Thread: Bought an old race car today.

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I don't know if I previously mentioned this, but for the past two months I have been attempting to buy an old 79 Camaro drag car. My first thoughts were to clean it up, make some improvements, and go racing on the cheap. Finally this week I was able to make a deal and today I had it towed to my shop.

I've now realized that the 6 years of outdoor storage have taken a big toll on the body so I am going to scrap that. What I really wanted was the engine, transmission, and rear axle because I now think I will transplant them into my 46 Tudor and make a daily driver out of it.

The previous owner spent A LOT of money on the engine and it looks like it only ran briefly before being parked. I am learning that every decal on the car really represents a part he used. Here is what I know I have so far:

70-76 350 sbc, maybe 2 or 4 bolt mains (I hope and bet 4 bolt)

World Products cast iron Sportsman II heads with (I think) Harlan Sharp roller rockers.

Edelbrock RPM intake with a Holley DP 650 carb.

MSD distributor, MSD 6AL box, and coil

A solid lifter cam of unknown make and model (I haven't torn it down that far yet)

A fluidampr harmonic balancer

A Weiand electric water pump

A deep and flat racing oil pan.

Headers

Edelbrock Elite valve covers

Forged flat top pistons (I'll know more when I tear the rest down)

It also has a 350 turbo that looks fresh with a smallish blue torque converter

The decals on the car indicate there is an Auburn limited slip rear and Richmond gears. Don't have a clue what ones though yet.


The oil in the engine is like new and the tranny fluid is purple and also like new. They had pure antifreeze in the cooling system and must have sprayed the internals with rust preventative because the cylinder walls and all are shiny clean.

I'll take it to my machinist and have the block and heads done over and have the crank checked too. I forgot to measure the bore and stroke tonight but it looks like a 30 over 350 to me from glancing at it. I'll probably save the racing stuff for another engine and tame this one down for the 46. Here are some pictures of it all.

Don