75 Camino

[Cammin]

This rebuild has been a long time in the works, but it is finally seeing progress. 10+ years ago I had a mechanic take it, with parts in boxes, to rebuild it at his leisure. Not long afterwards, he developed an issue which required a stent that drained fluid from his brain. I got married not long afterwards, worked full time and finished college. The mechanic towed the Camino back unrepaired, after a few years. At this point the car sat uncovered, until my in-laws built a cover for my birthday/Christmas gift. Next, we moved away so that I could enter graduate school. Fast forward to four days ago, when we move the vehicle and parts to my current residence.

2 flat tires, 3 wheel bearings tightened and 2 bruised fingers it is now here. Don't let the pictures fool you, it is flat as flat can get. We cleaned out the parts, swept out the bed and gave it a bath. The mold came off ok, but it has some really stuck on gunk that might require a magic eraser. Oh yeah, flat tires all the way around. Stole the spare from it and another tire will hold air for a few minutes. My plans this weekend are to borrow a couple of wheels from my truck, so that I can move it over and back about 8 feet.



I'd forgotten how many parts I'd purchased (10+ years ago). Really all I need to get it moving, minus the tires, are the following: intake manifold, camshaft, gaskets and a battery. That is supposing that I simply button the current 350 short block up and see if it holds together. As it sits now, the lifter valley is open and has been the entire time. I was planning to drop my other engine, thus I never worried about the elements. As we unloaded, the rear air shocks gave out and dropped the rear. That just added to the ghetto lean, because the springs are virtually unsprung now. The hood springs are no longer wanting to comply when closing the hood now. And don't get me started on the rust.... Will have to pull the bench seat and attack the floors one day, along with the fenders and doors and bed. Oh yeah, the steering wheel and arm rests have turned to goo. It reminds me of the fly strip glue. That will have to go soon. I'm sure I will find more items to repair.



I opened the boxes inside:

trans mount
engine mount

rubber brake hoses (front and rear)
all hoses
all 3 belts
2 wheel cylinders
master cylinder
brake booster
radiator
shift kit for the 350 Turbo

header bolts
Copper collector gaskets

air filter
rebuilt distributor
rebuilt alternator
Holley 600 cfm carb - purchased prior to 2000





Prior to shutdown 10 years ago:
New pads and rotors

New rear pads and drums

2 flowmasters
3.42 gears
driver's window off track, so it would not roll down
A/C levers stopped moving





Other than that it's just like new

Current Plans:
Take a few minutes each day to fix something/anything
Put it up on jack stands or blocks
Give it another bath
Get the current 350 engine and trans running: Summit Cam/Jeg's Intake/Fel-Pro gaskets/Fluids/Battery/Tires

Future plans (way off into the future and in no particular order):
500 Cadillac engine without paint except Ferrari Red valve covers
fuel injection
5 or 6 speed
275/45 tires on 17s painted Gray/Green (more Gray than Green) or dark NIckel
A/C
Red carpet
Buckets
2" lowering springs
Move bumpers in 2"
Better Brakes/Suspension
Find and repair all rust
Window Tint
Remove radio - enjoy engine stereo instead


As always, plans are subject to change....

[Cammin]

Quick update: Moved the Camino back today, after changing the wheels momentarily. Also, I removed the mud flaps. I was uneasy about using the original bumper jack, so I used a scissor jack instead.

[Twentyover]

Make it happen, man

[Cammin]

I'm planning to, thanks.

I'm looking for help with a DIY setup to help change out the door bushings and pins. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated, as that these doors are slightly hefty.


Check out posting #19, on the following link, for the car rotisserie that I'm planning to emulate. http://vb.foureyedpride.com/showthre...Car-rotisserie

[Z06killinSBF]

Heck ya, hit it hard and make it happen.

[Cammin]

I'm looking for help with a DIY setup to help change out the door bushings and pins. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated, as that these doors are slightly hefty.


Check out posting #19, on the following link, for the car rotisserie that I'm planning to emulate. http://vb.foureyedpride.com/showthre...Car-rotisserie

[Cammin]

I finally got tired of looking at the rusted bed floor, so I sanded the bed and sprayed rust inhibiting paint. It's not beautiful, but I can easily remove it later on.

[Z06killinSBF]

I'm looking for help with a DIY setup to help change out the door bushings and pins. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated, as that these doors are slightly hefty.


Check out posting #19, on the following link, for the car rotisserie that I'm planning to emulate. http://vb.foureyedpride.com/showthre...Car-rotisserie

I always use a floor jack under the door frame with a bundled up shirt or something soft to support the door and do one hinge at a time.

[Cammin]

I always use a floor jack under the door frame with a bundled up shirt or something soft to support the door and do one hinge at a time.

Thanks! I'll give it a try.


Updates:

I cleaned the steering wheel and arm rests with soap/water, acetone and finally steel wool. I also cleaned the carpet and seats with a soap/water mixture.

I finalized the exterior colors after finding the following link... http://www.boldride.com/news/2015/08...-denmark/87554 .

[Cammin]

I'm currently planning to pull the engine. I'm leaning towards a home-based cleanup; re-ring, brush hone, bearing replacment, etc.

Although, I must admit that I'm interested if and how long it might run if I 'RoadKill' it back together.

[Cammin]

I oiled the door and hood hinges, vacuumed the cobwebs and leaves from the engine compartment, then reconnected the transmission linkage. How nice it is to simply pull the handle, instead of reaching underneath the vehicle. Although, I forgot that I've never seen the indicator work (even when I was a small child). Oh yeah, the lap belts don't pull out. Add those to the to-do list...

[mikidymac]

I love your project. We need to get more of these forgotten A-Bodies on here. Keep in mind that these are hard to find replacement parts for but OPGI is getting better at getting us some stuff.

I feel your attachment after owning a forgotten project for so long. I came home from the hospital in mine, my dad bought it brand new and my son thinks it is ugly. Go figure.

[Twentyover]

I oiled the door and hood hinges, vacuumed the cobwebs and leaves from the engine compartment, then reconnected the transmission linkage. How nice it is to simply pull the handle, instead of reaching underneath the vehicle. Although, I forgot that I've never seen the indicator work (even when I was a small child). Oh yeah, the lap belts don't pull out. Add those to the to-do list...

One bite at a time, the elephant eventually gets eaten

[Cammin]

I love your project. We need to get more of these forgotten A-Bodies on here. Keep in mind that these are hard to find replacement parts for but OPGI is getting better at getting us some stuff.

I feel your attachment after owning a forgotten project for so long. I came home from the hospital in mine, my dad bought it brand new and my son thinks it is ugly. Go figure.

Thanks for the message. Give your son time and I bet his feelings will change. Thanks for the OPGI tip.

[Cammin]

One bite at a time, the elephant eventually gets eaten

Along those lines, I removed the master cylinder and booster. I've covered the hole for the mean time, until I have time to bench bleed the new master/attach the two and reinstall.

[Cammin]

One pound of dirt removed with rags and soapy water. It's nice to see multicolored wires, instead of light brown ones.

[Cammin]

Flat black for the master cylinder and brake booster. Bench bleeding and re-assembly are next in line. Slow and steady wins the race.

[72D100]

this was my first car, i wish the frame wouldnt have rusted in half . glad to see one being built

[Cammin]

this was my first car, i wish the frame wouldnt have rusted in half . glad to see one being built

I'm glad now that I didn't get rid of it, when I was considering it about 10 years ago.


Quick update:

Clear coat and install complete. I forgot that I stored my jack stands away a few years ago and I hope to get them soon. More space underneath would be very useful at this point.

[Cammin]

I'm planning to tear apart the suspension and replace the rubber components with polyurethane, over the winter. So, a Harbor Freight hydraulic press may be in my future.
I've got something unique planned for the bed, you will just have to wait and see.