Tell me about the '79 I just bought... - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

*ZmOz* · 04-03-2005, 10:38 PM

Just brought home my "new" '79 Camper Special C20 with a 454. I have a few questions though...

1. Did this thing originally come with catalytic converters? It doesn't have any now, and I have to pass an emissions test before I can get it licensed.

2. It has dual tanks. Anybody know how many gallons they are?

3. How can I find out what axle and gear ratio I have?

4. What exactly is included with the "Camper Special" package?

Thanks!

C-10volvo · 04-03-2005, 11:24 PM

if its a SWB its 16 gallons.
but im guessing its a long wheel base, so 20 gallons

SanitysBane · 04-03-2005, 11:29 PM

My long bed had 16 gallons, all shorts came with 16s, if its a longbed, and the gastank goes all the way back to the spring hanger its a 20.

72 CustomCamper · 04-04-2005, 12:09 AM

Being a big block camper special more than likely it has 20 gallon tanks...

Chuck

*ZmOz* · 04-04-2005, 01:24 AM

Thanks guys. Yes, it's a long bed. Do you think hoping for 10mpg would be too optimistic?

Another question: Did this thing come with a 4 barrel carb? It only has a 2 barrel...

Russell · 04-04-2005, 01:36 AM

Some of those 79s only had 2 barrel carbs on them from the factory. Its very easy to swap to a 4 barrel intake / carb though

I got about 12 mpg out of my 80 GMC if I drove it decently (350 / TH400 / 3.73s with 31" tires)

KdawgS10 · 04-04-2005, 02:11 AM

first your woried about gas milege then your vrying that it only has a 2 barrel

*ZmOz* · 04-04-2005, 03:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KdawgS10

first your woried about gas milege then your vrying that it only has a 2 barrel

A 4 barrel is a 2 barrel if driven carefully.

Russell · 04-04-2005, 09:43 AM

And actually gets better milage too! 4 barrel has smaller primaries than a 2 barrel

*ZmOz* · 04-04-2005, 02:42 PM

Another question: Should it have a tranny cooler for towing? It doesn't, though it has a hitch and air bags...

TrainD5115 · 04-04-2005, 11:59 PM

Camper special equipment: Basic package includes heavy duty shock absorbers, front stabilizer bar (C models) and camper wiring harness. Deluxe package adds camper body tie-downs and cab to pick-up box shock absorbers. Welcome aboard. 79's rule.

79BIG10 · 04-05-2005, 11:22 PM

Welcome to the 79 club

The others are right in that you probably have 20 gal. tanks. The cat converter come on mine as well. It's been gone for some time now. Depending on your state and local laws you may be able to go without it.

04-03-2005, 10:38 PM	#1
ZmOz Account Suspended Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: OR Posts: 235	Tell me about the '79 I just bought... Just brought home my "new" '79 Camper Special C20 with a 454. I have a few questions though... 1. Did this thing originally come with catalytic converters? It doesn't have any now, and I have to pass an emissions test before I can get it licensed. 2. It has dual tanks. Anybody know how many gallons they are? 3. How can I find out what axle and gear ratio I have? 4. What exactly is included with the "Camper Special" package? Thanks!

04-03-2005, 11:24 PM	#2
C-10volvo Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: Lake Oswego, Oregon Posts: 1,028	if its a SWB its 16 gallons. but im guessing its a long wheel base, so 20 gallons __________________ Ken Morgan For fun: 1964 Volvo 122 For slow: 1984 Chevrolet C-10 For everything else: 1997 BMW M3

04-03-2005, 11:29 PM	#3
SanitysBane Registered User Join Date: May 2004 Location: Lubbock, Texas Posts: 2,121	My long bed had 16 gallons, all shorts came with 16s, if its a longbed, and the gastank goes all the way back to the spring hanger its a 20. __________________ '96 Nissan Pathfinder '02 Firebird Trans Am. '88 K5 Blazer

04-04-2005, 12:09 AM	#4
72 CustomCamper huh ??? Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Fredericksburg,Va. Posts: 3,368	Being a big block camper special more than likely it has 20 gallon tanks... Chuck __________________ 90 Blazer Silverado 350w/ 700R4 and 32" Kelly's "I am a bomb technician. If you see me running try to keep up!"

04-04-2005, 01:36 AM	#6
Russell Professional Grade Join Date: May 2003 Location: Fort McMurray, Alberta Posts: 7,915	Some of those 79s only had 2 barrel carbs on them from the factory. Its very easy to swap to a 4 barrel intake / carb though I got about 12 mpg out of my 80 GMC if I drove it decently (350 / TH400 / 3.73s with 31" tires) __________________ 1995 Chevrolet 2 Door Tahoe (6.6L LBZ Duramax / ZF6 / NP241 with 1 ton solid axle swap)

04-04-2005, 01:24 AM	#5
ZmOz Account Suspended Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: OR Posts: 235	Thanks guys. Yes, it's a long bed. Do you think hoping for 10mpg would be too optimistic? Another question: Did this thing come with a 4 barrel carb? It only has a 2 barrel...

04-04-2005, 02:11 AM	#7
KdawgS10 keller Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: st clair MO Posts: 68	first your woried about gas milege then your vrying that it only has a 2 barrel __________________ 83 1ton 4door dually, 350/700r4 99 S10 2.2/5speed bagged. traded for the dually 91 S10, 2.5/5speed juiced 87 3/4 4x4, 350/4speed 89 S10 long bed , 2.8/5speed 65 chevy short bed stepside, 327/3speed 97 neon acr, 2.0 dohc 5speed DD

04-04-2005, 09:43 AM	#9
Russell Professional Grade Join Date: May 2003 Location: Fort McMurray, Alberta Posts: 7,915	And actually gets better milage too! 4 barrel has smaller primaries than a 2 barrel __________________ 1995 Chevrolet 2 Door Tahoe (6.6L LBZ Duramax / ZF6 / NP241 with 1 ton solid axle swap)

04-04-2005, 02:42 PM	#10
ZmOz Account Suspended Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: OR Posts: 235	Another question: Should it have a tranny cooler for towing? It doesn't, though it has a hitch and air bags...

04-04-2005, 11:59 PM	#11
TrainD5115 North Coast, baby! Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Toledo, OH Posts: 437	Camper special equipment: Basic package includes heavy duty shock absorbers, front stabilizer bar (C models) and camper wiring harness. Deluxe package adds camper body tie-downs and cab to pick-up box shock absorbers. Welcome aboard. 79's rule. __________________ Brad 79 Scottsdale C20 350/350 3.73's Still running full CA smog gear!

04-05-2005, 11:22 PM	#12
79BIG10 I'm back with 2nd truck! Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 3,774	Welcome to the 79 club The others are right in that you probably have 20 gal. tanks. The cat converter come on mine as well. It's been gone for some time now. Depending on your state and local laws you may be able to go without it. __________________ 1979 Chevrolet Bonanza Big10 "Tootsie Roll" 1985 Chevrolet Silverado (wife's) Member of the Southern Bowties Club "Don't underestimate how sexy a fat man who drinks to excess can be." Homer Simpson

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