Gearheads, Unite!

lesmore49 · 05-18-2023, 04:37 PM

Originally posted by paulh

Years ago I had a '68 Firebird 400. A previous owner replaced the Pontiac 400 v8 with a 327 pulled from a mid-60s Corvette. Sketchy background info, but pretty sure it had a performance cam installed - the cool-sounding loping idle gave it away

. The body was about 50% Bondo and the brakes were shot, but it did not suffer from lack of horsepower!

They were/are good engines.

My Camaro RS coupe was a '67, your Firebird was a '68 and of course both of them were first gen GM sporty cars. I liked my Camaro as it was an RS model...disappearing headlamps, small, upturned spoiler lip...rallye wheels, etc...but I also liked the looks of the first gen Firebird. To me, the Firebird....'67. '68...had a more refined, upscale look...which appealed to me. My boss of the time had one of these Firebirds, looked very sharp...was a very nice green, think he may have had the base 326 Pontiac V8, upscale upholstery.

timb64 · 05-24-2023, 11:26 AM - **3 Likes**

Spotted today.Anyone else remember Joe 90 or was it just a UK thing?

**paulh** · 05-26-2023, 08:46 AM - **1 Like**

classic Chevys -

Racer X 69 · 05-26-2023, 03:35 PM

Originally posted by timb64

Spotted today.Anyone else remember Joe 90 or was it just a UK thing?

Must have been a UK thing, never heard of it.

Arjay Bee · 05-26-2023, 04:59 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by timb64

Anyone else remember Joe 90 or was it just a UK thing?

Was in NZ in the late 60s or early70s as well - like the Thunderbirds only cheesier production values. Remember the Mysterons and the double light beam thing...

**paulh** · 05-26-2023, 06:37 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by lesmore49

They were/are good engines.

My Camaro RS coupe was a '67, your Firebird was a '68 and of course both of them were first gen GM sporty cars. I liked my Camaro as it was an RS model...disappearing headlamps, small, upturned spoiler lip...rallye wheels, etc...but I also liked the looks of the first gen Firebird. To me, the Firebird....'67. '68...had a more refined, upscale look...which appealed to me. My boss of the time had one of these Firebirds, looked very sharp...was a very nice green, think he may have had the base 326 Pontiac V8, upscale upholstery.

Just got back from the Friday Cruise Night. The '65 Chevelle wasn't there, but this was. '67 Camaro SS 350. Again, wondering if it's the 327 with 350 hp, or 350 c.i? Owner wasn't around. I'm guessing this one was a bit similar to your Camaro.

timb64 · 05-27-2023, 01:32 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Racer X 69

Must have been a UK thing, never heard of it.

It was a kids sci-fi marionette puppetry tv show,a sort of forerunner of Team America:World Police but without the humour!

Joe 90 - Wikipedia

Racer X 69 · 05-27-2023, 07:22 AM

Originally posted by timb64

It was a kids sci-fi marionette puppetry tv show,a sort of forerunner of Team America:World Police but without the humour!

Joe 90 - Wikipedia

Thanks Tim.

I loved the Team America:World Police. Great stuff.

**paulh** · 05-27-2023, 08:35 AM

Originally posted by timb64

It was a kids sci-fi marionette puppetry tv show,a sort of forerunner of Team America:World Police but without the humour!

Joe 90 - Wikipedia

As a kid, I was mesmerized by those shows - Thunderbirds, Fireball XL5, etc. Steve Zodiac to the rescue!

lesmore49 · 05-28-2023, 06:57 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by paulh

Just got back from the Friday Cruise Night. The '65 Chevelle wasn't there, but this was. '67 Camaro SS 350. Again, wondering if it's the 327 with 350 hp, or 350 c.i? Owner wasn't around. I'm guessing this one was a bit similar to your Camaro.

The '67 Camaro SS had the first 350 cubic inch V8, Chevy ever produced. It was an unusual horsepower engine, rated at 295 HP. It had a 4 barrel, dual exhausts, was pretty quick. The 295 hp/350 cube was only with the Camaro SS model.

That photo looks like my '67 Camaro RS couple. Mine was an RS with the RS trim, but no stripe and I didn't have the SS. There are '67 Camaros with both the SS and the RS packages on one machine, which were factory available.

The '67 Nova and Chevelle, and Corvette...all were able to be ordered with the 327 cube/350 hp engine....but not the '67 Camaro to my knowledge. The Camaro was available with the 327/210 HP-2 barrel, the 327/275 hp, the 350 cube, 295 hp, later on in this model year the 396...in 325, 350 and 375 HP versions. The 396/375 HP engine some say was under rated...very powerful. I took a '68 Nova SS with this engine/ 4 speed manual for a drive...extremely powerful...scared the heck out of me...with it's incredible power. I recall it came on the cam...very hard... at about 25 mph in first...and started to fishtail from wheelspin...on dry concrete. Think the final drive ratio gearing was 3.73 or 4.10's on this particular car. You had to be careful with this extreme power...even on the drag strip.

The '67 Camaro was also the first year of the Z-28 option and had a 302 cube V8, which if memory serves me...was a 283 cubic inch small block V8, with a 327 cube crankshaft / longer stroke...which gave 302 cubes. It was a very racy engine...rated at 290 hp, but under rated also...some said. High compression, hot camshaft, big 4 barrel, with option to have a twin 4 barrel manifold and twin carbs..if one wanted.

I'm going by memory, and that was a long time ago, and I'm an old guy...so I maybe off a bit.

On second thought the '67 Camaro Z-28 302 cube engine may have been a 327 V8 block with a 283 crankshaft and shorter stroke. Makes more sense to me...wider bore, shorter stroke for the 302 which was capable of very high revs...7-7500 rpm if I recall.

**paulh** · 05-28-2023, 10:22 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by lesmore49

I'm going by memory, and that was a long time ago, and I'm an old guy...so I maybe off a bit.

Close enough for me! Great info, thanks. I really liked this one, very tastefully done - classy paintwork.

**paulh** · 06-01-2023, 11:47 AM - **1 Like**

Woody lost his hat...

Racer X 69 · 06-01-2023, 12:42 PM

Originally posted by paulh

Woody lost his hat...

Fast car, eh?

And 20 cans of ~~Krylon~~ Rust Oleum.

**paulh** · 06-12-2023, 12:10 PM - **2 Likes**

1970 El Camino SS

lesmore49 · 06-12-2023, 07:22 PM

Originally posted by paulh

1970 El Camino SS

Nice car...truck...

A buddy had a new '70 Chevelle SS 454. It was the not common 450 horsepower 454 cube V8..a real powerhouse.

We were both U. students at the time, he came from a moneyed family, was a very nice guy. I got a couple of rides in it...but sadly the rides were during the winter, in bumper to bumper traffic., going to classes.

As a result that mighty 454, never got beyond a fast idle...or first gear.

05-28-2023, 06:57 AM - 1 Like	#2080
lesmore49 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Western Canada Posts: 12,349	Originally posted by paulh Just got back from the Friday Cruise Night. The '65 Chevelle wasn't there, but this was. '67 Camaro SS 350. Again, wondering if it's the 327 with 350 hp, or 350 c.i? Owner wasn't around. I'm guessing this one was a bit similar to your Camaro. The '67 Camaro SS had the first 350 cubic inch V8, Chevy ever produced. It was an unusual horsepower engine, rated at 295 HP. It had a 4 barrel, dual exhausts, was pretty quick. The 295 hp/350 cube was only with the Camaro SS model. That photo looks like my '67 Camaro RS couple. Mine was an RS with the RS trim, but no stripe and I didn't have the SS. There are '67 Camaros with both the SS and the RS packages on one machine, which were factory available. The '67 Nova and Chevelle, and Corvette...all were able to be ordered with the 327 cube/350 hp engine....but not the '67 Camaro to my knowledge. The Camaro was available with the 327/210 HP-2 barrel, the 327/275 hp, the 350 cube, 295 hp, later on in this model year the 396...in 325, 350 and 375 HP versions. The 396/375 HP engine some say was under rated...very powerful. I took a '68 Nova SS with this engine/ 4 speed manual for a drive...extremely powerful...scared the heck out of me...with it's incredible power. I recall it came on the cam...very hard... at about 25 mph in first...and started to fishtail from wheelspin...on dry concrete. Think the final drive ratio gearing was 3.73 or 4.10's on this particular car. You had to be careful with this extreme power...even on the drag strip. The '67 Camaro was also the first year of the Z-28 option and had a 302 cube V8, which if memory serves me...was a 283 cubic inch small block V8, with a 327 cube crankshaft / longer stroke...which gave 302 cubes. It was a very racy engine...rated at 290 hp, but under rated also...some said. High compression, hot camshaft, big 4 barrel, with option to have a twin 4 barrel manifold and twin carbs..if one wanted. I'm going by memory, and that was a long time ago, and I'm an old guy...so I maybe off a bit. On second thought the '67 Camaro Z-28 302 cube engine may have been a 327 V8 block with a 283 crankshaft and shorter stroke. Makes more sense to me...wider bore, shorter stroke for the 302 which was capable of very high revs...7-7500 rpm if I recall. Last edited by lesmore49; 05-28-2023 at 09:07 AM.

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05-18-2023, 04:37 PM	#2071
lesmore49 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Western Canada Posts: 12,349	Originally posted by paulh Years ago I had a '68 Firebird 400. A previous owner replaced the Pontiac 400 v8 with a 327 pulled from a mid-60s Corvette. Sketchy background info, but pretty sure it had a performance cam installed - the cool-sounding loping idle gave it away . The body was about 50% Bondo and the brakes were shot, but it did not suffer from lack of horsepower! They were/are good engines. My Camaro RS coupe was a '67, your Firebird was a '68 and of course both of them were first gen GM sporty cars. I liked my Camaro as it was an RS model...disappearing headlamps, small, upturned spoiler lip...rallye wheels, etc...but I also liked the looks of the first gen Firebird. To me, the Firebird....'67. '68...had a more refined, upscale look...which appealed to me. My boss of the time had one of these Firebirds, looked very sharp...was a very nice green, think he may have had the base 326 Pontiac V8, upscale upholstery.

05-24-2023, 11:26 AM - 3 Likes	#2072
timb64 Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: /Situation : Doing my best to avoid idiots! Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,514	Spotted today.Anyone else remember Joe 90 or was it just a UK thing?

05-26-2023, 08:46 AM - 1 Like	#2073
paulh Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: DFW Texas/Ventura County, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 33,307	classic Chevys -

05-26-2023, 03:35 PM	#2074
Racer X 69 Moderator Man With A Camera Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: The Great Pacific Northwet, in the Land Between Canada and Mexico Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,073	Originally posted by timb64 Spotted today.Anyone else remember Joe 90 or was it just a UK thing? Must have been a UK thing, never heard of it.

05-26-2023, 04:59 PM - 1 Like	#2075
Arjay Bee Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Horn Island, Torres Straits, Q Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,715	Originally posted by timb64 Anyone else remember Joe 90 or was it just a UK thing? Was in NZ in the late 60s or early70s as well - like the Thunderbirds only cheesier production values. Remember the Mysterons and the double light beam thing...

05-26-2023, 06:37 PM - 2 Likes	#2076
paulh Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: DFW Texas/Ventura County, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 33,307	Originally posted by lesmore49 They were/are good engines. My Camaro RS coupe was a '67, your Firebird was a '68 and of course both of them were first gen GM sporty cars. I liked my Camaro as it was an RS model...disappearing headlamps, small, upturned spoiler lip...rallye wheels, etc...but I also liked the looks of the first gen Firebird. To me, the Firebird....'67. '68...had a more refined, upscale look...which appealed to me. My boss of the time had one of these Firebirds, looked very sharp...was a very nice green, think he may have had the base 326 Pontiac V8, upscale upholstery. Just got back from the Friday Cruise Night. The '65 Chevelle wasn't there, but this was. '67 Camaro SS 350. Again, wondering if it's the 327 with 350 hp, or 350 c.i? Owner wasn't around. I'm guessing this one was a bit similar to your Camaro.

05-27-2023, 01:32 AM - 1 Like	#2077
timb64 Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: /Situation : Doing my best to avoid idiots! Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,514	Originally posted by Racer X 69 Must have been a UK thing, never heard of it. It was a kids sci-fi marionette puppetry tv show,a sort of forerunner of Team America:World Police but without the humour! Joe 90 - Wikipedia

05-27-2023, 07:22 AM	#2078
Racer X 69 Moderator Man With A Camera Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: The Great Pacific Northwet, in the Land Between Canada and Mexico Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,073	Originally posted by timb64 It was a kids sci-fi marionette puppetry tv show,a sort of forerunner of Team America:World Police but without the humour! Joe 90 - Wikipedia Thanks Tim. I loved the Team America:World Police. Great stuff.

05-27-2023, 08:35 AM	#2079
paulh Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: DFW Texas/Ventura County, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 33,307	Originally posted by timb64 It was a kids sci-fi marionette puppetry tv show,a sort of forerunner of Team America:World Police but without the humour! Joe 90 - Wikipedia As a kid, I was mesmerized by those shows - Thunderbirds, Fireball XL5, etc. Steve Zodiac to the rescue!

05-28-2023, 10:22 AM - 1 Like	#2081
paulh Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: DFW Texas/Ventura County, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 33,307	Originally posted by lesmore49 I'm going by memory, and that was a long time ago, and I'm an old guy...so I maybe off a bit. Close enough for me! Great info, thanks. I really liked this one, very tastefully done - classy paintwork.

06-01-2023, 11:47 AM - 1 Like	#2082
paulh Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: DFW Texas/Ventura County, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 33,307	Woody lost his hat...

06-01-2023, 12:42 PM	#2083
Racer X 69 Moderator Man With A Camera Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: The Great Pacific Northwet, in the Land Between Canada and Mexico Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,073	Originally posted by paulh Woody lost his hat... Fast car, eh? And 20 cans of ~~Krylon~~ Rust Oleum.

06-12-2023, 12:10 PM - 2 Likes	#2084
paulh Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: DFW Texas/Ventura County, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 33,307	1970 El Camino SS

06-12-2023, 07:22 PM	#2085
lesmore49 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Western Canada Posts: 12,349	Originally posted by paulh 1970 El Camino SS Nice car...truck... A buddy had a new '70 Chevelle SS 454. It was the not common 450 horsepower 454 cube V8..a real powerhouse. We were both U. students at the time, he came from a moneyed family, was a very nice guy. I got a couple of rides in it...but sadly the rides were during the winter, in bumper to bumper traffic., going to classes. As a result that mighty 454, never got beyond a fast idle...or first gear.