Jon H goes to Texas, and the best I can do is send my truck to Burnsville.
Kevin,
That looks like the white sand outside my window!
dashboard said
Jan 20, 2012
SShink wrote:
Kevin, is Gulf Green the original Elky color you are going with?
Yes 1972 GM paint code 43, without hood stripes (for now) and no v-top.
Thanks Mike this is a great site.
-- Edited by dashboard on Friday 20th of January 2012 12:37:24 PM
SShink said
Jan 20, 2012
Kevin, if the blue elky is still there the next time you go back, jot down the paint code if you wouldn't mind. I don't know if that's the original color, but it looks REALLY close to mine (which I have no idea what the paint code is since mine was originally Mojave Gold according to the trim/paint tag.) Thanks.
67ss said
Jan 20, 2012
SShink wrote:
Kevin, if the blue elky is still there the next time you go back, jot down the paint code if you wouldn't mind. I don't know if that's the original color, but it looks REALLY close to mine (which I have no idea what the paint code is since mine was originally Mojave Gold according to the trim/paint tag.) Thanks.
Stan check out this web site. it is really cool for checking colors and paint codes.
Kevin, if the blue elky is still there the next time you go back, jot down the paint code if you wouldn't mind. I don't know if that's the original color, but it looks REALLY close to mine (which I have no idea what the paint code is since mine was originally Mojave Gold according to the trim/paint tag.) Thanks.
Stan check out this web site. it is really cool for checking colors and paint codes.
Mike, that's great! I think mine is Ascot Blue now that I see that pic.
Kevin, is Gulf Green the original Elky color you are going with?
Tim H said
Jan 22, 2012
Kevin maybe John can add another Cars Apart Club Countdown clock to the site? It will give you (and the rest of us) a target.
dashboard said
Jan 26, 2012
Things are moving along nicely at Maaco; most of the body work is going to involve the bed area. Matt’s doing the body work and Matt is very meticulous, plus he loves classic cars; he also has a 69 Chevelle cream puff.
Today I worked on rebuilding the vent windows; I now understand why GM engineered them out of their cars; they are a real challenge. I may need to go to confession when I’m done.
Kevin. Did you see the two W vin El Caminos I posted in the classifieds?
dashboard said
Jan 26, 2012
Yes I did Chris.
dashboard said
Jan 26, 2012
Anyone know of a local source for door rubber looms to route wires through? I’d like to drill the holes and install them when the doors are reinstalled after painting.
maybe try Metro Moulded Parts? Probably a long shot, but you never know....
Lost in the 60s said
Jan 26, 2012
So, you decided to tackle this on your own, eh ?? It rteally isn't that difficult but does take some time and patience. Do you need to replace the glass run channel felt too ? Mine was gone to the rubber base. I soaked what was left in thinner and scraped the residuw out. Once clean, I sprayed the new felt and channel with 3M profession contact glue and wedged it in. I shaped it by pressing the glass into the felt until it was set. Turned out good...
dashboard said
Jan 27, 2012
Looked into a one-piece window, the price was way beyond my pocket book but it would have been cool.
Started when I decided to polish and buff the vent window chrome on my wheel buffer then, I got board and thought I’d give the seals a try; you’re certainly correct, time and lots of patience required. I have installed the rubber seal in the first vent frame but I’m not pleased with the fit; the window does not seat as well as I think it should. I’m not sure if the regulator once installed will hold the window tightly closed. I’d hate to go through all this and still have wind noise. Still waiting on the window channel felt.
I was such a nice day I took Angie on a day out date, we went to U-Pull in Rosemount and looked for wire boots for the doors. Pulled a set out of Astro van but they may be too big. Interesting place, we where some of the very few there that spoke English.
Stopped by Maaco today to drop off parts and once again I’m impressed with how meticulous Matt is; he removed the rear window to achieve a better detail around it. I’m also surprised with the amount of small dings and dents he has identified and filled.
I keep finding more and more parts I need; I think credit cards rank right up there with some of the best things ever invented by man. When they are maxed out, you only need to call and ask them to raise the limit. How cool is that?
try -----National Chevy Association (651) 778-9522 947 Arcade St, St Paul, MN 55106 Get directions
they have more than there stated years of 49 - 54 call and ask
John D said
Jan 27, 2012
Kevin The boots I used for my doors came out of a U-Pullit wreck as well. The hardest task was finding a set where you could use a standard size holesaw or electrical punch. You may have an advantage as the doors are off the car. You could use an undersize saw/punch and merely file the opening to what you need. You could even use oval shaped boots.
Lost in the 60s said
Jan 27, 2012
Did you get Metro seals ? Mine didn't look exactly like the old ones either but then they hadn't been mashed by the glass for 40 plus years either. My vent has a lever lock and once I latched that, the glass sealed very nicely.
Chris R said
Jan 27, 2012
It might be possible the Corvette has the same part in which Larry may have them in stock.
dashboard said
Jan 27, 2012
This is moving along quicker than I expected, the Elky should receive its first coat of primer this afternoon. Followed by block sanding then another coat of primer next week then more block sanding, then a coat of sealer, followed by even more sanding, then first shot of paint maybe as early as late next week.
Are you going to clean up and paint the engine bay or is the shop going to do that or leave it as is?
John D said
Jan 28, 2012
"It was such a nice day I took Angie on a day out date, we went to U-Pull in Rosemount"
You've got a helluva gal there... maybe the lunch afterwards made up for the "ambiance" of the wrecking yard?
dashboard said
Jan 28, 2012
That was a discussion item today with Jeff, I’m going to have them do the firewall forward, just seems like the time to do it. I’m also having holes drilled in the door jams and firewall, cowl extensions for future wiring for power windows, door lock, or remote mirror’s.
So what do you guys think, hood stripes, yes, no? Black, white?
John, your right she’s a keeper.
gearlube said
Jan 28, 2012
Hell yes....black....
SShink said
Jan 28, 2012
gearlube wrote:
Hell yes....black....
Chris R said
Jan 28, 2012
Will you be re-applying the stripes again Kevin?
dashboard said
Jan 28, 2012
Actually Chris I’m still trying to decide. What do you recommend?
John D said
Jan 28, 2012
It is an SS car, and has the black band across the tailgate... My choice would be redo the stripes in black.
Over on the website, in the "Cool Links", then "Tech Tips" we have the genuine GM specs for stripe layout available.
dashboard said
Jan 28, 2012
J, the 70-72 El Camino SS came with a ‘blacked out’ tailgate as part of the SS (Z15) package the hood stripes where an option.
SShink said
Jan 31, 2012
Attached pics are from Kevin's spy cam installed when nobody was looking...
Not a lot to see the last couple of days as its been prime sand, prime sand, prime …..you get the idea. Today Jason sprayed the truck down with a product that levels out and leaves a very high gloss so we could check for imperfections in the body, it is laser straight.
We worked out where the bed liner is going to meet the paint and trim, yep, a sprayed in liner so I can haul the clubs tent my chairs, cooler, grill as well as make a trip to Home Depot.
Drilled the holes in the doors and cowl extensions for future wiring if I want power windows, locks or remote mirrors. Also, work out how to do the cowl, firewall and frame forward paint. The body and paintwork is moving faster then I expected, I’m very pleased with both the shop and the folks working on the truck.
What is not happening is engine work. Competition Engine’s move is taking longer than expected, but Randy is going to have a world-class engine shop when the move is complete but it will be at least two more weeks before I can take the engine in.
However, biggest news today was that the truck moved from the body shop where the bodywork is done to the paint room or clean area and is ready for paint, got my paint sample today, could be a green Elky tomorrow.
Going green, paint looks great. Jeff told me the painter spent 5 hours in the booth, not sure but it seems like a long time to me.
As we always say the pictures do not do the paint justice, the color really jumps out in person, yet it’s the original color. Much more so than I remember 32 years ago, could be because when I bought the truck in 1980 it had spent its first eight years in Texas and suffered some fading. Or it could be 32 years of Miller Lites.
Stan, your car turned around and is going the other way.
Actually Chris I’m still trying to decide. What do you recommend?
I somehow missed this but if it originally came with the stripes on the hood. I would re-apply them. Only the hood would get the stripes anyways since its an el camino and no trunk lid for stripes on the rear. Like you said, all SS El Caminos had the rear blacked out between the trim on the rear gate.
dashboard said
Feb 4, 2012
Chris, it came from GM without stripes, interestingly the hood bulge is actually much more pronounced without the stripes. I am going to wait until the truck is put back together and sitting outside on a sunny day before I decide.
SShink said
Feb 4, 2012
dashboard wrote:
Chris, it came from GM without stripes, interestingly the hood bulge is actually much more pronounced without the stripes. I am going to wait until the truck is put back together and sitting outside on a sunny day before I decide.
I don't know on the stripes now Kevin. I'm with you. Get it outside and see how it looks.
I agree that the 'bulge' is bigger without the stripes. The first blue '72 Chevelle I had up here about 8 years ago had the bulge hood without stripes, and I really liked the look. IMO if it's a non SS car, it looks better without the stripes.
And... not having the stripes on yours makes it a conversation piece at car shows when all the SS experts walk by and say... "Look, that's wrong. ALL SS Chevelles and El Camino's had stripes." But we know better!
Chris R said
Feb 4, 2012
I dont know either now. If it didnt have them originally. I would leave them off as well.
dashboard said
Feb 6, 2012
John, heres what I picked up at U-Pull. I need to drill 1 7/8 and 1 5/16 holes then I should be able to run all the wires I will ever need.
Here's the bytch... you said you've already got 1/2" holes in the pillar and door... unless the bodyshop has sheetmetal punches in the diameters of your bellows you're kinda screwed. Unless...
They/you make an "arbor adapter" sleeve for the pilot bit on a holesaw arbor. They all use a 1/4" bit for a center drill. You need to make a sleeve with a 1/2" OD, and a 1/4" ID, for the hole saw arbor to ride in the 1/2" hole in your sheetmetal.
2nd bytch - 1-1/2" and 1-1/4" are the nearest standard hole saw sizes. Now taking into account the inherant "wobble" of a hole saw, you'll still need to do some filing to open the holes to your required diameters.
They/you make an "arbor adapter" sleeve for the pilot bit on a holesaw arbor. They all use a 1/4" bit for a center drill. You need to make a sleeve with a 1/2" OD, and a 1/4" ID, for the hole saw arbor to ride in the 1/2" hole in your sheetmetal.
2nd bytch - 1-1/2" and 1-1/4" are the nearest standard hole saw sizes. Now taking into account the inherant "wobble" of a hole saw, you'll still need to do some filing to open the holes to your required diameters.
Not too bad of a job with the doors off the car.
John, My thoughts also, I was going to drill a ¼” hole through the center of a piece of ½” hardwood doweling then use the universal rasp and file on a drill.
Stan, the ones I have look identical to yours.
dashboard said
Feb 9, 2012
Starting to put the Elky back together; than just as the paint is really starting to shine the sanding starts.
Door looms for the electric wire are installed but I forgot to get pixs as I spent the day acting as a parts runner.
Kevin did you make the holes in the doors larger? If not i can probably borrow a hydraulic hole punch from work .
67ss said
Feb 9, 2012
I think I would black out the tail gate like before. But run a thin black pinstripe down the side and also use the pinstripe to outline the bulge of the hood maybe. The body shop should have some thin painters tape that you could play with to lay out some lines and see if anything jumps at you.
dashboard said
Feb 9, 2012
Tim H wrote:
Kevin did you make the holes in the doors larger? If not i can probably borrow a hydraulic hole punch from work .
Tim, I picked up some ½” brass bushings for the hole drill, pilot drill bit and enlarged the holes, it work very well. But thanks for the offer.
dashboard said
Feb 9, 2012
67ss wrote:
I think I would black out the tail gate like before. But run a thin black pinstripe down the side and also use the pinstripe to outline the bulge of the hood maybe. The body shop should have some thin painters tape that you could play with to lay out some lines and see if anything jumps at you.
I’ll need to explore your idea on the pin striping. I really want to wait till I can see the car outside on a sunny day with all the chrome installed.
You rarely see these hoods without stripes but when you see one without them the bulge really stands out more, bulge is good.
Also, yesterday they repainted the cowl, firewall, core support and rear window shelf.
OscarZ said
Feb 9, 2012
Kevin I would leave it without the stripes for now. Then in a few years when you're feeling the urge to change it up again you can add the stripes.
dashboard said
Feb 10, 2012
Not much to report, a few more parts installed, sanded with 3000 grit and going back in the paint locker to paint the black on the tailgate.
Yesterday I ran parts; today I delivered six pizzas and three orders of hot wings for the crew.
Mike I think you are correct; I’ll wait till I get the next ‘urge’ to change something for the stripes.
3000 grit and emblems going on... won't be long for buffing soon!
I love the check list on the windshield in grease pencil. Might as well use the space that's available. Especially with all the other cars they have in process.
dashboard said
Feb 11, 2012
Today we where ready to put the chrome around the top of the bed and the back of the tailgate, first package opened was the chrome trim for the top of the tailgate, it had some nasty dings in it.
So, off I go, it’s a 60 mile drive north to Auto City Classics; luckily, Denny had another in stock. While there, I met another Chevelle guy. His 70 just came out of paint, gave him a club card, hope he signs on he has some interesting toys.
Today the hood should have gone on and final fender, door, hood alignment should be close. Monday we should finish the bed, tailgate chrome and door glass. Then polish, polish and bed liner.
I don’t want to turn this into a Maaco commercial, but this team has been great. They take great pride and ownership in their work, have never bumped the price and are just plain fun to be around.
They have some senior guys and some young ones; from my Navy days, it is fun to watch the experienced guy share and train their replacements.
Kevin,
That looks like the white sand outside my window!
Yes 1972 GM paint code 43, without hood stripes (for now) and no v-top.
Thanks Mike this is a great site.
-- Edited by dashboard on Friday 20th of January 2012 12:37:24 PM
Kevin, if the blue elky is still there the next time you go back, jot down the paint code if you wouldn't mind. I don't know if that's the original color, but it looks REALLY close to mine (which I have no idea what the paint code is since mine was originally Mojave Gold according to the trim/paint tag.) Thanks.
Stan check out this web site. it is really cool for checking colors and paint codes.
http://paintref.com/cgi-bin/colorcodedisplay.cgi?manuf=GM&year=1972&model=Chevelle&rows=50
Thanks Chris. That is a cool site and I stand corrected... my Chevelle was originally Placer gold as it's a code 53 car.
Unfortunately, neither of the blue colors on the chart are close to mine. So now I'm wondering if I have a custom color...
I like looking at the photos for the various years and colors on Chevellestuff.net to see how they look on the cars.
http://chevellestuff.net/1972/chevelle/gallery/index.htm
Mike, that's great! I think mine is Ascot Blue now that I see that pic.
Kevin, is Gulf Green the original Elky color you are going with?
Things are moving along nicely at Maaco; most of the body work is going to involve the bed area. Matt’s doing the body work and Matt is very meticulous, plus he loves classic cars; he also has a 69 Chevelle cream puff.
Today I worked on rebuilding the vent windows; I now understand why GM engineered them out of their cars; they are a real challenge. I may need to go to confession when I’m done.
Kevin. Did you see the two W vin El Caminos I posted in the classifieds?
Anyone know of a local source for door rubber looms to route wires through? I’d like to drill the holes and install them when the doors are reinstalled after painting.
So, you decided to tackle this on your own, eh ?? It rteally isn't that difficult but does take some time and patience. Do you need to replace the glass run channel felt too ? Mine was gone to the rubber base. I soaked what was left in thinner and scraped the residuw out. Once clean, I sprayed the new felt and channel with 3M profession contact glue and wedged it in. I shaped it by pressing the glass into the felt until it was set. Turned out good...
Looked into a one-piece window, the price was way beyond my pocket book but it would have been cool.
Started when I decided to polish and buff the vent window chrome on my wheel buffer then, I got board and thought I’d give the seals a try; you’re certainly correct, time and lots of patience required. I have installed the rubber seal in the first vent frame but I’m not pleased with the fit; the window does not seat as well as I think it should. I’m not sure if the regulator once installed will hold the window tightly closed. I’d hate to go through all this and still have wind noise. Still waiting on the window channel felt.
I was such a nice day I took Angie on a day out date, we went to U-Pull in Rosemount and looked for wire boots for the doors. Pulled a set out of Astro van but they may be too big. Interesting place, we where some of the very few there that spoke English.
Stopped by Maaco today to drop off parts and once again I’m impressed with how meticulous Matt is; he removed the rear window to achieve a better detail around it. I’m also surprised with the amount of small dings and dents he has identified and filled.
I keep finding more and more parts I need; I think credit cards rank right up there with some of the best things ever invented by man. When they are maxed out, you only need to call and ask them to raise the limit. How cool is that?
(651) 778-9522
947 Arcade St, St Paul, MN 55106 Get directions
they have more than there stated years of 49 - 54 call and ask
The boots I used for my doors came out of a U-Pullit wreck as well. The hardest task was finding a set where you could use a standard size holesaw or electrical punch. You may have an advantage as the doors are off the car. You could use an undersize saw/punch and merely file the opening to what you need. You could even use oval shaped boots.
Did you get Metro seals ? Mine didn't look exactly like the old ones either but then they hadn't been mashed by the glass for 40 plus years either. My vent has a lever lock and once I latched that, the glass sealed very nicely.
It might be possible the Corvette has the same part in which Larry may have them in stock.
This is moving along quicker than I expected, the Elky should receive its first coat of primer this afternoon. Followed by block sanding then another coat of primer next week then more block sanding, then a coat of sealer, followed by even more sanding, then first shot of paint maybe as early as late next week.
Are you going to clean up and paint the engine bay or is the shop going to do that or leave it as is?
"It was such a nice day I took Angie on a day out date, we went to U-Pull in Rosemount"
You've got a helluva gal there... maybe the lunch afterwards made up for the "ambiance" of the wrecking yard?
So what do you guys think, hood stripes, yes, no? Black, white?
John, your right she’s a keeper.
Will you be re-applying the stripes again Kevin?
Over on the website, in the "Cool Links", then "Tech Tips" we have the genuine GM specs for stripe layout available.
Attached pics are from Kevin's spy cam installed when nobody was looking...
Not a lot to see the last couple of days as its been prime sand, prime sand, prime …..you get the idea. Today Jason sprayed the truck down with a product that levels out and leaves a very high gloss so we could check for imperfections in the body, it is laser straight.
We worked out where the bed liner is going to meet the paint and trim, yep, a sprayed in liner so I can haul the clubs tent my chairs, cooler, grill as well as make a trip to Home Depot.
Drilled the holes in the doors and cowl extensions for future wiring if I want power windows, locks or remote mirrors. Also, work out how to do the cowl, firewall and frame forward paint. The body and paintwork is moving faster then I expected, I’m very pleased with both the shop and the folks working on the truck.
What is not happening is engine work. Competition Engine’s move is taking longer than expected, but Randy is going to have a world-class engine shop when the move is complete but it will be at least two more weeks before I can take the engine in.
However, biggest news today was that the truck moved from the body shop where the bodywork is done to the paint room or clean area and is ready for paint, got my paint sample today, could be a green Elky tomorrow.
Cool.
Going green, paint looks great. Jeff told me the painter spent 5 hours in the booth, not sure but it seems like a long time to me.
As we always say the pictures do not do the paint justice, the color really jumps out in person, yet it’s the original color. Much more so than I remember 32 years ago, could be because when I bought the truck in 1980 it had spent its first eight years in Texas and suffered some fading. Or it could be 32 years of Miller Lites.
Stan, your car turned around and is going the other way.
I somehow missed this but if it originally came with the stripes on the hood. I would re-apply them. Only the hood would get the stripes anyways since its an el camino and no trunk lid for stripes on the rear. Like you said, all SS El Caminos had the rear blacked out between the trim on the rear gate.
I don't know on the stripes now Kevin. I'm with you. Get it outside and see how it looks.
I agree that the 'bulge' is bigger without the stripes. The first blue '72 Chevelle I had up here about 8 years ago had the bulge hood without stripes, and I really liked the look. IMO if it's a non SS car, it looks better without the stripes.
And... not having the stripes on yours makes it a conversation piece at car shows when all the SS experts walk by and say... "Look, that's wrong. ALL SS Chevelles and El Camino's had stripes." But we know better!
I dont know either now. If it didnt have them originally. I would leave them off as well.
John, heres what I picked up at U-Pull. I need to drill 1 7/8 and 1 5/16 holes then I should be able to run all the wires I will ever need.
They/you make an "arbor adapter" sleeve for the pilot bit on a holesaw arbor. They all use a 1/4" bit for a center drill. You need to make a sleeve with a 1/2" OD, and a 1/4" ID, for the hole saw arbor to ride in the 1/2" hole in your sheetmetal.
2nd bytch - 1-1/2" and 1-1/4" are the nearest standard hole saw sizes. Now taking into account the inherant "wobble" of a hole saw, you'll still need to do some filing to open the holes to your required diameters.
Not too bad of a job with the doors off the car.
Here's pics of the factory ones on my '72.
John, My thoughts also, I was going to drill a ¼” hole through the center of a piece of ½” hardwood doweling then use the universal rasp and file on a drill.
Stan, the ones I have look identical to yours.
Starting to put the Elky back together; than just as the paint is really starting to shine the sanding starts.
Door looms for the electric wire are installed but I forgot to get pixs as I spent the day acting as a parts runner.
I think I would black out the tail gate like before. But run a thin black pinstripe down the side and also use the pinstripe to outline the bulge of the hood maybe. The body shop should have some thin painters tape that you could play with to lay out some lines and see if anything jumps at you.
Tim, I picked up some ½” brass bushings for the hole drill, pilot drill bit and enlarged the holes, it work very well. But thanks for the offer.
I’ll need to explore your idea on the pin striping. I really want to wait till I can see the car outside on a sunny day with all the chrome installed.
You rarely see these hoods without stripes but when you see one without them the bulge really stands out more, bulge is good.
Also, yesterday they repainted the cowl, firewall, core support and rear window shelf.
Kevin I would leave it without the stripes for now. Then in a few years when you're feeling the urge to change it up again you can add the stripes.
Not much to report, a few more parts installed, sanded with 3000 grit and going back in the paint locker to paint the black on the tailgate.
Yesterday I ran parts; today I delivered six pizzas and three orders of hot wings for the crew.
Mike I think you are correct; I’ll wait till I get the next ‘urge’ to change something for the stripes.
3000 grit and emblems going on... won't be long for buffing soon!
I love the check list on the windshield in grease pencil. Might as well use the space that's available. Especially with all the other cars they have in process.
Today we where ready to put the chrome around the top of the bed and the back of the tailgate, first package opened was the chrome trim for the top of the tailgate, it had some nasty dings in it.
So, off I go, it’s a 60 mile drive north to Auto City Classics; luckily, Denny had another in stock. While there, I met another Chevelle guy. His 70 just came out of paint, gave him a club card, hope he signs on he has some interesting toys.
Today the hood should have gone on and final fender, door, hood alignment should be close. Monday we should finish the bed, tailgate chrome and door glass. Then polish, polish and bed liner.
I don’t want to turn this into a Maaco commercial, but this team has been great. They take great pride and ownership in their work, have never bumped the price and are just plain fun to be around.
They have some senior guys and some young ones; from my Navy days, it is fun to watch the experienced guy share and train their replacements.