Perfect!

 

Well, I've been distracted on other issues which has kept me from working on the Camaro. My S-10 suddenly decided to take a dump on me and not start. It's practically my DD, and my boat hauler...and with spring around the corner, it had to be fixed.

Turned out that even thought I had just done a tune-up to the thing no more than a year ago, the terminals on the dist. cap were green with corrosion, and two plug wires were bad (one burnt one). Occasionally two cylinders would try and fire at once while starting the cap/rotor were so bad. So much for using Delco parts....

Anyways, my carpet is finally in and what a pain it was to locate all the seat belt, T-top bag and rear seat mounting bolt holes in the new carpet! I ended up locating most of them under the car using a long needle to poke through from underneath the car. Then - all the jute fibers were all over the carpet...sounds pretty trivial, but it took over an hour with a shop vac to get all that crap out!!

I'm replacing the gray carpet and putting new black material (felt) on the sides of my console, then I'll install that after I get the plastics in.

Which by the way, I have an issue with the first one I tried to install. I started with the plastic panel on the rear side of my hatch and the other one that goes in the rear well and covers the tail lights.

I have an old pin-style latch, and these panels don't have the hole in the panels for the pin style. The person thet sold me the stuff also provided a latch assy. that mounts to the hatch without a pin. So, I bolted that on thinking all was solved....NOT! The pin has a purpose on my car...it keeps the heavy hatch located towards center and keeps the whole thing alingned after you shut the hatch. Without the pin, my body line on one side is almost touching and I'm not sure what keeps the hatches aligned on the newer style without the pin latch...

I think I'm going to re-use my two old pieces since they're in decent shape, but I'll need to paint them black and change the carpet on them. I'll post a bunch of pics so you'll hopefully see what I'm talking about.

Oh - and the seat belts...I had the early style with the "GM" button in the center you pushed to unclip them...these don't. Not a biggie, but I discoved the two that go on each side of the hump for the driver and passenger are different lengths! I put the longer one on the driver's side....it's a total guess since my originals were the same length..

 

BTW...this black panel I have that goes to the underside/bottom of the rear hatch...it has a square hole in it...is that for a light? I have brackets there, but no wiring or light..

 

Yep its for a light, some thirdgens have that.

 

Yeah, I was afraid of that. I took a shot at painting my original panel last night...and it really turned out better than I expected! Took four coats since I'm basically painting black over white. A little on the glossy side, but at least it doesn't have the square hole in the panel, plus it has the hole for the latch pin. Win-win as far as I'm concerned.

I can see painting a panel like that since it barely if ever gets touched.

 

A few pics as promised...you can see the differences in these panels.


Heres my current pin-type latch...I want to keep it as it keeps my hatch better aligned:

 

The other half of the latch:

This is what the carpet looks like out of the box..a wrinkled up mess:

Laid it out for a week...not much better:

 

I reused all the old jute in the hatch area...should be super insulated and quiet. Hope it's not too thick though..

Finding all the bolts holes was a bigger pain than I imagined..

 

I began to put in my rear hatch area panels...a few questions..
-Am I missing the mounting pins that go in the panels? My old panels just sat in place. Do they use the same white plastic pins that go in the door panels?


I'm assuming the big plastic screws go into these:

 

Also, if anyone has any tips on what order to install the panels, and what pins or what-not I'm supposed to be using on the hatch panels to mount them...I'm all ears!

I knew about the issue with the rear hatch panels I bought not having holes for a pin type latch. The seller of this stuff was very knowledgible on these interiors, but -I want to keep my old pin-type latch (and I will).

I'm learning a lot myself about all the small differences between the 82-83 model years. There's more things different than I ever thought!

 

You'll need these to install those pieces
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Camaro-Fireb...0fb7d8&vxp=mtr
With all that jute padding,you may have trouble installing the panels,so trim enough off the ends so the panels lineup with the plastic screws.

 

Thanks! I'll double check my old panels and see if I have those square pieces. I have the black screws though. But as I recall, it's not the black plastic screws entirely that hold the panels in...only like 4 or 5 are needed....there's some kind of push pins too isn't there? Are they the same as the ones for the door panels?

Oh yeah, I can tell it's a bit thick where the panels sit on the carpet. I'll need to trim the jute on each side so the panels sit down far enough. If that doesn't work, I'll just remove it.

 

No.you don't use push pins.each panel is kind of held in place by each other were the overlap.

 

I figured it out...the hatch panels appear to use both...the square nylon inserts go into those square brackets along the edge of the hatch. Then the christmas tree type push pins ( same as the door panels) go into the panel itself.

There are also a few places the plastic screws thread into those same square plastic inserts that the push pins go into in other areas.

Looks like I need those square plastic inserts. I have a few in my old panels, but they're so brittle that they break when I try to remove them.

Anyone know where to get the square plastic inserts that the plastic screws go into?? I have the screws already....Autozone didn't have them...

 

you might have to order them, usually i dont take them out of the panels cause i could never find them anywhere.

 

I'm missing one from a panel, but it looks like there's about five that clip into the car that the push pins go into. Found them at Hawks for 1.50 each...

I'll post a couple pics of what I'm talking about...

 

I "think" this is how it's supposed to be...note the square holes along the hatch..I stuck one of my broken nuts in one.

And the pins go into the back of the panel and push into this sqaure nuts correct? Looks like I need six of them...

 

you would be correct.

 

Are you sure about the trees??I had all my panels out awhile ago and I had no trees.Maybe the Chevy's had them,86 Pontiac didn't.

 

I think I'm right, but it was so long ago that I took these pieces out. Something should go into those square holes, and something should go into the slotted areas on the back of the panels...right?

It kinda looks like part 2 in the drawing you posted is what I did in my pic...

 

I had mine out and for the life of me I cannot remember those trees
I know those holes are their,but I don't know what for you could be right!
I haven't seen my car in, it will be a year this week(Body shop problems)so I cant go out and check for you.Maybe someone will chime in with a ans.

 

confuzed your right, the square slots have that keeper and then a christmas tree goe into the whole that on the shell of the car itself, then the panels have the oval slot which is for the the tree, they twist and lock in place. then you have like 4 big plastic screws iin the back panel, four on each side of the quarters or something like that. the drivers kick panel has one screw the passenger has two. 4 screws in the door sills, the rear quarters and the parts next to the rear seat just sorta lock together IIRC. the sail panels slide into place then the close hanger keeps it there. the a pillars are a pain in the *** its a pull and slide type deal, theres 3 or so in the panel for the rear of the roof. 3 for each visor, and that should be it.

 

Hey thanks Tyler!!

Unfortunately not having those stupid plastic square pieces put a halt to my panel install. Stupid design...you almost have to break a few to get the panels off. It's not like you can use a door panel removal fork on them...

Plenty of other stuff to do...I really hope all this frustration will be worth it. Guess I'm ordering from Hawks for the first time.

 

theres a trick to them, ive taken my old car apart so many times i can strip an interior dash and everything in about an hour and ive learned all the little secrets.

 

So I ordered the plastic clips I needed from Hawks along with a white Shifter **** 4 days ago.

I get a message on my phone from them that said my white shifter **** is on back order and won't arrive for a week...OK...it was great to let me know...but it appears my entire order is being held up. I get a second automated message today that says my order is "awaiting" shipment. The rest of the order consists of four plastic clips that can't weigh more than 3 ounces.....they have those in stock and won't ship those at least??......really?

If I don't get a "shipped" message tomorrow, I'll call them and cancel the order for the stupid shift ****....shift ***** don't hold my panels on....

I know they ain't JEGS, but c'mon!

 

jegs and summit have the best shipping/customer service ive ever seen. i thought about you yesterday with the clips and such i remember their being a website that has individual labeled bacgs for panels and such like a full interior hardware kit, or a suspension hardware kit, exterior hardware etc. ill try to find the place even though its a little late now. anyhwo sorry that they are being wierd ive heard good and bad about hawks, but since they are the only ones who seem to have the clips i guess you gotta bear with them.

 

I definitely could've used a complete hardware kit!! I didn't need to hear that...

On a better note, I just received an email saying my parts have been shipped. Of course they'll be too late for this weekend, but at least they're on the way.
I "should" ba able to finish getting my console, door panels and front seats in...

 

i sowwy but its this place this should be the link to the interior kit they have exterior ones too.
http://www.camarocentral.com/product_p/int-228.htm

 

The black plastic piece for the hatch well area--
The big square hole looking thing was for the electric hatch and // or hatch mount 3rd brake light contact.

( edit )
Never mind--
I goofed!!! The pull down piece has bristles in the latch hole!
Sorry about that!!

 

ttop havoc i was gonna say i disagree with that, the electric ones have a bigger pocket in the center, otherwise they both have the square holes minus some dont have the dome light in the middle of the panel that the 85-90s ? did.

 

Well, finally have my console in. It was a longer more painful process than expected since it was just "thrown" in before missing half the screws and bolts.

Its coming around, just slower than expected. My back has been paying for it. I'm not the contortionist I used to be 20 years ago!

Sorry about the crappy pics...my old Kodak digital gave up on me, so I only have the 4S Iphone now...

 

The more I get all this newer stuff installed, the more the worn stuff sticks out like a sore thumb. Looks like a steering wheel and dash pad is on the horizon...

 

Good info tyler, and great link too!! Will absolutely use it late summer or fall!!!!

Confuzed1
At least you can do a dash swap with plenty of room right now-- why wait...!!.. Lol! ; )
Looking really good : )

 

I agree...that is a great link if you're missing the interior screws, but not the plastic push pins etc.....I couldn't find those on that site. But man!! If you have a 67-69 Camaro, they seem to have it all!

Can anyone recommend a decent steering wheel that adapts nicely, looks good and won't break the bank like a new dash pad will??

 

Well, I guess no steering wheel recommendations...

Anyways, I got my clips and shifter **** in the mail from Hawk's the other day. I also got the clips for the A pillar I've been missing.

The shifter ****....not sure I should have picked a white one. I'll see what it looks like better once everything's together. It is physically bigger than the stock black ball.

I got 6 clips for the panels...I need seven!! I stupidly didn't count, but I think there might be one I can reuse.

 

I always wanted this steering wheel, http://www.momousa.com/tuning/steeri...els/retro.html But the price sadly is $260

 

Good Job on the interior install. Some of that stuff takes much longer than you think it should.

I've got this grant steering wheel in my 84 and I like it. My interior is very dark like yours so I like some contrast on the steering wheel.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/grt-742/overview/

If you want black I think this one would look good and is pretty cheap.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/grt-749

I like some of the Momo steering wheels too, especially this one the color on it is similar to the exterior of your car. But these are more expensive.
http://www.momousa.com/tuning/steering-wheels/race.html

 

Thanks Jbenge! May I say you have good taste in steering wheels!

But it looks like they are all 13.75 - 14 inches....is that too big? I'll go out and measure my stocker. I'm not a small guy by any means, so I need all the room I can get!! Lol

Interior is coming together nicely...all the rear hatch panels, door panels are in. I'm having one small issue with the door on my rear well hitting my light on my rear panel when I try to close it. I think I might be missing a piece where the latch is supposed to catch on....anyone know what goes there? I'll post up a pic.

Almost to the point of installing the seats and door sill plates...

 

If I remember correctly I think the stock steering wheel is a little bigger, maybe around 14.5in so you should be fine with 13.75-14in. It may take a little while getting used to a new steering wheel, feels weird after driving the car for so many years with the stock one.

 

post a pic of your issue, not making much sense to me atm

also i vote that momo one but debadge and black with a camaro emblem horn.

 

I kinda like the momo as it is....the color really does seem to be a close match to the car. If I go with all black, I may as well go with the cheaper wheels.

 

true i think the writing should go though

 

Just wondering... Is that red button on the left side of your steering wheel a push start??? I bypassed my vats that way lol

 

Nahh, it's a boost retard control. It was a handy place to put it.

No VATS on any '83's....

 

Guess I'll be ordering up carpet in a few weeks....yours will make mine look bad at the show now

 

I seriously doubt that.....I'll be lucky to even make it this year with the Z28, but of course I'll try. Besides, the best I got last year was second place "Project"...a class I wasn't even entered in!!

Ironically though now that I've thought about it, it really is always a "Project" and it just is what it is....an old car with old parts...pretty outdated by today's standards, but I was honored it got voted for anything really. I have fun with it.

Your car is in a whole other class with a much more modern drivetrain etc..that's what gets the real votes nowadays.

On another note more on the topic, the interior was just beginning to come together - and the as I was struggling to get one of the stupid rear seat bottom hold-down bolts in, the lug (nut part) decided to break loose and start spinning on the driver's side. Now I need to find a way to fasten it back in....might need to pull the carpet up out of the way and hope I can get lucky and spot weld it back in place. This is the kind of stuff that happens that makes me think of just parting the whole car out thing and take my losses....but I'm too stupid or stubborn to do that. Take your pick on which one...lol

I think the interior will look decent when I'm done, but it continues to be an up hill battle.

Even when that's done, I need to drag the car to a exhaust shop to get my Y-pipe modified to work with the Dyno Don's headers I've had lying around.

 

My seat bottoms were never screwed in and they stayed back in the day. Mine's an old car too....just one year younger than yours. Trans is from 1974, well at least the case is my engine is from 2004 so pretty old now almost a decade!


You better have it there...I need a drinking buddy!

 

Well, the interior is coming around. Door panels are on, and I'm installing the 4th Gen seats from a '02 SS into the car. They're identical to the same style seat as original, except that they're black and leather in great shape.
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Last one....I'm waiting on more of those stupid square panel clips to put on my rear panel and the one for the spare tire. I'm also replacing my turn signal switch.

One difference between the upper rear seat back on the newer seat as compared to my original is that there is a latch on both sides of the new one...my original only had one latch on the passenger side. Doesn't really matter much since one latch is plenty.
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Will the 3rdgen power seat plastics work?

If possible, can you post a pic of the driver side pieces that are on the door-side
when you get it put together // in ?

Looking great!!