Hi,
I'm thinking of buying a 1985 camaro from a posting i saw on another website. I've went and looked at the car and here is the the deal (according to the seller) He wants 2,000.00 for a 1985 z-28 iroc camaro (350 engine -trans stock). Now the deal is there are a few problems. He says the car will run for about 8 miles and then turn off. You let it sit for 5 or so min and then the car will turn back on and run another 8 ect ect. He says he is 99% sure it is vapor locking. That is the only mechanical defect. Other than that the body is in good cond. There is only 1 place where the is a small scarping all the way to the metal on the right rear panel, other than that the body is free of dings and dents (the body has never been cracks or had to be welded on). Everything else will be able to be sanded out(paint ect ect). The weather stripping all needs to be redone. the drivers side seat as 2 rips (from normal wear and tear) Gear shift **** (just **** not the whole stick) is missing. There are a few tubes that need to be replaced in the engine area (there are tubes already there but some of them are old and wore and could just due with being replaced). drivers side door handle does not work (he thinks the pin came out and needs to be remounted in the door[i know i'm prob not explaining that right]) Lastly this has a cowl hood that has been put on however the front of the hood needs to be cut so it will fit correctly. The way it looks is the hood comes down at the front like a upsidedown L. It won't sit all the way down because of the L on the hood. Once cut it would sit all the way down without a problem and lock into place. I am going to have a knowledgeable friend go out there with me to look at the car again (i've been out once by myself) to make sure it is vapor locking and not something else, but if you think that sounds like something else please tell me. So with knowing all this is 2000 a fair price or does he need to come down?

p.s. I took a picture of the engine, front of car (including hood) rips on seat and missing ****. So if i need to post those for exam. lemme know.

 

hmm our 69 Chevelle vapor locks sometimes. But usually if you get on it real hard it keeps it from loading up. I honestly don't know what causes such a thing, but im pretty sure its a halfway easy fix.

 

bump - I need to know if 2000 is a fair price for this car. KBB doesn't go back far enough for me to use it.


**added to above - No a/c, radio doesn't work, This was converted from a 305 to a 350.

 

I seriously doubt it's a vapor lock problem, but since the engine has been swapped, who knows what's been hacked up in the process. Ignition makes more sense. But, again, depends upon how well the swap was done (and it doesn't sound like it was done very well).

Sounds like he's asking $2000 for a nest of trouble and expense.

From your description, I'd say it's more like a $500-$800 car.

 

You could get lucky and have it be an easy fix. It could be a bad electrical connection, it has happened to me. If you buy it, get the factory shop manuals, you will need them. Wiring is not difficult if you have a wiring diagram and have some patience. If you need to drive this car now, forget it, it could take a week to troubleshoot. I got my `74 El Camino for free 12 years ago. It sat for about 10 years on the back lot of a Ford dealer in L.A. The mechanics at the dealership spent years off and on trying to get the motor to fire and could`nt. A week after I had it, I got it running. Every wire that could be installed wrong, was. Pain in the *** but I drove the car 10 years and 100k + miles before any major trouble. Replaced motor with 300hp/Gm crate. Still same trans turbo 350 and posi rear.

 

Might help to do that.