1969 Camaro SS Dream Garage Find & Fix Up At Home

[@Silveradoman61]

Glad to see in the comments people trying to help this guy out good job. Agree with everybody on here junk that carb get a holley. The rust in the trunk looks like surface rust no big deal easy fix.

[@RaiderX948]

Hey Jon, just bought a '69 Camaro two weeks ago, had been off the road since the late '80's, enjoy it all and congratulations.

[@juanpedregon6489]

Great video , reminded when I had my first car and I didn't know anything about mechanics and I learned by myself by working on my car.

[@thewriter2549]

Thank you for "getting it." My goal was to make a car dream come true and present a story to resonate with viewers.

[@TrainMaster04]

Great video Mr. Heasley! Reminds me of what my father and I just went through the past 4 months on my Mustang. In anticipation of swapping the straight six with a 302 we decide to go ahead with a front suspension upgrade. Good thing we did this because most of the bushings were done for. Along the way we had many setbacks with terrible shipping, out of speck parts, and ordering errors. We have however had a blast getting to spend hours together as father and son on this project. We expect to do a 9” rear end swap early next year and hopefully do the engine swap next year as well.

[@melvinsmiley5295]

Congrats on the Camaro. We really appreciate you both taking us along for the ride.

[@howardrodner2302]

You're doing great! I changed from the factory 4 piston front disc, rear drum on my "68 SS to Baer brakes on all for corners. I love "em.

[@alittleodd1]

Always use water in a spray bottle when searching for vacuum leaks,the water will kill a cylinder temporarily whilst carby spray gives a small rpm change. And please, pretty please keep your elbows of the fenders,it eventually leaves elbow dents but great job and good luck.

[@pmscalisi]

I had one just like this, same colors, just a weak 307 and three speed manual transmission, entry level interior, bought it in 1975. I still got a lot of compliments and I still enjoyed driving it with some mild suspension mods. I kept it 100% original, otherwise. I don’t and never have street raced and had no interest in tracking so the small engine didn’t matter. I kept it for 5 years.

[@thewriter2549]

Thanks for sharing

[@CatCrazyFamily]

Thanks for sharing!! Love following this great find , old owner / new owner.

[@TruthOverLies]

This is an early 69 build. The spoiler is not as wide so they used leftovers from 67-68 until the wider ones were available.

[@tinbadge]

Eastwood sells a great product and it comes in silver or black and it’s called rust encapsulator that you could use in the trunk. You can get it in spray cans or brush on. Enjoying your progress. 👍

[@Dave_Boyer]

You have to admire his determination, for not being a seasoned car guy. One step at a time, he’ll have it all sorted out.

[@gerry-p9x]

Yikeeees

[@larryalexander4833]

Just a heads up . Replace the glass type fuel filter at the fuel pump. They are known too cause leaks and fires from poor seals and busting

[@frankmayell2367]

They start more car fires than x girlfriends

[@bobsch-gd6ze]

Well, I am sure Dan @ DD Speed Shop would recommend "1967-69 Camaro Wilwood Calipers Front & Rear Power Disc Brake Kit Tubular A Arms" ;) Keep up the good work and keeping it fun too.

[@CP-nl2zb]

My friend has A 67, 68, 69 Camaro A 70 cutlass A 64 Chevelle race car And a 68 Camaro race car. He did all the work on these cars and has had all but 1 since the 70s He has never taken any if his cars to a car show. I think this collection should be documented before it is broken up. Do you have any suggestions on how i can get this done for him?

[@johnmilner7603]

When you go to front disc remember to change the prop valve to disc/drum. I have stock type rotors and pads on my 70 Z28 which were developed by GM engineers that are fine. But if you want sophisticated disc then Wilwood or Baer will perform better. I’m still running the stock 780 Holley with vacuum secondaries. Holley’s are easy carbs to set up compared to an Eddy or Quad. I would get a 750 Holley with vacuum secondaries, not a double pumper.

[@chadlipps]

Breaks for This car are definitely WillWood.

[@gregz6418]

Too late now but a real locksmith will get the keys to match if you remove the glove box lock cylinder (trunk key) and ignition cylinder (door locks)No need to swap out the rest of the locks. Also a great solution if the keys are worn on an old car. The lock cylinders are numbered.

[@mikeallen2404]

since you are going to convert to disc anyway go with an up grade instead pf oem type parts?

[@blackgtx]

Always set the ignition timing before making any carb adjustments.

[@hubertbelden652]

You’re doing a great job, big buddy don’t worry about the mistake you make you’ll learn in time👍🇺🇸

[@dougcoleburn1579]

He should join a local car club. Members are usually ready to lend help on members cars and most have lots of knowledge on old cars. Wonder what happened to the keys?

[@AdaywithJoe]

Junk that carburetor, put a quadrajet 730cfm. Hard line from fuel pump to carb. And if you don't get rid of the filters, no need. No inline filters after the fuel pump. Dangerous, you don't want to spring a leak, cause a fire and lose that car. Your best investment will be a $40 fire extinguisher to keep in the car at all times. The engine could backfire and blow that fuel line off or blow the fuel filter off, boom you have a fire under the hood at 60mph. You need to stop immediately if possible, open up the hood, if possible to a fire.. not something you want to do. Everything hard line, its not cool to see your fuel through a filter. There's a reason those cars were very reliable, its when people start changing and trying to re engineer where you have trouble. Use a solid stainless steel canister type filter inline somewhere between the fuel tank and the fuel pump. Tuck it in a long the line somewhere away from heat not near exhaust. And that's another thing, you want to keep the fuel being fed to the engine as cool as possible because it will burn more efficiently. Hot fuel is not good. Under hood temperatures are HOT bad idea with those fuel filters. You could get the tank cleaned or buy a new one. Most old school radiator shops can hot tank the tank for $35. Don't know if any exist where you are, another thing you can do is, remove the tank, drain the fuel, take the sender out and look inside the tank. In no way should you be pulling rust, because there's a fine mesh on the pickup tube. If it's missing then get a new set up for that. Change the fuel line. I have a 67' convertible i bought it used in 70' I've been down that road. One other thing, check on top of the tank or around the top see if there is a pluged up vent and also, make sure your model didn't have two fuel lines. If it did, return it to the way it was. If not, you can add one and here's why. There is a fuel filter that has a return barb on it and it's a steel canister type. So, it's job is to keep the pressure up as to what's needed when the floats are calling for fuel and when they're full the fuel re routes back to the tank with no crazy fuel pressure and it filters and cools your fuel because it's being circulated through the line to the filter back to the tank. I like those type. If you're interested i can pull the part number? Just reply here. As far as the brakes go you can hit a swap meet and find a set of spindles with disc. Or There really is nothing wrong with the drum brakes as long as you install everything correctly. There's a short shoe and a long shoe, you make sure you install the short shoe to the forward side of the car. Short lining and a longer lining on the rear side of the spindle. Buy good quality parts not junk made in ?..or some other far off foreign country.. will take some time to source good parts. But you have to be this way because that knock off parts won't last and it may not even work when you install it..the other thing is. Since you have the seats out , get a good flashlight lay down inside the car andd have someone outside spray water on the car from the roof. Let it roll off over everything, you'll see if you need to tend to fixing water leaks wich will get in the car if you get stuck driving it in the rain or just by washing. Check the trunk too.. ✌️

[@arnoldrodriguez3803]

Had a leaky trunk in my 69 as well, rusted under the mat. Lose the mat. Cleanup that floor and buy some primer and AC Delco spatter in blue I believe. Make sure you seal that with clear coat to prevent a recurrence. Stay away from fancy brake system. Look for factory replacements so you can buy parts at any parts store when you break down. and you will break down. Saw the first video looks like Kingsville where I went to college in the 80s. I live in south Texas as well. Good luck and look forward to next video

[@thewriter2549]

Yes, looks like Kingsville and is, good eye. Very friendly people, I told Jack Wright if he ever knew of another cool car find in that area, I would like to have him in another story. You gotta like car people. They are old school and have a passion for cars.

[@jackgilvin6923]

CPP disc brake kit excellent

[@skinnerhound2660]

Love the car, great efforts . Hands on is the only way to learn. I would quickly remove that glass fuel filter. They can explode or crack under heat and cause a fuel fire. Also at some point run a hard fuel line from the pump to the carb. Peace.

[@harryjohnson8605]

Keep up the good work

[@gatesyslots]

Looks like you are making great progress John! I would get a dsc conversion kit from Classic Performance Products (CPP) Wilwoods are good unless you prefer OEM replacements. I hope you got the vacuum leak situated. I rebuilt my Edlebrock as well. You can get an electric choke conversion kit from Summit Racing, that would help. Good luck!

[@Luke-jw6zn]

manual willwood brakes , which brakes will depend on what rim size you go with.

[@alexandertoldyanitsyn3945]

I've had good luck with Wilwood Brakes

[@jimr4084]

Agree with the Wildwood choice and front discs would be sufficient. Understand though that you'll likely need to replace the master cylinder as well.

[@DFox-ud3gx]

Lots of work and more upgrades with wildwood product. From master cylinder even new rims so the wildwood calipers need clearance

[@Chef-vg4pu]

I love the sticker on the window… built with my children’s inheritance. And if you don’t clean it, don’t touch it.🤣🤣🤣

[@RobertSherman-h9d]

Wilwood brakes up front! Discs

[@fireballsoutherner]

Or at least the original chevy frt disc's and Mstr cylinder to go with it.❤

[@mikecooper8050]

Who initially heard the manifold leak

[@todd8109]

Brakes? The ones a reputable shop will install for you along with a new carburetor

[@thewriter2549]

A reputable shop? How about "do it yourself, America?" Driving to the car show will be all the more fun.

[@RyanReedy710]

Buy a new Holley electric choke carburetor

[@asyouratty13]

Put the camera in the trunk to see what's going on when closing?

[@thewriter2549]

Video and a light. Good idea.

[@tomchambliss3335]

Close a piece of paper between the trunk and weather strip. Pull on it and try different locations. You will find where it's not sealing.

[@chadkeller2144]

Admire your willingness to dig in and take on something you've never done before. I'd think about ditching the Edelbrock carb in favor of a Holley or Quadrajet and I'd definitely ditch that multi piece filter down by the fuel pump. Those things are known to come apart and cause a fire. Get yourself another one like you have up by the carb. I'd go with Wilwood for the brakes.

[@MrLoserpatrol]

if your brakes work then replace your suspension parts first. Performance brakes and bad suspensions do not work well together and will break from better braking power especially ball joints. That's an old Carter 625 AFB carburetor design. They are easy to rebuild and maintain. Very easy to tune. If I remember right, you have to play with the needles and jets to micro tune it. Your license plate looks like a bad counter fit job.

[@tw9850]

Needs Holly Sniper

[@OneofMyTurns]

No AC no power brakes engine has been swapped. My guess is this car was originally a 307 and not a 350.

[@Wreckitralph54]

CPP will have complete brake kits for a 69 Camaro. Also when going to disks you need to swap out the master cylinder as well. Drum master cylinders hold more residual pressure and can cause calipers to drag or completely lock up.

[@GeneralLao]

First thing, toss that Edelbrock carb in the garbage. Buy a Nice GM Quadrajet and never look back

[@wgterry73ify]

If it has a aftermarket engine... Why not go with the Holley sniper, to replace the carb?

[@thewriter2549]

What are the benefits? Oh, the engine is a 400 with 4-bolt block.

[@kieote]

@@thewriter2549an EFI conversation typically will improve cold starting, and maintain a higher level of performance from the engine, but even a cheap one would be $1,000 plus I believe they need a high pressure fuel pump which you can see this car has a diaphragm pump which wouldn’t support EFI.

[@rtraymond]

@@kieote aftermarket efi is not dependable enough to justify the expense and his lack of knowledge

[@kieote]

@@rtraymond After market EFI has come a long way in the last 10 years, and the Holley systems are to the point where anyone who can turn a wrench can install them. I agree a lot of the earlier ones had issues which gives them a bad reputation.

[@rtraymond]

@@kieote Every vehicle that does these long drag n drive or power tour type events all have reliability issues but the carb gang don't

[@emptymannull]

For the love of God, throw away that Edlecrap and get a Holley 4150 with an electric choke. Can't go wrong with AED.

[@gregz6418]

Well it ran before with that carb, do you really think this is the root cause, I doubt it. It might suck but that car has other issues. Likely a vac leak and maybe carbon on valves or burn valve. Be nice to confirm timing and firing order too.

[@emptymannull]

@@gregz6418 I'm not sure why you assume I was proposing it as a root cause fix 🤔 It would however remove few variables in one fell swoop and minimize effort.

[@gregz6418]

@@emptymannull fair criticism. Apologies. However I just don’t think swapping the carb at this point does much.

[@mikemiller6684]

Had so much trouble with Holleys in my cars through the years used Quadrajets . The 450 Edelbrock Economaster was a good carb.

[@T51B1]

It needs new intake manifold gaskets not a new carb

[@MikeInBendOregon]

The heading says SS, but it doesn't show any signs of being an SS car.

[@trenawawrzyniak4397]

Why wouldn't you take off that gas tank, drain it and flushed that gas tank. And why for the love of old awesome cars n Corvette's and Camaro's and Mustang's didn't you have a very very good mechanic check every on that gorgeous car . I had a cousin who owned his own garage who could do anything with a car from painting to body work to the engine. WITH Me being a 57yr.old female,I know you didn't do things you should have in the proper way. ONLY A EXTREMELY EXCELLENT MECHANIC SHOULD WORK ON THAT CAR.

[@T51B1]

Or he can just work on it himself and learn things in the process

A lot of these old gems have been destroyed by so called shade tree enthusiasts. Very sad actually