What have you done to your El Camino today!

658343 Views 6316 Replies 675 Participants Last post by Caballero Joe, 3 d ago

TrannyMike

Discussion Starter · Jun 7, 2011

I'm a member of another forum that has a thread similar to this one. I'd like to start one here. It's been great over there, seeing all the projects other guys are up to every day! Anything goes as long as it's something you've done to your Elky. Pictures are always a plus if possible.

I'll go 1st. Today I took my elky to the shop next door and had my air conditioning fixed. It had a leaky hose. The hose is replaced, the system is charged, and now it's blowing nice and cold! :beer:

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Caballero Joe

· #6,201 · 2 mo ago

Roadtrip!
The Mrs. & I drove from San Diego County to Sacrademento. Tomorrow we're heading about an hour east of Reno to show my brother my Caballero. We only have to pass through 3"-5" of fresh snow between here & Reno.

Reactions: 2

cyberray

· #6,202 · 2 mo ago

Caballero Joe said:
Roadtrip!
The Mrs. & I drove from San Diego County to Sacrademento. Tomorrow we're heading about an hour east of Reno to show my brother my Caballero. We only have to pass through 3"-5" of fresh snow between here & Reno.

just don't brag....

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seventy

· #6,203 · 2 mo ago

seventy said:
I've seen hood/display props at several car shows over the years so I decided to make my own. Cut a pine board to size and covered it with denim. Will see if it gets any attention at Saturday's show. View attachment 154353 View attachment 154354

So happy to have been awarded this trophy at the AMD Show.

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Caballero Joe

· #6,204 · 2 mo ago

Congratulations!

78 Elk

· #6,205 · 2 mo ago

Very cool. Congratulations!

HKDUP87

· #6,206 · 2 mo ago

2

Doing a complete rewiring job. After racing my 85 for ten years I started having issues.

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elcodude

· #6,207 · 2 mo ago

That looks to be a daunting task - but I am sure you can handle it with ease.

Old Bear

· #6,208 · 2 mo ago

@HKDUP87
Justin has one of these handy devices to help with joining/soldering wiring connections.
Magnetic base and arms.
Lisle 55000 Wire Holder Assembly (amazon.com)

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JBcarguy

· #6,209 · 2 mo ago

squag27 said:
View attachment 153482

Nice, is that a Quick Performance 9 inch? Looks just like the housing I did in my '82.
[/QUOTE]
Moser

bjinx

· #6,210 · 2 mo ago (Edited)

3

Removed the heater.
Top screw behind the fender was a fight but I won
Found a piece of aluminum in my stock of metal to make a cover out of.

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78 Elk

· #6,211 · 2 mo ago

I started up the 78 El Camino again today checking numbers, and hoping to get it on the road again. The road didn't happen so hope to get it there tomorrow.

Karadjgne

· #6,212 · 2 mo ago

That's the nice thing about roads, they'll be there tomorrow. It's gonna happen sooner or later.

elcodude

· #6,213 · 2 mo ago

2

Battled with one stubborn intake manifold bolt for an hour - one quarter turn at a time with an 11mm box wrench. No room to use or turn a socket in any configuration. (aside from an expensive 6 point shallow universal jointed socket which I don't have)
Two days work invested in a leaking manifold gasket replacement, and it is not yet removed. Thank goodness the other bolts are easily accessed.
The reason it was so difficult appears to be due to cross-threading by my ASE mechanic neighbor/friend back in 1988 when it was last removed for cam & lifter replacement.
Boy wrenching on these old vehicles is challenging and can kick your butt - I'm tired, but I'll be back at it tomorrow.

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78 Elk

· #6,214 · 2 mo ago

The rear differential was leaking a little bit, so I found out the top bolts were loose, so I tightened them up. I put some oil back in it. It just needed a tiny bit of oil to get it full to oil plug.

Reactions: 1

toyinhawaii

· #6,215 · 2 mo ago

Old Bear said:
@HKDUP87
Justin has one of these handy devices to help with joining/soldering wiring connections.
Magnetic base and arms.
Lisle 55000 Wire Holder Assembly (amazon.com)

View attachment 154575

So that is what i needed all these years! i was getting tired of sitting with my legs crossed with the wire running though both my big toes/pointer toes and trying to hold it while i used one hand for the solder wire and the other using the gun. i saw the Amazon ad and the reviews, i clicked on "customer images" and the first reviewer said all of what i was thinking. That's exactly what i need but i know i will lose it somewhere, leave it stuck to the frame of the car, in the engine bay area, etc. Might just have to get a pack of gator clips and make something similar

Old Bear

· #6,216 · 2 mo ago (Edited)

Don't forget that it is magnetized parts to latch onto the radiator frame, auto frame, inner fender, etc.

Might have to explain it to TSA if it is your luggage coming back from the continent.

69elC454

· #6,217 · 2 mo ago

So, today my '69 is back in my garage ( actually since yesterday afternoon ) complete with A/C, Holley Sniper EFI, EFI conversion fuel tank, and CVF billet serpentine system. My mechanic promised to have it back to me in time for Gainesville and he made that happen but without the new stereo system ( actually my iPhone connected to my Marshal bluetooth speaker does a plenty good job ). SEE Y'ALL IN GAINESVILLE!

Reactions: 3

inverse121

· #6,218 · 2 mo ago

3

Installed a cup holder between the seats. It can hold cups and keep the seat belts in place.

I ordered this off Amazon. It was much cheaper than the other options.
Wise Pontoon Double Drink Holder with Stainless Steel Cup Holders https://a.co/d/dwvvy86

I ordered the black and camo thinking I could live with the camo but I could not.

Automotive design Textile Material property Tints and shades Automotive exterior

So I used some duplicolor vinyl paint that I had for touching up the interior.

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Here it is after paint. I’m happy with it. If I had it to do over again I would buy one of the light colors and paint it black. The camo is sort of a canvas and I would have preferred all vinyl. It does have a “tail” that your could tuck into a bench seat to keep it from sliding. . And I will probably also use it with my Buick which has a black vinyl bench.

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Karadjgne

· #6,219 · 2 mo ago

Pulled the door panels, greased everything that moves and I could reach with a greasy flathead screwdriver, then yet again tried adjusting the drivers window. It's better, but still not quite right, am wondering if it's not the cheap trim being... Cheap.

Reactions: 1

78 Elk

· #6,220 · 2 mo ago

inverse121 said:
Installed a cup holder between the seats. It can hold cups and keep the seat belts in place.

I ordered this off Amazon. It was much cheaper than the other options.
Wise Pontoon Double Drink Holder with Stainless Steel Cup Holders https://a.co/d/dwvvy86

I ordered the black and camo thinking I could live with the camo but I could not.

View attachment 154699

So I used some duplicolor vinyl paint that I had for touching up the interior.

View attachment 154700

Here it is after paint. I’m happy with it. If I had it to do over again I would buy one of the light colors and paint it black. The camo is sort of a canvas and I would have preferred all vinyl. It does have a “tail” that your could tuck into a bench seat to keep it from sliding. . And I will probably also use it with my Buick which has a black vinyl bench.

View attachment 154701

It looks great, very nice work.

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