Bonez305
11-07-2023, 04:00 PM
Hello,
My name is Peter. My son Peter Jr and I are building a Leukemia Themed (Colors) Inspired Pro Touring style 1983 El Camino build. The project came as an idea of him learning a bit of mechanics while also paying a tribute to his fight against Cancer and putting him Leukemia into remission. My son is currently in his second year at FIU studying Mechanical Engineering and unfortunately I'm in prison awaiting an appeal for a Self Defense gone wrong. Welcome to the state of Florida. Anyways I had to write this down and give someone my password for them to tell my story and post periodic pictures of the build. And our struggle as I teach my son mechanics while incarcerated. Now on to the build.
So the 1983 El Camino was purchased from a friend of mine who always seems to be in the loop with old drag cars. We paid $1500 expecting regular dings and dents and a bit of rust but not what we found after. So I felt like we got "got", but the damage was already done by the time I found out about the rear floor pans because rusted like they were. Moving forward, we found a 2005 LQ9 through a "reputable source" saying that it would run as we only wanted to rebuild the engine and slap it in with a stock 4L60E. That turned out to be bull**** as well. So here we are at the machine shop with rust in the cylinder walls and 3 spun bearings. So the machine shop sold us a replacement Block, and a replacement Crank cut 0.010 under. Had him install Stock Pistons bored 0.020 over. Decided if we are going to rebuild this thing might as well and some power. So we went with a Brian Tooley Racing Stage 3 N/A Cam. We also purchased everything that was needed with the Cam. 7.4" Pushrods, 0.660 valvesprings, Morel 7717 Lifters, New Lifter Trays, bolts etc.
Short block is now assembled and long block will be built in a few weeks depending on Peter's school schedule.
We did end up getting Sponsored by Featherlite Composites for one of their Fiberglass Front bumpers with 6inch Valance. Great looking product by the way.
Plans are:
White Paint, Black trim, orange accents and Orange cancer ribbons.
Fiberglass bumper, rear metal rollpan.
6.0 LS
4L60E transmission
Brake upgrade
Minor Suspension Upgrade
18 or 20in wheels
So let's bring in the pictures.
210422210423210430210431
My name is Peter. My son Peter Jr and I are building a Leukemia Themed (Colors) Inspired Pro Touring style 1983 El Camino build. The project came as an idea of him learning a bit of mechanics while also paying a tribute to his fight against Cancer and putting him Leukemia into remission. My son is currently in his second year at FIU studying Mechanical Engineering and unfortunately I'm in prison awaiting an appeal for a Self Defense gone wrong. Welcome to the state of Florida. Anyways I had to write this down and give someone my password for them to tell my story and post periodic pictures of the build. And our struggle as I teach my son mechanics while incarcerated. Now on to the build.
So the 1983 El Camino was purchased from a friend of mine who always seems to be in the loop with old drag cars. We paid $1500 expecting regular dings and dents and a bit of rust but not what we found after. So I felt like we got "got", but the damage was already done by the time I found out about the rear floor pans because rusted like they were. Moving forward, we found a 2005 LQ9 through a "reputable source" saying that it would run as we only wanted to rebuild the engine and slap it in with a stock 4L60E. That turned out to be bull**** as well. So here we are at the machine shop with rust in the cylinder walls and 3 spun bearings. So the machine shop sold us a replacement Block, and a replacement Crank cut 0.010 under. Had him install Stock Pistons bored 0.020 over. Decided if we are going to rebuild this thing might as well and some power. So we went with a Brian Tooley Racing Stage 3 N/A Cam. We also purchased everything that was needed with the Cam. 7.4" Pushrods, 0.660 valvesprings, Morel 7717 Lifters, New Lifter Trays, bolts etc.
Short block is now assembled and long block will be built in a few weeks depending on Peter's school schedule.
We did end up getting Sponsored by Featherlite Composites for one of their Fiberglass Front bumpers with 6inch Valance. Great looking product by the way.
Plans are:
White Paint, Black trim, orange accents and Orange cancer ribbons.
Fiberglass bumper, rear metal rollpan.
6.0 LS
4L60E transmission
Brake upgrade
Minor Suspension Upgrade
18 or 20in wheels
So let's bring in the pictures.
210422210423210430210431