el_73_camino

This is my 73 El Caimino build. It started out as a small block 350 chevy rebuild. But, after discovering ls1tech, I decided to go with a more modern and flixible powerplant. Ive been reading ls1tech for months now and have learned a lot but, still I know i will need some help along the way.

My first couple of posts will be the car as of when I got it last year. All subsequent photos will be of progress since.

Please feel free to comment, critique, or offer suggestions at any time.

el_73_camino

Here it as of the day we got it.



good ol' 350 small block



wasn't the best looking interior in the world, front floor boards were nearly rusted out.



A little rust here and there but nothing too major to hurt function of the car, other than the bed..

el_73_camino

Some more interior shots, give you an idea of how bad it was.





The dash though was suprisingly clean, seems like that was the only thing the previous owner cared about

el_73_camino

So the car ran pretty well for the first few months, then while fixing a timing jump issue, I snapped the head off the crank bolt. being that it was the original bolt, it was bound to happen, but, didn't even think about that.

While taking apart the engine, discovered this disappointing mess..





Gotta love those careless owners. On the upside, found this out before it was too late, and decided to replace it. Originally with a bored 78 corvette engine, now with an LS after finding out just how good that engine is. And how much cheaper it will be of coarse.



Here's some pics of the 78 block, Cylinders bored from 030 to 040 over.



New pistons from Summit



All new parts for it seen here



Will be trying to sell it soon to save up for an LS.

el_73_camino

My dad and I redid the interior a few weekends later while waiting for new engine parts to show up. Massive improvement from what it was.

List of what we did:
- New black carpet
- Patched the rust spots in floor board with pop riveted sheet metal
- New steering wheel
- Painted panels black and grey, to match the eventual theme of the car
- New dash cover
- Gauge cluster from Summit
- New seats from Summit
- Built console
- Covered top door panels with the highest grade black leather we could get from Handcock Fabrics. Also covered console with it
- Built a speaker box, covered with grey leather, mounted behind seats
- Tac mounted on console
- Converted column shift to a ratchet shifter from summit

el_73_camino

I later took the trim off because my dad and I felt it would look better. Found a bunch of rust under all the trim and I began putting in my 1000 man hours to sand it all down. Decided to eventually paint it some kind of quick silver with black SS stripes.



Example of the sanded down rust spots found all over the body



Original color began to show



Took off all the paint on the hood because of how badly applied it was





The driver side front fender sanded down was pretty beat up, spend a few days getting it to look the best I could. Not perfect but, turned out pretty nice





Once most of the body work was ready, we began to spray on the primer





And pretty much this is the car as of right now

LS Quest

Thought I would take a minute and chime in here. This is my son's thread and just wanted to introduce myself and add a comment.

We snatched this car from a used car dealer who was going to take the car to the crusher the day we picked it up. Although not everyone would agree, we felt this was a very good starting point for a car, 'er truck, 'er car, and some performance modifications. The list of future mods and what he plans on doing with the car I will leave for him to explain.

On!!!

el_73_camino

Well it has been while, but I have a lot of updates, so hang on... Here we go!

el_73_camino

This is why I haven't posted in a while, been waiting on this little thing. A 5.3 out of a 2001 Yukon.





Also got the harness and ECM with it. $750 all together. Not bad.

el_73_camino

For those that have not experienced it, doing an engine swap and a paint job at the same time is no easy feat



Looking back at this picture, it's hard to believe it looked like that not too long ago.

el_73_camino

More body work...

You can see in the upper right, that I decided to go with/keep the TH350 for a couple of reasons; A: This one is in great condition. B: I just put a shift kit in shortly before the SBC craped out.

el_73_camino

Oh yeah!!! Now we're talking! Test fitting before fabricating motor mount plates. Cleaned up the firewall by removing just about everything (wiper motor, brake booster, heater/AC box, etc.). No modifications necessary to the truck oil pan, cross-member or transmission mount.

el_73_camino

Here is a shot in the middle of welding in the motor mount plates. These plates helped set the engine up 1/4" on both side to clear the steering linkage, the cross member, and a better driveshaft angle.



Passanger side:


Driver Side:

el_73_camino

Homemade tools. This is how to overcome cheap harbor freight tap handles.

el_73_camino

Engine bolted down... the first time. I will be in and out a few more times before it's all over.

el_73_camino

Looking like it belongs in there. Also, firewall cleaned up and primed at this point. We will be doing an AC deleted also. That square hole will be capped of later on.

el_73_camino

Front brakes before complete rebuild:




Front brakes after complete rebuild:



I used VHT Black Wrinkle rattle can paint. looks good. Not sure yet if it will hold up to the temperatures.

el_73_camino

Here is a picture after new shocks were installed to get an idea of the ride height. I went with air shocks on the back to help adjust for heavier loads if necessary.




And with my Dad and Brother standing on the front to compensate for absent body panels.

el_73_camino

Prepping for Etch primer. Fender liners will get body color as well.



Fuel door delete. (rare option)

el_73_camino

Etch primer on. Front and Rear Bumper are getting the Hot Rod Black treatment along with the Grille and what little trim remains.