74 Camero.....WTF?

[rusty ol ranger]

Ok.....my youngest nephew hit the dark side and bought a 74 Camero....its a nice car....dont get me wrong, the leather bucket seats are amazing, 350\350 trans....

Anyways....
I have never drivin a camero of this vintage.....are they inheratntly squirelly? I put new ball joints, tie rods, sway bar links, etc under it to try to tighten it up, but it still drives like my Dually.

Also......i think something is wrong with the Engine in it.....it runs good and smooth and everything, but it doesnt feel like it has the power it should........all 70's jokes aside, My LTD II (which is a 77) would wax it. It Barely got away from my 300 straight 6.

Also....i havent got a chance to look.....is it drums or discs up front?

later,
Dustin

[Ranger5.0]

well, if it lacks power, maybe its just worn out? i was in a 78 last summer and it was pritty tight for an old school car.

[baddis]

i had a 75 t/a same thing just different name and it was fine i drove an 80 z same style and it was fine and a 70 1/2 z it was fine. i have driven a couple that were funky in the steering though. do you feel it more in the front or the back? the rear spring perches were knowen to rust out and come through the back seat. maybe the subframe bushings are bad? the gm cars of that era drove like you were floating down the road but i would think that being a camero it would drive and handle a little stiffer.

[COPPERHEAD85]

run the numbers on the block.............might be a 305/307...............that'll explain your power problem

[rusty ol ranger]

Its in the front of the car....its from Alabama so rust is not an issue.

I mean, even compared to my Charger its not very tight....

I was TOLD its a 350....and according to everything ive read the 350 was the only V8 offered in 74, but thats not to say someone didnt replace it with a 305, why i wouldnt know if the car had a 350 from the factory.

I have a feeling though it was an inline 6 car from the factory, it had a bench seat and column shift, and a was a pretty stripped down car. Somone added the buckets and floor shifter.

So you think the subframe bushings may be to blame? How hard are those to change?

later,
Dustin

[RobbieD]

It could be a 305 motor, but from that era most 350s were 2 barrel carbed, and just not very strong. Considering the parts you put on it, have the front end alignment looked at closely, and check the subframe mounting bushings.too. If the alignment's off those cars don't handle right at all. By '74 I'm pretty sure that front discs were standard.

[rusty ol ranger]

See its got an aftermarket 4bbl intake, a holley carb, headers, etc. It makes alot of nice noise just doesnt go anywhere.

I know they wernt that strong.....but like i said my LTD II with a stock 351W and probely 600lbs on it will walk it.

I do know its outta alignment, the steering wheel is cocked about 1\4 going down the road, but I never had a vehicle where having it aligned made that much difference.

later,
Dustin

[Mutant Pony]

That motor was rated at 145hp. My 3.0 could dust it. With the after market bolt ons it may be up to 160hp. The rear gear ratio is probably in the twos.
They have a fairly nice suspension system. If it doesn't feel like it is on rails, there is something wrong.
The motor needs to be rebuilt with a set of flat top pistons, It wouldn't hurt to use a better set of heads too. Replace the rear gears with something in the high 3's and then it will be a decent car. Except for the fact that it is still a chevy.
You could also make it faster by bolting in a 5.0 Ford. That would be awesome.

[ozzwoman9]

74 only came from factory w/the I6 and the 350. If you can get the VIN I can tell you more.

[skippy]

i had 76 t/a w/radial tuned suspension that had awsome handling and a 80 z28 that handled well,so something is wrong w/this 74.something is wrong w/the 350 as well,should have a lot of power.how are the tires?steering pump?

[ozzwoman9]

It depends on what you are used to driving as well. I like fast cars..thats why my camaro (91) has a built nitrous 406 and the trans am (80) has a built 454.

The 2nd gen cars were not fast from the factory (though they they were considered to be at that time). The 74 z28 was only 245hp, the base 350 was 145-160hp, and the I6 (250ci) was 100hp. You factor in the weight of the car and the 21 gallons of gas they held then they were not at all fast.

[1987 DANGER RANGER]

Plus if the car was factory 6 then the suspenson wont handle the v8 no matter if its a 305 or 350.

[Explorin94]

Plus if the car was factory 6 then the suspenson wont handle the v8 no matter if its a 305 or 350.

The suspension was the same between the 6 and the 8. They were not that far a part weight wise. Check the rear spring bushings and see if they are gone. If the body mount/subframe bushings the whole car would wander off the frame when turning.

[lil red]

si i guess i could rape that with my ltd
my friends gonna hate it

[Chic N Stew]

Yes, a lot of guys try to pass off a 305 as a 35

try this site once you get the codes

http://www.mortec.com/

[rusty ol ranger]

Ok....

Front end alignement and new tires and it handles like a dream.

I also figured out why it was so slow. The throttle return spring was to short, and therefore when when floored it you wernt getting 100% throttle, a little over 50% at best. Its still slow (My old 78 Ford Dually will hang rigth with it) but its faster then it used to be :)

later,
Dustin

[Joshs93four-oh]

You need an alignment!! Make sure the steering gear is ok as well as the center link. I believe the pitman and idler arm sockets are in the center link on that era(and most) Gm. Another hot item is the upper control arm bushings. As far as the performance issue if the carburetor is any bigger than 600 cfm youre killing it. Check the engine vacuum, easiest way to evaluate its mechanical condition. Good luck, Bowtie brother! Josh

[Joshs93four-oh]

I see you've figured it out... good deal!
Josh

[Kdawg532]

i had 76 t/a w/radial tuned suspension that had awsome handling and a 80 z28 that handled well,so something is wrong w/this 74.something is wrong w/the 350 as well,should have a lot of power.how are the tires?steering pump?

well heres the problem, it has a bow tie on it and if you change it to a blue oval then you are good to go