vehicle restoration cost

crmckinzey · Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2008 5:10 pm Post subject: vehicle restoration cost

Is paying to have a vehicle restored a shameful thing or does it matter? I have a 83 caballero and I would like it restored but labor costs are so darn high. What should I do? I am a college student and I know nothing of mechanics or working on cars. Right now I think the harmonic balancer needs to be replaced, so I went to a salvage junk yard and bought one. Should I pay and have it put in? I am told it is around $200 bucks.

1BadElky · Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2008 6:08 pm Post subject:

I dont think it should be too difficult to do the balancer yourself. you'll need a removal tool to get the old one off. autozone has a free loan a tool system... you pay the cost of the tool, then get your money back in full upon return. I've done it, there's no scam. I've yet to install a balancer, but removal was straightforward enough.

as far as restoration. it depends on how far you want to go. Frame off? frame on? I'm restoring mine myself. I'm installing a 355 smallblock, having the 200-4R rebuilt, installing a Grand National 8.5" rear end, 4 wheel disc brakes, full suspension rebuild with polyurethane, fast ratio steering, tubular rear control arms, and I'm gonna use some S10 ZQ8 rims.

I'm doing a frame off just because I wanted to paint the frame, but mine could be done with just the front end removed. what I'm doing isn't so much a "restoration" as it is extensive modifications I chose to remove the body for. Some of these guys spend tens of thousands of dollars to restore their car to pristine factory condition, powdercoat the frame, spend months of body work on a rotisserie, buy numbers matching parts, and even (no kidding) turn the bolts so they're facing the direction they were when they left the factory. And then tow them on a trailer to car shows. don't get me wrong, I love fully restored classics, but trailer queens are a bit extreme.

what are your goals? I'm going to have less than 10k (8-9k) in my resto mod including the initial purchase price of the car. many guys have that much in a drivetrain alone. but doing my own work saves a TON of money. And I'm not a mechanic who has done this for decades. I'm in high school. I didn't know anything about cars three and a half years ago. If you want to learn about it, and tackle a resto yourself, these G-bodies are a very good car to work with. Being GM there are TONS of interchangeable parts, plus the small block chevy is the most popular engine out there. parts are cheap (compared to other engines), and they are a rock solid platform. plus El Caminos are very easy cars to work on once you get smog stuff out of the way. just don't get stressed when you need standard and metric tools to fix a small problem.

oh, where in region 7 are you?
_________________

Formerly 86Conquista

Currently undergoing resto.
Planned:
-350/?/3.42
-ZQ8 wheels
-Disc Brakes
-More

CANTED · Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2008 6:14 pm Post subject: resto

I don't think there is any shame. If you are unable to do it yourself, can afford to pay someone to do it and want it done, go for it. You don't mention any thing else the car needs so keep this in mind. The cost of restoring a car that needs a lot of work, in many cases is higher than buying a restored car. Don't think so, just watch Barret Jackson next time it is on. On to the damper, what is your reason to replace it, has it seperated? $200 seems high, what is their labor rate?
_________________
Jim
70 ElCamino 461 solid M20 331eaton
http://elcaminocentral.com/gallery-album_album346.html

crmckinzey · Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2008 6:50 pm Post subject:

this is awesome feedback. I feel a lot better with your replies. I know absolutely nothing about cars or how to restore one. I really don't know everything that could be wrong with the vehicle. It currently does run and I bought it to use for school but want to restore it to a more factory condition, I just need guidance.

The car does stall and I don't really know why but multiple people have said that my harmonic balancer is my problem. I had a belt put on a week ago because the old one was making a ton of squeeling noise and the new one smells like burnt rubber. I took it to a shop and had it looked at and that is what I was told. I looked at the balancer and it was spinning funny as if it was crooked or maybe warped? I don't really know.

I just bought a duralast 2-ton hydraulic jack and jack stands, so I should be able to get under the car now. What should I do? whats your advice?

Elky 83 · Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2008 8:21 pm Post subject:

A good way to save some money is to find a mechanic that does side jobs. Ask around to your friends and see if any of them know a reputable mechanic who does this. So when you have something that is to tough for you to do, you can have it done at a cheaper rate.
_________________
mygallary

dougs85 · Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2008 11:33 pm Post subject:

I don't believe a bad harmonic balancer would cause your engine to stall, but the shape yours is in would burn up the belt for sure. $200 to replace it is not too far out of line if the price includes the balancer. The belt in question is one of four belts. The alternator, air conditioner, and power steering pump needs to be loosened to get the belts off. Remove and replace the balancer then replace all the belts and reset their tension is included in this job.

Doug
_________________
85 El Camino 305, TH350, K&N, dual exhausts
87 El Camino 305, 2004R, K&N, dual exhausts
1964-1/2 Mustang conv, 260 V8, dual exhausts
2002 Jaguar XJ8, 2000 Harley Road King
Lakewood, CO

crmckinzey · Posted: Fri Aug 29, 2008 2:11 pm Post subject:

what do I need to do to replace the balancer itself? What is attached to the balancer that holds the belts on?

1BadElky · Posted: Fri Aug 29, 2008 3:33 pm Post subject:

the crank pulley is bolted onto the balancer. the balancer is held on by a bolt in the center of the crankshaft.

IIRC to remove the balancer, you have to remove the belts, crank pulley, and hold the rotating assembly still while removing the center bolt. I think you use something to jam the flywheel, but I'm hesitant to say "screwdriver". you will need a harmonic balancer removal tool to pull it off the end of the crank.

and where in region 7 are you? Ga?
_________________

Formerly 86Conquista

Currently undergoing resto.
Planned:
-350/?/3.42
-ZQ8 wheels
-Disc Brakes
-More

crmckinzey · Posted: Fri Aug 29, 2008 8:09 pm Post subject:

yeah, I live in valdosta georgia. I go to college here at VSU.

crmckinzey · Posted: Fri Aug 29, 2008 8:15 pm Post subject:

Here is the ebay item I was looking at ebay link

And here is the elcamino store link for the shocks elcamino store .

Which one is better?

crmckinzey · Posted: Fri Aug 29, 2008 8:56 pm Post subject:

Another question, would reading a shop manual for my caballero be hard for a novice such as me? Like, would there be certain things I wouldn't understand without having taken courses in a school? I want to get this one that is specific for my car on the elcamino store but I don't want to blow money if I can't understand it.

dougs85 · Posted: Fri Aug 29, 2008 10:24 pm Post subject:

A Haynes manual is pretty easy to understand and a lot of the jobs are illustrated with photos or drawings. You can borrow a balancer removal and installation tool from most auto supply stores just by giving them a deposit which you will get back upon returning the tool.

Doug
_________________
85 El Camino 305, TH350, K&N, dual exhausts
87 El Camino 305, 2004R, K&N, dual exhausts
1964-1/2 Mustang conv, 260 V8, dual exhausts
2002 Jaguar XJ8, 2000 Harley Road King
Lakewood, CO

crmckinzey · Posted: Fri Aug 29, 2008 10:34 pm Post subject:

I don't need to have the engine pulled out to do the job do I?

1BadElky · Posted: Fri Aug 29, 2008 11:52 pm Post subject:

no you don't need to pull the engine

you can get a Haynes manual at auto stores. get the one that says "Chevelle 1969 thru 1987". it covers all G-bodys including your El Camino, in fact there is a picture of an El Camino on the back. book number 24020

Im in Albany, Ga BTW
_________________

Formerly 86Conquista

Currently undergoing resto.
Planned:
-350/?/3.42
-ZQ8 wheels
-Disc Brakes
-More

crmckinzey · Posted: Sat Aug 30, 2008 6:39 am Post subject:

cool, thanks. Maybe I will go pick one up today