Hey Guys,

I just bought a 1968 El Camino 396 SS.
I've had some random muscle cars in the past that I had done qucik fixes on and added hp for personal enjoyment, but all these cars were a dime a dozen and fun while it lasted.
This vehicle however, I know if something speacial, and I plan on doing a resoration on it. (to what degree...im still not sure) This being my first car/truck to do from top do bottom, I was hopeing I could get some gereral tips/guidance from the pros out there who have done vehicles like this several times over.

Here is some info I can give you:

Its a 1968 SS. There is NO engine or Tranny.
Original colour is Black with Blue interior.
Bench Seats, standard 396 BB.
The original Rear end is still in the car. (not posi)
The SS Hood has been removed, but I plan on buying a reproduction SS hood for it.
Firewall/fenders/hood are clean & rust free. There is some rust in the bed, and the floor pan looks like it has some spots that have been welded/repaired.
Frame is solid.

I have added pictures for you guys to take a look at.

I will not have the money to do this all in one go. I will probably have to spend a few thousand dollars at a time spaced out over a couple years.
So, I ask, is it worth doing a full Frame Off, and if so, can you guys ballpark what this will cost me? (Overall, and maybe section by section? i.e: Interior, Body/paint, mechanical, electrical etc)

And, where do I start?
What order should I go in?

ANY tips and Info would be GREATLY appriciated!

Thanks a bunch in advance!

(P.S. The engine pictured in the Camino has been removed. Im basicly dealing with an empty engine compartment. Stearing colomb is functional, rad support is there...and thats about it.)

http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm222/SlayerDeadSkinMask/DSC01704.jpg
http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm222/SlayerDeadSkinMask/DSC01706.jpg
http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm222/SlayerDeadSkinMask/DSC01705.jpg
http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm222/SlayerDeadSkinMask/Firewall.jpg
http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm222/SlayerDeadSkinMask/DSC01713.jpg
http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm222/SlayerDeadSkinMask/DSC01709.jpg
http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm222/SlayerDeadSkinMask/DSC01710.jpg
http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm222/SlayerDeadSkinMask/DSC01708.jpg

Budget will determine how you build your ElCamino. Total restorations are expensive if you are trying to go date correct. If you want to build a nice looking ElCamino and are not worried about date correct parts it will same you money, since the original motor is already gone. I would start with the motor and trans combo you want and add a posi to the rearend. Like you said the body does not look to bad, but I would go back to black since it was the original color. If you can do most of the work it will also save you money. I have about $7000 invested in my frame for my chevelle alone and I already had a motor and trans. I replaced all the front end, rebuilt the rear end, rebuilt the trans, re-painted the rims and new tires, and freshen up the motor. And it will be another $15,000 to have the body completed, not including the interior. It will be worth the effort, good luck on your project.
Ray

Theres some stuff on floor pans on my web site, just don't use all the screws like I did, but I'm retired and have nothing but time, anyway it shows some of the different tools you might need, and the size of drill bit and hex head screw to draw the pans down.

Thats my tip.:)

Rob

Hey, From another 68 Elky SS owner, Congrats on the purchase!

Personally, i'm not a 'originality' nut, So if it were me, i'd tear it all apart, and put it back together the way you want it to be.

Thanks for the advice guys. Keep it comming! Im soaking it all up!

Can anyone tell me what kind of transmition came in this car?
Was it a Turbo 400?

Also, is the dash cluster the exact same in the 68-69 El Camino's & Chevelles?

Dick,

Welcome to Team Chevelle! As you have probably already figured out, it's a great site and there are lots of fellow Chevelle owners who will offer information and advice.

Regarding the transmission that came in your El Camino, it could have been a Powerglide or a TH400. If you had the original engine, the ID # on it would decode that for you. There may be a way, or clues, for you without the engine, but I'm not that knowledgeable.

Check out http://www.chevellestuff.com/index.htm as a good reference site.

'68 and '69 instrument clusters are quite a bit different.

Good luck with your restoration. :)

Greg

Thanks for the advice guys. Keep it comming! Im soaking it all up!

Can anyone tell me what kind of transmition came in this car?
Was it a Turbo 400?

Also, is the dash cluster the exact same in the 68-69 El Camino's & Chevelles?

It would have had a TH400 tranny in it, and the 68 cluster has Rectangular openings whereas the 69 cluster has round openings.

Also, not sure if you are aware, but you have 1969 front fenders right now, you can tell by the marker light positions...

:thumbsup:

Hi Cam ....... welcome to the 68 El Camino club :D

since the original motor & trans is gone ..... I wouldn't worry about trying to restore it to original ;)

IMO round up all the trim & bumpers & lights ...an then put something like a sb with an overdrive trans in it !!! that way you'll enjoy driving it while your saving your money for a killer BB drivetrain :D ... take my word for it, your interest level will stay much higher if your driving it around rather then letting it sit in the back of the garage collecting dust !!!

but ..... its executive decision time your car your call :thumbsup:

It would have had a TH400 tranny in it, and the 68 cluster has Rectangular openings whereas the 69 cluster has round openings.

Also, not sure if you are aware, but you have 1969 front fenders right now, you can tell by the marker light positions...

:thumbsup:


Rambo,

Yeah, I was aware of the 69 fenders. The guy that I bought this from didnt do his homework and thought he had a 1969 El Camino, so he ordered a set of brand new 69 dynacorn fenders.

As far as the cluster, do you know if they are reproducing them yet?
I was poking around on the elcaminostore.com and saw that they had every year except 68. (thats what led to my question about 68-69 being the same)
Also, is basicly everything the same as far as interior and front end in this Camino as Chevelles from the same year? If not, what are the major differances?

Thanks a bunch for the replys! :D
This is now officialy one of my favorite web sites, and I have a feeling I will be needing a lot of info from you gents in the near and distant future!
Cheers! :beers:

Oh, and by the way, Your El Camino is gorgeous! I was drooling just looking at your pics. The Dark Silver/Black combo is an idea I have been kicking around, as well as the orange/black.

Hi Cam ....... welcome to the 68 El Camino club :D

since the original motor & trans is gone ..... I wouldn't worry about trying to restore it to original ;)

IMO round up all the trim & bumpers & lights ...an then put something like a sb with an overdrive trans in it !!! that way you'll enjoy driving it while your saving your money for a killer BB drivetrain :D ... take my word for it, your interest level will stay much higher if your driving it around rather then letting it sit in the back of the garage collecting dust !!!

but ..... its executive decision time your car your call :thumbsup:

Thanks for the advice.
That's pretty much what I was leaning towards. I JUST WANNA DRIVE THE THING!!!
I have most of the chromw trim, and I DO have the back bumper & tail lights. The previous owner took them off when he did that quick backyard paint job on it. (Which suprisingly doesnt look half bad..)

Im not sure if I want to just slap a 350 in it for the time begin, or wait and put a 396 in it. Chances are i'll just wait and track down a 396 for it, that way I can slap on the 396SS emblems and not worry about being shunned from the local muscle car community for driving a 68 SS WITHOUT a 396!
hehehe...

The 68 dash carriers are the only ones not reproduced, you will have to keep your eye open on ebay, they are prone to crack/break on upper edge. Your car probably had a standard cluster? The gage clusters with roller tach are cool but getting rare. I also agree with previous reply to paint car original color. Other than that its up to you how you want to restore car. I just sold my matching #'s 68 SS396 elky a month ago, They do drive very nice! Have fun and you are on the right site for knowledge and info. I couldnt have finished my 66 without this site.

Congrats on your purchase! There are a bunch of us El Camino guys here.

The 68 dash carriers are the only ones not reproduced, you will have to keep your eye open on ebay, they are prone to crack/break on upper edge. Your car probably had a standard cluster? The gage clusters with roller tach are cool but getting rare. I also agree with previous reply to paint car original color. Other than that its up to you how you want to restore car. I just sold my matching #'s 68 SS396 elky a month ago, They do drive very nice! Have fun and you are on the right site for knowledge and info. I couldnt have finished my 66 without this site.


Well, the good news it, I DO have the original cluster, but its quite faded. Thats why I wanted to buy a new repro. But I guess I can paint this one, or clean it as best I can.
Too bad '68 if the only year they don't make these for.

Congrats on your purchase! There are a bunch of us El Camino guys here.

Thanks a bunch.
Im very new to the club, so im taking in all the info I can!
I cant wait to have it all finished, but am looking forward to learning as much as possible!