Modellpularn Posted September 26, 2011 Posted September 26, 2011 (edited) Not sure if I ever did a thread about this earlier. Hmmm, the absentminded professor strikes again..... I have a '72 El Camino, red with black stripes, SS hood, 350/350, old "Americans" with straight spokes. Anyway, I thought it was about time to do something with the engine. Since I was in California in February, and attended the NNL West, I also bought a bunch of stuff for the engine. It used to look like this for many years: A few years ago, I got a ticking lifter. So while that was taken care of, I did some minor overhaulin, and it looked like this up until now, or Easter: My son was visiting me for Easter, so I had him help out. He took the pic as the dirty engine comes out Ok, fastforward a couple of months. I bought aluminum heads, as part ot of the Edelbrock top end kit, and an aluminum water pump A few days later it looked like this: I want it to be more "stock" looking.... Edited September 26, 2011 by Modellpularn
Modellpularn Posted September 26, 2011 Author Posted September 26, 2011 (edited) It's back into the car, with most of the hoses and other stuff attached in this pic. I have some minor adjustments to do before I'll try to fire it. Cross your fingers......... I have added a longer hose between the front float bowl, and the T connection. It looks better now. Maybe it was me, but it had a strange turn to it.... The tranny was leaking, so I bought a new pan from Summit. This was done three years ago. The seat is from a 74-75 Chevelle, and was able to get this combo done for me: maroon velour/black naugahyde. From a company on the East coast. Edited September 26, 2011 by Modellpularn
Modellpularn Posted September 26, 2011 Author Posted September 26, 2011 Looks great so far Hans!!! Thanks Jeff! It feels good to get feedback from a fellow Chevy guy. Well, I was down to the garage, made a new ground wire, and tightened the power steering belt. I figured it was ready to fire. So I gave it a shot of fuel. But it backfired, and flames came from the carb. Hmmm, something's not right here....Maybe I got the distributor a half turn off? So I switched the wires around, putting #1 at #6. Now I got it to fire a little bit, but not all the way. Then my buddy came by, and we tried to figure out what was wrong. He left, and I tinkered some more. Finally I removed the distributor, and turned it back where it should be, plus one notch at the cam gear. I thought:"this has to be right" Plugged the wires back in their right places, and got inside. Turned the key, and it roared into life right away!!
W-409 Posted September 27, 2011 Posted September 27, 2011 Can we see this one at Power Meet? Some year needs to get there... That engine looks good after a bit of work.
Wayne Buck Posted September 27, 2011 Posted September 27, 2011 Really nice looking!! I've always LOVED those LT1 valve covers! I know it drives some people crazy when you paint aluminum heads, but I think it looks great! I bet she woke up quite a bit too, huh? I knew someone about 12-13 years ago (when I used to go to the "2:00am street races"), that had a '71 Chevelle and built a WICKED looking aluminum headed big block for it. Like 800hp+ naturally aspirated... One day my friend and I went to his house to see his new motor in the car and he had the whole darn thing painted Black, and I mean THE WHOLE THING, from intake to oil pan. Even had his new ceramic coated headers painted black! Anyway, to make a long story short - It was really dark at the spot where we used to race and some people raced for some big bucks. You could hardly see a thing under his hood, and he won a LOT of money that summer! LOL! Of course, eventually, everyone found out what the car really had.
Modellpularn Posted September 27, 2011 Author Posted September 27, 2011 Cool story Wayne! It's funny you said that about the valve covers. When I decided to change them, these were my only choice! I was going to adjust the rockers today/nite, but thought it was better to quit early. Last night I almost collapsed, when I came into my apartment..... Too much exhaust fumes inside the garage, it was like we say "The Lutzen fog" from an old historic battleground. You guys probably say something similar, but I can't figure out what it is......
Modellpularn Posted October 6, 2011 Author Posted October 6, 2011 Excellent! Wonderful transformation. Thanks Virgil! I'm quite pleased myself. Now I have to retorque the heads, just to be sure. And Edelbrock recommends you do it. But that means I have to remove the headers....to get to all the bolts. Ooh well.... More work! Never ending story. And then I have to go to the inspection place with the car. If they think it's safe and ok, I can relax and do some tinkering during the winter. The SS/Monte Carlo dash swap is next up.
Modellpularn Posted December 21, 2011 Author Posted December 21, 2011 Small update: I've had it out for a short test drive, and you feel there's more power now. I might need to do a final valve train adjustment, to get it perfect. The vehicle inspection is put on hold until the spring. We got snow Saturday, so now it's not the best conditions..... But some days it can be cold and dry roads. I'll probably have to pull the tranny, guess the seal around the converter shaft is leaking.... I know, I should have taken it out while the engine was out. I thought about it too.... Maybe it was a bit intense for a while. Oh well, I'll have the winter to fix it and do the SS dash swap. Have a new grille, buy a new front bumper, new carpet....
Modlbldr Posted December 29, 2011 Posted December 29, 2011 Nice work on the engine, Hans. Got any photos of the whole car? Later-
Modellpularn Posted January 14, 2012 Author Posted January 14, 2012 (edited) Nice work on the engine, Hans. Got any photos of the whole car? Later- I sure do, here it is: If you click the photobucket link, you can find more pics. Edited January 14, 2012 by Modellpularn
Keef Posted January 14, 2012 Posted January 14, 2012 beautiful Elky sir, cant wait to see the finished pics
Erik Smith Posted January 14, 2012 Posted January 14, 2012 That is a nice El Camino, Hans. Are there many of them driving around in Sweden?
Modellpularn Posted January 15, 2012 Author Posted January 15, 2012 That is a nice El Camino, Hans. Are there many of them driving around in Sweden? Well Erik, there used to be a lot, 'cus in the 70's many people imported Elkys from the US. Import duties were much lower on pickup trucks. Nowadays you don't see as many. This is my second El Camino, I've had it for almost 11 years. The first one was a '70 SS454, and I should have kept it.....
LURCH426 Posted February 19, 2012 Posted February 19, 2012 Nice ride.And great to see it.Love the 70-72 El Caminos.
ridedoc100 Posted February 23, 2012 Posted February 23, 2012 I also have a ElCamino. 1971 SS 402 I will have to dig out a pic of the car.Your's looks great!
Modellpularn Posted March 12, 2012 Author Posted March 12, 2012 (edited) Here's a pic a friend took, and tricked...... And another one, in gold......! This one's not tricked, but it's a cool shot! Edited March 12, 2012 by Modellpularn
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