Removal and Cleanup
 

So i cut the tops of each side wrapper as I wanted to preserve date codes on the metal, top piece of the cowl and the Dash as its really the top piece of metal that goes over the cowl. These show the sand blasted cowl, donor top cowl, and original dash.

Finished
 

This shows the adding of the side wrappers with butt welds that are ground smooth and replication of all the original spot welds across the cowl. What this also doesnt show is alot of hammer and dolly work on the parts of the firewall that were not perfectly flat, but now are.

Top cowl when in first, followed by the dash, then last was the side wrappers

Very cool!! If you ever need an extra hand, I think I live 5 minutes from you.:hmmm:

Great find & amazing fix skills Rick,and that color alone solidifies it as a Super Sport too...pics from my collection and flipped too.

Nice work..

To try and answer questions posed by GMC Typhoon and jer earlier in this thread, the SS396 option on the two 300 Deluxe models (coupe and sedan) was not as unknown to many Chevrolet dealers as were the COPO cars. As Mitch pointed out, it was only available in the 1969 model year, intended to be in direct competition with the very popular Plymouth Road Runner and Dodge Super Bee. Problem was that while the Road Runner and Super Bee were a new concept in the 1968 model year, the Chevrolet Super Sport models had been around for a number of years as top-of-the-line offerings, with high grade interior trim and extra exterior ornamentation. Chevrolet customers were accustomed to this higher level of content on Super Sports, so when the lesser equipped 300 Deluxe Super Sports came out, they were not well received by the Chevrolet crowd.

As far as the L78 and L89 option availability, they were clearly listed on the back side of the order form as being available, and perhaps some dealerships didn't look at the back side of the order form, thinking all available options were on the front side. Any dealer that stocked or sold high performance cars certainly knew of those options, as they were both around for the 1968 model year also.

So im out on Dutch lane not to far of Dee Mack Rd. I appreciate the help but my parents moved into the are right as covid hit so I have dad now 10mins away. He has his own shop, a collection full of cars, and cars in process too. He just finished a 68 Chevelle L78, is now right in the middle of a 66 L78, and has started another 67 SS Red on Red car. If your out my way and see me working out side your welcome to stop in. Address is 30505.

Any updates Rick?

Lost a Comp Solid Lifter Cam
 

Dave, Thats a great question. Ive been doing body panel alignment, and I had to find another drivers door because of how badly damaged the original door was. More to come!

The one thing that has been keeping me busy is i helped my dad start a 396 solid lifter motor. We have done dozens of motors over the years. Were extremely careful about how we restore, check and assemble our engines. We were warned about 3 weeks ago that several other folks doing 396 and 427 engines are wiping out cams, specifically COMP during break. We kinda shrugged the idea off, but ultimately after only 15mins of run time we wiped our cam as well. The situation is enough to make ya sick. In this case the motor was on a run stand.

The ultimate frustration is my 66 has the same cam/lifters, as well as dads 68 l78. Both cars are completely finished, and yes we plan to rip them both completely out of the cars and apart to remove the cams and try something new.

I must have spoken to about a dozen different smaller cam companys this past week. I even spent some time on the phone with Comp. I was rather shocked at the things i learned from the Comp tech. I learned enough to know a Comp cam will not go into another one of my motors. The warranty guys hung up on me when i expressed my displeasure for my time and money i spent. The comical thing was the warranty guy at comp was disappointed in me for not trying to start the other two motors.

I hope all of you on this site read this and it gives you good food for thought when selecting parts for your cars/restorations.

Eric Jackson of Vintage Musclecar Parts had a batch of cams ground by Bullet Cams. I bought (and installed) one of those cams in the original L78 for my Camaro. I have not started the engine mind you.

On a different note, I have installed some Comp cams in the last few years with good results (fingers crossed). Having said that, I am using EDM lifters in those installations.

Perhaps Eric will see the thread and chime in. I believe he chose Bullet out of the same concern and frustration you have.

Tim