Hey guys, im thinking of buying a 1975 camaro , and was wondering what should i do to see if its a piece of S*** or an actually good car. Im mainly worried about the motor and the transmission. How would i go about checking these things to see if their good or bad ?

 

Start by taking it for a drive. Check that it starts easily, and will start again once it's warmed up. Be sure to check the dipstick to see how the oil looks. Don't want old dirty oil, as it's a sign the previous owner didn't manitain it. Also don't want to see milky light brown oil that shows signs of foam, as that means water is mixed in.
I would find someone you know who's a decent mechanic, and take them along to look it over also. An experienced eye will keep you from amking a mistake. If you don't know anyone, then ask around, as it's better to pay someone to give advice than suffer the result of a bad choice.

 

but what if it seems like it runs good, then i get it and i check compression and its not good. Then what ?

 

then fix it?


(edit, maybe buying a "1975" camaro is not for you.) stick to a new car if your not going to take the time to work on it.

 

On a 75 there are other things to look at besides just the motor and trans. The motor and trans can sometimes be the easy fix.

 

There are a lot of other things to check, but I doubt most sellers will allow you to get that deep into THEIR car prior to money changing hands. I wouldn't let someone pull plugs and do a compression check, or start putting a timing light, or tune on MY car.
You have to be able to "feel" how the engine runs and drives. If you don't have the experience to judge that, then that's why I reccommended taking someone with you.

 

I agree with BB427.

A mechanic checking the car would give you at least an idea of what you may be fixing now, or soon..

Driving it and feeling it will give you an idea about it, but not enough sometimes.

Also, has it been wrecked ? A bent frame is worse than swapping an engine.

Oh and i laughed when BB427 said no pulling plugs and timing light...

No doubt. First they would be lucky that i am crazy enough to sell. Second, they would be even luckier to test drive it. i think that i would take them for a ride.....then, take it or leave it.......

Good luck with the Camaro. I also agree with Mike..No matter what, you will be learning how to work on it...

 

My wife has driven the Camaro once in 38 yrs., and she didn't feel comfortable driving it. Nobody else has ever driven it since I've owned it. Offered to let my son drive it, but he turned me down because it was just after it was painted, and he said he didn't want to get the first chip or ding. Not sure I'd let anyone who was buying it even drive mine until they had put money in my hand and had the title in their's.

 

I would and have let someone take a spin around the block, I knew the person and I was riding shot gun. Under no circumstances would anyone be able to make a power run. If they want to know what it has then I'm driving. I wouldn't buy a car unless I could drive it. If it were a stick finding out the condition of the clutch can be felt as well as the condition of the tranny. Both can be hidden from you if you were riding.