1972 El Camino problems

[gwemrick]

I have a 72 El Camino with a 350 V8 & 350 Turbo. We rebuilt the trans and replaced the head on the motor. It will idel fine but when shifted into gear the engine dies. It seems like a vaccum leak or low vaccum problem. We tested the vaccum line to the trans and it was fine. We took the manifold off again and made sure of a good seal. What other things should we look for?

We also rebuilt the brake system. The front calipers were locked and the rear wheel cyliders needed to be rebuilt. After repacing the parts we were unable to bleed the brakes with a power bleeder, so we thought the master cylinder had gone bad and replaced it. The brakes still could not be bled. We found the proportioning valve was bad and repaced it with one from a 3/4 ton truck. The brakes bled fine, but the brake warning light stays on and the brakes have a mushy feel. Is there a difference between the truck and car valves? Would one from a camero work better? Any Ideas?

[slimone]

Hi, check around all Vac lines an under your carb , if you spray some carb cleaner around vac lines an at the base of your carb if there is a leak the engine will pick up speed,Now it sounds like you still have air in your brake system ,start bleeding at the right rear and then to the left rear ,then right front and then left front . good luck Slim

[7D8SS]

The stalling problem may also be related to the transmission. The torque converter may not be disengaging properly. Jon

[molhannah]

Another thing to check on the brake problem. Some proporioning valves have a button on the end which has to be held in when bleeding the brakes. Also another common misstake is putting the left and right calipers on the wrong sides. Make sure the bleeders are on the top.

[staceysel]

My husband just bought me a pristine 1972 El Camino SS, 402 engine, cowl induction hood, fully loaded. I drove it for a while on Saturday and realized I was leaking gas. I just filled up the tank and thought maybe the filler neck was leaking, but when I crawled underneath I found a gas line at the front of the tank, nearest the cab had a hole. My husband works for Ford so this car is not really his line. Do I have to empty the tank to replace this line or is there a simpler way to do this.

I'd also like to know if any one knows of somewhere I can get the radio and clock fixed. Other than these few minor problems the car is amazing. Much nicer than the 76 I had a few years ago!

Stacey