Any El Camino Owners?

[irontrain]

 

[orboater]

I had one of these a good many years ago (1976). I drove it for about 6 months (No Air Conditioning) and sold it to my Brother. It lasted him about two years and then both rear quarters rusted off of it. ?If I remember right they went within about 6 months of the first signs of rust. Mine had a 350 with a two barrell. Boy would it fry the one back tire. A real smoke maker!!!

Suggest checking the inner lips around rear wheel wells for signs of rust or repair.

Good Luck

 

[TerryB]

Irontrain,

I bought a 1976 El Camino in 1983. I was living in Lubbock TX at the time so I did not have any problems with rust. My major problem was with wheel bearings, exhaust system, brakes and shocks. It probably had those problems before I bought it though. Since it was only a car to get to work and back and haul stuff with I didn't worry too much about it.

My stepson blew the engine (he was hot rodding with some friends) and we had to get rid of it. I had a 350 with 4 barrel carb so it hauled a$$ pretty easy. As orboater says it sure could smoke that one tire! I also had glass packs on it so it sounded pretty mean too.

All in all I didn't have any serious problems. Up north in the snow and slush you may have troubles. Light on the rear end and if you have an automatic the rear wheels seem to spin with the brakes on in the ice. That can be real fun!

Tell your son to take it easy if you do buy it.

 

[steelheadchaser]

The 400's were known for some overheating issues. They had siamesed cylinder bores and the material was a little thin there. Rear wheel-well rusting was a common problem on 60's-early 70's Chevelle/El Camino rear fender lips. Of course, YMMV.

 

[steelheadchaser]

How easily detectable was the over heating Steel?This car has the idiot lights,no guages.And whats YMMV mean?

YMMV= Your Mileage May Very. It just means that something may not hold true for everyone. Not all 400's had overheating problems. The 400 (small block Chev) was produced for some time. If I were to get this I would just make sure the cooling system was maintenanced regularly.

 

[ygmn]

You gonna make it look like the one in the movie "MEXICAN"....

It was cool looking.

 

[GoldBowTie]

Check out chevelles.com.

They discuss mostly 1964-1972 Chevelles, but there are some good guys there who are willing to help.

Just tell them BlueBowTie sent you, not that it will make any difference.