Images

Which Switch?

We get calls on this neutral safety switch problem on the tech line every so often. So, we thought we’d write a blog post about it to help those trying to get the right switch.

In 1967, the Camaro and Firebird with an automatic transmission could only be purchased with a Power Glide or Turbo Hydramatic 400 transmission (TH-400). Nope, no matter what your buddy says after a few beers… you couldn’t get a TH-350 in 1967 Camaro or Firebird.

The Real Problem…

The problem is not the difference in the transmissions. The problem truly started when GM (in all their infinite wisdom) decided to make the automatic shifters different between the cars with a Power Glide and the cars with a TH-400. The shifters were made differently and GM just had to make the switches mount differently too.

Here’s The Difference:

This image is of the Power Glide Neutral Safety Switch:

This is an image of a 1967 Camaro or Firebird Neutral Safety & Back Up Light Switch, Floor Shift, Powerglide — Powerglide Neutral Safety & Back Up Light Switch

The mounting points to attach the Power Glide neutral safety switch are both on the bottom of the switch. If your car originally had a Power Glide, your shifter will have the mounting tabs in this arrangement.

The next image is of the TH-400 Neutral Safety Switch:

This is an image of a 1967 Camaro or Firebird Neutral Safety & Back Up Light Switch, Floor Shift, TH-400 — TH-400 Neutral Safety & Back Up Light Switch

The mounting points to attach the TH-400 neutral safety switch are in different locations. One mounting tab is on the bottom and the other is on the top of the switch. If your car originally had a TH-400, your shifter will have the mounting tabs in this arrangement.

Get The Right Part!

That is the difference! Pretty simple right?
What if you have a TH-350 that has been retrofitted into your 1967 Camaro or Firebird?
You just have to compare your shifter with the images above and choose the neutral safety switch that matches your shifter. Remember, a lot of things happened during the course of the life of your car! Compare and be sure.

Midnight Oil has both of these switches available and ready to ship! Click on any of the above links to get yours today.

Tech

The Camaro Amp Gauge Mystery

Image November 9, 2017 Kelley Timms Leave a comment

Camaro Amp Gauge

This is an image of a 1968-69 Camaro Console Amp Gauge — 1968-69 Camaro Amp Gauge

The Camaro in 1967-1969 came with the highly desirable option of the Console gauges. The one gauge which has always been a little weird to us here at Midnight Oil is the Camaro amp gauge. The amp gauge (sometimes referred to as the battery gauge) is super easy to wire up. But, you get it wrong and POOF! Now you need a new amp gauge. We thought we would write this post for those who are having trouble with their Camaro amp gauge. This info is not just about the 1967-69 Camaro. It will help you diagnose almost any early GM amp gauge because the wiring colors are the same.

Wire it up!

This s the rear view of the 1968-69 Camaro Console Amp Gauge — Rear View Of A 1968-69 Camaro Console Amp Gauge

The wiring on the back of the amp gauge goes like this:

With the gauge upright; there are two terminals one at 12 o’clock and one at 6 o’clock.

12 o’clock gets the black wire coming from the battery junction block (Just because the wire is black does not mean it is a ground!)
6 o’clock gets the black wire (with white stripe) coming from the horn relay.

BOTH of these wires MUST BE hot. The amp gauge’s job is to read the amperage traveling through this circuit. If you have hooked the amp gauge up with a hot and a ground and turned on the ignition, you will need to replace the amp gauge because you have just fried its insides.

Running your own wires in series i.e. battery to gauge to alternator is a bad thing. This will fry the gauge period. The amp gauge was designed to be run parallel to the alternator circuit.

If the needle won’t move at all…give the gauge the sniff test. You will probably smell that ozone burned wire smell and you will need to replace the gauge. That is pretty much it. Not much to the Amp gauge circuit.

I’m Fried…Now What?

Midnight Oil sells single, new reproduction console gauges just in case you have fried yours. We have the 1967 Camaro amp gauge and the 1968-69 Camaro amp gauge ready to ship today! If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to drop us an email or call!

Tech

Rear Corner Hood Adjusters…More Than A Hood Prop

Image September 14, 2017 Kelley Timms Leave a comment

Adjust a mystery…

When taking your 1970-81 Camaro or Firebird apart, did you ever look at the rear corner hood adjusters and wonder why GM put such a massive bolt back there?

This image shows the Position of the rear corner hood adjusters — Driver’s side rear corner hood adjuster

The hoods on the 2nd Generation Camaro and Firebird are heavy. But geez… Not that heavy! Look at the image below and check out the size on the bolts. They are at least 2-3 times larger than the front corner hood adjusters.

This is an image of a 1970-81 Camaro or Firebird Rear Corner Hood Ajusters Bolt set — 1970-81 Camaro & Firebird rear corner hood adjusters

Also, Why are the bolts that large? GM could have just put a bolt the size of the front ones and just pumped those Camaros and Firebirds out of Norwood and Van Nuys. The secret is found in the hood hinges themselves. Next, take a look at the image below of a hood hinge:

This is an image of a 1970-81 camaro or firebird hood hinge — 1970-81 Camaro or Firebird hood hinge

See the notch? Now, that notch looks like something goes there doesn’t it?

Here is the answer… Hopefully, you will never be involved in a head on collision in your Camaro or Firebird. But if you are, the hood hinges are designed to crush back. Secondly, lock into the rear corner hood adjusters. And finally, keep that long, heavy 2nd Generation hood from coming through the windshield into the passenger compartment and causing damage to you or your loved ones. Now you know!

If you don’t have them…get them! Midnight Oil sells this set or a complete set of front, rear and rear center adjusters. Don’t forget, Midnight Oil sells all the parts you need for your Camaro or Firebird at a great price and ships them quickly. Thanks for tuning in!

Midnight Oil Muscle Car Parts