Hill x 21

Well, a little about my ride. It's an 84 Z28/IROC (I put this since the last owner decked it out in IROC logos yet it's a T-Top). 305 TPI engine, 350 Turbo tranny. Bought the car, had to tow it. To my understanding the car can't be started or it will start spilling oil. Last owner claimed he had it on the road until he noticed the passenger side valve gasket cover was shredded. Before I bought the car, I offered him an extra $200 to do it, he refused.

Now, I've looked around online for guides on uninstalling/installing it, and I can't find anything related to 3rd gen Camaro's. In the month I've been in mechanics, I haven't done anything like this (mainly fluid changes, belts, batteries, rotations).

I've talked to a retired mechanic about the job. I asked if he minded doing it, he turned it down saying it gets too expensive and if one thing is wrong, who knows what else?

I also talked to a guy at the local Auto Zone (who owns a Nova) and said it's a very easy fix.

So what is it! I'd imagine it'd be easy as it doesn't appear that there is very much to it. Has anyone done this before and have pics or links to guides (based on a 3rd gen Camaro)? Any input is welcomed. Thanks guys.

zraffz

The valve cover gasket? It's pretty much fool proof. Your valve cover is what is sitting on top of your heads (covering the rockers). It is like 4 little bolts/t-bolts holding it in place. Under it is a rubber gasket that sits in the perimeter of the valve cover. Very simple, the fact that the guy turned it down for $200 makes me wonder what else is wrong with the car.

Hill x 21

Same. The car is flawless as far as body as well as interior. I think it's just the engine that's problematic. He said he couldn't do it since his father wouldn't let him do it in their drive way. How true that is, I'm not sure. I didn't see the man's father at the house when I was there though.

jak

I kind of wonder myself what may be wrong with your car...If the valve cover gasket was missing altogether ...you would still be able to start that car up...You will lose some oil yes but if says its gushing out when he starts it ...It is probably something more serious..Lay down some cardboard top off the oil and start this car...You need to know what is wrong here..The valve cover gasket is very easy to do...200 to do one is a moneymaker for that guy..You could do valve cover gaskets and not lose one drop of oil...Let us know what you find.

Hill x 21

I got in contact with three mechanics so far, all saying that even if the engine is crap it's still a good buy considering the condition of body and interior. $1100 is a little bit much for a rolling chassis but I think anything cheaper (like my last Camaro) will be a rust bucket.

So pretty much, I'm picking up the car tomorrow. I currently have only $500 on it. Before I pay him I'm going to put him through questioner "hell". As soon as the car gets into my driveway I'll fix the valve cover gasket. If the car doesn't start, I'll just continue with my "Plan B" which is pulling the current engine and ordering a GM 350/290 in February.

jak

If the body is good and interior is good i dont see anything wrong with buying it...Dont even do the gasket yet..Top off the oil and fire her up...If you see a leak at the gasket replace it ..If the car doesnt start you know not to bother with the gasket ...All in all if car is in good shape as a roller i dont think 1100 is all that bad...Good luck on her and still keep us posted

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iTrader: (14)

something sounds fishy. the valve cover gasket is easy to change. just do it and be done with it. Unless thats not really the issue.

zraffz

I'd check the coolant/oil before firing it up. check again after firing it up. It can be leaking from many places but him telling you not to start it until you change that doesn't make sense.

Hill x 21

Bought the car, got it home. Almost wrecked my Mustang taking it out of the driveway (drove with my mom, she's got AWD and I wanted to the 'Cammy' at the top). Need to get new tires on the Stang >.< ...

Anyways, got it parked the best it could be. Mom insisted it be parked straight, after about 20 minutes of me pushing the car back and forth, she decided it was good. Called up my buddy over at auto zone, he swung by. As the car sits right now, these are my problems;

- Needs Valve Cover Gasket (already got it, just need to install)
- Surface rust under the car (thankfully not on any support areas so it'd fail inspection)
- Alternator might be done (tried jumping the car and it wouldn't turn over)
- Battery is dead
- Driver's side door will either need to be shaven down or replaced (over laps rear fender and some surface rust on inside of door
- Front left needs a tire
- Weather stripping in some area needs replacing

My work is cut out for me, but I say she'll be on the road by June, maybe sooner or later. I give big time credit to CJ's Towing. If you're in Western Mass and need to tow a Camaro, hit them up. They came within 10 minutes of calling. The hook up was $60, plus $5 per mile (6 total) and it came out to $90. Driver was very professional and knew how to get the Camaro up without rolling the bottom of the bumper. Kind of makes me wish I had AAA so the tow would've been free, but it was a job well done. I'll have a thread up sooner or later of the progress of bringing my Cammy back to life.

zraffz

Sounds like a fun little project! Best of luck with it.

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iTrader: (14)

Car has been hit. hopefully there is no serious damage to the chassis anywhere. replacing the door wont fix this.

Hill x 21

I guess it's a good thing I'm going to be working at an autobody in a month!

Edit: is there any way for an untrained eye to see if there was any sort of collision? or would I need to put the car on a lift to tell?

Hill x 21

Slight update. Alternator is not gone (I don't believe). Overnight I charged my jump unit. Tried firing it up. The belts were moving, so the car is turning over. I had time to run to Auto Zone. Spoke to a guy that owned a Camaro. Said problem is either in spark plugs or the fuel.

I also brought up the problem with the door and he said that for whatever reason with his Camaro, he had to replace the windshield 3 times in one summer because of it cracking. Turns out the frame on these cars tends to bend over time? I was not aware of that. I'll get pics as well as a build thread up shortly.

(Had to type fast, at work)

zraffz

Check for spark by pulling a plug, putting it back into the wire and laying it onto the chassis of the car. Have someone else turn the key, if it sparks you at least have some sort of spark (this isn't to say it is sparking at the right time or a strong enough spark).

From there check for spark. I don't know how TPI works, you can check the resistance on many fuel injected cars though. Next would be checking fuel pressure psi, which requires a special gauge.

If everything appears fine, now you get to do a compression test (requires another special gauge) and then if it passes that you should just do a basic tune up; chances are good by then it will be fixed.

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iTrader: (14)

never heard of the "frame" bending over time. Honestly, i would not be taking auto advice from a guy at Autozone. (no offense to anybody here who works there and may actually know something)

As for a collision, if the door overlaps the quarter, the car has been hit. Its a common occurrence. If you get the car on a lift, you should be able to find a place where things have moved. do the rear quarters have odd dents or creases over the wheels wells?

The floors are also notorious for rotting out, especially up north where we have all this wonderful white stuff and road salt. I would have checked that first before looking at the rest of the car. If the floors are shot, the car can flex and move a lot and could possible cause issues with the windshield i guess.

Hill x 21

I'd say the guy does know his stuff cause he helped me more than once with my 90 LX. I can't really tell yet why the door is overlapping. When I say overlapping though, I do not mean that it is door extends over where it should be. There's something inside the door not right, I'm not sure what though. The floors are pretty solid as far as I know.

I don't believe there was a collision since I couldn't find any trace of bondo on drivers side. The paint is unscathed too. I don't believe the driver's door is original though (tracers of red outline on the top of the handle).

Here's my build thread: https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/tech...-84-cammy.html

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iTrader: (14)

in the driverside door pic, i dont see what you would say the door overlaps, it looks normal, the weatherstripping is totally gone though, and the door panel looks a little weird. Does look like the door was red at one time, so maybe it was just replaced and not done right.

Hill x 21

It's not sitting right. I'm not sure if it was a rush job, or if it's missing a shim. I plan on grabbing another door just in case. I did also notice the door handle having some red on it, which made me think it's not original. This weekend I'm going to look at three Cammys so hopefully I can get some needed parts.

iroczforme

Some third gens have issues with their doors sagging. Its a long heavy door and while not common for them to sag...it does happen.