Project Camino!

[Camino LS6]

it arrives!

[Camino LS6]

NO RUST!

\

NOT ANYWHERE!

Not even the floorpans!

Bottoms of fenders are fine too!

[Paolino]

Congrats man!

[DetroitNut90]

Sweet...it's gonna be one good-looker when done!

[Camino LS6]

I wish it would stop being so cold so I can get started. I'd at least like to wash the 2000 miles of road salt off before it ruins my rust-free head start! It's even too cold for that right now.

[SuperSport623]

I agree... NORTHEAST IS HORRIBLE FOR ALL THIS FREAKING SALT!

[Paolino]

Camino... it amazes me there's no rust. I can't even tell you how much rust I saw on a 2004 Bonneville today. It was one whole panel of solid rust--there was no evidence of paint left!

[Flybrian]

I...I thought this was Project Camino...

[Camino LS6]

Camino... it amazes me there's no rust. I can't even tell you how much rust I saw on a 2004 Bonneville today. It was one whole panel of solid rust--there was no evidence of paint left!

I know! I expected this car to be pretty good sheet metalwise, but not this good. Almost all of these are rust barges - my parts car has terminal rust. With all of the salt and dirt on the car you can't see how truly amazing it is . The floorpans are not undercoated and still have the original paint and the frame and bumper brackets as well as the radiator support still have the factory black finish in good condition under all the dirt!

I got lucky - very lucky.

Fly: I'm done with British cars. :AH-HA_wink:

[Oracle of Delphi]

Ahhhh, the memories! Congrats!

[76ChevyTrucker]

congrats Camino! Hope you can turn her into a REAL looker!

[Camino LS6]

Thanks guys, I'll do my best.

[z28luvr01]

Wow, this car is really clean, an excellent starting point for you. How's the body as far as dents and scratches go? The paint honestly looks really good for a desert car with no factory clearcoat. And it runs!!!!

Except for the dash and the seat, the interior looks like it'll clean up pretty nicely. Buy lots of those cans of interior cleaner - the ones with the britsles on the cap. It looks like the owner worked on the car, then jumped right in it and drove it without washing his hands. That should come out with lots of elbow grease, though.

Is that a spray-on bedliner? I'm having trouble telling. If it's a regular bedliner, get rid of that ASAP and go with a spray-on. The last thing you need is moisture collecting in that area.

Looks like you have 3 out of 4 Rally wheels, but no center caps (available everywhere for cheap). Defintely go with the parts-car wheels, they will look cool with that color scheme.

[ocnblu]

It looks to be in very decent shape, Camino. First things I noticed after the lack of rust are the tonneau cover tiedown eyes and the aftermarket side moldings, riveted on, I'd have to get rid of those and fill all those holes. It looks like a lot of the trim, like the paint break moldings and bed reveal and back glass reveals are in need of replacement. Those paint break moldings, they're on with rivets and clips, aren't they? Overall, a very sweet starting point with that impressively solid body. Good going, sir!

[Intrepidation]

The body is in great shape for it's age. You're very lucky not to have rust. Is that oil I see in one of the pics? Looks like it'll be a sweet car when it's done.

[Camino LS6]

Wow, this car is really clean, an excellent starting point for you. How's the body as far as dents and scratches go? The paint honestly looks really good for a desert car with no factory clearcoat. And it runs!!!!

It has minor dents at all 4 corners and a few others here and there and the tailgate is a victim of amatuer dent removal. The paint is shot and needs to be done ASAP to protect the metal. I'm not sure that the engine and trans are worth keeping yet, I should know early next week.

Except for the dash and the seat, the interior looks like it'll clean up pretty nicely. Buy lots of those cans of interior cleaner - the ones with the britsles on the cap. It looks like the owner worked on the car, then jumped right in it and drove it without washing his hands. That should come out with lots of elbow grease, though.

The interior isn't terrible, but I plan to re-do it, maybe in black.

Is that a spray-on bedliner? I'm having trouble telling. If it's a regular bedliner, get rid of that ASAP and go with a spray-on. The last thing you need is moisture collecting in that area.

It's more like a heavy black paint, and it will go away when the car gets painted.

Looks like you have 3 out of 4 Rally wheels, but no center caps (available everywhere for cheap). Defintely go with the parts-car wheels, they will look cool with that color scheme.

Actually, there are only two rally wheels . I will be using the wheels from the parts car (at least at first)

[Camino LS6]

It looks to be in very decent shape, Camino. First things I noticed after the lack of rust are the tonneau cover tiedown eyes and the aftermarket side moldings, riveted on, I'd have to get rid of those and fill all those holes. It looks like a lot of the trim, like the paint break moldings and bed reveal and back glass reveals are in need of replacement. Those paint break moldings, they're on with rivets and clips, aren't they? Overall, a very sweet starting point with that impressively solid body. Good going, sir!

The four circular, chrome pieces on the quarters are not tonneau-related. Nor are they what I thought they were (the base for side rails), they are actually cargo tie-downs and I'm not sure if they are original or if I want them to stay. The side moldings are original, I believe, and I may just fill those holes instead of replacing them. Yes the other moldings are the rivet/clip type and some of them are pretty bad - I will use the good ones from this car and the parts car and chase down the others through ebay.

The condition of the body itself makes the project worth doing well, I think.

[Camino LS6]

The body is in great shape for it's age. You're very lucky not to have rust. Is that oil I see in one of the pics? Looks like it'll be a sweet car when it's done.

Oh yeah, there's a ton of oil and trans fluid all over the engine compartment and underneath. I wont even be able to evaluate the drivetrain and front suspension until I get a power washer on the job!

[Z-06]

Camino,

Do you need some help for the project?

[Camino LS6]

Help is always welcomed!

The name of the game right now is evaluation,parts hunting, and plannning.

I need to bid on some stuff on Ebay.

[knightfan26917]

Lookin' good, Camino ... CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

Now ... I fully expect you to ENJOY it .

Cort:33swm."Mr Monte Carlo.Mr Road Trip".pig valve.pacemaker

PICS:lego.HO.model.MCinfo.RT.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort

"My heart would always be behind the wheel" ... Ronnie Milsap ... 'Prisoner Of The Highway'

[Camino LS6]

Lookin' good, Camino ... CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

Now ... I fully expect you to ENJOY it .

Cort:33swm."Mr Monte Carlo.Mr Road Trip".pig valve.pacemaker

PICS:lego.HO.model.MCinfo.RT.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort

"My heart would always be behind the wheel" ... Ronnie Milsap ... 'Prisoner Of The Highway'

No worries there!

I'm already enjoying it.

[Camino LS6]

Bought my first ebay parts today:

Expensive, but required as these are shot on both cars.

[knightfan26917]

No worries there!

I'm already enjoying it.

GOOD!

Just continue to do so .

Cort:33swm."Mr Monte Carlo.Mr Road Trip".pig valve.pacemaker

PICS:lego.HO.model.MCinfo.RT.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort

"I wanna drive" ... Trace Adkins ... '(Her Favorite Color Is) Chrome'

[ocnblu]

Maybe I was looking at that Custom Cloud too long, but I can't tell what they are from the pic. It looks like a set of two halves of something, and the color may or may not be a clue...

[Camino LS6]

Maybe I was looking at that Custom Cloud too long, but I can't tell what they are from the pic. It looks like a set of two halves of something, and the color may or may not be a clue...

Actually the color is sort of odd for what they are, and they are the backs of something instantly recognizeable. Rather than half, I would call them 75-90% of the parts involved - think of them as icebergs without the proverbial tip.

[BigPontiac]

Actually the color is sort of odd for what they are, and they are the backs of something instantly recognizeable. Rather than half, I would call them 75-90% of the parts involved - think of them as icebergs without the proverbial tip.

Looks like they could be part of the tail light assembly, the part behind the lenses. Yes, no, maybe?

[SuperSport623]

that was my first reaction cause those are the same shape as the taillights..lol

[Camino LS6]

BP, you are correct.

They are made of a plastic that literally rots and they are shot on both cars.

[ocnblu]

Ahhh... taillight housings. Cool. Those parts, on a tree, being photographed on a background strangely the very same color, tossed my brain out in a snowbank.

[BatmanGTO]

Oh yeah, there's a ton of oil and trans fluid all over the engine compartment and underneath. I wont even be able to evaluate the drivetrain and front suspension until I get a power washer on the job!

i have a power washer... bring her by

[Camino LS6]

Waiting for parts is hard to do!

[Camino LS6]

The project car should actually make it to the house today if all goes well. The lane is finally clear enough to get a car with worn-out tires down it safely. It has been camped out at the local Chevy dealer since it arrived where it got a quicky once -over on the engine to find out how good it is and a new modulator valve for the TH350. Meanwhile, I've been busy buying parts on ebay and planning the resto. I should also know today whether it is cost effective to use the windshield from the parts car or not. The next step is a thorough pressure washing to get the salt and grime off of it. I expect to be rebuilding the front suspension soon and getting some prices on paint/dent removal. Once it gets here, the tires and wheels from the parts car will be swapped on (maybe today).

Compression test of engine is very good (150 PSI in all cylinders).

Wish me luck!

[Camino LS6]

The Camino didn't make it home today, it is staying to get its new windsheild tomorrow. I ended up not using the one from the parts car since a brand new one is only costing me $40.00 more installed than it would have cost to transfer the one from the parts car. The bad modulator valve filled the exhaust with trans fluid so the car has been sending up quite the smokescreen! It's getting better the longer it runs so hopefully it will clear up completely as I run it more. It needs new plug wires,cap,rotor,motor mounts and trans mount. I also discovered that the turn signal cam inside the steering column is trashed so it has no turn signals right now. I'll sneak it home with an escort as soon as the seal on the windsheild cures enough (tomorrow or the next day).

Meanwhile, I'm waiting for parts to arrive.

Oh yeah, it needs a full front suspension rebuild. I'll order those parts soon.

Pics soon.

[76ChevyTrucker]

Camino, just a few tricks with the modulator valve. If you want her to shift a little harder, turn the screw inside the vacuum tube clockwise a little. If you want her to shift softer, spin it counterclockwise. Good luck with it brother!

[Camino LS6]

Thanks Trucker, I found out about that trick yesterday! :AH-HA_wink:

I don't think I'll fool with it until I get it running better and do the motor/trans mounts.

[76ChevyTrucker]

doing the transmission mount isn't that hard, if you've got a jack and can put the car up in the air with a jack under the trans at the same time. The motor mounts are about the same story, you'll have to jack the engine up to yank the mount out.

[Camino LS6]

doing the transmission mount isn't that hard, if you've got a jack and can put the car up in the air with a jack under the trans at the same time. The motor mounts are about the same story, you'll have to jack the engine up to yank the mount out.

Yup, done a few of these in the past except this time one of the motor mount bolts (the long one through the middle) is missing! I might have one in the junk boxes over at my parents' house, otherwise I'll have to hunt one down.

[76ChevyTrucker]

Hmm, missing schmissing! Just a little bailing wire and bubble gum will fix that one! :AH-HA_wink:

[Camino LS6]

Today's update:

New windshield is in, as are new plugs. I picked-up new motor mounts,trans mount, turn signal switch, ignition wires,cap,rotor today. And I rooted around in the junk boxes at the Chevy dealer until I found a bolt for the motor mount that's missing one as well as a nut for the trans mount (also missing).

The car has to stay inside the shop until some time tomorrow while the sealer on the windshield cures. So, since I can't bring it home yet, I will let one of the techs install the parts I bought today. I am itching to be doing this myself, but I plan on not wasting any time so rather than wait I'll let them do it. I will try to post pics of the windshield install later tonight.

The condition of the steel under the old windshield was nothing short of amazing! Absolutely no rust at all and in fine shape generally.

There is so much work to do that missing out on a tuneup and some motor mounts really shouldn't bother me too much. Still too cold out in the barn anyway.

If I can figure out a way to get it done safely, I may try to finally get the parts car off of the trailer tonight. If the brakes worked, it would be no problem, but they don't.

[ocnblu]

Hey Camino, do you have a piece of 4x4 or 6x6 wide enough for the back wheels to hit it and slide the car to a stop as it comes off the trailer?

[Camino LS6]

Hey Camino, do you have a piece of 4x4 or 6x6 wide enough for the back wheels to hit it and slide the car to a stop as it comes off the trailer?

I think so, but I just looked the situation over and the damage potential is too high. I may try to make at least part of the braking system work on the car, that way I can easily unload it myself.

Too cold and windy out there for that tonight though.

[ocnblu]

How about the parking brake? Is it out of adjustment or somehow inoperative?

[Camino LS6]

Windshield install pics:

[Camino LS6]

If you deflate the tires about 1/2-to-3/4 of the way you can add a lot of rolling resistance. I did it to get a 3500 Silverado off a roll-back truck and it worked like a charm.

Not a bad idea, but I think I'll try a quick brake fix first. I'll need to move this car again.

OCN: E-brake is nonfunctional.

[z28luvr01]

Looking good. Love the lack of rust in the pillars. My fiberglass-bodied Corvette has more rust than this car.

Wow, that dash is a basket-case! If you're interested, there's this place on Hicksville (LI), NY that's supposedly a premier interior restoration outfit. I'm sure they can do wonders for you: AutoMat

[Camino LS6]

Looking good. Love the lack of rust in the pillars. My fiberglass-bodied Corvette has more rust than this car.

Wow, that dash is a basket-case! If you're interested, there's this place on Hicksville (LI), NY that's supposedly a premier interior restoration outfit. I'm sure they can do wonders for you: AutoMat

Yeah, I'm in love with the lack of rust on this car. It makes the scope of the project so much easier to deal with.

Yup, a dash that looks like that is the trade-off for getting a rust-free western car. I checked out the link and they offer some options I'd consider, but I want it to look like new and it's looking like Just Dashes is the only game in town. Damned expensive though: I got an estimate of $900.00 with a 10 week turnaround time.

[ocnblu]

That tan was a popular interior color, I wonder if anyone at Carlisle would have an NOS or a used one in good condition.

[Camino LS6]

That tan was a popular interior color, I wonder if anyone at Carlisle would have an NOS or a used one in good condition.

That's my hope, OCN. I'm glued to ebay in hopes of finding one.

I have a feeling that I'll be bringing a bit of cash to Carlisle this year. And, I think I'll be driving the Silverado. :AH-HA_wink:

[Camino LS6]

Got it off of the trailer without help (details later) The wheels/tires are in the back of my truck and I'm on my way to the dealership to get them on the project car.

Details later.