Projects 59 El Camino.. Build Pics

(I wanted to be done with this car by now, but I'm seeing how long it takes, doing everything yourself. )


this sounds so fimillar lol just keep up the good work it will pay off in the end <!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

 

The bed is next in line, before I finish the rear qtrs. Plus the inner t/gate panel, also needs some patch repairs. That way, I can get the rest of any grinding I have to do.. out of the way. Plus-Plus, I'm going to copy WOODPECKER's gas door idea! Looking forward to that! Soo KEeeewWUL!

 

I think I'm gonna steal WOODPECKER'S gas door too, it's brilliant.
I'm making slow progress, got sidetracked by the holidays and a damn 2002 Harley Dyna FX I bought for cheap.

 

Trying to get to the finished product, but my favorite guard dog, wasn't comin' off 'em!





Some 16 x 10 ETIII's would be a nice pairing, if they were mine! Dad has a black mini tubbed 55 210, I think they should go on. That's up to him, though!

 

That gas lid door IS brilliant.. I was thinking about an electric window motor to open and close. I'm pretty sure I have on around here, somewhere. Or maybe a cable operated latch of sorts. Should be fun!

 

Looks like it's coming nice, rust work stinks. Keep it up man.

 

Thanks for the kind words. Appreciate it, Henry!

 

Rust is kind of a fact of life with 59-60 El Caminos, they came with that shit pre-installed, but love and stupidity conquers all.

 

Hahaha

If mine didn't have the old oil & grease, in the bed.. I think mine might of been worse. Painting the inner panels should slow down the pre installed, cancer genes.

 

I just got back from having these moldings welded & all of a sudden we're having a 5.4 earthquake, that shook & rolled for longest I've ever experienced in my life. Whew WHo!
Anyways, I felt like I was pushing my luck, after each hole was welded. So I just did the two top holes. No warping, Andy's an artist with the TIG. So apparently, the plan is to 'Run the flags'.



I have a lead on a 348 in Reno, NV. Rental companies, only use their pick ups for local deliveries, no one way services? Bummer.. my Dads truck has a 400sbc & 400TH(no overdrive) with 4.10's. So it would be cheper and faster to fly up & rent a truck to come back. 900 miles, round trip wouldn't be cheap in his 70 pick up!

 

very nice work! I'm looking at picking up a '59 Ranchero that looks like the same exact shape as your El Camino..my grandpa loves these old car/truck's any make/model so the plan is to build it for him and suprise him next year on his b-day

 

Arent you doing one of those too Nads?
I love those and the Wagons too.

 

you can check out Nads progress in his thread 'Severe Bondo Abuse'

 

58-59 Rancheros, are the only ones, I really care for. Thanks & good luck, an I'm pretty sure he's going to have a great birthday w/ a gift like that.

 

When the bed floor, came out.. at first glance, I wasn't seeing what I wanted to see. I set the bed floor out of the way, with the bottomside facing me. I was intimidated in the beginning.. thinking about the countless hours hours..

But I cleaned up, the pick up area.. There was a thin layer of this greasey stuff, that was preserving this thing!



I need to degrease all in there, really good..







Checking out the bedfloors, topside.. Saving the worst for last













Once I started in cutting the first brace, (three of the five are rotted) it proved to be easier than I was anticiapating. Tomorrow will give a better look at my approach, for repairing these height sensitive, braces.

Hemifarris emailed me some progress pics of his 59 Elky, today.. Hot Damn, that thing is so clean! I should post the pics

 

I'm doing mine right now too. I had a buddy of mine make me new hat channels, it was a bitch cutting out all the spot welds. This job is a major PITA.

 

Spot welds are always fun. Today will be interesting, for sure

 

What are you guys using to cut the spot welds? I have that wonderful job in my future too.

 

I'll take pics of what I like to call cheating. I cut the piece to where I can start twisting it, 'til I get to the spot weld. Then I grind off the rest. Otherwise you have to grind, sand or whatever to find the low dimple of the spot welds. Then drill it out w/o going through to the bedfloor. FUN FUN!

 

It took quite a while, to thoroughly clean out that area. And of course it had to prove me wrong, with more cancer.



Then I outline the area with a marker.





If I had worked faster, I wouldn't be sweating like I was today. Better late than never! And the bad times make the good times, that much better



Then I sealed this pig up & I'm waiting for it to dry.. So I can apply chassis saver to it.









So the 17 gauge metal I have, is the perfect height to weld down first. Then I'll place as much of the original on top & weld it to the new 17 gauge. I have other metal that's going to replace the top portion of the 'hat brace'.



I didn't get to work on the bed floor, today. But, here's the general ideal! More later

 

Your two way box looks just like mine.

 

Two way box?

 

Keep plugging away Jay. You'll be 'higher than a Georgia pine' when you finally cruise this Elky.

 

Your two way on the end of your extention cord. lol

 

I can't imagine life without it. It really is handy.

 

Rock on Jay.

I just got re-inspired this weekend. I got the Harley running great, it was just a clogged idle jet, so I got that out of the way and took my 9 year olk kid, Miles for a ride, it's much more comfy than the rigid.
I finished my roof, it was sooooo hot and my arms are tired from sanding the bondo. I'm gonna start on the grille tonight. I ran out of space on my camera so I couldn't take any pics, I will tonight though.
I'm so glad I've got yours and WOODPECKER's builds to keep me company.

 

Likewise my friend..likewise!

First coat's on, after lunch it gets a second & maybe even a turd!





Back to this Effin' thing.. which wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Glad it's made of thick metal.












Then I turned it over, for another episode of 'Weld, Grind & Repeat'...

 

Two hour lunch paid off, today. Came back to a nice shaded area, to work!



I need to weld & grind one more time, no filler to hide the sins in the bedfloor. I was thinking how cool, a thick rubber mat would be, that looked like it was specifically made for it. Like an accessory bed mat, for a new truck.. Yeah, I'm dreaming again!



Cutting the original piece off at a 45 degree angle, in the 90 degree bend, using the 4 1/2" grinder.. it cut this out pretty easily. Easier than I thought.





The one side of the original piece was rotted to shit, but I have some plate steel to take its place. Getting closer & closer!

 

Peeling the metal back with the dykes, rolling it till it gets to the spot weld.
Then grind down the remaining highspot, only.














The last bit of rust, and I've been banging out dents all day. I wish my conscience would tone down a bit, tired of worrying about neighbors.







Last bit of cancer, underneath. Easy fix. My Uncle went and picked up some more, steel mix for me. I got everything ready to be welded on the last bit of it, so I'll be back at it in about an hour

 

Nothin' but detail work, left now.. The remaining dents & mini holes, will be a little easier to deal with.


I'm happy B)