Brakes, thats right brakes

[Billybob]

I know it's a Seacraft site, but some of ya can recall that I'm doing a 72 El Camino restoration with the kid, so I thought I'd update.
.
Last couple weeks, we've been doing the frame over.

It was a little rough:


.
So, we have been very busy with sandblasting, por-15, spraypainting, pressing in bushings and ball joints, switching to a disc setup.
The rear view:


.

Now this is a very troubling view.
Notice the Seacraft in the background, with the winter cover still on
I know.
I'm ashamed of myself:


.
But,
Whattya gonna do?
They only grow up once and then they're gone.
But, I gotta unwrap that girl soon or I'll pop
.

.
Bill

[Trayder]

Thanks for sharing the pics.

Looks real nice so far, I have a 1954 Dodge Pickup that I aquired from a lazy arse neighbor (I know he is reading this so I am going to bust his chops as often as possible)it is in need of some frame work so I am very intersted in the time and original condition of your El Camino.

As for the 23 not being uncovered, I would not sweat it too much as the weather and fuel prices have been downright rude...

[Billybob]

Thanks Jason,
Yeah, the fuel prices are rude !
Esp. since I'm still running the old carbed Evinrude and I'm towing it with my pig of a Dodge.
And sharing expenses is tough when I usually go out with the wife and/or kids.
The project has been fun though, so I'm not complaining.
That pickup of yours sounds cool.
If you want to take a peek at our photo album, there are plenty of pics at:

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v6...amino/?start=0

Bill

[ScottM]

Bill,
Pleeeeeeeease tell me you're going to keep the El Camino as close to original as possible. That is one bad a$$ car and it would be a shame IMHO if it was tricked out with chrome dubs and neon lights . There's a beautiful SS near me that has 22" chrome rims and it just looks wrong!

Jason,
Shoot me some pics of the pickup. The "Sanford & Son" theme song is playing through my mind right now. [img]/forum/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

[Billybob]

Well Scott it will be stock but not original/
The original was a straight 6, 3 on the tree.
We're putting in a 350, Edelbrock 700 carb, Hooker headers, Flowmaster exhaust, Muncie 4 speed with a Hurst comp shifter,original bench seat, I did pick up a cowl induction hood,
,
We have to get wheels, but they will be 15", the 14's that are on there won't fit the disc brakes.
So it will look and sound very stock.
No lowering, no spinners, no goofy stuff.
Hey, remember - I'm gonna drive this thing too

[Bryan A.]

VERY COOL!!!!!!
I am in the process of doing the same thing with my students only it is a 65 Impala convertible. We have been at it for about a year and a half. The pic is an old one but you get the idea. Looks like you are moving right along. Don't worry, no spinners or goofy stuff either but the 283 has to go. Maybe air ride, definitely disc brakes.

Jason - lets see some pics.

[Billybob]

Wow Bryan I'm jealous.
You got a nice shop and students to help.
What happens to the car when it's done, teachers ride right?
My first car was a 65 Impala SS convertible, it was great until my girlfriend kicked a hole through the top - but let's not go there
.
Disc brakes are a must IMO, can't have the kid driving around on coaster brakes.
I think I'm just gonna throw the old Gabriel Hijackers on the back, they're cheap and that was the thing to do in the day.
I hope to finish it this summer.

[Trayder]

Bryan-

Thats quite the shop you and your students get to use....maybe you want another project for the them to tinker with????hmmmmmm

I will get some pics of the Pick Up this weekend, it is quite reminicient of sanford and son but it runs great (well maybe not "great" but it runs) it was a daily driver until my slacker neighbor (by the way this is the same neighbor that got the great deal on the yellow 23 in NJ 2 Decembers ago, I find him the great deal and he gives me this hulk WTF?) Back to the subject.....The pick up began the prep for paint but neighbor lost interest and it sat outside until neighbor's wife looked out and saw 2 boats 5 cars and more junk than she could handle so I offered to take the '54 to save him some trouble.

One day later I hear a knock at the door and sure enough there is the '54 in my driveway with more parts in boxes in where the bed used to be than that were actually attached to the frame and my neighbor smiling with a [censored] eating grin....

sooo now she sits under a beach tree behind the SeaCraft, pissing off all the neighbors.

I was thinking about putting it on blocks to seal the whole white trash look but it already acomplishes that task very well.

wait till you see the pictures and you will understand...

[Capt Chuck]

sooo now she sits under a beach tree behind the SeaCraft, pissing off all the neighbors.

I was thinking about putting it on blocks to seal the whole white trash look but it already acomplishes that task very well.

wait till you see the pictures and you will understand...

[Bryan A.]

Maybe we should start a separate area for seacraft gearhead lovers.
The Imapla was my Dad's since 79'. He had it painted and drove it for many years till the frame got bad then parked it. A few years ago I convinced him to give it to me to use as an ongoing project for kids to learn on. When we tore it apart the frame was shot and I decided it was easier to get another car. I found one in Ohio that was hit in the nose and otherwise in decent shape. All the panels are in pretty good shape save the RR quarter and of course the floor pans because it is a convertible.

I have the frame from the firewall forward, including the suspension, in POR-15 (gotta love that stuff) and am in the process of doing the quarter, floor pans and smoothing the firewall and the dash. I have two cars and we are basically taking the drive train and suspension, including the 12-bolt out of the original and using the "new" car for its body and frame. It is my car and I am financing it. I don't think I could convince the Board of Ed to pay for a project like this in this town. It will take a little longer than if it was just me but the kids benefit by gaining hands on experience.

Jason - Let me know what you need to do. I don't have the space or time to do the whole thing for ya but If you need to get it up on the lift or pull the engine or stuff like that we can. As long as you don't mind students working on it. Might be a little far for you though, got a car trailer? Don't think you can use the one for the boat.

I like the look and stance of this one with the air ride but HATE, Hate, hate, the stupid wheels. Obviously mine would be a drop top and maybe some type of tastful two tone paint ala Chip Foose.