Hello folks, just wanted to take a minute to introduce myself before stepping up on the porch. I'm John Brown from Bixby Ok. I just aquired an `83 El Camino Conquista. I have owned a `67 before, but the interior room was a dealbreaker. I've been a HD motorcycle mechanic for 25 plus years, but now due to some health issues I just hang out in my shop and build stuff that interests me.

I have known the previous owner of this Elky for years and approached him on several occasions about buying it from him. Recently I noticed he had not been driving it and asked about it again. It has a few problems, but the price couldn't be beat. I am hooked on trucks that have the bed attached. I have owned several Econoline pickups, Two Falcon Rancheros (still have one) and am working on my `57 Chevy pickup which I intend to make a unibody.

I have a fairly equipped shop. I do all my mechanical work myself, as well as welding, fab and bodywork. My hobby is metalshaping and machining. I came over here to get some ideas and will probably hang around for some advice as well............jb

Welcome Boogiemanz1
I wish I had the tools and know how that you do, (sure would save me alot of money and be fun too!!!)
Hope you enjoy the site and remember to post pics. when possible!!!
Donny:texas:

Welcome Boogiemanz1, allways nice to see a fellow "Okie" on here. It sounds like youve got the shop and skills we all dream of. I do metal work and paint but I wish my mechanical and trouble shooting skills were sharper. A well equiped shop would be nice to.

Hey John, welcome aboard bud. Congrats on the new Elk, good luck with her.

Welcome to the forum John. I'm a former Okie. Been in Colo. since 56 though. Just completed a trip to OK city for a HS reunion. Somewhat like yourself, I do quite a lot in my well-equipped three-car garage. Mark will do the math and comment on my advanced age.:sneaky:

Doug

Thanks for the welcome guys. Troy, OKC is just down the road. I get up there every couple of months.

My shop is fairly well equipped, if I could find everything. I have an overhead storage over the part that I use for an office and engine room. A buddy of mine came up for a couple of days and helped me build a simple elevator to carry stuff up and down. I guess the building is a little over 2,000 sq ft with 14 ft walls. I'm wanting to build a 40 X 50 shed off of one side to keep projects and tractor under. I have another building that is a couple of hundred sq ft bigger, but it is pretty much full. I'm trying to find some pallet racks to help stack stuff.

This El camino is pretty solid, and original as it gets. It is two tone and has side trim. I wish it didn't have the trim. NO rust, but I'm thinking about yanking about a half ton of crap out from under the hood so I can see the engine. If I de-smog this thing and put an intake and carb with a set of duals on it, is it going to totally wreck the resale value? I like for them to look like they have not been touched, but a little fuel milage and a few less hoses and valves may win out. I owned a muffler shop for about 5 years that was in the same building as my bike shop and generally hate headers, but does anyone know of a well fitting brand that has at least 3/8 flanges?

How much wheel offset can mount on these cars. I am putting Corvette suspension under my `57 Chevy pickup and have access to some Centerlines off of an `88 Corvette. They are pretty nice for the price, but I hate to buy them without having an idea if they will fit. They are 16 x7 & 16x8...........guesses?

Does anyone have the clutch pedal assembly and associated hardware? I have a WC T-5 5-speed out of an 84 or 85 that I wouldn't mind putting in this thing. also I have an early Camaro trans crossmember that should make the dual exhaust easier.

If you guys see I'm heading for a cliff here help me out...............thanks...........jb

Welcome bro and I'm too glad to see another Okie on here. Good luck with your projects my friend.

Hey John! Glad to have you here. A HD mechanic. An American Classic as is our El C. I am South of the Red River, don't hold that against me, but here we are all one. Good luck on your project.
:texas:

welcome i hope you enjoy your stay they are very helpful here! :)

Welcome to ECC! Sounds like you have a cool set-up:nanawrench:Good luck with your projects. Would like to see some pics!

Thanks for the welcome guys, especially you locals..TX & OKC. I've got to get set up with a photo host before I can do any pictures.....

Should I put my questions in a different forum?...............jb

jb, I don't know how serious the managers are on here. Questions do get answered on the "Welcome" side. I always thought it would be appropriate to ask them in their assigned columns, just my thought, but who am I. lol

Welcome to the Forums, Boogiemanz1! Best of luck with your shop and the El Camino project...........Ken :beer: