What did you do to your G-Body today 2024

On Veterans Day there is free stuff all around so I got a free cups of coffee, and a Krispy Kreme donut. I drove the El Camino over 40 miles in an errand loop, and while that may not impress you, you would have to read of my struggles for the last several years even getting it to start and run. Within the 40 mile loop, I got a couple of short cruises at highway speeds. It passes the test as a cruiser for sure! I had one offer to buy it and many thumbs up! It reminded me of why I wanted it in the first place... something to haul stuff, and a nice cruiser. One lady thought I was some famous hotrod builder. I could not for the life of me think of an old, fat, famous hotrodder. The guy offered me $6K and believe me I thought about it. He also thought it was original paint, which I took as a compliment knowing how rough it really is.

In a Karma sort of way, one of the errands was to take the original 3.8 V6 and TH200 Trans to the salvage yard. I I had offered it for years on various local buy/trade/sell sites with no interest at all ever…even offered it for free and to help load it. I guess this engine will become a boat anchor or something now. They say they will pay for scrap metal, it was a 30 mile trip and at best I used 3 gallons. The price for nearly 400 pounds of cast iron and aluminum? $11.25. I made $1.25 and also had to load it AND unload it. The garage seems larger now.
The Olds powered Chevy behaved nicely and I behaved too. Even with the high gearing, it goes. It still needs some tweaks, but it got me to and from my errands sounding really good, driving even better and looking not too shabby! Sure wish I had a hoist for a few days. I would get it done. but that is what winter is for, This year it won't hibernate. I am driving it on dry days!

congrats Chuck,it was all worth it afterall.

melloelky said:

congrats Chuck,it was all worth it afterall.

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Thank you! Now all I need is a few years of happy motoring!

Congrats Chuck, i know it was a long road for you!

$6K is about half the asking in these parts for a decent Camino, and there are more here than anyplace else I've ever Iived.

Yes I figure it is worth $8000 today but when it is 100% it will hit fair market value.. That will be my sons chore to sell unless It kills me in a fiery wreck, but I intend to drive it until 2 years after they take my license away

Took it to the shop to change the oil and install a pan mounted dipstick. Oil still has a bit of glitter to it, but it was in there for 200(ish) miles and I’ve been leaning on it hard for that 200. And the dipstick tube had the wrong adapter on it for the only port I have access to due to headers.

Was also fighting really twitchy steering for the past month or so, changed the center link and idler arm since they were shot, that helped turning left but turning right still had major issues. Just a small about of steering input nearly tripled the directional change in feeling, almost like the steering was going over center. Found the reason why when I got under the rear to check for leaks in the pit:




The spherical bearing’s locknut had backed off, fell off, and eventually wedged itself between the bearing and the control arm, shoving the bearing out and binding the arm up. I drove this for who knows how long too 😂
The arm, while marred up is fine. Everything moves freely and the steering twitch is gone. Guess it helps if your suspension actually moves like it’s supposed to!

UC645 said:

Took it to the shop to change the oil and install a pan mounted dipstick. Oil still has a bit of glitter to it, but it was in there for 200(ish) miles and I’ve been leaning on it hard for that 200. And the dipstick tube had the wrong adapter on it for the only port I have access to due to headers.

Was also fighting really twitchy steering for the past month or so, changed the center link and idler arm since they were shot, that helped turning left but turning right still had major issues. Just a small about of steering input nearly tripled the directional change in feeling, almost like the steering was going over center. Found the reason why when I got under the rear to check for leaks in the pit:

View attachment 248464
View attachment 248465

The spherical bearing’s locknut had backed off, fell off, and eventually wedged itself between the bearing and the control arm, shoving the bearing out and binding the arm up. I drove this for who knows how long too 😂
The arm, while marred up is fine. Everything moves freely and the steering twitch is gone. Guess it helps if your suspension actually moves like it’s supposed to!

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I had some u-bolts loosen themselves once that made my dually jump to one side or the other depending on whether I was on the gas or off. Felt pretty dumb when I found that, I figured it was rubber bushings up front that needed changed out!

I used some Rust-Oleum rust dissolver followed by some Rust Reformer in my rear seating area. Sealer primer and new seam sealer still to come.



I sprayed a little reformer on the lower inside of the quarters as well just because I had it in my hand.



I'm also using a new toy (needle scaler) to remove loads of Bondo from my rear window/ trunk seal area.

Sweet_Johnny said:

I'm also using a new toy (needle scaler) to remove loads of Bondo from my rear window/ trunk seal area.

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Don't forget to put some fresh seam sealer there too.

Sweet_Johnny said:

I'm also using a new toy (needle scaler) to remove loads of Bondo from my rear window/ trunk seal area.

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That’s not actually Bondo, it’s the factory applied seam sealer. I know because I’m currently in the midst of removing gobs of it from the same area on mine as well. I have a special hatred for the stuff, and for the ding dongs that carelessly smeared it everywhere with reckless abandon.

Their abuse of the stuff is nothing short of epic.