No replacement for displacement

 When I bought this El Camino, it was sold to me as SS396, which is still hanging in there that is it a real or just a copycat. Everything points to that direction, albeit someone can go lengthy way to make it a "real SS", but I like to keep it hanging out there, since it is much better to have a "real" than actual real, because then I have to do whole restoration thing. 

But the thing is that I haven't checked the stamp on the engine block until now, and it tells us that this isn't the original engine.

What the stamping tells us is that this engine was made in Tonawanda plant, August 30th, and engine code is CXA, which translates to 1974 454, 235 hp and TH.

So, I got 58 cubic inches more than I bought for, although it has only 235 SAE horses, as it was built after the big horsepower era was over, due oil crisis and insurance policies in the USA.

To do list part 1

Okay, this is kind of obvious that I need to make to do list. That one that I had on the right was from my previous El Camino, but actually describes pretty much what I need to do to this El Camino too, with lot's of more than that.

The windshield is one of the most notable from the outside, and El Camino wouldn't pass the inspection with this kind of windshield.

Then there are those headlights. All four. Although I bought two "angel eye" headlights, way way back and I don't know should I install them, but I need two more. These are 5 3/4" headlights and luckily I can buy them from my work.

Then I need to buy whole brake booster set up.

And under the body we need driveshaft. This was a bit of a surprise, or I didn't remember it missing.

And while we are under, we need also exhaust system. 

Wheels and tires of course. Those were just for the travelling from the seller to the shipping yard.

So, at least I need to get wheels and tires, driveshaft and brakes, so that I can take if off the garage and do something outdoors, like power washing and maybe some rust blasting. 

Well, I have started cleaning the cabin and took out garbage by hand, mostly, and then some vacuuming. 

Six bags of garbage. Well, at least it's a start. 

Been a while

Yeah, it's been awhile. The El Camino has sat in the garage for almost two months and I haven't done anything, except a bit of arranging the garage. I had the whole end of summer, whole autumn and start of the winter to sort it out, but...

At least it is in the warm garage now. Okay, it has been there, idling all alone the whole time, but I have been busy in life.

The El Camino spent three cold weeks in the Finnish winter weather, outside in the lot of the shipping company. One of the first things to do in the garage was to shovel the snow off the bed.

After a  few days of sitting in the warm garage, I took a look what I have actually bought.

It is a bit of dusty, but considering it has been sitting in the Nevada desert for quite awhile, it's no wonder.

I just love that cowl induction hood. And this is actually working one. Not just a bulge on the hood.

That front end is just... Fantastic!

Okay, I have started cleaning the interior, which I'll tell you more about in a future post and YouTube-channel video.

Till next time!

Finally at the destination

Yesterday was the day that my El Camino finally arrived at the garage. The container arrived a month ago to the Finland and it took a few days to reach to a shipping company lot in the Hämeenlinna. After that it took about 3-4 days to be customs clearance and after I had paid the customs fee and taxes, it was ready to pick up. Now, then it became a quite long wait to find one that could deliver my El Camino from Hämeenlinna to my home. 

When I found on trucking company that would do it, then it became trivial for trucking company to find the right date for pick-up and deliver it. Finally, we had a date, and yesterday I got the call from the trucking company that he has left my El Camino a nearby earth moving company lot, since he had used a trailer rig with a several other cars, he couldn't drive into my small yard. 

I was so excited that I had to take a video when I was coming home from work that I have my impression recorded at the first sighting..

Then I had to take my dog for a walk and of course we went straight back to the El Camino.

First things first. My inspector checking the undercarriage. 

The bed comes with some stuff. 

I guess that is one way to make sure the car goes straight, ish.

Oh, that's what my inspector was checking under the car.

After this I went to sauna and thought about how I get the El Camino that last quarter mile to home.

That would be slowest quarter mile time for this El Camino, ever.