My new (to me) Cabby

[Marik Bathory]

Finally, after all this time, the most powerful machine in my garage is no longer my washing machine. About 6 weeks ago I stumbled across a rust free 1987 GMC Caballero for a very reasonable price. I'd never heard of it before but had heard of the A-body Sprint before and was really intrigued. It was not at all the FWD Buick I was shopping for but I had always wanted an El camino. This fit the bill and was an oddball too. $1000 bucks later it was mine. Title in hand I hopped in and drove it home. The stock 4.3 smoked so much I fully expected to break down withing the first mile. No matter, that's why I pay for the super-deluxe AAA. They send a tow truck and a hooker, It's a good deal. To my surprise It made it all the way home.





I've already begun removing all the Wimp parts...



That odd shaped box in the pic above is aftermarket cruise control. That's like surrendering. Into the garbage chute flyboy...



...and started repainting the chrome trim gunmetal. 'cause chrome is for trailer queens and insecure people.



The headlamps are out because I've decided I want to try and fit in some composite Chevy Celebrity headlamps. They look to be around the right size and I think they'd really improve the looks and lighting of the front end. Plus I've never seen it done before.

So that's it. the first step on the very long journey of my street/track cabby. Eventual plans Include a Carb swapped L31, 700R4 and a 9" inch rear, unless I can get a good deal on an IRS from a 'Vette or a GTO. I know the 9" is overkill for a 300 hp motor but I'd like to run it up to about 450 eventually (read... a long time from now.) and figure If i'm going to need it eventually, might as well do it up front instead of after the stocker breaks. Well, that was a ramble. I'll stop now.

 

[jlcustomz]

If you got a mostly complete vehicle with a mostly rust free body, then you got a pretty good deal. Fyi, your 4.3 efi tank & sending unit is a sought after item, a simple swap to an 80's up multi port pump can make it ready for a modern fuel injection setup. Valve guide seals went bad first on the reliable 4.3 engines, which is likely most of your smoke.
Most things you may have questions about likely were already answered between here & elcaminocentral.com. Have fun with it.

 

[Marik Bathory]

I'd suspected the valve seals and I'm considering replacing them and seeing if the smoking stops. I've done no work to the engine, figuring a SBC swap is on the way, but a solid 4.3 would allow me to drive the truck and really help as a parts runner while gathering everything needed to do the swap. Cabby's pull their own weight 😀 I'd really like to have her on the road sooner, rather than later.

I'd read that an early '90's TBI truck pump will fit my sending unit, and provide plenty of fuel. and stepped down with a double regulator should have no problem feeding a carb'ed V-8.

 

[Marik Bathory]

If you got a mostly complete vehicle with a mostly rust free body, then you got a pretty good deal.

the only peices missing were the tonneu cover and bows and the headlamp trim rings. and there is only surface runs on paint chips on the door. The tailgate is shot and needs to be replaced, the passenger door needs to be re-skinned, the bed needs a real bed-liner, not a single coat of spray on. and the whole car needs to be blocked and repainted, but she's solid.

 

[joesregalproject]

Valve seals are a common problem in those engines, so that engine might not be completely trashed. Check out my build thread. I have two videos, a before/after of my car's v6 that needed valve seals.

 

[boatshoes]

'cause chrome is for trailer queens and insecure people.

This statement may not be totally accurate.

 

[Marik Bathory]

I watched your video joe. You call that smoke? here's a vid of mine:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxBhXDqpTPs

And boatshoes, I stand by what I said.

 

[Longroof79]

Looks like a pretty decent body, Jay. You certainly didn't do bad price wise. I've seen some real dogs that people are asking ridiculous money for. Your's looked a hell of a lot better than many of them.

I think doing the valve seals for now sounds like a good plan to get you back on the the road. The quad headlamp header panels do look good with the one piece headlamps. I have also heard that the square body Caprice headlamps can also be used.

BTW, you're not going to toss out the air conditioning parts, are you? :shock:

Good luck man! Keep us updated on your progress.

 

[Marik Bathory]

BTW, you're not going to toss out the air conditioning parts, are you? :shock:

Of course I am. Why? Do you want em?

 

[Longroof79]

Well, I thought you might consider putting A/C back in the car one day. I don't know if the compressor brackets for the V-6 and V-8 are the same.

BTW, here's a pic of a guy's Malibu that I knew. He has the quad headlamp header panel with either Celebrity or Caprice headlights.