Bought me a 55 Cameo

[Stevea]

Well I have looked for a Cameo truck for a couple years and finally found one this last week near my house. It's very solid and complete. It currently has a 350/auto in it right now, but I think the original motor and transmission are in the bed but need to verify it. I bought the truck because my wife loves them, so I want to make it a very drivable truck for her. I have never owned an older truck just cars, so this is a first for me.

I have an idea about what I should do to make it something she will enjoy driving, but I would like to hear your ideas.

I know they make all sorts of disc brake kits for cars, how about for older trucks like this? I would also like to put power steering on it for her. Is there a good book or magazine I should subscribe to for doing upgrades on this thing and buying parts?

Thanks for any help you can give me,
Steve

[Rokcrln]

Looks like a nice truck! The best place to find info for your build is right here on this site. Their is more combined info and real world help here then any mag or book plus we get cool pics here as well. Sorry but I am not the best one to help as I am more the 60-72 guy on the site but I can get you thinking abit if you want.

Cheap and sotra easy way to do it would be find a donor 70's nova and use the front suspension clip, motor, tranny, rear end, power brakes....

Or of you want to keep it more stock then I know they make power steering conversions for these and they should have a disk brake kit as well. But even with this you are still running 50+yr old front suspension design.

You can also strip out the front suspension and replace it with a mustange II style front kit. This will lower it, give you disk brakes, power rack and pinion much better road mannors and you do not have to cut the frame in half like you do for the Nova set up.

Like I said I am a 60-72 guy so just wait untill the 55-50 guy wake up and chime in!
Good luck.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

[Bishops Trucks]

That is a great find. Keep us posted on the build and post plenty of pics.

[C10-Driver]

That Cameo looks real solid... Nice score.

[Stevea]

I'm not sure I would want to do the Nova frontend, but I may consider the Mustang II front end? That sounds like a very good option to make it drive better for her. I will do my research before I do anything. I wouldn't mind it sitting a little lower, but the biggest concern is how well it drives for the wife. I want her to feel comfortable driving it.

[Rokcrln]

Well with it sitting a bit lower and the mustange II front end, power disk brakes, power rack and pinion steering, minimaly rebuild rear suspension or a 4 link with coil overs to match the front lowered height, EFI 350, auto over drive it will out drive most new cars on the road today. You wife should feel very safe and have no concerns driving it anywere she wants to go. I will be building a 63 WSB for my wife and it will be all modern as far as engine, tranny and suspension go so she will be safe anywere she goes. I like modern EFI because it is hard to beat and is very dependable = wife safe at night out on a drive.

Steve~ The best thing for you to do for now is let us know what "She" want the truck to look like (stock, custom, stock looking but lowered??) what motor set up you want, how skilled you are (do you have fabrication tools and skill or do you prefer bolt on 's) any kind of budget you are trying to work around nad then guys will start a build list for you of what they would do.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

Oh and if no one has said yet we do charge for our help! First is for you to support the board with a yearly $25 subscripsion (helps this site stay up for all of us plus you get added things with it. Then for the guys helping you out we require lots of Pic's as you start your project!

[entourageguy]

Nice looking start to a project. Can you enlarge the photos and repost. As you will learn we on this forum love pics. Neat that your wife is into this as well. My wife has been in my truck once but wore a ball cap, dark glasses and sat low in the seat. My kids (13 15 17 ) on the other hand love the ride.

My 59 has the MII front end power 4 wheel disc brakes with 4 link and air bags. My daughter turns 16 in January and is looking forward to driving it in the summer. I'd have no problem with her driving as these trucks work very well with that setup.

Brian ...

[Rokcrln]

Originally Posted by entourageguy

Nice looking start to a project. Can you enlarge the photos and repost. Brian ...

Brian~ click on the pic!

Kevin
LFD Inc.

[Daniel U]

Looks like a sweet start. My opinion: Must II front with disc on all 4 corners. This also gives you the PS with the V8 set up. I'm also a fan of EFI. My '54 will have a polished TPI(I hate chokes) on top of a 5.7 with the 700R4 trans a 10 bolt rear with 3:73 posi. It'll look like a '54 and run like a modern Chevy.

[OldCreek]

There are some books out there... had one....let a friend borrow it.

But, just spend time on this site and go to www.stovebolt.com. Great site and great people. You'll probably get a little more info over there.... they focus a bit more on the earlier years.

[streetstar]

welcome to the site

Besides this web site of course, "Classic Trucks" and "Custom Classic Trucks" are two mags you should be able to find at any bookstore that cater to oyur marketplace, as well as give you ideas for your own build.


Since you own it now, i am sure you are well aware of how coveted and ssought after the Cameo truck is in classic truck circles. Yours looks like an awesome one to start with. I dont have one, but i have always been a fan of those, as well as the Apaches from the same era

[streetstar]

[QUOTE=Stevea;2480284]I'm not sure I would want to do the Nova frontend, but I may consider the Mustang II front end? That sounds like a very good option to make it drive better for her. QUOTE]


There are a few options out there from companies like Fat-Man Fabrications and a couple of others that manufacture new front end conversions for these. They are pricier than scavenging a Mustang system, but they are brand new -- its easy to get sticker shock looking at the cost of some of the new components like that, but compared to the value of a nicely done Cameo or Apache -- its a drop in the bucket

[Igotachevyor2]

great truck

[entourageguy]

Originally Posted by Rokcrln

Brian~ click on the pic!

Kevin
LFD Inc.

Yea ok well I guess you can do it that way too!!!

Thanks Kevin

Brian ...

[Stevea]

Originally Posted by Rokcrln

Well with it sitting a bit lower and the mustange II front end, power disk brakes, power rack and pinion steering, minimaly rebuild rear suspension or a 4 link with coil overs to match the front lowered height, EFI 350, auto over drive it will out drive most new cars on the road today. You wife should feel very safe and have no concerns driving it anywere she wants to go. I will be building a 63 WSB for my wife and it will be all modern as far as engine, tranny and suspension go so she will be safe anywere she goes. I like modern EFI because it is hard to beat and is very dependable = wife safe at night out on a drive.

Steve~ The best thing for you to do for now is let us know what "She" want the truck to look like (stock, custom, stock looking but lowered??) what motor set up you want, how skilled you are (do you have fabrication tools and skill or do you prefer bolt on 's) any kind of budget you are trying to work around nad then guys will start a build list for you of what they would do.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

Oh and if no one has said yet we do charge for our help! First is for you to support the board with a yearly $25 subscripsion (helps this site stay up for all of us plus you get added things with it. Then for the guys helping you out we require lots of Pic's as you start your project!

Thanks for the information and I would be happy to support the site

She would love for it to drive like a new car. She likes the idea of getting into it and just driving it and not having to worry about anything.

I can do all the work myself. The only thing I will have done for me will be the motor rebuild. The motor that's in it right now is out of a police car 350 but it has a carb. I have no idea the shape of it either. Is it better to find a newer motor with fuel injection or can I buy a set up for this motor. I also need to find a good transmission, I'm still not sure what the transmission in it is now? I need to check them both out a little better. I also have what the guy thought was the original running gear in the back, so I don't know what I'm going go do with that yet.

There is still a lot of checking out of the truck I need to do before too many big decisions are made.

Thanks for the input.

[Daniel U]

Originally Posted by Stevea

Is it better to find a newer motor with fuel injection or can I buy a set up for this motor. I also need to find a good transmission, I'm still not sure what the transmission in it is now? I need to check them both out a little better. I also have what the guy thought was the original running gear in the back, so I don't know what I'm going go do with that yet.

I would find out if the original equipment is a #'s matching set. It may be worth some $$ to you or someone else who is restoring a Cameo to OEM. As far as EFI, there are plenty of kits out there for swapping from carb to EFI. I scavenged my TPI and trans from an 87 F body(Firebird/Camaro). It was a simple choice for me as I was comfortable working with it. My 88 IROC has the same intake and trans and I bought all the software for my laptop to manipulate the computer portion of the system. It lets me do a number of things, as well as monitor all my #'s under the hood and decode any problems the computer reads. Not to mention it's all GM equipment! Keep the pictures coming. I've always liked those Cameos, so do a good job on it. Tell your wife how fortunate she'll be when its done.

[Rokcrln]

My self I would find a new vortec 5.3L V8 with teh matching AOD trans and bolt that in. I just got a price on a 2004 with 20k miles that was a roll over for $2500 with the computer, all sensers, fuel tank and alot of misc parts for it. This is going into my 70 2WD Blazer and should get me between 18 and 20 mpg when done. All it needs is a new EFI harness and it will all plug in and fire up. You can get the harness from several different places or some guys use the stock one and just rework it. Now a days I don't feel it is worth the time or money rebuilding an old motor (unless you are going for #matching) when the new generation motors are so well built and great power to gas milage as well. I am sure you can find a motor combo cheaper this was just the first one I checked on from a dismantler that I have bought several EFI motors from in the past.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

[Stevea]

Originally Posted by Rokcrln

My self I would find a new vortec 5.3L V8 with teh matching AOD trans and bolt that in. I just got a price on a 2004 with 20k miles that was a roll over for $2500 with the computer, all sensers, fuel tank and alot of misc parts for it. This is going into my 70 2WD Blazer and should get me between 18 and 20 mpg when done. All it needs is a new EFI harness and it will all plug in and fire up. You can get the harness from several different places or some guys use the stock one and just rework it. Now a days I don't feel it is worth the time or money rebuilding an old motor (unless you are going for #matching) when the new generation motors are so well built and great power to gas milage as well. I am sure you can find a motor combo cheaper this was just the first one I checked on from a dismantler that I have bought several EFI motors from in the past.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

I kind of agree with you on the motor thing. I think overall it would get better gas mileage and be more reliable in the long run.

I was thinking about the suspension and brakes on the way home. I would like to get that and the running gear in the car for under 10K (does that seem reasonable). I can do all the bodywork and paint myself. I will do as much of the brakes and suspension as possible, but I worry about setting up the motor and tranny in it. I have a question about the rearend, I have a Ford nine inch at the house should I use that or keep with the original? I'm sure I will have tons of question about this thing.

I have restored Mustangs and I have a 67 Camaro SS vert, but they have all been taken back to original. This will be my first one done with different aftermarket stuff. I'm worried about the running gear and that type of stuff, because she does wont it to be a nice driver.

[Rokcrln]

I think 10k is way doable. You should be able to get the motor/trans and mich parts( new harness, fuel pump set up) for about 4k ready to start. Mustange two set ups that are a bit nicer then the bottom end should go about 2-3k with brakes and steering. Your 9" would be fine if the width is about right or less. Throw some disks on that sucker and a 4link rear set up for about 2k. and that should leave you with a grand for new tools to play with. All these numbers are just off the top of my head and should be s bit high if you are smart and buy what you need not just what you want. You will have a great driving and very safe vehical for your wife when it is done.

You could save a few more $ if you went with a TBI 350 and 700R4 out of a early 90's truck. Should be able to find and install that set up for about $2500. One hint if you go with a TBI or LT1 style motor (maybe the LS ones as well) a great gas tank to use is a 87 + Blazer tank. It is 25 gal and will fit the rear frame real nice plus it is set up for EFI and all you need to do to run an LT1 style motor is change out the intank pump. I did my set up for $220 for my 70 SWB. The tank was $100 at the dismantler's and a new sending unit with corect pump was $110. Then trough out the new "O-ring" that comes with the sending unit and go to GM for a factory O-ring for $10 or $12. It works much better and wil not leak like the aftermarket ones have been known to do. Ask me how I know

Kevin
LFD Inc.

[Stevea]

I saw this add on the local craigslist. does it look like it's something that would work in the Cameo?

"LT1 motor pulled from a running 1996 Camaro. The Camaro had 63K on the car when it was wrecked. The motor has aluminum heads installed from the factory. I have sent the factory wiring harness off and had it modified for a stand-alone install of this motor. Use this motor for a transplant or repair of your Z28 or Corvette cheap. I have everything for this motor swap. Including the factory exhaust manifolds and the pipe to the converter. Complete set up Radiator to the air-cleaner it is all included. The factory computer is also included in the sale. Pictures can be emailed to interested parties. "

Just wondering if something like this will work? Thanks

[toomanytoyz]

That sounds like a Very Good Choice for what you are after, Will Have a Little Power & Should be Very Reliable.........

Rick

[Cameo Carrier]

Congrats on the Cameo! I love these trucks obviously,lol. Mine is my first car and has been a really reliable truck for me (hence it looking the way it does, it's my daily driver.) You guys should have a lot of fun with it. I know I have. My girl loves my truck I think as much as I do. It means a lot when your significant other cares about something you do. Go have fun and whatever you need to learn you can find it on here.

[CAL 58 GMC]

Looks like a nice solid truck to start with! Classic Performance Products, http://www.classicperform.com and Brother Trucks http://www.brotherstrucks.com are both a great place to shop for parts for these old trucks. Classic Performance is having a big holiday sale right now http://www.cpptalk.com/winter.sale.07.html. Keep the pics coiming of your project.