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396 Camaro

Chris,

396 was not the original engine displacement. I believe the casting started
life as a 350 (which can hit 402). I dont know the vendor of the block, I
assumed it was a C.O.P.O. block from the 69 production run (only sold for
off highway use) but it may have been from Dove racing. I purchased the
vehicle from an old woman whose son had killed himself, in primer with no
interior for $500. The car was in otherwise perfect condition. The 3 speed
was a crashbox, exclusivley produced for off highway vehicles. The standard
three and 4 speed saginaw transmissions were fragile indeed, but many were
made workable by the addition of welded in bracing, new scattersheilds and
bellhousings, an entirely different barnett clutch pack and a replacement
the gear pack setup from Borg Warner or Richmond. I thought about buying a
Richmond OverDrive six speed for it but decided it didnt fit with the
overall dynamics of the car. This was a 100% straight line car and the 6
speed would have been wasted on it. Besides I didnt want to spend another
$2500 after the resto. I sold the car to the friend I restored it with to
buy the celica. He got tired of the 7mpg on a good day (a 750 doublepumper
will do that) and bought an SHO, so now he can turn too.

Chris Dinsmore
================================
The eyes may be the windows on the soul
But the word is the doorway to the mind
================================


- -----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] <[email protected]>
To: [email protected] <[email protected]>
Date: Wednesday, October 07, 1998 00:31
Subject: Re:Off on the wrong foot


In a message dated 98-10-06 16:58:33 EDT, you write:

<<
Date: Tue, 6 Oct 1998 16:40:39 -0400
From: "Chris Dinsmore" <[email protected]>
Subject: Intrduction, and help request

Hi All,
<snip>

<I am also at  21 the prior owner of a '69 Camaro (all aluminum 396, yenko
heads 3 speed saginaw, an 4.11 rear. Definitely a drag race car), >

Just curious,  Since GM/Chevey NEVER built an aluminum 396 (and for that
matter nobody else I've ever heard of)  where did you find such a car?
especially with a saginaw (VERY weak) transmission.

< If anyone has this, or knows of this car for sale please contact me. Be
warned I will title search all vehicles before I even write back to you.
Please include the year, model, and color, as well as mileage, VIN, and any
history you can on the car.>

You are clearly shewd !

< Thanks

Chris Dinsmore
================================
The eyes may be the windows on the soul
But the word is the doorway to the mind>
================================
  >>

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