Update on father / Son project

[618stanley]

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to all my "advisors" out there, thanks !!!

(91 RS / V6 / Automatic Trans)

Well,...... we're getting there with the beast !
Steering column replaced, new computer control unit, minor engine sensors, left exhaust manifold drilled/rebolted, fuel filter, plugs, rotor, cap, (wires are ok) new driver door replaced, radiator leak temporarily sealed at outer ridge line (the same place they always leak at on all 3.1's I've had), and other odds and ends. A true labor of love !!

I have a few questions I know the advisors can help me with.

1. What year RS front fenders can I pull and switch out ?

2. The RS fenders are a little offset from the doors, as the doors close a little behind and into the fender instead of lining up flush ( you guy's know what I mean I hope). Do all Gen 3's do this or is this a RS type of thing ?

3. The gauges mostly worked at first, but a set of lighted cluster overlays were installed and now the temp and amp gauges don't work. I believe the needles may have been "touched". I have access to a boneyard that has a few Camaros in it, would I be so much the better to switch out a unit ?

If so, what are the year's I can swap out the instrument panels ?
And what issues (i.e." do this first, secod, DON'T DO THIS," etc.) will I have in connecting up any leads, wires, etc., etc ?
Any help in walking me through this is much appreciated folks !

4. The air bag reset indicator is lighted on the dash, what should I do on this ? It came on after the second comp unit was installed (the first one had a bad idle code according to my mechanic - and yes I trust him, he's been doing my work for close to ten years).

That's the issues of the moment for this week (so far).

Thanks,
Stan

[wrightz28]

Hey Stan,

Just a little work huh? ;lol:

The fenders themselves are the same on all 82-92 3rd gen Camaro, (Firebirds are different). The only differences are the ground effects used. As far as the fender alignment, the majority of 3rd gens I've had, seen or dealt with, are all off in someway shape or form.

[hotrod_chevyz]

Its best for the fenders to stick out a little relative to the front of the doors. At least for mine it is.

I had just fixed mine perfect looking, nice and flat down both sides everything seemed to line up perfect..or so i thought. It wasnt too far off but i wanted it to look perfect so i adjusted it around till it was nice and smooth. It didnt last long.

I was sitting inside my car, opened the door, and the front of the door grabbed the back of the fender, and smashed the fender in pretty bad. I get mad every time i see it. Its too bad of dent to use any fillers on, so i have to replace my drivers side fender now. All because i was so picky.

I believe the fenders made for the cars wich had ground effects have holes drilled along the bottom for mounting the plastic pieces too. The ones that had no ground effects had no holes. If i remember right anyways. I could be wrong, wouldnt be the first time.

[Blue Bowtie]

That's odd. My fenders are aligned almost dead flush with the doors. There may be about 0.030" of extension of the fenders beyond the door skins. However, as Wright mentioned, "Firebirds are different" and T/As are different from those.

As for the instrument cluster, you're stuck with the '89-up clusters, since prior year Camaros still used the cable driven speedometer with the VSS mounted to the rear of that. Further, you need the SIR indicator and VATS indicator, and only 1990-up Camaros would all have that. So it looks like you'll be hunting for a '90-92 cluster. Hawks, ThirdGen Resource, and several other places specialize in parts for the vintage.

[hotrod_chevyz]

Didnt seen odd to me, unibodies flex and shift. Its best to leave a little clearance in certain areas, like between the doors and front fenders.

[wrightz28]

Yep, I put that nice 11 inch edge crease in my fender after hitting a huge mother pot hole, went to get aout of the car and door came springing back at me after that dreadful "pop!" and falling debris sound.

[hotrod_chevyz]

Mine crunched the fender after i did a burnout. I guess i should have put it in reverse and un-burned-out.