1978 Camaro Restoration Begins!! Here's What I'm Starting With!

[@Duddie82]

I drove a 1978 Camaro when I was a teen ager,, and I am much older now, and I have purchased another 1978 Camaro. My car came with a Z28 front end. The guy who had it before me could not find a front end worth buying, only that Z28 front end. Once I start work on mine, I will be posting videos. I really like your Camaro, really nice!! Looking forward to seeing you get that engine built for that Awesome Car!!

[@ruthless.6504]

Your the prime example of me I am a 17 year old with a 1978 z28 wishing to do the same with this job money I collect I will restore the camaro and have great memories like you did 🤟🏾💯

[@JDOffline]

Thanks Scott! Looking forward to getting to work on it. I just posted an update video with new wheels and tires this morning. Thanks for sharing your story and let us know where we can find your videos! Thanks for the comment and feedback.

[@JDOffline]

@@ruthless.6504 That's great! I wish mine was a Z28 but it's all good! Good luck with your car and thanks for the comment.

[@justinbattson7649]

I have a 1980, just found these videos, cant wait to binge them lol

[@JDOffline]

Awesome Justin!! Welcome to the channel and hope you enjoy the videos. I’ve come a long way! 20+ videos in the library on the camaro. If you’re interested check out my jeep cj7 build on my channel as well. JD

[@jimhoran5445]

Looking forward to watching!!

[@JDOffline]

Thank you Jim!

[@crapschamp4206]

I had a 78 camaro with a 305 three speed auto put a shift kit in the trans.put 60s on the rear heavy leafsprings.and air shocks that helped with the ride.acell cap and rotor wires new shocks on the front.i had to get a plate welded on the rear driver shock tower.0to 50 1st gear 2gear 90 3rd to 135.i had a new 2 barrel carb.at the end I put a dual exost on sounded nice.i would have put a 400cid in it .fun car to drive stable with my set up.i had a bigger gear rear end.put a tilt steering wheel from a bone yard.love to drive .the trick kit was a must for the Trans I did in a day I was in my 20si did a 57 cad when I was 18 so I was ready for the camaro build.you will need 60 tires on the rear.21 gallon gas tank if I remeber.i rember biching putting 25 in the gas tank.but had a lot of good times.

[@JDOffline]

I hope to have some good times in this car once it's done. JD

[@someoneoutthere1866]

Going to enjoy watching you build this out!

[@JDOffline]

Thanks! You guessed what it was almost exactly! This build shouldn't be as involved as the Jeep but the motor should be something pretty awesome if I do the 383 stroker….fast!!!

[@valuri9017]

can't wait, hope to see some awesome build footage!

[@JDOffline]

Thank you. It's going to be a fun build and hopefully it goes smooth!

[@stevenrodriguez7668]

man those tailights are cool! need me some for my 80

[@JDOffline]

They look good on the car but do really minimize your rear tail lights. I've thought about changing them out to factory lights. Still undecided on this. Thanks for the comment and good luck with your 80!

[@stevenrodriguez7668]

@@JDOffline if you ever decide to go oem on the tail lights id like to see if your willing to sell the dark taillights.

[@JDOffline]

@@stevenrodriguez7668 I’m definitely going to change them out. Not a big fan of the dark lights. Happy to sell them to you. Hit me up at [e-mail].

[@richardresendez2325]

Nice car Cool

[@JDOffline]

Thank you Richard. JD

[@bradenp5260]

Awesome! I’m getting a 79 Camaro on the weekend and I’m exited

[@JDOffline]

That's great and I bet you are excited!! I hope my videos can be of help to you in your build/repairs. JD

[@UCanDoIt2Mike]

Awesome!i I have a 68 the queue. Looking forward to following your progress.

[@JDOffline]

Hey Mike. I wanted a Gen 1 Camaro believe me but the entry price points are steep! These Gen 2's are gaining in popularity because you can still get them for a fair price. How's the Jeep coming??

[@UCanDoIt2Mike]

@@JDOffline My Jeep is coming slowly. I have spent too much time on refurbing front fenders. During this long weekend, I hope to get them complete. I am still in the teardown/repair stages and cannot wait to get into the build-up stage. Cheers

[@UCanDoIt2Mike]

@@JDOffline When I first bought my Camaro, I outlined some plans and created this Blog (my first) It includes some photos and ideas. You will have to add "http:" to the front of //68mistress.blogspot[DOT]com/. An original Grandmas edition 250 Camaro.

[@richardresendez2325]

Glad you got it going needs to run

[@JDOffline]

I agree!! I've got it all torn apart now, check out the recent videos on my channel! JD

[@ernestc9586]

Nice car, I am building a 76 . Can’t wait to see your build.

[@JDOffline]

Sounds awesome! Would love to see some pics. [e-mail]

[@UCanDoIt2Mike]

JD. Now that you are in the Gen 2 game... I thought I would share a couple of channels that I have been following for several years. While you are not planning to perform a restoration, it is neat to see and learn from what others are doing and what is underneath the covers of these old gems. Russ @Double R Restorations Is very detailed oriented and has in depth repair videos on many of the body parts, but done during his chronological progress. Factory Correct Restoration Erik @asicerik is actively restoring a Gen 2 in a restomod fashion. A learn as you go style. He picks up things quick and is doing an incredible job on his car. Restomod Restoration Jeff @Jeff Lindsey is in south Georgia (Go Dawgs!) straightening out the errors of the PO on his Camaro. Restomod Restoration I follow them just to see what those silly Gen 2 guys are doing and see if any of that would/could apply to my First Gen future project. The @mentions do not work anymore in KZbin, but the channel names are listed in bold after the @ symbol. You might be interested in checking out their latest 5 videos and see if that is something your interested in. Cheers and have fun playing with this one!!! I'm Priming fenders tomorrow... Mike

[@JDOffline]

Thanks Mike, I will definitely check them out.

[@keepontruckinoutlawlife1248]

Way kool I subscribed brother can't wait to see more of the Camaro year I was born 78 had the same car it was a type LT

[@JDOffline]

Thank you Sir!! I'm on Camaro ep18 now so you've got some catching up to do, check out those vids on my channel!! Thanks for the comment and sub! JD

[@timsgarage1861]

I love cragar ss wheels on this gen

[@JDOffline]

Yes, I do as well but these are not in great shape at all so new wheels are in order soon. Thanks for the comment. JD

[@timsgarage1861]

JD Offline I agree. Those aren't in that great of shape. I just like the chrome staggered ss. Gives it nostalgia.

[@JDOffline]

@@timsgarage1861 Yes I agree. Cool look for sure.

[@lesliesmith2586]

Cool project car. My Camaro is a year older than yours but it was my high school sweatheart. Haven't done much work on it for a while but my youngest is into cars and wants me to get it home so we can work on it. I replaced my leafs with a pair of Rancho suspension leafs. Camaro always sit ass in the weeds. Your current engine probable needs new seals as they are letting the oil drain into the cylinder. How about a rewire with a complete kit? My car was just a base coupe and I put aftermarket gauges into an aluminum dash I made so I have all the extra wires hanging down. Will be following along. Good luck!

[@JDOffline]

Thanks Leslie for the feedback. My plan is to replace the stock motor with a 383 that I'm building now (see more recent Camaro episodes/updates) and most likely new suspension and rewiring. I just completed a Jeep CJ7 build and swapped in a 350 and rewired the whole Jeep. The original motor is tired and I agree with you it needs some work. I'm excited to start tearing down the car and plan to start that in the next few weeks. Thanks for following along, it should be a fun build. JD

[@sombertownds149]

Thats in better shape then my dads old camaro

[@JDOffline]

I'm starting out with a good platform for sure and got lucky with a California car that doesn't have any rust. Thanks for the comment and feedback. JD

[@garyboardwine3349]

I'll be startibgvin mine soon, t top, 79

[@JDOffline]

Sweet!! Wish mine had t tops! JD

[@joaniegarrison2083]

Amazing!

[@JDOffline]

Thank you Joanie!

[@Cole15151]

Jay seems like a good guy!😂

[@JDOffline]

Agreed. We still are in touch over a year later. JD

[@BADDUDE_CORNPOP]

I recently bought a decent 78 Camaro no rust new crate motor. I will be watching ur camaro project carefully..and i notice this video is a year old now, so how is has she come along over the year. When i bought mine it didn't even occurred to me that it wasn't posi traction.. why would they make a Camaro a one wheel peel??

[@JDOffline]

Check out the videos on my channel on my Camaro playlist, 30+ videos at this point!. JD

[@edjernigan3738]

You going to do a detailed series on the teardown/rebuild of your motor?

[@JDOffline]

Hey Ed, yes that is the plan!

[@bradenpeterson3687]

Do you have a link for the seats? I’m looking to put them in my 79! Thanks.

[@JDOffline]

I do not. They were in the car when I bought it. They are nice and are comfortable. I've even looked for the name brand of them and wasn't able to locate anything. Sorry wish I could have helped with this. JD

[@ralphhaldermanjr5926]

Hey bro nice camaro

[@JDOffline]

Thank you Ralph. Be sure to check out all the other videos in this build. I just posted ep7 today! Thanks for the comment. JD

[@ralphhaldermanjr5926]

@@JDOffline I have a 1980 Z28 sitting in the garage

[@JDOffline]

@@ralphhaldermanjr5926 Sweet. Keep it on the road if you can!! JD

[@tanner_w]

I’m looking to restore a z/28 2nd gen here soon! Will you being any tutorials when it comes to restoring it?? Awesome car brother!

[@JDOffline]

Hey Tanner. Yes Sir, been taking a little bit of a break and still tweaking a few things on the Jeep but gathering parts for the Camaro. Coming soon!!

[@whitezombified]

Of the late models 78-81 78 is my personal favorite because the dash/gauge clusters are still very similar to the older second gens . 79-81 completely changed the instrument cluster and looks very ugly

[@JDOffline]

I couldn't agree more and really like the 78 of all the gen 2 Camaro's. Thanks for checking it out and stay tuned for more updates on the Camaro coming soon!

[@jeffrey4547]

i got 2 79 hard top z28 and 1 79 z28 rs t top one of the hard tops has new interior all are rust free good body cars then i got a stroke 454 with a heavy duty 400 turbo and a borg 4 speed with clutch and fly wheel all for free . they were selling the place and had to get the cars out so they called me to take them with a bunch of other rigs total of 19 rigs all rust free most are pu's. what i like about these years they corner good and u can build the stock suspension up and they get really good on corners just the engines suck in them but suspension they are the best from 67 to 81 the 78 to 81 have the best handling suspension all u have to do is stiffen it and add a new gear box a short turn then it handles like a race car .

[@jeffrey4547]

i got a ac set up factory i don't need ac , but i would replace the pump on it .

[@JDOffline]

Sounds like you made out well Jeffrey! Yeah, I've already replaced my steering gear box with a short radius box (PSC) and am in the process of tearing the car down now (check out my other videos in the series). Thanks for the comment and good luck with all your cars!! JD

[@JDOffline]

If I decide to go with the ac, I will most likely replace the entire system as it had been disconnected and had lines cut, etc. JD.

[@alancook9461]

A lot of changes since you first got it! Are you going to have the same style grille billets? I ordered a lower replacement, but I'm unsure how to install it. I was hoping maybe you might have gone through the process!

[@JDOffline]

Hey Alan, I am keeping the same style and already ordered a replacement; however, I don't think I'll get to the installation of that until the very end of the build as it is one of those last cosmetic add ons....sorry I couldn't be more help. JD

[@zAvAvAz]

Awesome Kool project. i got a factory grill, want to trade? i am also missing the lower one. i had a catalog with it in it though hahahh

[@JDOffline]

I already bought an aftermarket grill!! JD

[@thejman1132]

Yo. I just graduated high school and I have the same project car 1978 camaro type lt.

[@JDOffline]

Awesome. Good luck with your project. JD

[@cannibalgutted7254]

I think I saw this on the Facebook market place once

[@JDOffline]

Could have been there not sure. I bought the car from a guy in California and it was on Ebay at that time. JD

[@jsatherusa]

I have a 78 Camaro owner as well. The wiper switch is not correct and should be mounted right under the light switch. I am pretty sure the window trim came as polished stainless steel (not aluminum) from the factory. It could be polished again, it's tough to get paint to stick. The rear wing is a factory piece. You will find out ANY info about these 2nd gen camaros at nastyz28 dot com. Great solid car, congratulations and good luck!!

[@JDOffline]

Hey Jerry. Thanks for the information!! I’m just learning about the interior, trim etc. I feel good mechanically with this car but not having taken it apart is a disadvantage. I have seen that website and have started the learning process! Any chance you can send me a pic of your correct dash? Several shots would be nice and the door panels to if you don’t mind. [e-mail]. Thanks again.

[@user-gh7wv2zy4y]

Y do all the 78-81 Camaros always have the lower grill missing i have a 79 and it didn't have the lower grill and i have been looking at parts cars and their lower grill is gone y is that does anyone know

[@JDOffline]

Not sure, sorry I couldn't be of more help. JD

[@americanchampionaircraftco8720]

Im thinking of getting a project camaro but im unsure if i will fit. how tall are you and how does it fit? i am 6' 3"

[@JDOffline]

I'm 6'2" and I don't have any issues. They are low to the ground if you're used to trucks and Jeeps like I am. Nothing like driving it though!! Good luck with your decision. JD.

[@Wendigo_1LE]

Man I love those seats! Do you by any chance know what brand they are?

[@JDOffline]

Hey Brandon. The seats were installed by the previous owner and I'm not sure the name brand of them. I can tell you they are comfortable and so far so good. Jay, any comments on the seat? (Jay is the guy I bought the car from.)

[@emailgmail4169]

Probably Recaro racing seats

[@dalejrfan820002000]

Nice ride .Need any help let me know. I have 3 of them.

[@JDOffline]

Hey Rob thank you for that offer I may take you up on it. I’m about to start the tear down in the next week hopefully. If you want send me some pics of your cars to [e-mail].

[@dalejrfan820002000]

@@JDOffline You arr welcome my friend. Any time

[@dalejrfan820002000]

@@JDOffline I will send you some photos. We still have work to do also.

[@JDOffline]

@@dalejrfan820002000 Awesome, really appreciate it. JD

[@dalejrfan820002000]

@@JDOffline Hey I sent pic in the email.

[@sethharer7351]

What size tires

[@JDOffline]

Seth, this was a while ago! I know I made another Camaro update video with the new tire and wheel sizes in the video. Check out my channel under "playlists" and you will see the Camaro playlist. Sorry I couldn't be more help. JD

[@79camaro3]

What is that center console

[@JDOffline]

Hey Chris, the center console is an aftermarket model that was installed by the previous owner so I don't have any specs on it. I did see one that looks similar on Rick's Camaros. Hope that helps and thanks for checking out the video. JD

[@lesliesmith2586]

Check out asicerik on You Tube. He completely redid a 77 Camaro Z and put Vintage Air in it. I have a 383 with 4:11 12 bolt in my car. Fun but high winding.

[@JDOffline]

Good to know, I will check it out as I'm considering the vintage air also. Thanks again. JD

[@brandonbird5611]

How much did you pay?

[@JDOffline]

Brandon it was $6500.

[@user-nn6nq8kv3y]

how much did you pay for that?

[@JDOffline]

Hello J! I paid $6k for it. I thought it was a pretty fair deal.

[@conbonesthevoid1448]

mine has a z28 hood and spoiler as well they are stock

[@JDOffline]

I wish I had a z28 hood for sure! JD

[@conbonesthevoid1448]

@@JDOffline it does look sweet though! i love the way these camaros look.

[@JDOffline]

@@conbonesthevoid1448 I do to. Can’t wait to get back into the build. We are building a house so the project has been put on hold. House and shop should be ready around March. JD

[@conbonesthevoid1448]

@@JDOffline good luck with the house and shop i know you cant wait to Finnish them.

[@conbonesthevoid1448]

that is a stock hood

[@JDOffline]

Yes stock with an aftermarket plastic scoop that I'm not a big fan of but that's how it came. JD

[@conbonesthevoid1448]

@@JDOffline does it have the solenoid actuated vent flaps i thought i saw that it did.

[@JDOffline]

@@conbonesthevoid1448 No sir it’s all show.

[@conbonesthevoid1448]

@@JDOffline an honest to goodness knockoff is it? well its a good one had me fooled from this angle.

[@kichenpaintdesigns9758]

@@JDOffline Jay here :) Look in the parts (should be in a small box), I sent the foot pedal solenoid, and the flap mechanics under within the scoop is intact and functional. The solenoid bolts up near the gas pedal and wires up to the vent flaps :) One of the many hard parts to locate.