1971 Chevrolet El Camino

396 V8

Automatic

Clear

This is a neat project for someone...I bought this El Camino from a body shop who had completed a lien sale on the truck. I have processed the paperwork with CA DMV and will have a title within a few days of auction end. Title is clear..not salvage, no back fees. This El Camino was parked in 1989! It is a SS 396, automatic, factory AC, power steering and power disc brakes and hood pins. Original paint which you can see on the hood and the tops of the fenders as well as the bed is Sandalwood...interior is parchment and it originally wore a vinyl top. The engine is the original numbers matching unit...the vin of this vehicle is stamped into it as well. The distributor and the fuel pump which I replaced are also original. The valve covers though painted black are original because they have the push in oil cap and you can see the original orange paint under the black...the intake is original too. When I bought it, the engine turned by hand but I didnt know if it ran or not. I bought a new gas tank, replaced the fuel pump and had a carburetor rebuilt all to the tune of about $350. Replaced all of the ignition components..new points, condenser, rotor and cap, wires and coil. Got it to fire and the engine sounds nice and quiet no lifter noise whatsoever or weird noises, knocking or smoking. I couldnt get it to idle properly though it was hitting on all eight cylinders and it would run rough at times...took the carb back to the carb shop thinking the needle and seat were stuck or that the float was too high..that it was dumping gas...carb shop checked it out, I put it back on and it didnt make a difference. A knowledgable friend came by and I fired it up and he said that it sounds like the valve springs are bad. I tend to agree...it was sitting for 24 years with some valve springs compressed and some closed...the compressed ones fatigue over time and cause erratic and weak valve action. I will try to replace the valve springs during the course of the auction..but the auction is for the El Camino as it sits..needing a little tinkering to get it running right. Needs a steering column and a little rust work..all the body panels are original to this car..how often do you hear that? Look at the pictures of the doors open and look at the rear edges..they are nice and thats the original paint you see. You can see the original blackout treatment in the rocker panel area. When I got it it had a lot of primer on the sides..I went to a paint shop and had some base coat mixed into some aerosol cans and painted the sides of the body and roof so that you can see the body's condition and not be distracted by primer spots. It needs body work and paint..both doglegs of the fenders have rust holes ( so common now) and the front corners of the doors have a little rust too. Some rust around the sail panel area from the vinyl top but really not that bad since its mostly on one side...also some weird rust in the bed near the passengers side wheelwell. Has a dent on the rear passengers side quarter panel. Look at the underneath shots...its a California car and the rust is localized. Tailgate had a skin replaced years ago and needs it again. Floors look great...radio hole is cut for an aftermarket stereo. Overall very decent and solid. Numbers matching SS....all the body panels on this car can be reused. The upholstery is original too...kind of neat to see even though it needs replacing. Wheels are old ET with very good BF Goodrich TA 14" tires. Has a 12 bolt rearend but no rear swaybar for some reason. Has a brand new grill with new trim. Trans is holding fluid and it seems like it will work. The master cylinder looks to be leaking but I think the brakes are working now though very low. Missing the drivers side inner fender..I have the other side of the AC box, an original style air cleaner and some other stuff. Mileage listed is just to conform to Ebays form...dont remember what it is at the time of this ad Auction might end at any time since I have it for sale locally too.. TERMS: Full payment is to be in my hands within 3 days of auction end...manner of payment is strictly my choosing..depends on whom you bank with etc. Check into shipping to make sure what it will cost. Will ship from 91331. Your bid price is what you are willing to pay period...not your chance to come look at the car after the auction ends. If you want to look at it before auction end..let me know! Ask questions! On Apr-20-13 at 20:19:43 PDT, seller added the following information: UPDATE!!! 4/20/13 I worked on the El Camino today...I had a friend who is a great mechanic and old drag racer come by and listed to the engine as it sputtered and barely idled. He thought it was the ignition system..and he was right! The new condensor I had installed must have been a cheap import..it had failed instantly..put in a USA made condensor and now it runs GREAT. Even my buddy thought it ran really well. Blows our minds that after so many years it would run this well..no lifter ticks or anything of the sort. Engine has a small rv type cam so it lopes an idle...would sound great with better mufflers...has kind of stock ones now. Also went ahead and put on a rebuilt master cylinder..bled the brakes and now we have a braking system that holds pedal...the pedal is kind of hard so I am sure the booster is not working 100% but it is working...best part...I drove it around the block! Engine runs well...tranny needs a modulator as it didnt shift into second or third...but suspension seems good...and the car feels light to drive. By replacing the steering column and looking over the brakes more carefully you can be driving this car in no time. Makes the car easier for a transporter to transport since it can be considered a running car. Is started with a jumper wire and the shift linkage is being handled manually underhood. I uploaded two videos onto Youtube...they are still pending as of this writing but will probably be available tomorrow...they are titled "1971 El Camino SS 396 Ebay 121096003925" One shows the engine running and the lack of weird noises or smoke from the tailpipe..and the other is when we drove it around the block....On Apr-21-13 at 19:57:47 PDT, seller added the following information: Youtube video links: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAJWHcxt4cA and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DLLH_plpw0