For any classic muscle car build, finding the right engine can be just as important as finding the car itself. That was the challenge facing Parker from Backyard Barn Finds after buying his dream 1968 Chevrolet Camaro without the big-block V8 it deserved.
Rather than installing a modern crate engine, Parker wanted something with stronger period character. His search led him to Toledo, Ohio, where a genuine MQ-coded Chevrolet big block was waiting on an engine stand.
The engine was not numbers-matching to his Camaro, although it was built in the correct era and carried the right factory pedigree. Better still, the seller had it ready to run, allowing Parker to hear it before committing to the purchase.
What followed was a trip through the engine’s history, a look at several classic Pontiacs, and the acquisition of what may be the ideal heart for the project. The video also included an update on another Camaro that is now close to returning to the road.
A Genuine L78-Spec Chevrolet Big Block
The engine Parker found is an MQ-coded L78-spec Chevrolet big block that was originally rated at 375 horsepower. Its casting numbers and November 1967 build date place it squarely in the right period for a first-generation Camaro.
Parker’s car was assembled during the first week of February 1968, so the engine predates it by a few months. That gap would matter for a strict concours restoration, although Parker has no intention of presenting the Camaro as a numbers-matching example.
The original engine is already gone, leaving him free to focus on authenticity, usability, and personality. A running, factory-era L78 is about as close to the ideal replacement as he could reasonably expect to find.
The Engine Has A Long Camaro History
The seller, Dave, explained that the big block came from a 1968 Camaro he purchased for $1,000 in 1978. He and his wife went on dates in that car, giving the engine a personal history that goes well beyond its suffix code and casting number.
The engine eventually suffered a bent valve after Dave raced a 1970 Oldsmobile 442. It began ticking, later locked up, and was removed for repair after the piston could no longer travel properly.
Dave rebuilt the engine in the early 1980s while working at an automotive machine shop. The block was bored 0.030 inches over, balanced, and fitted with rebuilt rectangular-port cylinder heads and TRW valves.
The engine still carries its original intake manifold, while the Corvette-style valve covers and carburetor were added later. Dave chose to keep the carburetor because he had already spent money having it rebuilt and date-coded.
Hearing It Run Made The Decision Easy
Unlike many old engines sold through classified ads or swap meets, this one did not require Parker to rely entirely on the seller’s word. Dave had it mounted on a stand and prepared to fire before Parker arrived.
Once it started, the big block produced exactly the deep, mechanical sound Parker had hoped to hear. His reaction was immediate, telling Dave that it was precisely what he had been searching for.
Dave estimates the engine has covered fewer than 10,000 miles since the rebuild. He also replaced a leaking rear main seal after removing it from one of his Pontiac projects, addressing a common source of mess before the sale.
Parker plans to use the Camaro for local driving and occasional burnouts rather than long-distance touring. That makes a healthy, period-correct L78 a strong fit, even if its build date is not perfect for the car.
The Deal Included Some Unexpected Extras
Parker purchased the engine from the intake down to the oil pan, minus the carburetor. Dave also included a set of 1966 Chevelle headers that he had been unable to sell or even give away at a swap meet.
Those headers may not fit the Camaro without additional work, although free big-block parts are difficult to refuse. The engine was then loaded into the back of Parker’s truck for the trip home.
The deal appeared to satisfy both sides, especially because Dave regularly watches the Backyard Barn Finds channel. He will now be able to follow the engine as it returns to service in another 1968 Camaro.
Parker’s Blue Camaro Is Also Coming Together
The second half of the video shifted to Parker’s blue patina Camaro, another build that has been progressing behind the scenes. Its electrical system is now largely complete thanks to a new American Autowire harness.
The car has also received wiring for Vintage Air, cooling fans, the alternator, a Holley Terminator X ECU, hideaway headlights, and Dakota Digital instruments. Much of the engine-bay wiring and the coil packs have been hidden to keep the underhood area clean.
A trunk-mounted battery, LED lighting, integrated turn signals, and wiring for a future sound system add modern convenience. The Camaro still needs its final wheels, exhaust, and interior before it is ready for regular use.
Parker fired it through open headers, producing a brutally loud idle that confirmed the project is heading in the right direction. With one Camaro nearing completion and another now paired with a genuine L78 big block, his garage has no shortage of promising Chevrolet projects.