Re: '67 El Camino H/SA
 

Looks good. Very cool that you accomplished your goal.

Re: '67 El Camino H/SA
 

Those station wagon rear seat footwells work for more then just hidden storage. Good deal. Much better then through the window. IMHO.

Re: '67 El Camino H/SA
 

Worked Friday and today getting the headliner and glass installed (a first for me).

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/q...psdkma00jb.jpg

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Late this afternoon after finishing the glass I decided to lower the engine into place to see if I had a set of headers on hand that would work for me. It soon became apparent something was wrong...I could not get the motor mount bolts in/aligned to save my life. I have had the engine in the truck many times and could easily drop it in by myself with zero difficulties.

After about an hour of cussing and head scratching I spied something else I had not noticed since it returned home from the roll bar installation...the truck was leaning towards the driver side quiet a bit. Measurements revealed the driver side of the truck is about 3/4" lower than the passenger side. I can only guess at this point the welding/install of the roll bar has somehow caused this. I was able to loosen the engine frame mounts to finally get the motor mount bolts in, but that is a bandaide that does not address the real problem as it still has the lean. Not sure what to do at this point, but I know I won't satisfied with a vehicle heaved over to one side.

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/q...psowpfmixz.jpg

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/q...psinglbcu1.jpg

Re: '67 El Camino H/SA
 

After much thought it looks like the least painful solution to evening out the body is to cut the floor pans around the bars on the driver-side and shim the body mounts an additional 3/4". Any other ideas?

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/q...pswxno7gqm.jpg

Re: '67 El Camino H/SA
 

Only one way to FIX it CORRECTLY. Take it to the best frame shop arou d Nasbville and have the straighten it. Tell them when they figure out exactly which bar needs to be cut- cut it. Then let the roll bar guy fix it. If you dont start with a straight car it wont ever be right.

Re: '67 El Camino H/SA
 

You ever hear of or see a roll bar install that would draw one so bad you could not get the engine mounts to line up or cause the body to droop like that on one side? Marty said it was level and on jackstands with the suspension dropped when he welded. I put it on stands myself this morning...three stands support the vehicle with the fourth (passenger front) supporting nothing but air, but not a huge gap.

Re: '67 El Camino H/SA
 

I guess a level floor is worth its weight in concrete. If it was straight before, and bent now there is only one thing could have happened. At least you cound it now, should only have cut one bar. With two swing out bars he might not have to cut one, just cut or lengthen one of the swing outs.

Re: '67 El Camino H/SA
 

I hate to speculate where the problem lies, but here are two certain facts...

I've had a engine in and out of this vehicle numerous times for various reasons since I began this project last year and never once had any difficulty inserting motor mount bolts.

I don't recall ever putting a tape to it either before I began or during this project before the roll bar install. Considering all the time I have spent in and around this vehicle the past twelve months I find it hard to believe I would not have noticed a peculiar lean towards one side. Not one to rely on my oft feeble memory alone...I have a considerable amount of camera images that do not reveal any such lean.

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/q...pspqdq7hbr.jpg

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/q...psoj6kczc0.jpg

Re: '67 El Camino H/SA
 

Beginning to resemble something again -

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps3xqm89rh.jpg

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Re: '67 El Camino H/SA
 

After a short session of wet sanding a portion of the hood yesterday I decided it would be best to do the entire vehicle.

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/q...pshwxu79ay.jpg

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The speedometer cluster turned out nice.

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Re: '67 El Camino H/SA
 

Rich, what did you find out concerning your chassis deal? -Al

Re: '67 El Camino H/SA
 

Rich, it sounds like everything was done correctly. This definitely falls in the weird category. Good luck and let us know how it comes out.

Re: '67 El Camino H/SA
 

I still am not sure what the reason is, but I did shim the two body mounts closest to the rear on the driver side. At the front door hinges there is only a 1/4" difference so I elected to not shim any further forward of the frame. I'll have a better sense of what it looks like once all the weight is back on the car and I can get it outside for a better view.

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps9blbhh0k.jpg

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Re: '67 El Camino H/SA
 

Been taking care of minor details lately. I discovered that wet sanding much improved the appearance and just finished the entire vehicle...whew!

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps2iermiz6.jpg

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Dash complete...doing some extra wiring before it goes back in.

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Engine is already in place...will attach the metric transmission the next time I pick the truck up in the air. It's a toss up which will be the final step...setting up the rear housing or installing the vent/side glass. I'm just dreading trying to get that glass back into place.

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/q...psev22va5a.jpg

Re: '67 El Camino H/SA
 

All glass, trim and bumpers installed...finally looks like something again.

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/q...psmrmzvfab.jpg

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Re: '67 El Camino H/SA
 

Nice car! Engine looks like its painted same color we painted ours I like it!

Re: '67 El Camino H/SA
 

Thanks Ed - Here lately I've been painting all my engines with the cast iron grey...sick of looking at orange lol. :p

Re: '67 El Camino H/SA
 

Finished the doors today and pulled out the manual pedals in favor of an automatic brake pedal. Metric 200 went right in with the factory cross member...guess I will shell the 12-bolt tm. Junk headers installed until I can find a suitable set.

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Re: '67 El Camino H/SA
 

Spent the day doing some much needed cleanup and organizing instead of actual work on the El Camino. I also moved operations over to the heated side of the building with the onset of colder temps...mo happy.

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps7dhuei34.jpg

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We really need to get the '66 back together for next year.

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps1an2q1yx.jpg

Re: '67 El Camino H/SA
 

Moving at a snail's pace as usual. Ford housing ends to be welded in place Friday, then I can order axles and get the 12-bolt back under the truck.

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/q...psmwnaoxj2.jpg

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Re: '67 El Camino H/SA
 

Thanks to Perry Simpkins and Gary Jennings, no more c-clip eliminators. :)

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/q...pstepcekky.jpg

Re: '67 El Camino H/SA
 

New Budnick steering wheel looks right at home in there.

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps3dasycrw.jpg

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Re: '67 El Camino H/SA
 

Best I could come up with for an alternator/mount...a lower mount was just not working out.

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/q...pscy1qte3t.jpg

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/q...psl4gkkjjh.jpg

Ordered the wrong Wilwood rear brakes for my housing ends...awaiting replacements so I can stab the axles in and measure for back wheels. Also need to fabricate a d-shaft loop which will likely get welded to the crossmember.

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/q...pskzifcz2p.jpg

Re: '67 El Camino H/SA
 

Lookin' good!

I have the same alternator mount on my bracket Camaro, but I had to extend the top part a bit when I got tall valve covers. But I like it a lot, it's easy to get the exact tension on the belt you want and it holds it great.

http://i789.photobucket.com/albums/y...psozcpujca.jpg

Re: '67 El Camino H/SA
 

It needed two 1/4" spacers to line the pulleys up...running a 46" belt.

Re: '67 El Camino H/SA
 

Rich, Ram Air Restoration offers a driveshaft loop that bolts to the Chevelle cross member. -Al

http://www.ebay.com/itm/PONTIAC-OLDS...isMfNg&vxp=mtr

Re: '67 El Camino H/SA
 

Thanks Al...I may give that a shot as I don't have any suitable scrap lying about atm. :)

Re: '67 El Camino H/SA
 

It doesn't look too hard to fab up something like that..A chunk of pipe and some flat stock.

Re: '67 El Camino H/SA
 

Back on four legs again. Axles installed and the Wilwood disc brakes clear 15" wheels with ease. Mounted some 30x9 Hoosiers on 5.5" BS wheels and they tucked in nicely, but they were a little tight on the frame side. I'll be ordering 5" BS wheels and that part will be finished. :)

Right now I'm battling a no fire situation with the new MSD 6530 box...:mad:

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/q...psnl68iqid.jpg

Re: '67 El Camino H/SA
 

The "no fire" situation is solved and the beast is alive. Tip of the day...ensure your 12v switched source has at least 9v when cranking. 3v will not cut it... :o

Re: '67 El Camino H/SA
 

Whew...glad you found it. :) -Al

Re: '67 El Camino H/SA
 

Yeah Alan, that was easy enough as I was initially worried about another setback with a defective ignition box.

Distributor is locked at 36° and I plotted a retard curve of 12° from 500rpm to 2400rpm.then another retard curve of 2° from 6000rpm out. It does not want to start cold well atm...thinking it may have an air leak.

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/q...psjxlhkpfr.jpg

Shifter ended up a little higher than I had envisioned...forgot to allow for the elevated shifter brackets. Something else to revisit at a later date. Kind of reminds me of the old "Rat Fink" hotrod cartoons lol. Happy to have the bench seat back where it belongs.

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Re: '67 El Camino H/SA
 

Confirmed air leak...used the wrong Q-jet base gaskets. :o

Brake system completely plumbed and bled...I think it leaked from every joint initially. :rolleyes:

Shift cable too short...remedy on the way. All that remains are the rear wheels.

Re: '67 El Camino H/SA
 

Nice work, as always. :) -Al

Re: '67 El Camino H/SA
 

Not exactly what I had in mind, but it is what it is...last two pieces are on the way. :rolleyes:

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps8ep2wiey.jpg

Re: '67 El Camino H/SA
 

nice wheels

Re: '67 El Camino H/SA
 

Talk about bringing a knife to a gunfight lol...

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/q...psjzyapomv.jpg

Re: '67 El Camino H/SA
 

Rich, at least you don't have to deal with one of those pesky aluminum intake manifolds....;)

Re: '67 El Camino H/SA
 

Under it's own power again and front-end alignment scheduled for Tuesday morning...all I lack now are the rear wheels.

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Re: '67 El Camino H/SA
 

Looks good Rich!
Did you ever get headers that were the right size?