Projects 59 El Camino.. Build Pics

The things we do for these cars, it's unbelievable isn't it?!

 

I didn't know what I was in for today, with these rockers. Took my time, cos' I didn't exactly know what I was in for.



Hands on is the best teacher. I made a template to see where I needed to cut these rooster socks. They don't fit, for shit!



Tomorrow, (it's always tomorrow with me, always!) I will weld these fuckers on. Along with everything else that needs welding. I'm going to have to tack, then hammer & motivate / tack, then hammer & motivate over & over again.. just to get these POS to fit.





This last picture shows how they don't really fit! Okay, now that we've established that, it's gotta get better. It's just gotta! Doesn't it? Oh wait.. there's there whole otherside, too!

 

I think you are doing a great job, being too hard on yourself. Once you get them on there, you'll forget about them. Seriously, how often do you look at your rocker panels(unless they have huge rust holes in them!)?

 

I can't wait to forget about 'em!

 

My rockers came with the car, they were made by Made Rite, I think, they fit perfectly.

 

Mine were made in Canada. I made them work, with a little help from the, anvil & body hammer. The first one, is always the worst. The whole otherside will be a little easier!

 

Hemifarris, that is a beautiful car! Love it, hope to have a 59 elco of my own at some point.

 

I went back to the chrome shop today. My Dads '56 H.T bumpers, need to dechromed. So I removed the rear s/w, took it apart & headed out to drop it off & pick up this 55 piece I had straightened. Then when I get back, he tells me he's going to paint the bumpers.. FUCK! I'd rather have rusty chrome then shiny painted bumpers. I have to talk him out of it!



I had my Dad tack the front of the rocker while I held it right where I wanted it. Soo nice to have an extra set of hands, sometimes.



Then I welded up the back part(by the back of the door) then I welded the top. Then I pulled it down & clamped it with vise grips underneath once it wasn't going anywhere.



This picture shows the adaptor plate welded up. It was fun practicing technique, welding the 11gauge plates together. It's been a while, but I got my balance back!



I welded the new rockers right at the curve. Cos' the metal was cleanest there & I knew it would still be hidden under the sill plates.



Not perfect, but a nice starting point..



This picture shows the wheel opening finished. I made a mistake in judging where to cut, & it ended up a little short. A little pie cut piece from the front replacement panels, gave a little more of itself to finish it off. Found another plate I need to make also. Will show tomorrow!



As it sits now.. waiting 'til tomorrow!

 

I just went back to take another look.. That thing is beautiful!

 

Looking good, your inner rockers are so nice.
Ya gotta talk pops out of painted bumpers, I hate 'em too, I ran 'em back when I was really broke and I look at pics of my car and it really looks like shit..

 

Dude quit whining at least you have something to weld your rockers too.

Seriously, I'm jealous No inner rocker, support and the outer rockers are toast
Both sides look like this on my biscayne from front to back.

 

At least I know what it's suppose to look like inside there now.

 

I appologize for whining.. not even slowing down to eat & I end up grumpy. No more Wahburgers w/ french cries, this way!

 

Or maybe that new chrome paint.. Black base with that over it. $200 a pint is cheaper than chrome. I'm trying to be positive, cos' I hate painted bumpers, too!

 

I check out this thread daily to keep myself motivated on my own project so keep it up.

 

During my life & In person, I have influenced & tried to motivate as many people I could. But not to any real finished results. Almost as if, if I don't build it for 'em, it will never get done.(An it doesn't) But here on the HAMB, it seems as though this is a network of computer literate "Do'ers" So I think it's the coolest shit, to be able indirectly help put some more Americana on the streets!

 

First thing this morning, Dad gave me a hand with the dent puller. Once pulled in the right places, the rest just went right where I wanted it to.



Each side has it's own set of problems.. but mostly the same



All that was in the rockers.. it's oily dirt - so I think it preserved the inner rockers metal. Only thing I can think of ?!





Took this when I was waiting for my food from El Burrito, today.



My C4B came today.. goin' on the 327! Now I just have to rebuild an old Carter aluminum 4bbl. We should have something around here. I have one 2.5" collector ram horn. So I might buy one of the 'Chinese Steel' Speedway pieces for 60 bucks. Then run 2.25" tubing with 24" long 'quiet' mufflers.

 

Thought I would share this picture.. Someone installed Impala mldgs on this El Camino, rather than the original Bel Air 'Style'. I am going to do the same, since I don't have time to wait around for another Elco/2dr WGN mldg to rear its ugly, expensive head.

 

I got back on the car today. I didn't do much yesterday, but I did go through my boxes of goodies, to see what I chould come up with parts wise for the carburetor spacer & hardware. I have two 650 Holley Double Pumpers, I forgot about. (funny how these gas prices will do that, but I swear by those things) Flash taught me everything I know I know about 'em. Anyways, I cut off the inner support after I made my paper patterns.

It was a little easier & a lot faster on this side, since I knew what was coming around the bend!



I found some thin 4.5" grinding discs, so now I don't have to use the air compressor so much. NICE! I always feel guilty using the hell outta the air compressor..



I got the front part done, then I started on the rest of the support..





I cut the support back farther, instead welding it back to the door jamb (more work, for nothing) This way I know I'm welding it back in exactly where it was, originally!




More of the same..



My first instinct says I need the square bore phenolic 1" spacer.. This one seems like it would cause puddling when it hits the manifold. Anybody out there, have any input?






New 600cfm Edelbrock that was layinng around..

 

I love the 59's. Glad to see you bringing one back to life.

 

The fuel doesn't puddle on the plenum floor so it wouldn't there either. Why do you want to run it?

 

I love 'em, too.. I look forward to getting this one, back together!

 

Thought it might be worth a few more horses. This is already a high rise manifold, is that why you're questioning using it?

 

Spacer's do generally give you a few more ponie's.......as well as insulate the carb from heat. Jay, this is a great thread.

 

Thanks, I enjoy keeping this thread up. I have other threads I lookforward to starting as I work on my other projects. An, I am going to pick up a square bore spacer. It seems like it would be a lot of unnecessary turbulence. An I would rather keep the charge condensed, as much as I can. I'm sure there's those who might think I'm reading into this too much. But every little bit helps

 

I finished fitting the inner support, where I made the new pieces. Then ground down the welds to clear the sheetmetal, after I welded it in. Solid as hell now!



Besides the back-right edge, I have the pnl cut to shape. I love these, thin 4.5" cutting wheels. Faster & easier than using the air die grinder. Right tool for the right job, though. Glad to have both!

 

I melted the old lead out of the lower part, of the upper quarter. Someone knew how to do lead work, but not straighten the metal? Amazing..



So I straightened things out with the slap file, after pop gave me a few helpful pointers.



I will finish this up in the morning.. should be fun!

 

I need to make another Oxy/Acetlyn soldering tip, tomorrow. The one I have, fit our previous Victor set up. I need to remove the lead, it's old & cracking.



I keep rewriting this sentence, cos I have so many things to do.

 

I had to cut a slice, the thickness of the grinding disc, in the corner of the jamb. So I could move that area in, to match the doors lower contour.



Still needs a little more time in it..



It fits a lot better, I should be able to gap everything a little easier, now.



I cut down the No.2 tip, to match the old piece, lower left in the picture.



That simple..



Open the Acetlene bottle, set the regulator to 7lbs. & crack open the fuel knob.. strike up a spark & you're melting with gas! The holes in the base of the outer tube(you can see one on the top) pulls in all the oxygen needed. I just ordered an electric spot welder/dent puller & more tinning butter. I've been putting off the purchase, but free shipping is always nice!

 

Removed the old lead, & wasn't too surprised, by what I found. More work, of course! No surprise there!





It's gettin' real ugly, way before it's gonna get any better..