I don't think I've ever posted about this

"19JRC99" (19jrc99)
07/05/2017 at 03:33 • Filed to: Third gen, Camaro, Z28, 350, Storytime with JRC

My grandfather had this back in the 80s. 1983 Z28. He pulled whatever the stock engine and trans were, and dropped in a built 350 (good for 425hp, according to him) from a ‘68 Chevelle post car he had (I don’t think he has any pictures- I gotta find out!) and put in a built, full reverse manual valve body TH350. He swapped in 4.10 gears and put Cherry Bombs on it. This car was freaking wicked.

One of my favorite stories is from when my parents were still dating. Dad was driving it with my grandmother (R.I.P. 4 years on the 25th) and, of course, was taking it easy as it wasn’t his car, and his girlfriend’s mother was right next to him. She got fed up, and told him, and I QUOTE:

“Pull over and let me show you how to drive this fucker!”

She also broke the speedometer after she had it pegged for too long.

So, what happened to it? Well, Pappaw drove it to work one day after getting it out of winter storage, when smoke started pouring out of the hood. By the time he got the hood open, the interior had gone up as well.

Turned out rats had chewed up the wiring over the previous winter. Luckily, since the engine was all cast iron, and the fire started at the battery, the engine and trans were mostly unharmed, and sit in his garage to this day.

The 350, as it’s sat since the late 80s or early 90s

He ended up replacing it with the Mustang (bought July 22, 1993) which he still has to this day. In fact, we went for a little ride in it just yesterday. No, we haven’t fixed the idle. It really doesn’t *need* to be fixed. Once it warms up, it runs just fine.

I’d love to find another ‘68 post car and put the 350 and the Saginaw 4 speed in it. (The ‘68 Chevelle was a 6 cyl 3 speed he converted over to the 350 with a 4 speed. Why he didn’t use the 4 speed in that Camaro I don’t know).

This isn’t the one he had, but it’s the same color.

This concludes Storytime with JRC (Should I make this a thing?)

DISCUSSION (12)

Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction > 19JRC99
07/05/2017 at 03:59

Did that carburetor melt? Looks like there’s a gaping hole in it.

A shame for the Camaro, looked 80's nice

19JRC99 > Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction
07/05/2017 at 05:59

Yeah, the intake and carb both melted. The internals are supposedly pretty okay though. My grandfather would occasionally go out there and turn it over by hand to keep it from locking up. He hasn’t done that in years though, so who knows.

It’s funny, Dad never liked this bodystyle, at least back in the day, but this was the ONE exception he had.

Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction > 19JRC99
07/05/2017 at 06:55

The internals should be used to high temperatures :)

In general, 80's design was a bit ackward, but I like this one

Chariotoflove > 19JRC99
07/05/2017 at 16:36

Yeah, stories are great.

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > 19JRC99
07/05/2017 at 18:41

full reverse manual valve body TH350

A what now?

Tyler K > 19JRC99
07/05/2017 at 20:25

Why wouldn’t he or you put a big block 454 out of a ‘70 chevelle and a 4 speed. Instead of putting a 6 cylinder into it . At least then it would be a V8 and a big block . But it would still be a nice car even with a V6 in it

Boxer_4 > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
07/05/2017 at 21:20

I believe he has some words out of order - it should be full-manual, reverse, TH350 valve body... meaning that it’s TH350 that you shift yourself (no automatic function remaining), where 1st is all the way back and 4th is all the way forward.

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > Boxer_4
07/05/2017 at 21:48

Reverse action valve body would be first all the way forward, wouldn’t it? Then click it back a notch for second, back again for third, and there is no fourth because it’s a TH350 and they’re possibly the most garbage thing in the world for a street car.

—annoyed TH350 owner

Boxer_4 > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
07/05/2017 at 23:03

I think you’re right on that account... and as for the number of gears, shame on me for getting that wrong.

19JRC99 > Tyler K
07/06/2017 at 02:41

You’re mistaken. He pulled the six cylinder and dropped in the 350.

19JRC99 > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
07/06/2017 at 02:42

That’s what it was, yes.

19JRC99 > Tyler K
10/08/2018 at 23:03

Okay, so, after a year, I realize what you meant. I’d worded it and made it sound like I was puzzled that he didn’t put the six banger in the Camaro.

I actually meant I didn’t know why he didn’t run the 4 speed in the Camaro. Probably due to shifter placement, I guess.