I finally got my 78 Cabellero home and have started the cleaning/inspecting process . I got it from a friend who has had it for about 12 years. Lots of back story and drama but it's pretty much just sitting outside the whole time only started a handful of times to move it around the yard. I actually delivered it when he first got it, driving it about 75 miles. Anyway I got it and can't wait to get it back on the road. It has very little history. It's pretty rust free, straight body. Originally black but had a cheap pearl white paint job applied at some point. One day I'd like to go back black with it. It has what I believe is a 305. There is a Jasper sticker on the firewall but the number has aged out of their system so no way to know whats in it. it has a high rise intake, Edelbrock 1406 carb, Accel ignition, headers and a solid fan. Reminds me of a High School kids hot rod. Today I washed the motor, pulled the plugs and pumped some Marvel Mystery oil in the holes and down the intake. Tomorrow I'll roll it over by hand then spin it with the starter. See what the compression looks like. Also pulled the carb for a refresh. Should be a real fun project.
78 Cabby journey begins
- Thread starter BCLEM
- Start date
Turns out it has a new 4bolt 350 in it . 39 70010 block. Jasper sells stock and modified motors so I'd need to pull a head or measure cam lift to find out more. It runs strong but the carb is trying to flood :-( . I pulled what was left of the carpets out of it and there is a lot of floorboard rot but not as bad as some I've seen on you tube. It has a bench seat out of a 4 door car so no flip forward. Most of the interior plastic is bad. Headliner and visors are perfect. It has the rally gauges with tach. Exterior trim is in pretty poor shape so I'll probably shave it. Bumpers are rusty but straight. I'm thinking of shaving, narrowing and painting them. Gonna be a busy winter 
Good looking project, looking forward to see it all shaved up. Maybe not as much as I like to see other shaved things.....
Thanks. I've tried to buy this car for years. It was in way better shape when I first tried buying it but it took the owner this long to be ready to part with it so the rot down process had begun. :-( But I have it now
My biggest dread is finding all the parts to repair the cruise, AC and pwr windows . Tilt column works, needle is off the 80 MPH speedo. I think I'll leave it off and tell everyone I twisted it off in a race .
OPGI ought to have most of what you'll need to fix the problems you've mentioned.
Nick
Nick
Looks to be a decent platform to start from. I love a red interior, and these are slick when fully shaved. I'm looking forward to seeing more of your El Camino and your process.
Thanks. I agree. It's rough and needs some luv but it has really good bones. Looks like you've got some really nice rigs
OPGI- Original Parts Group, Inc. You'll also be interested in Mike's Montes, Dixie Restoration, Kirban Performance, Eckler's, and SS396.com for factory replacement parts and mild upgrades. Don't forget to check out South Side Machine and UMI as well.
