Yea but my thing with the Camaro is I wont put much money in it. I don't like a 350 its a Chevy engine. An don't want to put much money in it just go cheap with it to get the money out of it. I am more Ford than Chevy to me Chevys are ok but would take a Ford over a Chevy any day. Just trust a Ford way more than a Chevy. To me a Chevy I wonder what will break next a Ford just hit the key an go. The HHR SS I had the trans would get water in it an the trans would freeze up, it would backfire, ABS would kick in an you fight it to get stopped, factory floormats would freeze to the floorboards an the list goes on listed 20 problems with the car. There is nothing wrong with the Camaro just the owner dont wan tot put the money in it. For a die hard Chevy fan this 350 4 bolt main an a 80 T Top Camaro with no computer would be ideal just not my thing anymore thats all.

 

Just be carful putting any money in the car. I do not know what you have in it but a 80 non Z28 does not bring a lot of money. Most chevy guys these days are into LS1s yes even with a carbs on it. 350 4 bolts just do not bring money like they used too. Later 2nd gens if not original cars do not bring much money around here in PA. If the motor is smoking and its a non-z28 without a matching numbers motor your going to have a very limited market. T-tops don't make good Drag car bodies and restoring went away with the orginal 305.

 

sell to somebody who will enjoy it then. i plan to start tearing mine down this week, i can't let it go
as far as your ford stories i told you about my truck i love it. my mom has an 04 mercury sable not bad but it's done some odd stuff since brand new i have an 01 astro AWD as the family truckster gonna turn 132000 tonight the only issue i've had is a lazy power window motor and a fuel pump. oh and for some odd reason people seem to be attracted to hitting the rear bumper.
Dave

 

I have bout $1,500-$1,800 in it just looking to get the money out of it or trade for a 60's Mustang convertible with manual trans in any condition any engine an any year with or with out a title. Hopefully who ever gets the Camaro will enjoy it it would be a good father son project easy to fix up an drive.

 

Just a word of warning about old unibody rag tops. Because everyone assumes they are ultra valuable no one ever scraps them out. There are many “project” floating around that will cost more to repair correctly then it would cost to buy a restored cars. They are totaled but no one wants to throw them away. So they just pass from dreamer to dreamer. The bad part is people who do not know what they are doing will hide damage areas in order to sell or in an attempt to repair it. People have always seen patching floors as no big deal but on a rag top floors and rocker panels are the frame that keeps the car connected.
I do not know Mustangs but with 60’s rag top Camaros if you are paying less then 5K for a shell I would be very worried about hidden damage and why it was being sold so cheap. Full frame convertibles are a lot less risky.

 

I own a fully restored 87 Iroc and a 67 mustang that is currently undergoing its resto. Good luck trying to trade your 80 on a 64.5-73 mustang....

I think this forum has been great at giving good advice, for the most part those that know, chime in, and those that don't refer you to those that do. I am going to give you the best advise I can think of.

You bought an 80 non z with a questionable 350. My advise is to sell it and try to get back what you paid for it. If you are more comfortable with fords, go for the mustang. Keep in mind fords typically cost more to repair as parts are just a little more pricey and not quite as common as camaros. I guess since there are so many SBC's out there it keeps the cost down on them. As an owner of both a camaro and mustang, it doesn't matter what brand of motor I work on....the principles are the same. I prefer my GM only because of familiarity, but my 289 runs like a champ. Both cars are just about as reliable as the other. Both cars turn heads, but that doesn't happen by luck, it takes time, money, and skill....since I have no body/paint skills, its costed me more money in that area. Whatever you decide to do, best of luck. And the best piece of advice I have ever received with anything car related is: you get what you pay for, and when it comes time to part ways, you'll never get half of what you put into it. I would say nearly 100% of us on this board that restored cars would have been better off financially, had we just bought a turn key resto'd car. Again, best of luck!

 

quit it already!! i cant stand it!! AAAAAGGGGGGRRRRHHHHH!!!!

 

ummm,,,,, the thread was dead till you brought it back.

 

I have to say it was an entertaining read. I wish I'd been a member back then, I'd have had a few words too. I just don't get why people start a thread asking advice when they have already made up their minds. I think they just want someone to agree with them. When they don't they get defensive and start changing the facts around to defend their choice.

GM like all manufacturers has had their quality issues bit I know that they have made huge strides. I have 4 GM vehicles, 2 have over 160K on them and are still running strong. The 3rd, a 92 GMC K1500 has 266K and the only real issues have been from aftermarket performance parts I've used. No complaints from me! My Camaro is a project so I don't count that one!

 

You say the 305 is weak in the lower end? Your wrong they are identical. Only difference is the bore. Same crank, same connecting rods. The only difference is .250 in the bore period. If you get into the 350 the slightest little bit and your mileage goes out the window (got to fill up that bore). I get religiously 27-28 mpg overall in normal mixed driving.