1974 Camaro a Real Z-28 T-code (u can make it into 70-73 Cam

Greg Reimer 7376 · 09-27-2023, 11:06 AM

A guy we went to high school with who graduated in '74 got a gold 74 Z-28 for a grad present.4 speed, had the good suspension, all the correct Z-28 stuff, great car. Problem was a vibration coming out of it at various RPM's. It got taken in for warranty service regarding the engine vibration a few times, they found nothing. He took it to a shop for a lube,oil and filter change, that was when they noticed something.The block had three freeze plugs on each side, rather than 2. The only SBC with the extra freeze plugs was the 400. Loosening the alternator, moving it and looking at the stamped number on the block revealed the factory foul up. By then, the factory warranty had expired, the dealer wouldn't touch it without the factory paying for it, and the end result was to replace the 350 balancer for a 400 with the counter weight, and to replace the 350 flywheel for a 400 with the corresponding counterweight. Car was fixed, customer was placated, but the Z-28 engine has a steel crank, the better 350 hi po rods and forged pistons. I don't know what he eventually did with the car, but it was an interesting factory goof up. Car was pretty fast as well.

09-27-2023, 11:06 AM	#1
Greg Reimer 7376 VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Glendora,Calif. Posts: 1,137 Likes: 172 Liked 719 Times in 220 Posts	Re: 1974 Camaro a Real Z-28 T-code (u can make it into 70-73 A guy we went to high school with who graduated in '74 got a gold 74 Z-28 for a grad present.4 speed, had the good suspension, all the correct Z-28 stuff, great car. Problem was a vibration coming out of it at various RPM's. It got taken in for warranty service regarding the engine vibration a few times, they found nothing. He took it to a shop for a lube,oil and filter change, that was when they noticed something.The block had three freeze plugs on each side, rather than 2. The only SBC with the extra freeze plugs was the 400. Loosening the alternator, moving it and looking at the stamped number on the block revealed the factory foul up. By then, the factory warranty had expired, the dealer wouldn't touch it without the factory paying for it, and the end result was to replace the 350 balancer for a 400 with the counter weight, and to replace the 350 flywheel for a 400 with the corresponding counterweight. Car was fixed, customer was placated, but the Z-28 engine has a steel crank, the better 350 hi po rods and forged pistons. I don't know what he eventually did with the car, but it was an interesting factory goof up. Car was pretty fast as well.