Found a Automotive Recycling Center (as junkyards are now called) that has a couple of Camaros around the same year as mine, and managed to snag an entire parking light that fit perfectly. So I no longer need that particular part. I'll be going back to pick the bones of the two Camaros soon. Still can't find the seat belts, and they're $80 a pop new from the dealer, and in the wrong color. So it's either make do with the rear pieces, or replace the front shoulder belt systems entirely (which I can do for less than the dealer pieces).

Until I find a shop to do the rebuild, I am attacking the interior. The carpet smells like the bottom of a dumpster, and will definitely need to be replaced. The two front seat belt receptacles are broken. I took the ones out of the back thinking they might make good replacements, as I don't plan to put the rear seats back in anyways. Unfortunately, they are a lot shorter. I might just find some new/used parts to replace the originals. I am in the process of taking off all of the nappy old tint that is on the rear hatch glass and the side windows. I thought it was going to be a pain in the ass since peeling off the old tint leaves all the old glue on the glass, but as it turns out it has been rather simple. I found this magical stuff called Motsenbocker's Lift Off #2 which removes adhesives like all-get-out. I just sprayed it on a shop towel (to keep it off parts I didn't want it on) and wiped the glass until it was clean. This stuff works: the next morning I thought someone had smashed my hatch glass in, until I realized that it was just clean enough for me to see through.

After putting the engine back together, I was rather surpised when the engine actually turned over and ran - just barely. Turns out the battery was only putting out around 10V, just enough to barely crank the engine. Luckily, the receipt was in the little pocket on the side of the battery, so I was able to get a good bit of credit back because the battery was only about a year and a half old. I got a new battery, and it cranks like a stallion, and starts every time. No smoke coming out of the exhaust, though there are a couple of good sized oil leaks coming from the engine. Hopefully it's just the valve covers. It would be a real pain in the ass to pull the engine out on the carport, I'm thinking of just sending it to a shop to be rebuilt. Got an engine light a couple of times; error codes say it is a MAF underflow problem.

Damn, the right rear went flat. When changing found a rusty nail underneath - must have been a slow leak. Went ahead and got two new tires for the rear. Looks like I only have 3 of the original hubs, the fourth being an oddball spare hub. I'll have to scrounge around for the 4th mag.

OK, going to start tearing this puppy apart and see what it is got under the hood. The MAF sensor is held in place with electrical tape, of all things. If someone is going to rig something, I wish they would do it right and use duct tape. Sheesh. Took off the coil, EGR valve, AIR management valve, MAF, throttle body, and the top of the plenum before I stop at the fuel rail lines. I'm quickly getting in over my head with the thin Hanes guide I am using. I took off all the vacuum tubing, and managed to crack a plastic section of it in the process. Great. No one in the known universe sells this stuff, so I get some rubber hosing to replace it with.

Brought her home!

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