72 El Camino Project

[Danny72]

Hey everyone! This is my 72 El Camino that my dad got as my first car last year for $2500. The car sat for almost 20 years by the time we got it and it didn't run. It had a tired original 350 and factory 4 speed. everything was original. Funny part is the only engine problem was the distributor was in the wrong firing order lol. The shifter was stuck and wouldn't move so we took it out and wire brushed it clean and it works great now. I drove it for a while with a clutch that slipped like crazy. Some of the valves had been knocking for a while and it finally gave up on the way to school. My plan is to upgrade it as I go. Still haven't found a name for the project. I'm open to suggestions! Also I'm only 17 and still new to the world of autocross and would really appreciate some guidance so I can really get into racing. Any advice as far as clubs for SCCA I can join and events going on I can compete in would be great. I really love autocross and road racing and would love to get more involved. I will post more pictures of what we've done but some will come slowly because we're not building it all at once.

Engine/Transmission:
350 rebuilt to stock but bored out a little bigger
Edelbrock 2101 Performer Intake Manifold we got from junkyard
650 cfm Edelbrock Carburetor
MSD Distributor
Edelbrock fuel pump
Headers we picked up from Goodguys show. Don't know what brand.
Powermasters Alternator

Suspension:
BMR 1" front lowering springs
KYB shocks (front only)
Everything else is stock suspension

Supposed to get DSE front speed kit 1 and rear speed kit 2 tomorrow so that will be going on.







Didn't really do much work just tune up.


Once it broke down we decided to pull it. I think it was orange once before lol.








Next was the transmission.



Before



And After. Not rebuilt just cleaned and painted.



We decided to paint the engine compartment while the motor was being rebuilt. Garage paint booth lol.



Fresh motors are a thing of beauty.



Edelbrock 2101 performer intake, form a junkyard.





Mom even helped with putting the motor back in.



For a couple seconds anyways.




All hooked up and ready to go.

[ONDSKAN]

Looks like a great project! as far as autocross goes....make that beast as light as you can...get some great suspension...and have fun..... I think you should name it project Young BUCK

[HELLCAMINO]

I Autocross a 72 Elco........ask away!

[Danny72]

Looks like a great project! as far as autocross goes....make that beast as light as you can...get some great suspension...and have fun..... I think you should name it project Young BUCK

Thanks! Im having tons of fun! The back is pretty light so we moved the spare tire right behind the driver compartment to get it a tad more balanced. I'm "supposed" to get DSE speed kits 1 in the front and 2 in the back. I was thinking of naming it project young gun. Young buck sounds a lot better lol. Do you know how to change the title of a thread?

[Danny72]

I Autocross a 72 Elco........ask away!

Yeah I've seen this car on here a couple of times. It looks really cool!! What kind of suspension do you have? Also what kind/size wheels are they? They are boss 338 right.

[trans am kid 17]

Looking good!!!! Sounds about how my project started. Dad bought it for me and gave me a head start and POOF autocross came to mind. Lol! Im going to be running DSE suspension on my Trans Am also. Cant wait to c pics of it out on the track!

[Danny72]

Yeah I have a bunch of pictures I'm going to post up today if I have time. Goodguys is this weekend so we are probably going to get the front all replaced but in the back we might only have time for springs, shocks, and maybe sway bar. I have to take it to school to get it aligned in my auto tech class.

[trans am kid 17]

That sounds good. There arent many events around here for me to attend and my car is still in pieces lol i wish i had an auto tech class to work on my car

[Danny72]

I know how it feels. There are a few events over here in the Bay Area but sometimes I get too confused with all the clubs and classes. That's part of why I made this thread so I can get involved more. Having the class with lifts and alignment rack really helps.

[trans am kid 17]

Yea i need to get more involved in the classes and clubs also so i can get into some races. And i bet those classes help the best things i have here are my garage with all my tools and a body shop i used to work for helps with paint and patch panels and the rest i do myself lol

[Danny72]

The class helps when I really need a lift but other times my dad and I do all the work in the driveway lol.

[Danny72]

So today was pretty disappointing. I went to Matt's Classic Bowties and picked up the DSE suspension and I took it home and after I took of the rear shocks my dad started to open up the boxes and we couldn't find the rear control arms or the rear shocks. I hope they just forgot to give me the boxes and they're still there so I can pick then up tomorrow. We have everything else but that.

[HELLCAMINO]

Hey Danny, I am using UMI components for suspension. I have there tubular upper A arms with tall ball joints, stock lowers that I modified for strength. Rears are tubular also with air assist coil bags (cuz I still haul stuff once in awhile). UMI frame braces, springs are Eibach's with Monroe gas shocks (<my next upgrade). Front sway is 1 1/4", rear is 1". I went with a junk yard Jeep GC steering box and yes they are Boss 338's with Nitto rubber. Got a mild 350 .040 over with forged flats, stock heads, RPM air gap, solid cam, 650 Holley, MSD dizzy, 6A box. Trans is 700R4 with lock up converter and soon to be 3:73's out back.The truck does very well for what is done on my budget. This is no high dollar ride by any means

[Danny72]

That's really cool! I want to build the motor a little more but I have to save money for a posi because when I turn left hard it bogs down and jumps around. I keep checking pick n pull for el caminos, Chevelles, monte carlos, etc. anything that might have a posi and a 12 bolt so it will fit my rearend. What size wheels and tires do you run? I really want 338's but I'm not sure if 20's are too big.

[HELLCAMINO]

I wouldn't go 20's in my opinion, 18's are just perfect for it. I have 8's front and 9.5's rear. Front tires are 245/40's rears are 275/40's. I know that 285/35's will fit also, but very tight.

[UMI Performance]

I wouldn't go 20's in my opinion, 18's are just perfect for it. I have 8's front and 9.5's rear. Front tires are 245/40's rears are 275/40's. I know that 285/35's will fit also, but very tight.

Are you running a 4.5" BS in the front and 5" in the back?

[HELLCAMINO]

Hey Ryan, The fronts are 4.5, the rears are like 5.013 (needs 5.5 to be safe) I have rubbed the outer lips a bit when auto crossing and forgot to add some air to the coil bags. That's the problem with Boss wheels, no other bs for that size rim.

[UMI Performance]

Hey Ryan, The fronts are 4.5, the rears are like 5.013 (needs 5.5 to be safe) I have rubbed the outer lips a bit when auto crossing and forgot to add some air to the coil bags. That's the problem with Boss wheels, no other bs for that size rim.

Ah, okay. Those must be the Boss 338 wheels then with that back spacing. Are you running disc or drums in the rear?

[Danny72]

I wouldn't go 20's in my opinion, 18's are just perfect for it. I have 8's front and 9.5's rear. Front tires are 245/40's rears are 275/40's. I know that 285/35's will fit also, but very tight.

Yeah 18's are what I was thinking. I tried to avoid 20's as much as possible. It's probably going to be a while before I get them but its good to know. Thanks!

[HELLCAMINO]

I have 4 wheel disc, LS1 set up.