72 El Camino Project

[Danny72]

I decided today that even if the parts come in I won't have time to put them all on and I'm not missing the autocross at goodguys this weekend so I put the old air shocks back on. Any body know what pressure is better for autocross with factory air shocks? High or low? And what tire pressure?

[Danny72]

DSE didn't finish the swivel links for the rear control arms so they will send them to me when they're done. Rear shocks are on the way. MCB has the best customer service! I'm really excited to get all the parts in and put them on. I'll post pictures of all the parts when they're all here.

Here are the old air shocks i pulled out and had to put back in.


DSE chassis braces.


Koni front shocks

[Danny72]

Here's my car at the Goodguys last june. It was my first time having my car in any show let alone doing autocross. I had a lot of fun!

[Danny72]

These pictures are from Goodguys in November 2012. Only my second time autocrossing.

[Danny72]

How the front suspension is for now.




We also changed front to disc brakes.


Another picture of the motor.

[Danny72]

We found a leak in the front right quarter and behind the driver seat so we took the interior apart and plugged it. We also took advantage of having the interior out to put down sound deadening material all over the floor. A major problem that came up was that my windshield wipers wouldn't work and it was rainy season. It was frustrating my dad and I for so long that we couldn't find the problem. We replace the motor, switch, and almost got a new harness. Turns out part of the ground wire was bad so we found a ground wire and replaced it and it works better than ever now. Such a small thing caused so much headache.



We found a cowl hood at a junkyard a while back and took it. $75 vs. $250 you bet I'm taking it lol. Sanded some of the surface rust and big paint chips and primered it. I drive with it on now.




The first time I drove it after fixing the leak, a clip on the u-joint on the back of the driveshaft comes of on the freeway on the way to my soccer game. I have the best Dad ever. He dropped what he was doing to come give me his truck so I can go to my game and had my car fixed by the time I got home.

[HELLCAMINO]

It makes me smile everytime I see your progress, because I was you 24 years ago with my 71 Chevelle. My son is 13 this year and I have a feeling when he is 17 and responsible enough, he will be auto crossing my Elco instead of me.....LOL.

[Danny72]

LOL that's awesome. I'm just glad I get to do what I love with my dad. I learn a lot from him. When I got the car he told me "just do what you feel you want to do with your car and ill help you in any way I can." My dad sometimes talks about if I ever want to sell my car but I stop him and tell him I'm never going to sell it. It will be my first and last car I will ever have. Hopefully your son will get the same enjoyment you seem to with it.

[HELLCAMINO]

I had an accident last June in my Elco that I got back together within a month, only to blow 2nd gear out of the trans on my way home from work 3 days after I put the new hood on. Here are a few pics of what it looks like for now and my son trying to lift motor.

[Danny72]

I had an accident last June in my Elco that I got back together within a month, only to blow 2nd gear out of the trans on my way home from work 3 days after I put the new hood on. Here are a few pics of what it looks like for now and my son trying to lift motor.

Wow. Hope the cars all good now. That stinger hood looks beastly and so do the sheet metal valve covers. Seems like your son is really excited to work on it. Exactly how I was lol.

[Danny72]

I'm super excited for autocross tomorrow at Goodguys. Anybody else on here autocrossing tomorrow? I'd like some tips or advice.

[RaiderLSX]

Good job on that last run today! I guess the girl made you drive a little harder to get your today's best time?

[dug]

Danny,

I saw you at the autocross today and found this thread afterwards. You looked pretty good out there and it looks like a lot of fun. Keep at it

[ent72olds]

Great looking ride there Young Buck! Califonia is a hotbed for finding clean old iron on the cheap. Out here near NYC, that truck would have been double your price....it's nice to see some of the younger generation getting involved in the hobby! Keep up the progress!

[Danny72]

Good job on that last run today! I guess the girl made you drive a little harder to get your today's best time?

Thanks! She was my best friends girlfriend lol. But if she gets me a better time she's always coming with me lol.

[Danny72]

Danny,

I saw you at the autocross today and found this thread afterwards. You looked pretty good out there and it looks like a lot of fun. Keep at it

Thanks! I really appreciate it. I'm having tons of fun.

[Danny72]

Great looking ride there Young Buck! Califonia is a hotbed for finding clean old iron on the cheap. Out here near NYC, that truck would have been double your price....it's nice to see some of the younger generation getting involved in the hobby! Keep up the progress!

Thanks a lot! We got lucky I ding this car. My dad was just about to buy a 57 chevy as a project for us but he didnt decide in time and the guy sold it. Guess it wasn't meant to be. Ill definitely keep autocrossing for as long as I can drive.

[HELLCAMINO]

Wait till you ditch those 15 rallys for some 18's with some wide treads and upgraded suspension and you will be amazed at how much better you will do auto crossing.

[Danny72]

Wait till you ditch those 15 rallys for some 18's with some wide treads and upgraded suspension and you will be amazed at how much better you will do auto crossing.

Yeah I can't wait until I get all the suspension parts in. I'm too excited! Everybody I talked to this weekend told me I'll feel the great difference when I get the parts on. Wheels will have to wait a while though. My dads a real original kinda guy. I'm thinking BOSS 338 18X9.5 rear and 18X8.5 front. Unsure what tire profile to go with though. Ill be ready to go by June Goodguys for sure. Maybe do a little solo in between.

[Danny72]

Sorry I haven't posted in a couple days but I'm still waiting for the parts to come in from DSE. I figured that I'd open this up to anyone one who has any questions at all about the car or even me. Once the parts come in I'll be sure to post up pictures and updates.