[Jbeach]

Didn't know what else to title the thread.
I have an all original 68 SS elCamino. 35,000 miles and not molested. Original owner was in his 80's. It was bought in CA but time in FL took its toll rust wise. Now that I'm retired I'm finally fixing it. I have an assembly manual but it shows an air pump which I don't have and there is no sign it was ever there. Tried to buy fan shroud bolts but the kits only have two and mine has three. I was told they all have two. I also bought a new SS brake line kit for the front. It has 6 lines without rubber lines. I can't figure out where the extrs two go.

Anybody run into a Chevelle or elCamino with odd stuff or have another explanation.

 

[LeoP]

Most of the time, the AIR(air injection reaction) system was the first thing removed from the vehicles that had them. Your elky most certainly had it, being sold in California. It's really not necessary unless you are returning to completely stock.. let me see if I can point out where the hard lines go. From the Master cylinder to the combination valve, 2 lines, from the combo valve to the wheel positions, 2 lines. from the front of the car at the combo valve, to the rear where it connects to the flex hose, 1 line, from the T atop the rear housing, 2 lines, one to each wheel. Check to see if you have the front to rear line and good luck with your Elky!

 

[Jbeach]

Most of the time, the AIR(air injection reaction) system was the first thing removed from the vehicles that had them. Your elky most certainly had it, being sold in California. It's really not necessary unless you are returning to completely stock.. let me see if I can point out where the hard lines go. From the Master cylinder to the combination valve, 2 lines, from the combo valve to the wheel positions, 2 lines. from the front of the car at the combo valve, to the rear where it connects to the flex hose, 1 line, from the T atop the rear housing, 2 lines, one to each wheel. Check to see if you have the front to rear line and good luck with your Elky!

I would agree with your assessment of the possible air system change but the guy was in his 80's.
I understand the normal line routing but the 6 lines in the kit are only for the front brakes.

 

[SFD]

There’s a 68 AIR system for sale around here, nice like new shape but 1800.00 bucks.

 

[Johnny Bravo]

I'm assuming you have disk brakes. The kit you have is probably for drum brakes (either ordered wrong or shipped wrong). Again just an assumption, but drums have an extra short hard line on each side from the rubber hose the wheel cylinder.

 

[billdini]

68 automatics did not have AIR. Is it a stick? My 68 L79 used to have AIR and I removed the bracket and bought the AC brackets for an auto setup that do not have AIR pump bracket. The only hint it still had AIR is the plugs in my cast exhaust manifolds. No AC automatic, there would be no brackets at all and no plugs in the exhaust manifolds.

 

[billdini]

Also BB had a 4 bolt radiator top plate. The center bolt is under the shroud and between the fan and the other two are on each end up top for a total of 3 bolts plus two S clips to hold the shroud on the bottom connected to the radiator core support.

 

[Jbeach]

Also the exhaust manifolds dont have the ports blocked. They aren't there and all the bolts have been changed where the air system was attached to the motor.

There’s a 68 AIR system for sale around here, nice like new shape but 1800.00 bucks.

Tempting but I'm still not for sure, absolutely positive what was done by the previous owner. I'm thinking I'm going to leave it the way it is. Its also missing the clutch fan and has none of the pulleys for the AIR system. I'm going to check the VIN on the motor and make sure it matches the truck.3

Also BB had a 4 bolt radiator top plate. The center bolt is under the shroud and between the fan and the other two are on each end up top for a total of 3 bolts plus two S clips to hold the shroud on the bottom connected to the radiator core support.

That's all there. The guys at SS396 evidently don't know that the big block shroud uses three screws at the top of the fan shroud.

 

[Jbeach]

68 automatics did not have AIR. Is it a stick? My 68 L79 used to have AIR and I removed the bracket and bought the AC brackets for an auto setup that do not have AIR pump bracket. The only hint it still had AIR is the plugs in my cast exhaust manifolds. No AC automatic, there would be no brackets at all and no plugs in the exhaust manifolds. View attachment 705999

Mystery solved on one count. It's an automatic. I noticed yours has the oil fill on the front of the intake. Mine is on the valve cover. Also it's a non air. Just power drum brakes.

 

[billdini]

Mystery solved on one count. It's an automatic. I noticed yours has the oil fill on the front of the intake. Mine is on the valve cover. Also it's a non air. Just power drum brakes.

Normal 68 BBC and SBC with an auto did not have AIR. Who knows about CA but I would just assume your car is correct as it sits. My master is different because I have 4 piston power disc.

 

[Jbeach]

Normal 68 BBC and SBC with an auto did not have AIR. Who knows about CA but I would just assume your car is correct as it sits. My master is different because I have 4 piston power disc.

That's the plan. Thanks for the info.

 

[billdini]

Also the exhaust manifolds dont have the ports blocked. They aren't there and all the bolts have been changed where the air system was attached to the motor.

Tempting but I'm still not for sure, absolutely positive what was done by the previous owner. I'm thinking I'm going to leave it the way it is. Its also missing the clutch fan and has none of the pulleys for the AIR system. I'm going to check the VIN on the motor and make sure it matches the truck.3

That's all there. The guys at SS396 evidently don't know that the big block shroud uses three screws at the top of the fan shroud.

Yup the Non HD is only two screws shroud and top plate. You are a HD cooled car with the HD shroud( 3 Bolts, 2 S clips) and HD Radiator core support (28 inch opening) and 4 bolt top plate to core support. I have HD cooling because I have AC otherwise it would come stock without HD cooling but it could be ordered for all cars and engines. All SS came with HD. If it has a flex fan loose it and get a 5 or 7 blade with correct fan clutch. It will make you HP with a clutch and run much cooler.

 

[Jbeach]

Right now it has a four blade no clutch fan. Another thing I noticed was no starter bracket or proper bolt in the starter to install one. Something else to look for and fix. I ordered the bracket. Need to find the starter bolt.
One other question. Do you know of a source for wiring harness connectors. I have a few that need replacing.

 

[LeoP]

That bolt was most probably available from the same source as the bracket!

 

[Jbeach]

That bolt was most probably available from the same source as the bracket!

They dont but there is a starter rebuilder in town.