1971 El Camino

[GMJohnny]

Thanks, Tony!

GM

[TireSmoker]

I'm really interested to hear how manifolds + X-pipe + Dynomax's sound. I bet it's pretty good!

[GMJohnny]

1908…. So about a week ago I went out to fire up the El Camino and I got a click-click-click from the starter. I haven’t driven it a bunch, so I thought it might be a fluke and I charged the battery. The next day the car started fine, so I figured the no-start was just a fluke situation. I waited a couple of days and tried it again. I got the click again, so it was time to retire the (only 4 year) old battery. For $140 I was back in business. I put the battery in the car and took it for a cruise, on a 90* day. On the freeway, not going over 2100 RPM, the water temps got to near 200*. I wasn’t comfortable with that and checked the fan clutch. It was slipping heavily when it should’ve been engaging, so I ordered a Hayden 2747… a heavy duty clutch that engages when air temps are 160* as opposed to 180* of a standard duty. I installed the clutch today. I’m certain it will help a bunch as the old one was leaking fluid and most likely working at half capacity. I wasn’t able to go for a ride because of rain, but I started and ran the car in the barn. I’ll report on the temperature findings after the next test run.

GM

[GMJohnny]

1917…. Yesterday I took to fixing the kick down for the transmission. It hasn’t worked since I got the car and it was making me crazy. I could downshift with the lever on the column, but it wasn’t right and I had to fix it. I’ve looked at the linkage where the cable connects to the carb and there was about 1/4” of travel to go when the pedal was in the WOT position. I figured I’d fix the issue by purchasing an adjustable bracket. I got a really nice stainless kit from Summit for under $9. I figured this would fix the issue. I also have an issue with the carb cable being too long, which I cured before by making a small extension bracket to go on the carb. This kit was going to fix both issues at the same time. After removing the old brackets and starting to assemble the bracket, I realized that the trans issue would be fixed with the part, but the throttle cable would never reach the carb with their set up. As I was brainstorming a plan, I found myself wishing I could just adjust the trans cable. I looked at the end of the cable where it goes into the bracket and what do you know, it’s adjustable by spinning the end where it goes into the bracket. Once I figured this out, I made the adjustment so I got the correct amount of travel and put it all back together with the original parts. A quick test drive proved that my work was done successfully. I now have kick down. On to the next project.

GM

[GMJohnny]

Over the weekend, I switched the blower fan switch that was “bad”. I could move the switch up and down and every so often it would work. I purchased the switch in March I think and finally got around to fixing it. With a bit of hassle, I was able to change the switch without taking the HVAC control panel out of the car. I got the switch in after a half hour or so. When I tested it out I got the same problem I had before. Fortunately, with the car not running, I could hear a relay on the firewall in the engine compartment trying its best to work. I disassembled it, cleaned the contacts, and reinstalled it. It worked! I purchased a new relay for $35. My relay repair only lasted a few times, but after installing the new relay, I haven’t had a hiccup. The A/C charge needs a boost, so I’ll get to that soon. When it works, I’ll have all 5 fan speeds ready.

GM

[GMJohnny]

So I liked the torque thrusts that were on the El Camino, but I didn’t like them on my car. They were dull, and the truck, being a Custom, doesn’t have fender trim and it’s also missing the chrome El Camino emblems on the side. This makes for a pretty dull look when looking at the side of the vehicle. I thought it really needed chrome and black to match the grill, bumpers, and Chevy emblem on the tailgate. I’ve been searching for the chrome 5 spoke wheels used and finally found a set less than an hour from home. I researched them online (Unistyle 833 - 14” x 6”) to make sure they would fit and went and bought them for $300. They’re over a grand new. I painted them, bought lugs and centers for them, and went to test fitting them on the car. They fit perfectly on the rears, but hit the calipers on the front. I was ready to purchase a couple of new wheels when BP convinced me to grind the calipers so the wheel would clear on the front. It took a bit of time to make them clear, but I made it work. I ran washers on each lug nut to give me some additional clearance. I was able to test drive it this way, but I now have 3/16” wheel spacers coming to make it a more safe install. After getting the wheels on, I’m super stoked with the outcome and it was well worth the effort! I re-used the tires that came with the car and sold the other wheels right away. All in, after selling the wheels for $280, my net out of pocket with lug nuts, centers and tire mounting is about $200. Pretty inexpensive upgrade!

GM

[wxo]

I think they are perfect for your El Camino, GM. It looks great from any angle. You did a great job in detailing them, and with shrewd buying and selling the good overall price is just icing on the cake.

[GMJohnny]

I think they are perfect for your El Camino, GM. It looks great from any angle. You did a great job in detailing them, and with shrewd buying and selling the good overall price is just icing on the cake.

Thanks, Walt! This one’s starting to come together nicely. I’m pretty pleased
so far. Like all of them, it’s far from complete in my mind, but working toward
completion is a bunch of the fun for me!

GM

[GMJohnny]

This post is a little behind the times. This work was done prior to the tornado that knocked Tiresmoke central down for a bit:

The horn wasn’t working on the El Camino since the day I got it. I went after it last weekend. In the chance that the horn relay was bad, I ordered one online for $20. After installing it, of course, the horn still didn’t work. The only thing left to do after the relay install was to pull the steering wheel off. I did and found the guilty party. The plastic stub that holds the spring loaded horn wire in place was broken. No doubt, the hack who put the steering wheel on wasn’t careful and snapped it off while installing it. Because there’s a big, spring loaded ring in the way, that needs to be removed with a special tool, I decided to try to repair the stub. A bit of super glue, 24 hours dry time, a bit of JB Weld, 24 hours dry time, I was in business. My “Weld” job held and after assembly, the horn now works. Another annoyance off of the list!

GM

[GMJohnny]

The guy who assembled the El Camino decided to run the windshield squirter hoses to nowhere. Literally, he had them attached to the little pump on the washer motor and ran them to nowhere. Over the winter, I ordered the squirters that were missing and put them in the “to be installed” box on my workbench. I finally got around to installing them today. I purchased some correct sized ( 5/32” ) squirter line and went to installing them. I needed the internet to tell me where the squirters go ( on the hood with a cowl induction hood) and how to route the lines. It was an easy job, except for the fact that I had to lay on top of the motor to get the lines in place. The whole job took 20 minutes. My guess is that I’ll never put washer fluid in the car and test the squirters, but it makes under hood area look more complete. I’m satisfied with the way they look and now I don’t have to look at hoses running to nowhere under the hood anymore.

GM

[GMJohnny]

This mini-project took about 15 mins to complete, but the outcome was wonderful for my mind. I bought the “Chevrolet” emblem that belongs in the front grill. It drove me crazy that I could see where it was supposed to mount and there was nothing there. I like the way the chrome looks with the black grill. It needed the little extra chrome to break up the black.

GM

[GMJohnny]

When I did the wheel upgrade, I ran two thin washers behind the wheels to make sure I had clearance on the calipers. I didn’t drive this combo very long, it was just a test to make sure I was 100% clear. After I knew I was safe, I ordered .197 inch wheel spacers and picked up some wheel studs that were about a quarter inch longer than stock studs. The spacers and studs were cheap but are a good upgrade in my mind from a safety standpoint. The whole project took me about an hour to complete and if I ever tried a wheel with more clearance, I think I wouldn’t have to remove the longer studs. I kept the old ones just in case.

GM

[GMJohnny]

2,070….So, after repairing the horn, I was left with a steering wheel that was crooked. Apparently, the install crew
felt it was easier to break off the plastic stub and bolt the wheel on wherever looked straight instead of
adjusting the tie rods to make the wheel straight the correct way. I’ve never done this to a car before, but it
was pretty easy to center the wheel. I used this link as an instruction manual:

http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/wp-conte ... 19MY06.doc

Turning the adjustment tube on the tie rods in the same direction and the same amount on the driver and passenger
side will center the wheel without tampering with the toe in/out of the tie rods. My initial adjustment was two complete
turns on each side, but that was an overcompensation. After a test drive, I turned them back a half turn and got the
wheel 100%. This project took about an hour or so and was free…. but nothing is worse than driving a car with a crooked
steering wheel. Another thing off the list.

GM

[wxo]

GM, it looks like your Elco is getting more valuable by the day...https://www.hagerty.com/media/market-tr ... 3eda8f9b4e

[GMJohnny]

GM, it looks like your Elco is getting more valuable by the day...https://www.hagerty.com/media/market-tr ... 3eda8f9b4e

I watch the cars that are for sale and El Caminos are pretty easy - If it needs paint, $10k - $15k.
If the paint’s good - $22k - $26k. Big block helps a ton! The price of Chevelles pulls the El Caminos
prices up, ang the Chevells are real hot now!

GM