55 cameo build

[fdwrench]

Hi,

I just found this site, very interesting and informative.

I have owned this Cameo for 30+ years. The front end and rear end are stock.
350 small block with a turbo 400 trans.
The kids have grown and out of the house I finally have a little play money.
I will keep the 350.
Any thoughts on front end, rear end, gear ratio, transmission, etc? I would like to stay with the kiss principle, because I am.
It is going to be a driver. I wont to be able to drive across the country in comfort.
Any benefit of mounting the master cylinder and booster on the firewall instead of the original spot?

I know that I will be back often.
Thank you
Ed

[apache200]

Nice truck. Cant wait to see what all you do to it.

[Dunenutt]

Glad to hear you are going to drive it! There are WAY to many cameo's locked in garages and trailers.

I would love to own one!

[Kim57]

Welcome.
Looks like a real nice truck.
Kim

[56hotrodred]

Originally Posted by fdwrench

Hi,

I just found this site, very interesting and informative.

I have owned this Cameo for 30+ years. The front end and rear end are stock.
350 small block with a turbo 400 trans.
The kids have grown and out of the house I finally have a little play money.
I will keep the 350.
Any thoughts on front end, rear end, gear ratio, transmission, etc? I would like to stay with the kiss principle, because I am.
It is going to be a driver. I wont to be able to drive across the country in comfort.
Any benefit of mounting the master cylinder and booster on the firewall instead of the original spot? I know that I will be back often.
Thank you
Ed

The 350 ci and turbo 400 combination is hands down one of the best especially if you are going to drive it.

There are lots of options for the front end including bolt on kits with power steering and brakes that would make it really very driveable. Just spend a few days and nights going through the many projects on this site and you will find something.

I am moving my master brake cylinder and booster to the firewall simply to ease access and because there are then also lots brake upgrades possible - discs front and drums back is the easiest or all discs if you want.

Rear end ratio to me depends on what kind of driving you plan on doing. With the turbo 400 and lots of highway driving stay away from 4:10 or lower. On my 56 with pretty much same engine and tranny I plan 3:73 rear end from 2 wheel drive 1/2 ton and would really like to put a gear vendors over/under drive on the back of the transmission.

By the way nice truck. Keep us posted with lots of pictures as you get into it.

For some reason my reply keeps getting rejected because the reply is too short. Never heard of that before and we will now see if I have now enough to send.

56hotrodred (Barry)

[waybad]

I have a 3.08 w/ a 5spd and a 6,, tacks 2200 at 60mph this would make yours a great hwy gear with the 350 and no overdrive.. these trucks have a big wind resistance so anything lower would probably lug it to much? I would do a ifs with air ride for comfort. my 2cts
I went to a junk yard locally and there were 2 cameos,, some guy bought them the day before I got there...bummer

[tmoble]

first thing I would do is install an OD transmission. if it still has the factory 3.90 rear I'd be scouting around for a rear with 3.31 to 3.55.

[Daze57]

v nice cameo

[azsnow]

Hey another Cameo! I am building mine now as well. I have a built 350 and a TH700r4 that I got out of a 3/4 ton van. Eventually I will be getting a FI 5.3/6.0L that I have seen for $1200 complete with all wiring. As far as the suspension goes, I am going to try and stick with the originals as long as I can because even though its not numbers matching, I can't bring myself to chop up a true Cameo. As far as brakes go, I got a kit from CPP that is a disk conversion, with the power master cylinder in the stock location.

[fdwrench]

Hi.
Any thoughts on manual or power rack?
I am going with a Heidts front suspension.
I am looking at a TH2004R transmission.
Ed

[G&R's57GMC]

Power rack, Si.

[Speedbumpauto]

200R4 built with good stuff and an external cooler....Si!

[fdwrench]

I hear that a rear axle from a Nova is a good one to use.

Anyone use a Nova axle?

[mknittle]

Looks like a good start

[buggy5872]

I'm running a 350 with a 700r4 and 3.73 gears in my 59 and its a really good combination. I can cruise all day on the highway and get around 16 mpg and have plenty of power if I haul or tow anything. At one point I had a 3.08 gear in it and got around 19 mpg on the highway but it lacked a little when I was towing a trailer with my race car on it. I have a 75 camaro subframe and custom made 4 link out back with a narrow dana 44. Rear tires are 29 x 15.5 x 15.