!! Hope its a great one.
For my camaro themed resolution for 2026 -
By end of year - have the Camaro all in the same color even if its just epoxy and #2 - Drive it in the function 4 junction cruise.
For my camaro themed resolution for 2026 -
By end of year - have the Camaro all in the same color even if its just epoxy and #2 - Drive it in the function 4 junction cruise.
Well, got the camaro back to running. New boring OEM pump on, new radiator, and now, new heater core and lines. For the first time in decades this camaro has functional heat and defrost.
Sure wish the motor sounded like a proper muscle car instead of a tractor, but it is what it is for now.
Sure wish the motor sounded like a proper muscle car instead of a tractor, but it is what it is for now.
well, first seat is in, and it showed me there was another issue lol. My seats are out of a 71 and have modified tracks to bolt into the 78 floor. With the fubar foam it wasn't obvious but with the new foam is now obvious that the 78 tracks are needed to sit it down closer to the floor and that 3 inches of whatever they drop down is a must. So, time to track down a new set of tracks.
took her out on this sunny day and drove her around the neighborhood a bit. Was debating taking her to a hot rod show up in Albany, but the seat being in my legs and the angle makes shifting to much of a pita and feel a bit unsafe. I ordered 78 tracks, and hopefully those solve my issue. I also decided to give her a bath, as she is just under the carport and gets dirty from the road.
Work and class has been keeping me busy, so haven't worked as much on her as I wish but still got forward progress.
Drivers side Hotchkins subframe connector is in. Not sure why I put that off for so long, as it was much simpler than I expected. Weather turned so once we aren't getting heavy frost, Ill get the passenger side in.
The new inside seat tracks arrived as well, got them cleaned and repainted now, although as I type this I realize maybe I should have test fit things first lol. But anyway they look to me like the 71 tracks were what my seat fitment issue is, as these mount way differently.
Also got the pass side seat all recovered, hog rings, and back together. This side looks better then driver side.
Drivers side Hotchkins subframe connector is in. Not sure why I put that off for so long, as it was much simpler than I expected. Weather turned so once we aren't getting heavy frost, Ill get the passenger side in.
The new inside seat tracks arrived as well, got them cleaned and repainted now, although as I type this I realize maybe I should have test fit things first lol. But anyway they look to me like the 71 tracks were what my seat fitment issue is, as these mount way differently.
Also got the pass side seat all recovered, hog rings, and back together. This side looks better then driver side.
Well, Ive tried the tracks every way till Sunday, seats have been in and out a frustrating number of times. In no position is both the steering and clutch operable to drive with the driver's seat. In one spot using the actual 78 tracks, I could take the ttops off and wear platform shoes and eye protection and it might be good for driving with no tops being able to see around a tunnel ram lol. Getting really frustrated so decided to tackle something I didn't think would fight me so I had a win.
The Heidt's subframe connectors are now installed. Once the cars drivable again maybe Ill be able to take it around and see if it helps with the squeaks and rattles.
The Heidt's subframe connectors are now installed. Once the cars drivable again maybe Ill be able to take it around and see if it helps with the squeaks and rattles.
Irregardless, the 2nd gen F-body was one of the best looking cars ever made, hands down (although the T/A was the best looking of 'em) Z28's come in a close second.
you know, its funny I always preferred the firebirds / TAs over the Camaros and even have the screaming chicken tattoo on me. My first car was an 89 formula, so the Pontiacs sentimentally have usually meant more to me, but now that I've done both...I have to say I think I've come around to the Camaro look more. If i did a firebird again, I would have to spend the absurd amount of time making sheet metal versions of all the plastic and urethane as to me, its impossible to make that plastic and urethane look anything other than cheap. One my favorite things and a big reason I converted the 78 to the 71 was to eliminate a lot of the cheap looking plastic on both the bumpers, valances, taillights etc. I still would have to say a 70-73 RA IV 4 speed TA is the dream, but I'm also realizing my monstrosity of a conversion Camaro has satisfied the F body itch. I think next project will be either a Model A or a 69 Tempest.
