[DJenkins]

Big milestone! Finished dis-assembly and got the body and frame delivered for acid dipping.

Metalworks in Eugene, OR has a great rep and I was immediately impressed with the care they took in handling the car and parts during the drop off. They are going to do a great job!

Metal Dipping | Classic Car Acid Dipping to remove paint & rust

| Classic Car Acid Dipping to remove paint &rust

metaldipping.com

Project will get a lot more fun from here on out as it is re-assembly with clean and/or new parts!

Year and Model: 1968 el Camino
Engine Specs and Modifications: Will be GM performance crate Big Block, probably ZZ502
Drivetrain Specs and Modifications: Will be Speedway or Currie 9 inch housing with 3:40 Posi. GM performance auto trans (probably - my son is trying to talk me into 5 speed)
Suspension Specs and Modifications: QA1 level 3 suspension package
Exterior Specs and Modifications: Will be stock(ish) sheet metal. Adding SS hood and badging. Black with white '69 style SS stripes
Interior Specs and Modifications: Stock black vinyl with upgraded buckets and adding console
Electrical Specs and Modifications: All new, upgraded wiring harness

 

[78 Elk]

Your 68 looks good and straight. Best of luck on your build. Looking forward to seeing your accomplishments.

 

[5spdCab]

After paint and rust removal, do they give it a protective coating, or will you be taking it to a different shop for new primer/paint?

 

[DJenkins]

They spray a rust inhibitor which is good for indoor storage. I will be having it delivered to body shop to begin panel repair etc. Body shop will spray entire thing with epoxy primer.

 

[5spdCab]

They spray a rust inhibitor which is good for indoor storage. I will be having it delivered to body shop to begin panel repair etc. Body shop will spray entire thing with epoxy primer.

Good info to know. Thx.

 

[DJenkins]

Thought I would post an update. Got the body back from dip shop about a month ago. Wow! Clean and rust free. "Rust free" means holes where the rust used to be. At least it is stopped and we can now see clearly what we have and what needs to be fixed.
Body work is underway. New floor pan, new back of cab and rear shelf installed. Next up are both quarter panel skins, dash metal and the "rear seat pan" (same pan that is rear seat floor board for sedan, but on el Camino is it under the front of the bed." Once the body "shell" is done, can move on to doors, fenders etc. Good news is that rockers, doorjambs etc. are all really solid.

 

[DJenkins]

Also had the frame acid dipped. Good thing as it uncovered some rust through on the section just below the battery. I did the patching and welding myself and pretty happy with how it came out. I took 4 years of metal shop in High School becuase it was fun and to get out of "real classes." Turned out to be a valuable skill later in life and it is still fun.
Frame is now at the Powder Coating Shop. Can't wait to get it back, see how it looks and to start assembling the new suspension kit (QA1 Level 3 with Coilovers etc.)

 

[78 Elk]

Great job. Making good progress.

 

[DJenkins]

Progress continues, slooooowly but surely. Frame is now powder coated and I got the new 9 inch housing and rear coil over system installed. Putting new clean parts together is much more fun than dis-assembling old rusty stuff

 

[78 Elk]

It's looking good. Nice job 👍.

 

[DJenkins]

Also making progress on the body. New wheelhouses and under-bed pan. It was rusty! But not anymore

 

[A. McGovern]

That's lookin really great! I need a trailer like that!

 

[any4xx]

I sure wish that I’d have had the space to do that with my ‘68. Certainly it’s a long process, but as you said earlier, it’s really nice putting clean parts together. Keep the updates coming.

 

[pitts64]

Those two square holes that go into the rear inner fender.

 

[DJenkins]

Just picked up the engine. Pretty excited about it! It'll probably be next year before I can get enough assembly done to actually start it up. But, needed engine and transmission in place to correctly modify the trans hump in the floorboard and wanted to do that before assembly and paint.
And, needed to get the engine picked out and purchased at some point anyway . . .
Specs:
Hot Cammed LS376, 495HP
Added the Holley mid-mount serpentine kit and Corvette fuel rail covers (cause stock LS motors are UGLY!) and correct Holley wet sump oil pan for A-Body.
Here are full details if interested: LS376/480 495HP Hot Cammed LS3

Already have trans as well, Tremec T56 Magnum 6-speed.

As I said before, way more fun working with all new parts

 

[DJenkins]

That's lookin really great! I need a trailer like that!

Thanks! That body dolly was only ~$300 from Eastwood. Well worth it for a frame off project.

 

[DJenkins]

Those two square holes that go into the rear inner fender. Mount a electric fan in each side. Then put a screen on top of the plastic storage container. Flip the switch and it will pull all kinds of air through the vents and windows while in traffic while drying the inner fenders and roof when in the rain... You have to put little spacers on the two access panels at the tail lights for the air to exit..

View attachment 132215

I'm going with Vintage Air upgrade. That should do the trick.

 

[A. McGovern]

Thanks! That body dolly was only ~$300 from Eastwood. Well worth it for a frame off project.

That does look like a nice dolly. I may have to get one when I start my '60 project. It'll have to come off the frame too. What brand is the car trailer? Is it yours?

 

[DJenkins]

That does look like a nice dolly. I may have to get one when I start my '60 project. It'll have to come off the frame too. What brand is the car trailer? Is it yours?

The trailer is a Bulldog 20', dual axle. I bought it 23 years ago and did a full "restoration" on it before I started the car. Added a 12000 lb winch inside a mounted tool box and a solar charger for the winch battery.

 

[A. McGovern]

That's a nice trailer. Looks well built if it's lasted more than two decades and seems to have served you well. I'll have to look into that. I don't particularly want to buy new, maybe I can find a solid used unit somewhere close.