79 El Camino Progress
 

We have finally made some progress on the project. We got the frame boxed and welded all the seams. The SCandC front suspension package with the ATS Spindles looks great. The Fays2 Watts link was an easy installation. A friend dropped off a Ford 9" this week that will replace the original GM 10 bolt. The frame has been powder coated in a silver vein hammertone that my son picked out. I was sceptical when he chose the color, however, I feel the finished product looks great. Time to order some brakes and keep things going.

Nice project you got going there. :thumbsup:

I'm planing to do the samething with my 87 cutlass.

Looks good keep ther updates comming

looks great so far how are you going to do the body and interior on it?

Pretty frame. Nice lawn too!

The bumpers will be tucked in, not flush just closer to the body. Still trying to decide if I want to remove the trim on the bed rails or do something else. The original moldings were not that nice even when new. I have considered making some out of aluminum and giving them a brushed finish. I imagine that would be quite the undertaking though. The paint scheme is going to be black and green with a silver band at the beltline. The interior is going to be bucket seats with a "waterfall" console coming down between the seats.

Thanks for the compliment on the lawn KevMC. I like going curves even when mowing the lawn. :D

Notch That Frame!!!
 

Notch the rear frame now while the bodys off, it will be a joke.
I notched mmy 84 Regal and put 315s on 17x11s back there! Its worth the extra work. Visit "MAXCHEVY.com for excellent instructions!
P.S frame looks awsome......:thumbsup:

Any more pics of the watts set-up? Particularly where it bolts to the frame in relation to where the OD of the tire is (assuming a ~26" tall tire).

Engine update
 

I picked up an F-body LS-1. I purchased the motor plates that are used for most applications and found they did not work. The studs that mount the motor mount "cup" had to be moved down a half inch on each side. Other than that it dropped in nicely. I have the TH-350 mounted behind it right now. Still considering my transmission options, maybe a gear vendors behind the 350, late model 4 speed od or a manual transmission. The oil pan has plenty of room away from the front cross member, however, I am concerned it might be hanging too low.

Any updates? This is going to be one killer El Camino.:thumbsup:

Time for my fix I need an update, lol.

just found this thread... awesome, now i need more updates

Undercoating gone
 

After trying many methods to remove the undercoating I found using a heat gun and a gasket scraper removed the heavy parts of it. The larger area I was able to get down to metal with a 4.5 inch bristle disc. Once I got the majority of it off I sent it off to be blasted. The blaster used glass to get it down to bare metal. The blaster was great to work with and wanted to be sure I was happy with the results. Brought it home and got it into epoxy primer. Have a few things to do with the body before I send it out to get line-x on the underside.

Nice project it looks good . Your blaster did a nice job.

This is going to slow things down.
 

Picked up a new G-body last night. I think the El Camino budget took a hit over this.

Nice MCSS. So what are your plans for it because you know we can never just leave our cars alone? Any progress pics of the Elco? What's that in the grass behind the Monte, a future project?

It is very clean so for now it will stay close to the way it is. My first brand new car was a white 84 SS Monte Carlo, so this brings back good memories. I would love to go with the Watts Link and the same suspension and brake parts that are on the El Camino. My son has threatened me if I canibalize the El Camino he will get even. The body in the back is a first generation Monte Carlo project that got put on the back burner then sold. Some day I hope to build a nice 1st gen Monte Carlo.

Spray-on bedliner
 

Had Line-x spray the underside of the El Camino. It think it looks real nice. The guys at Line-x in Auburn, WA were great to work with. :thumbsup:

Unfortunately we have had a lot of rain and my friends trailer left some deep ruts in my lawn. I'll take care of it in the spring.

I am also in Washington. And you'e right we have had a ton of rain recently.
Where about are you located?

The new Monte looks pretty nice. What are the plans for it?:cheers:

I am in Spanaway/Frederickson. Some day I want to do a full suspension and LSx upgrade in much the same fashion as the El Camino. $$$ are running low for projects right now.

You live right down the road from my parents. The El Camino will be a really cool car when it's done. And the Monte looks great as it is for now. A keeper.
Good luck with both of them.
I'm in the area every now and then (live in Stanwood), maybe we will run into each other.:cheers:

Nice idea with the Line-X undercoating but what do you do about bolt holes and mounting locations? Do they plug them, tape them for overspray or is that up to you to cover them up or re-tap the holes aftrwards.

They plugged them with what looked like soft ear plugs. They pulled right out afterwards. There is free play in the body mounts and some of them were stuck, but a hit with a hammer freed them.

Any updates?

What ever happened to this? Any updates?

Thanks for asking. Unfortunately I have not made a lot of progress lately. I started experiencing shortness of breath in October which resulted in me being assigned to a desk at work and unable to get out to the garage much. After months of tests it was finally determined I have a hole in my heart. The plan is to plug it up in a week. (initially they were not going to repair it) Hopefully I will get back to normal and have the energy to move forward on the project.

Robert

Robert
Cars come and go, you only get one heart. Take care of yourself first, that's what's most important. I'll continue to check this thread for updates on your health, then I'll worry about the progress on your Elco. Get well soon!!