changing the headlights

[drewster12]

could you change a 69 circle haedlight camaro to one with the rs style headlights?(the ones with the bars going over the light)
if so how do you do it?

[Lyle A]

My question is, why change the shape of a rare classic ?

[drewster12]

i like the way the rs ones look more then the circles

[Lyle A]

Maybe it requires changing the whole grill. I'm sure one of these guys with your year car could answer it better than me.

[joe69standard]

HAHAHA! ok

1st dont, (lyle good words)

2nd if you really do (:D) they sell converstion kits for about $1000-$1500

btw lemmy see some pics of your car...

[josh7681]

don't forget about the H4 conversion kits... I bought the cheap one (no relays), so all I did was get two 30 amp relays, and wire em in... Really nice, if you ask me...

[Ryatt-Motion]

D&R Classics, Classic Industries and I believe Year One sell the conversion kit to turn a standard Camaro into an RS clone. Don't forget drewster, you will also have to change the tail light lenses to the solid red design and add in back up lamps in the rear valence panel. It's all a matter of preferrence, it's your car, make it the way you want it. I have a 1967 RS myself, when I bought the car, all I did was listen to family and friends say, "Dude, the only way that car's gonna look good is with black paint, white Z28 stripes and fat tires in the back and skinnies in the front." I caved, and hated every minute I drove the car, it looked good, but it wasn't my car. So 2 years ago, I tore it down (ALL THE WAY DOWN) and am doing it the way I want it. Remember this when you start your project, don't build someone elses car.

[joe69standard]

Ryatt, glad that you brought the car back to its origional state (or close to) Im always happy when I see former drag cars brought back to stock. makes me all warm inside ;) :D

yup your right the rear lights will need to be chages along with the bezels. the RS and Z had a solid line going thro the middle of the lamp.

If it were me and I liked them, i would really say no because all the $$ involved. Shure, it might look good when your done, but when someone looks at your car and wants to buyit someday (if u sell it or get it appraised) it will not be worth the money you pu into it to make is look like an RS,

In the end you'll end up hurting yourself and the origionallity of your camaro.

However, if you do it and $ is not a problem save the old lights! and if the time ever comes slap them back on!

Last thought, i just took the frontclip off my camaro, and it was a PITA! you'll have to take off the front clip to attach the nessicary vacuume motors and light frames. I think it will be dissapointing re-alining you whole front (gaps height) it will not be fun and easy!

[Ryatt-Motion]

Joe, before you sing my praises, I said I didn't like the way the turned out. I like anything but originality. The car is going to be pseudo-pro-touring. That was the look I was going for back in 1994 when I started the rebuild, but everyone and their mother laughed at me, "Sixteen inch billet wheels on a 1967 Camaro. That's gonna look stupid!"

They don't say that anymore, when they see cars like the Twister, Orange Peel and The Mule. But I could care less what they think. The only reason I don't care about originality, is because, my car is nothing special. It's a run of the mill RS that came with delux interior, and delux seatbelts, 327 2bbl and Powerglide 2spd, with the center console. The RS was very common for 1967, which doesn't make it that rare. I kind of share the same pholosophy as Carol Shelby, and that is, (paraphrased) "I build my cars for me, and nobody has any room to judge them but me." Also, the valuse for the 1967-1967 are pretty high already, and if drewsters conversion is done right, it will not hurt the value one bit.

If you don't believe me about the value, let me know and I will send you picture or two of my Chevelle that I sold earlier this year, this car was anything but OG, and very modified, and I got a King's ransome for it. But in all honesty I have to say that I wish there were more 15y/o like you because most guys your age I see are all into cutting things up, or rice diets. Your parents (dad namely) have done a great job with you. And yes you do know more that people 2-4 times older than you.

[joe69standard]

well that can all depend, a full blown drag camaro will easily go for 50k but depending on who buys it (someone in the know or not) little altercations like that can add up. If someone who wanted to show the car and have judges run tests on it, then the value would drop.

of course I was the one who wanted to put a 396 im my camaro and a T-10 tranny from summit, a new posi rear and some more. but then i found out about gas milage ;)

It all depends on what kinda guy (or gal) is looking at it.

The real PITA will be the clip and taking it off to pu tthe lights, mounts and motors in. Then shimming them back so it dosnt lok off balence.

btw, ty ryatt :D

[Ryatt-Motion]

The front clip does not necessarily have to come off. The headlight buckets bolt in and out with two bolts holding them in at the fenders, and two more at the core support, the new RS ones will bolt in the same, save for the adapter brackets. The actuator reserve can be bolted in simply by taking out the radiator. I think the only advantage drewster has to taking off the clip, is if he wants to clean/blast the sub-frame, and or paint the fire wall. Other than that, a simple headlight conversion can be done with simple hand tools and with the clip intact. Also remember, the core support can unbolt as well without taking the fenders off. Joe, help me out here, what is "btw ty?"

[joe69standard]

lol btw is by the way and ty means thank you.
:D

I know that the headlight frames can be unbolted sepratly, but it would be really hard to get to that bottom bolt (there are three)

I liek waht you said about taking it of to sand blast and paint. Might as well since you're there.

btw PITA means.. pain in the a$$ :D :D

[Ryatt-Motion]

You're too much Joe! LOL!! As far as I can remember there are only four bolts that hold the headlight casule in place. My '67 is in storage for the winter, and I havn't unpacked my manuals, so I can't verify with 100% certainty. If memory serves me straight though, there should only be four bolts in total.

Back in 2000 I decided after the motor gave up on my '67, that I was going to not only pull the engine and replace with a BB, but yank the front clip and paint all the jambs and paint the sub-frame. So I figured the best thing was to get the sheet metal out of the way. Off went the hood fenders etc. They looked bad, sub-frame looked bad, and was cracked in five places form solid motor mounts. Instead of cleaning and painting it, it would have to come out. Before I knew it, I was knee deep in a frame off resto. The Sub-frame has since been welded blasted and powder coated along with all the suspension parts. The car got a pair of one off DSE tubular control arms, Hotchkis 2" lowering springs, etc, etc. The engine is being blueprinted by my friend at Eddings Egine Rebuilder. and nearly every bit of sheet metal had to be replaced, either due to age and or abuse from past owners. My car's name is Eve, and hopefully one day she will roar to life real soon. I will try and post some pics of her for you guys.

[joe69standard]

Id like to see pics. Im going frame off to, but from the looks of the frame it is acually not bad. for 22 years sitting lol.

looks like ill need all new quaters and rear patch panels. Not to mention flooring, its rusted witih a few bad holes because the top ripped. I like kicking my dad for treating it so bad. :D

I got this car documented back to '73 when my dad bought it. life time warrenty, 15% of parts and labor :D

Restoration is fun when your dad pays for it and you do all the work :) We had a mechanic/auto body pro look at the car and said for Gm parts i was looking at 5k Not bad... :cool: sick high school car

OK i know there 3 bolts on my 69 standard light frames LOL :D

mabey RS has 4 ;)

[Ryatt-Motion]

Joe, what I'm referring to is the headlight capsule itself, when you pull the frame off, or in your case, the grill, there should be 2 7/16 X 20 bolts that hold the capsule on from the front and two from behind on the core support. I could be wrong for the 1969, but I know for a fact that's the method used for the 1967 and 1968.

My advice would be to take the frame off the car, if you have to replace the floors, chances are the mounting plates where the subframe meets the body are going to be rusted as well. You will not be able to see this unless you drop the sub frame. Just make sure when you drop the frame, to measure it. Even though you will be using an alignment tool to re-install it, it doesn't hurt to measure it.

Second, I advise sandblasting and powder coating, to the clean and paint method, unless you are building it to be concourse correct. (But being as you are 15, you probably want to drive the hell out of it). The advantage to powder coating is, it's stronger, and covers more of the surface (nooks and crannies) to prevent rust. If you insist on painting it, I would reccomend having it EDP coated, that way it will never rust. Talk to you later.

Rick