1969 396 Camper Special - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Richard Dobson · 08-28-2007, 08:05 AM

I have a friend who's dad has a 69 396/325 GMC Camper Special I haven't seen yet. He says the body is decent. However the engine hasn't been cranked in 6 years, but the engine only has 10K on it after a rebuild. He thinks it has 235 HP with a 400 turbo trans, does this sound correct for this truck. Would rear would it have? Posi maybe? I am thinking of buying it for the drive train for my 71 Chevy C10 if the price is right, what do you think would be a good offer to make for it. Maybe I could piece out some of the parts to offset some of the investment. Comments? Suggestions? Thanks.

**special-K** · 08-28-2007, 10:01 AM

*It`s Custom Camper,FYI

.It would,likely have the 3.08 rear.You`d have to check options to answer alot of your questions.The 396/TH400 was available.Warning:I hear,"The body`s not bad",all the time only to find rust in all the usual places.But,camper trucks used solely for that purpose make up one of the biggest groups of survivors,if not the largest.Check it out and give us more info and hopefully pictures so we can assess the value.

**Classic Bowties** · 08-28-2007, 10:37 AM

Anytime I am converting a sb truck over, I really like/prefer using the earlier 396/Th400s as a transplant/donor setup opposed to converting it with the later 71/72 402 setups that had lower compression/less performance. I think its a great idea and yes this setup would be correctly found in this truck. Good luck on your deal and for her being a good strong runner. Cb

**kwmech** · 08-28-2007, 10:58 AM

Isn't a Camper Special at least a 3/4 ton and a long bed? Gearing could be from 3.54 to a 4.10, most likely 3.54 with a big block---posi (if it has one) would be a power-loc

Bill72BB · 08-28-2007, 12:39 PM

Rear would probably be a Dana 60 , 3.54 or 4.10 , Leaf springs in the rear .
Hopefully the GB option sheet is available .
Sounds like a great find for us BB people .

Richard Dobson · 08-28-2007, 04:32 PM

Yeah, the build sheet on the glove box says its a 396 V8 engine. Where could I find out what hore power it has? I don't believe it is 325.

Bill72BB · 08-28-2007, 04:58 PM

I can give you the figures for the 72 , 210HP @4000rpm ,320lb-ft Tq @2800

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard Dobson

Yeah, the build sheet on the glove box says its a 396 V8 engine. Where could I find out what hore power it has? I don't believe it is 325.

**special-K** · 08-28-2007, 08:10 PM

He didn`t say 1/2 or 3/4t.They were available either way.Just no shortbeds.I owned a`69 CustomCamper/10 K-model.My`71 CustomCamper/20 C-model was a 402/TH400/4.10 Dana60/leaf.But in a 1/2t the 3.08 was standard w/BBC.Simply put,we need more info.

69RAT · 08-30-2007, 10:38 PM

the 69 396 in trucks was a 310hp. 325 were car engines.

08-28-2007, 08:05 AM	#1
Richard Dobson Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Easley, South Carolina Posts: 491	1969 396 Camper Special I have a friend who's dad has a 69 396/325 GMC Camper Special I haven't seen yet. He says the body is decent. However the engine hasn't been cranked in 6 years, but the engine only has 10K on it after a rebuild. He thinks it has 235 HP with a 400 turbo trans, does this sound correct for this truck. Would rear would it have? Posi maybe? I am thinking of buying it for the drive train for my 71 Chevy C10 if the price is right, what do you think would be a good offer to make for it. Maybe I could piece out some of the parts to offset some of the investment. Comments? Suggestions? Thanks. __________________ Richard Dobson

08-28-2007, 10:01 AM	#2
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,858	Re: 1969 396 Camper Special It`s Custom Camper,FYI.It would,likely have the 3.08 rear.You`d have to check options to answer alot of your questions.The 396/TH400 was available.Warning:I hear,"The body`s not bad",all the time only to find rust in all the usual places.But,camper trucks used solely for that purpose make up one of the biggest groups of survivors,if not the largest.Check it out and give us more info and hopefully pictures so we can assess the value. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE* THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~ Last edited by special-K; 08-28-2007 at 08:06 PM. Reason: Body`s not bodie`s

08-28-2007, 10:37 AM	#3
Classic Bowties Always on the hunt... Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Portland, OR. Posts: 5,663	Re: 1969 396 Camper Special Anytime I am converting a sb truck over, I really like/prefer using the earlier 396/Th400s as a transplant/donor setup opposed to converting it with the later 71/72 402 setups that had lower compression/less performance. I think its a great idea and yes this setup would be correctly found in this truck. Good luck on your deal and for her being a good strong runner. Cb

08-28-2007, 10:58 AM	#4
kwmech Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Colfax-California Posts: 8,573	Re: 1969 396 Camper Special Isn't a Camper Special at least a 3/4 ton and a long bed? Gearing could be from 3.54 to a 4.10, most likely 3.54 with a big block---posi (if it has one) would be a power-loc

08-28-2007, 12:39 PM	#5
Bill72BB Thats the Hillbilly way Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Torrance,Ca Posts: 5,980	Re: 1969 396 Camper Special Rear would probably be a Dana 60 , 3.54 or 4.10 , Leaf springs in the rear . Hopefully the GB option sheet is available . Sounds like a great find for us BB people . __________________ BILL Torrance Calif 90504 Member DUF Club Member Old Farts Club 72 3/4ton Custom Camper BB402/400 trans Dynomax Cerama-coat headers , Hei distributor ,Edelbrock 1411 air,ps,pb,leafsprings ,98 chevy 60/40 seat,S10 shoulder belts tilt,3.54 Dana 60 rear. 16" Eagle wheels with LT265/75 16 tires,Gaylord Lid,H4 headlights with 100W relay conversion. " If I knew I was going to live this long I would have taken better care of myself " Marriage changes passion...suddenly you're in bed with a relative. A GUY'S PRAYER.... Lord, I pray for a nympho with huge boobs who owns a liquor store and likes to fish and hunt and has a Harley .Amen ,

08-28-2007, 04:32 PM	#6
Richard Dobson Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Easley, South Carolina Posts: 491	Re: 1969 396 Camper Special Yeah, the build sheet on the glove box says its a 396 V8 engine. Where could I find out what hore power it has? I don't believe it is 325. __________________ Richard Dobson

08-28-2007, 08:10 PM	#8
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,858	Re: 1969 396 Camper Special He didn`t say 1/2 or 3/4t.They were available either way.Just no shortbeds.I owned a`69 CustomCamper/10 K-model.My`71 CustomCamper/20 C-model was a 402/TH400/4.10 Dana60/leaf.But in a 1/2t the 3.08 was standard w/BBC.Simply put,we need more info. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

08-30-2007, 10:38 PM	#9
69RAT Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: hopeless in Washington Posts: 105	Re: 1969 396 Camper Special the 69 396 in trucks was a 310hp. 325 were car engines. __________________ '69 Chevy CST#'s 396/TH400, A/C



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