Hopefully this isn't too far off topic. I went to look at a car-for-sale today. Some details follow:

Asking $1200, 1985 Camaro, fiberglass hood/doors, no windshield/back glass/front bottom of clip/engine/radiator/etc.

Has 12-bolt rear /w/ 4.88's(?), hope it's good(!), has skinny rims up front /w/ one good tire, one good fat rim in back /w/ fat slick (missing 2 tires & one rim), ladder bars, 10-point cage, racing seat, aluminum paneling on dash & doors, lexan door windows, line lock on brakes (front disc/rear drum), small block full-length headers, driveshaft, coil-over shocks in back along /w/ leaves, fuel cell (no tank). Whole thing is primered mix with some minor rust around rear window area & some more in floor pans etc. Not real pretty, but what do you want?

THEN there's the other stuff (the guy says $2500 takes it all, car and everything). 350 tranny, supposedly brand new rebuild /w/ short tailshaft, 4000 stall converter, 350 stroked to 383, looks like brand new flat-top aluminum(?) pistons & H-beam rods (steel I think), supposedly file-fit rings. Short block is assembled, but looks like it might have seen a little bit of water and has what appears to be some surface rust, some evidence of such in the cylinder bores also. Also comes with new electric fuel pump, iron heads that looked worked/matched /w/ big valves (need a casting number: 422 or I-34, make sense?), heavy triple springs, full roller rockers/guideplates/etc, solid lifter cam, new roller timing set, some kinda full ignition setup (Holley I think), new starter, 400 flywheel plate, hamburger oil pan, hi-rise Brodix manifold, Carter 800 carb, new oil pump, etc etc.

Anyways, the unknowns are rampant. I could probably get it all for under $2000 car and parts. Any thoughts? How risky is the rust on the block? Might have gotten into the bearings, I donno. Please, I beg for opinions on if I should go for it. Any thoughts? Again, I know it might be a bit off-topic, but on the other hand the short block might just be a nice swap into my 87 Trans-Am if all else looks weird.

Many thanks,
-Craig

 

Anyone at all? Clock is ticking for me to make a decision...
Thanks,
-Craig

 

IF it's half of what you say and you want a fun strip only car it's more than worth it. The lexan windows are expensive. So are the 12 bolt and fiberglass hood. He's got a sizable investment, Why is he willing to let it go so cheap?

 

Sounds like a fairly good risk, if you're looking for a strictly race car. It's a ways away from going down the track but sounds like it's got alot of the ingredients. Probably 3 to 4 times his asking price to replca all that stuff.

I wouldn't worry about the rust in the bores, if it's just light surface rust. Some brake fluid on a rag will clean that right up. You could try that before you buy it to make sure.

What class did it run in?

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"So many Mustangs, so little time..."
ICON Motorsports

 

They say it ran low 11's with a mild 355, but who knows really? It's definitely open class. No way it'll be streetable anytime soon.

I'm going to get the stuff this weekend. $2100 takes it all. Probably going to go ahead and pull the pistons/crank just to make sure everything is kosher. May even have the block cleaned up to be sure all is well. Verify that the rotating assenbly is all balanced and such, too. Looks like I'll be having some fun!

Now once the long-block is pristine, I'll have to ask myself: Should I sell whatever's left & stick the long-block in the street T/A? Answer will probably be no. I can imagine 10's with this setup, but that's all a ways off. Should keep me out of trouble for about a year...

Should you need a windshield to run a car on the quarter? How much will a car trailer cost me? These are the kinds of questions I'll be asking.. I'm excited. Even of it turns out to be fool's gold, it'll be a learning experience.

 

Someone who has nice stuff doesn't let the car go to pot like that. My assumption is that the mechanical parts are junk too. This guy sounds like a junkyard hound. That car is going to be a serious money pit to make what you want. Don't do it.

 

Yeah, but come on, with those ingedients you would have some good parts (even if the motor is shot) to build a streeter with and part out the rest. It's worth it to some people I suppose (I would take it!)

There's alot of work there though.....