I'm in the process of getting the body off of my '77 Classic. I'm down to the two body bolts near the front of the bed. I still have to remove the doors though. I'm wondering how heavy a stripped body will be.

The chassis is gonna need some rust holes repaired, like some 3/16 steel plates welded on in some spots, after I do the sand blasting on it.

I like the idea of putting new brake and fuel lines in a bare chassis:nanawrench:
Also a good time to mount the 9 inch Ford rear, and maybe the drive line, exhaust and........... well you know !!

BILL

Don't know the weight, but someone is sure to know. But 4 guys, 1 at each corner can lift it.

i just lifted my 74 body of it's frame- took two cherry pickers one on the front and one on the back-heavy i tell you-put the body on wheel dollys with assorted 4x4...it was alot of work for one guy by himself. Be care ful and be sure to have plenty of jackstands for support when tryng to balance load on the dollys. As far as picking it up you better have 4 guys in the front cab and 2 in the back-lol. be careful:beer:

I'm in the process of getting the body off of my '77 Classic. I'm down to the two body bolts near the front of the bed. I still have to remove the doors though. I'm wondering how heavy a stripped body will be.

The chassis is gonna need some rust holes repaired, like some 3/16 steel plates welded on in some spots, after I do the sand blasting on it.

I like the idea of putting new brake and fuel lines in a bare chassis:nanawrench:
Also a good time to mount the 9 inch Ford rear, and maybe the drive line, exhaust and........... well you know !!

BILL

Bill been there:let_it_all_out: like the other guys said 6 guys could take it off..did that taking the body off the frame but found out that there where two many cheffs and not enough indians if you know what I mean :twisted: So after the body was off I made up some cables and used two cherry pickers to put it up on the rotisserie. Only took two of us to do that with alot less aruguing about the right way to do it. :neutral:

Hey!! that really sounds familiar!! Lots of side-walk supervisors:smileyb:

I started working on the area under the front of the bed. I'm removing the floor brace by drilling out the spot welds. I plan to put it back in after I repair the rusted bottom sheet metal. It's easier to work on with that brace out of the way.
Some days I don't get much done:smileyb: This Elco has a lot of rust to deal with, even in the frame. I hope to get the frame outside where I can turn it over etc for a good sand blasting job. Also waiting for the weather to get a bit warmer.:neutral2:

I was reminded today just how heavy a gen 4 door is. Used my cherry picker hoist to support them while I removed the bolts. Last time I wrestled with one was in the 80s. Maybe they get heavier with time.

I used Pro Street Garry's method, it worked fine. I believe there's a picture of the front cable setup on the cherry picker in my gallery pics.

I put the wheels up on portable dollies and worked the frame out from under it fairly easy. This was a one man show for me, but wasn't too difficult at all.

Too bad you're so far, I've got several 4th gen parts cars that have excellent frames, would sell one cheap. The 76 is about to have the rearend taken out and put under another vehicle.

Good luck with your project, and if you get a chance, definitely check out Pro Street Garry's website with his Elky resto, great pics.

Lee

Hi caveman
My frame looks worse each time I get into this. The structure under the bed is quite rusted too. I almost think that finding anther car would be easier than what I'm into here.
I can beef up the frame OK when I get the body off, but the bed support structure is gonna take a lot of work. I've already built two cross members for the bed support, and have two new gas tank supports. Looks like I may have to fabricate/replace the two channels which run fore and aft that the cross members get welded to. This thing is bound to be a bit heavier if I have to replace and strengthen structural stuff.

Where are you located?? I may be in the market for "stuff" :smileyb:

BILL

if you want the frame as strong as new dont just weld over the holes cut rust out make a hole biger than the rust spot cut a pice to fit in the hole then weld all around, stronger and it looks better you can grind it down.
Good luck..

Yes, I plan on doing flush patches in the frame sides, even though they are not visible except on a hoist. It's almost necessary to cut away until good metal is evident when removing rusted areas. Amazingly, the floor boards are not as rusty as the bed area. Just some small holes, except the passenger side. Fairly easy fix on those.

It's gonna be a long summer:nanawrench:

That's a whole lot of fabricating you're doing, should be pretty solid when you get done.
I'm in lower Alabama, good ways from your location I imagine. It seems we can never find things we need close by for the 4th gens, well at least most of the time.

Don't give up bill! It sounds like your elky needs alot of work but it also sounds like you have the skills to do it all. Just keep on keepin' on, brother! And how about posting up some pics, let us have a looksee at what you're dealing with there? :cool1:

I'm cutting a lot of pieces out of the structure under the bed. Luckily I have a shear and a brake to make the new replacement pieces. I'm a bit afraid to pick the body off the frame until I get all the rust damage in the bed area fixed. I'm at it every day for a few hours, so it will eventually come back together. It's been "interesting":neutral:

I was reminded today just how heavy a gen 4 door is. Used my cherry picker hoist to support them while I removed the bolts. Last time I wrestled with one was in the 80s. Maybe they get heavier with time.


Whats funny is the 4th gens were the biggest gen they made, but they were also the lightest overall, I guess they figured that with the doors off lol:nanawrench:

steelybill, It sounds like you are in the same boat as I am... I had a sheetmetal shop bend up some stock for me for the bed supports and then shaped the ends to somewhat match the originals. I've got 3 of them in place now. I also had to repair 5 body mount areas on the frame where the rubber held moisture and rotted the mounts out. I'll try to post some pics over the weekend.
My car is very rough right now..It's going to be a long summer for me too...

I heard that the lighter colored doors were not as heavy as the dark colored ones. Glad mine aren't black.

I heard that the lighter colored doors were not as heavy as the dark colored ones. Glad mine aren't black.

Yeah, and mine goes faster when it's washed than when it's dirty...:yell:

Those are heavy doors the only thing close is the second gen (70-81) camaro's mostly
because the doors were a major structural component of that body style.

I'm glad to see this kind of effort on a 4th gen though. Maybe our generation will
finally be taken seriously and we can get some more parts!

:nanawrench:

Yeah, like some of the plastic interior parts etc. I bought some molding clips from S and S classics. They don't have El Camino parts specifically, but the same year Chevelle/Malibu stuff works except for the rear section. I didn't know about those folks two years ago when I did my '74 Malibu, and I bought parts from The El Camino Store for it!! Weird, hey!!:smileyb:

I forgot how heavy the doors were. I have been taking my 77 Classic apart so i can do the body work..sandblast the frame, new lines and so on. I unbolted the right door and went to grab it off the body and got a surprise....wasnt ready for the weight and almost dropped it on my foot. I have done lots of these A Body 73 to 77's...but it been awhile. I am not putting mine back as a Classic..i am building a SS Clone. 454 4 speed. I found a rare 4 speed console and I have all the parts for the 4 speed swap and all I am looking for now is the SS gauges.

Hi Tony65; I notice that I also have some frame rust thru at the most-rear body mount areas. I went through that on my S-10 4X4 that I did last summer. On that one I went to the local nuts & bolts place and bought some BIG flat washers!! They were big enough that the body mounts fit them just right. worked out real good!!:nanawrench:

Camino Kid......going to the big power hey:smileyb: I have never had a Chevy big block in anything, but I've worked on a few for other folks. I have a 508 Caddy built up for mine, but it's gonna get a TH400. We should both have some fun!:smileyb:
Nice find on the console parts. Those gauges were somewhat rare weren't they? I've seen only one car with them over the years. I believe it was a Laguna Chevelle. I suppose Ebay prices for those are high.

Any source for the 4th gen wheel well moldings?? I've been looking for quite a while for some. Like NOS.......
I could like make some out of stainless steel. Originals are aluminum, which corrodes quick around here.

Hello Bill !!

If you would like to take a much easier way out. I have very nice body, and frame that I had brought up from Arizona a few years ago. I would say it is approximately 90% rust free. I have a Kodak album set up online if you would like to see some pictures. Maybe this link will work :: http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?Uc=an3aprk.4q4mpgm4&Uy=uroiaf&Upost_signin=Slideshow.jsp%3Fmode%3Dfromshare&Ux=0&mode=fromshare&conn_speed=1 There is no rust in the bed, the rear quarters, or even the rear wheel wells If I remember correctly there is one on the passanger floor board about the size of a fifty cent piece. I had a stroke a couple of years ago, and am quite sure this is a project I wont be getting to. I am starting to have more heart trouble, so this and many other things must go. This car was purchased from Desert Valley auto in Phoenix Arizona. It stil has a clear Arizonia title. I don't have the reciept in hand, but I'm pretty sure I paid $1550.00 for it, plus $600.00 to get it shipped up here. I need to get $850.00 out of it. According to Mapquest I am about 71 miles from the general Saginaw address. If you are interested, I have a way to deliver for a nominal fee. There is no left front fender or hood. I do have a left front fender from another car that I would give you with the car. I have a lot of 73-77 El Camino parts including NEW NOS front fenders, NEW NOS door skins. I also have a dash that was rebuilt by "Just Dashes", that will probably be for sale also. If you have any desire, or intrest please contact me at bkissel@chartermi.net or call 989-291-5075 between 8:00am--2:00pm M-F. There are times when I can't get this website to load all the time.

THANK YOU for your time, and consideration !!
Kindest Regards
Brian Kissel

Any source for the 4th gen wheel well moldings?? I've been looking for quite a while for some. Like NOS.......
I could like make some out of stainless steel. Originals are aluminum, which corrodes quick around here.

Mine were in good shape. I am not going to use any of the classic trim on mine. Sell them to ya cheap.

HeyBrian, I'm sure interested!! Hauling it would not be a problem for me.
That sure would save me a ton of work!! Thanks for the offer. Will call you.


caminokid; Thanks for that offer also. I'll have to sort things out a bit before I commit!!

BILL

Up date; The '77 body is gonna be scrapped. I have it stripped out completely. I removed the dash with the wiring harness still attached to it. Not that bad a job. The wire bundles have to be brought back though the firewall etc
It's completely gutted out, and saved all the "stuff" for the replacement body. Gonna go look at one today (Saturday) that Brian (85 iroc camino) has, and likely get.
The adventure has a new start!!

Sad part is, the early cross member ( for dual exhaust) has a rust hole in it also, but may be repairable. Those are not easy to find I think.

Latest update: Just got home from Brian's (85 iroc camino) where I bought the '75 body he told me about on a post above. Solid southwest body. It will be a body-off clean-up, sand blasting and painting etc. Like I mentioned a while ago, it will be a pleasure installing fuel and brake lines on a bare frame, and the re-bushed front suspension parts, etc.
All my interior parts from the '77 are done except headliner, to go into this '75. I'll likely install the engine and transmission before the body goes back on. Should be cool with the big 500 Caddy hanging in there:beer:

So you're a 75'er now eh? Congrats to you and Brian on the deal...that worked out pretty quick. :beer:

Hi fellow '75'er:nanawrench: I even changed my heading to'75!! I also bought a rear stabilizer bar from Brian.. And the deal had to work out "pretty quick"' 'cause I'm a geezer!!

Getting ready to load the old rusty body on a trailer for the trip to the scrap yard. I kinda hate to have had to scrap it, I bought it new, and put 187k miles on it. It was even quite rusty 15 years ago though.

And here I just bought a factory manual for a '77 !! Seems to be OK for the '75 for the most part. Also bought a '77 Fisher Body manual !! Ah well, the 4th gen Elcos are nearly identical:smileyb:

Hello Bill !!

It certainly was a pleasure meeting you and Bill Jr. today. The pictures of your 76 Malibu in Firethorn were awesome. I couldn't be more pleased knowing that the 75 will be going to a fine new home. I will be getting it delivered to you soon.
THANKS AGAIN !!!!!!!!

Kindest Regards
Brian

Hi fellow '75'er:nanawrench: I even changed my heading to'75!!

http://www.scaldinghot.com/Boardpics/rockband.gif http://www.scaldinghot.com/Boardpics/guitar.gif http://www.scaldinghot.com/Boardpics/headbang2.gif http://www.scaldinghot.com/Boardpics/pimp.gif http://www.scaldinghot.com/Boardpics/smokin.gif Thats great Bill

Actually my thread should now be " body off '77 to the scrap yard" :smileyb: I got myself in a pickle because I didn't realize how bad the thing was until I re-bushed the front suspension. Luckily I didn't put those parts back on.
So with everything off the frame in front, I had a tough time getting it out of the building, like no wheels!!
I cut the back end of the body off with the torch to get it lighter, and used my floor jack on the front cross member to steer it out the door. Th rear end had badly worn axles and housing where the roller bearings run, so not worth saving for parts.
I will have the rear end from the '75 left over though. I'll have to check the ratio, and maybe someone can use it. The '75 is getting the Currie 9" Ford rear.
Anyway, the space is open now for the '75 project.:nanawrench:

It sounds like you're on your way to a decent project now, keep us posted.

If all goes well, I can get all the lines, suspension, drive train, and exhaust, etc, bolted in the frame while it's out in the open.
A friend is doing a little Chevy S10 that way. I gave him a little 1961 283 Corvette engine for it, that I had around here, and a 700R4 is behind it.

I'll have the '75 body late next week , likely.:nanawrench:

Yes Sir, building em like that makes it soooooooo much easier. I'm currently redoing a 59 Chevy Apache like that, the only way to go:bigups:

I guess we can end this thread, since I just hauled the last of the '77 to the scrap yard today, the cab section of the body, and the frame. I torched the frame apart just ahead of the rear end kick-up, to get in on the trailer.
Kind of sad, since I bought it new. The frame was even more rusty than I thought.

I'll have start a new thread when I get into the '75 that's coming Friday. My steel company buddy is working on the rotisserie, to turn the body etc.

I found the plans for that over at auoibody101 forum.

If all goes well, I can get all the lines, suspension, drive train, and exhaust, etc, bolted in the frame while it's out in the open.
A friend is doing a little Chevy S10 that way. I gave him a little 1961 283 Corvette engine for it, that I had around here, and a 700R4 is behind it.

I'll have the '75 body late next week , likely.:nanawrench:

Like Lee said Yes you can! :secret:

http://www.scaldinghotelcamino.com/gallery04/024.jpg



http://www.scaldinghotelcamino.com/gallery05/028.jpg

Congrats again on getting the new car you wont be sorry! :nanawrench:

Hey Gary!! Looks like all I need is another cherry picker and the body will be off!! That' a great picture, and worth the thousand words they talk about:nanawrench:
My buddy is working on the rotisserie to roll the body around. Brian delivered the '75 body today, and I'm all fired up to get on with it:inlove: !!!!
I'll have some extra parts when I get the thing apart. It will have a lot of '77 parts on it that I refurbished/painted etc from the last one.
Thanks again for the picture !!!!

BILL

Gary, where did you attach the rear lift cable?? To the tail gate hinge holes ??

BILL