Stumbling across a barn find is always exciting — the aura of mystery around the vehicle allows for all kinds of mental gymnastics. You’ll find yourself hoping for the best and half-way expecting the worst.
We considered ourselves lucky to find this 1970 Camaro Z28 that had been “restored” eight years prior, then unceremoniously deported to the nether regions of a horse barn. The previous owner was more interested in working on his ’68 Torino GT than maintaining the Camaro, and we were the beneficiaries of its neglect.
Prior to arriving for our inspection, an attempt was made to get the engine running, but all that seemed to accomplish was a carburetor full of stinking gas and mangled wiring from someone trying to find the one that would provide enough voltage to fire the coil. Thankfully, those missteps were able to dissuade further carnage.
The Camaro’s LT-1 engine looked pretty good at first glance, but the incorrect air cleaner urged closer examination. To its credit, the presence of the car’s correct intake and exhaust manifolds, smog system, various brackets, hose clamps, and valve covers was encouraging.
Even so, we were encouraged after determining that the engine would turn over, and a finger in a spark plug hole confirmed compression. We really would have liked to hear it run, but lacking time and parts, we instead leveraged that shortcoming into the negotiating process.
So, we paid the agreed price and dragged the Camaro home, where further scrutiny revealed a litany of mistakes and shortcomings that warranted attention, though none of them were especially egregious. Our plan was not for a concours-level, casting numbers, and date-code-matching restoration, but rather, a course of correction that would restore the original appearance of the Z28’s engine compartment and the LT-1 engine’s performance.
Here we noted the lack of deep-groove pulleys on the alternator and the smog pump as well as an incorrect diverter valve. Common hardware store bolts and fasteners were “generously” substituted for the originals— we’ll address that.
After assessing our needs, we found most of what we required on the websites of National Parts Depot (NPD) and M&H Electrical Fabricators. The rest were sourced from online auctions and classifieds. Once the parts arrived, the offending components were quickly extricated and evaluated, then either replaced or properly restored before being carefully reassembled.
Although the untrained eye may not note any significant improvements, knowledgeable Camaro buffs will certainly approve of the changes. After revitalizing the Z28’s engine compartment, our resuscitation efforts were rewarded when the barn-find Camaro came back to life, once again ready for life in the fast lane.
A non-functioning ignition prompted someone before us to engage in arbitrary wiring harness hacking to find voltage to power it up. Post-purchase investigation revealed an incorrect distributor and non-opening points as the culprit. Incorrect plating on the wiper motor suggested its parts-store-replacement origin.
Improper routing of various hoses, plus a missing TCS solenoid, were found here, and what appeared to be a correct fuel line was actually augmented with a rubber hose from the fuel pump and hidden behind the water pump. The carburetor was determined to be a common Holley list #3310 that had certainly seen better days.
An electric choke, distributor vacuum drawn from the wrong carb fitting, and a brass connector for the power-brake vacuum source all needed correction.
We began our restoration process by disassembling anything that could be unbolted from the engine, leaving the long-block in place. Each component was inspected and evaluated for refurbishment or replacement.
Replacing hardware-store bolts and fasteners with those that feature the proper size, plating, and head markings is a formidable undertaking— it can take a lot to track down each correct fastener. This AMK bolt set from NPD provided the best and easiest solution. AMK also offers bolt and fastener kits for suspension, body, and interior.
Details make the difference between good and great. Taking the time to find and acquire the correct detail items to complete our engine compartment was well worth the effort. Thankfully, today’s restoration parts suppliers make this a far simpler prospect.
As we got closer to completion, each time we bolted a new or refurbished component on our LT-1 engine, the more we realized the time, effort, and expense were worthwhile.
It’s almost a shame to cover up much of our hard work with the correct dual-snorkel air cleaner, but our Z28’s engine compartment now looks factory fresh…and correct.
FUELISH DECISIONS
After an eight-year nap, the Z28’s entire fuel system was in dire need of refurbishment. To ensure proper operation we decided to rebuild it from the tank to the carb, replacing any items that were questionable or incorrect.
We began our fuel system redux by replacing the fuel tank, a process that we covered a few issues ago (Running on Empty, HMM #226). We also replaced all the rubber hoses, the in-line fuel filter, and the fuel pump, and installed a new hard line from the pump to the carburetor.
The Holley #3310 dual-inlet carburetor perched on a correct factory “110” intake looked similar to the original, but the carb wasn’t correct for our Camaro. It had been pumped full of old, stinking gas and other contaminants. We pitched it and found a correct Holley #4555 replacement.
We see this more often than we care to admit: All flare-type fittings seal at the flare, not the threads, so wrapping the fitting with Teflon tape is a futile exercise. It can also introduce debris into the fuel system and clog critical metering elements in the carb.
The original intake manifold was grimy but otherwise unscathed. All of the bolt and stud threads were intact; the thermostat receiver area was pit-free and in great shape, too. We gave it a bath in the parts washer at our local machine shop to get rid of the grunge.
A correct #4555 carb was found online and it now sits atop our cleaned and restored factory intake manifold. The proper “660” thermostat housing was sourced from NPD, while the coil and throttle cable brackets are original and refurbished. An original “293” coil was taken from our personal parts stash.
The fuel line is a reproduction, along with the correct choke linkage and mechanism. Beneath the fuel line is the TCS solenoid that was not replaced during the Camaro’s earlier “restoration.”
SPARKING UP THE WRONG TREE
Although a hacked wiring harness was part of the problem, the Camaro’s lack of ignition was caused by points that weren’t opening. The distributor wasn’t right for this application anyway, so we found a correctly dated and numbered replacement online and restored it to the proper configuration.
The Z28’s incorrect distributor was replaced with a proper “1112019” sparker that was dated correctly for our Camaro. The electronic ignition conversion was replaced with a new set of Delco points and a condenser during the distributor’s restoration.
The completely refurbished ignition system also includes a new rotor and cap, a “293” coil, and dated reproduction plug wires.
FEELING EXHAUSTED
Restoring the Camaro’s exhaust manifolds was fairly easy; the originals were in very good condition with no significant corrosion or pitting. However, despite a generous dose of penetrating solution, the smog tubes became damaged during disassembly, necessitating their replacement.
After a trip through the bead blaster our exhaust manifolds were treated with high-temp cast-iron paint, giving them a fresh as-cast appearance. The damaged smog tubes were replaced along with the manifold bolts.
Proper paints are essential to achieving a correct countenance, and we found these coatings from NPD that contain actual metal particles to enhance the finished appearance and provide long-lasting results.
OHM SWEET OHM
Between munching rodents and an overzealous previous owner, the wiring harnesses on our Z28 needed considerable attention. Not wanting to entrust our Camaro’s well-being to a patched-together 50-year-old wiring harness, we placed our order with M&H Electrical Fabricators for a complete, front-to-rear wiring redux.
Since our engine compartment was the most compromised, we started with M&H’s complete forward engine compartment wiring harnesses. The new harnesses restored the front lighting, charging, and starting elements. They are joined together at the firewall.
The M&H harnesses use an impressive assortment of correct gauge wires, colors, and ends to ensure proper appearance and operation. Their attention to small details makes the harnesses an easy plug ‘n play installation.
The process began by disconnecting the main firewall plug, located below and to the rear of the brake booster. It’s retained with a 3⁄8-headed screw in the center of the plug cluster.
Tip: Take phone images of the wiring and connections as you disassemble the harness. We find this much easier than consulting a factory wiring schematic once the reassembly process begins.
Once the main firewall plug had been reattached, we ran the harnesses along their original routing. Properly spaced retaining clips in the harnesses and straps along the way ensure an easy and successful installation.
We found a previously installed wiring gutter online to replace the one missing on the Camaro; it still retained the original rusty TCS relay that was later replaced.
The main power source is the battery, so in the interest of both operation and appearance, we replaced the battery cables to complete our electrical upgrade.
ACCESSORIES AFTER THE FACT
Details definitely make a difference when a factory-fresh appearance is your goal. All of the accessory brackets were blasted and refinished, while the smog pump was restored and fitted with a correct “29295” diverter valve. Deep-groove pulleys were also sourced online to augment our restoration efforts.
After refinishing, the original seven-blade cooling fan was attached to a replacement Eaton fan clutch. The high-revving solid-lifter LT-1 engine was factory configured with deep-groove pulleys at all locations, and a 37-amp alternator was deemed adequate for the low-option Camaro.
Our search for the required “837” alternator led us to a restored specimen with the appropriate stampings, date code, and “CZ” ink stamp. The OB26 date stamp translates to: 0=1970, B=February, and 26=26th day of the month.
Although the original crank and water pump pulleys were still present, the smog and power steering pumps both needed correction. Our purchase of the alternator included a correct deep-groove pulley.
SOURCES:
M&H Electrical Fabricators • wiringharness.com • 562-926-9552
National Parts Depot (NPD) • npdlink.com • 800-874-7595
