While there are no dues or fees for membership at El Camino
Central, we do rely upon member contributions to keep the site and server running smoothly. As membership grows, so does
site usage. Recently we have seen a huge jump in server load and bandwidth. As a result, at times we notice extremely
slow page loading. Many of you may have also noticed the new member rankings used to recognize supporting members.
Become a supporting member today and get your own cool rank!
Every little bit helps.
Show your support by making a
donation here:
Supporters
page
Good to see there is at least one other member in Edmonton. Maybe some time when the weather is more favorable we could get together and chew the fat over a beer or coffee. Is that an '80 you own?
Posted: Wed Dec 08, 2004 12:39 am Post subject: Since you are asking...
Yes, car is a 1980 GMC Caballero Diablo. Currently in the garage getting the entire body sanded for a repaint in the spring. Other winter projects include new floorpans, carpet, interior door panels, headliner, seat covers to change interior colour from maroon to black. I have also been trying to learn about acoustic and thermal insulation to keep the interior quiet as well.
In the spring before the repaint, will also order the rear rollpan with the Z1R corvette tail lights. Plan to install a new sound system and as of yet unknown type wheels/tires.
Currently the engine is a 4 bolt 350 with all new rings, bearings, seals with new oil pump, windage tray, 224/234 @0.050" cam, Edelbrock performer intake, Holley 670 electric choke single pumper, Flowtech headers and 2.5" exhaust. The tranny is a THM350 with all new B&M frictions and steels, seals/bushings and a Trans-go shift kit. also have a B&M starshifter installed.
The rear is still the 7.5" OEM with Richmond 3.42:1 gears and Posi. The rear end is held in place with South Side Machine lower control arms to help move the instant centre back a bit for traction. Someday I will install a 9" Ford rear end but not this year.
I am also looking into a rear disk brake swap from a newer chev blazer if I can find the parts in the wreckers.
I live in the Castledowns area of Edmonton, where are you located? _________________ 1980 GMC Caballero Diablo
Fifth Generation El Camino Owners Group
Very interesting. I also have a 1980 El camino Classic which I purchased
late September. My car appears to be the same color as yours (was originally white) and has a maroon interior also.
The car came equipped with a 396 out of a 1968 Chevelle and is bored .060 over with a 500cfm Edelbrock carb (2 barrel I think but I have not checked as of yet). The intake manifold and exhaust manifolds are stock. The car came with an Edelbrock intake manifold but was not installed because the previous owner said there was not enough clearance under the hood - need to measure to be sure but judging by the clearance now he is probably correct. The cam is not stock but I don't know the specs although I have the part number off an invoice which also included re-sizing of the rods - need to check it out. The motor was completely re-built in 1996.
The car also came with a 3-core aluminum rad, aluminum driveshaft, electric fuel pump and fuel regulator valve. The rear end appears to be out of an S10 ( based on paper that came with the car) and has 3.73 gears and an aftermarket locker. The transmission is a 350TH with a 3500 stall converter and a shift kit but the components are not B&M.
I am contemplating similar work as you have described. The car is scheduled to go in for paint on Monday(couple of minor rust spots in the box) and after that is going for custom guages, new carpet, new headliner, some work on the door panels as well as having the seat re-upholstered and a floor shift put in. I am thing of introducing a lot of tan into the interior to lighten it up and go with the existing maroon.
I have been to quite a few shops investigating the quality of work and pricing - none are cheap, as you probably know, but some appear more reasonable than others - a lot depends on exactly what quality you are looking for. I am looking for good to very good street quality as opposed to show quality which for myself is prohibitively expensive.
Maybe we can compare note on shops and prices.
What color are you thinking of for paint? I would assume that because you are changing the interior color ( maroon is a tough one) you are also going to change the exterior color. I haven't completely settled on a color as of yet but was thinking either a real vibrant red or a shade of orange with some red and brown undertones. Maroon is definitely a limiting color interior wise as it relates to selecting an exterior color. I want a color that you don't see everyday and that will have a "hotrod" kind of look.
Also, if you know where a lower front valence could be sourced(other than the US) it would be much appreciated. I have probably phoned 30 or more wreckers in Alberta, Sask. and BC as well as GM with no luck.
I live in the westend, about 2 minutes SW of West Edmonton Mall (Aldergrove).
Posted: Fri Dec 10, 2004 1:25 am Post subject: Edmonton Member
Bloodline;
It seems that for paint, you get what you pay for. To keep costs down, I try to perform as much of the body work myself as possible. As far as any mechanical work, I do all of it.
I work for a company here in Edmonton that builds wheelchair accessible vehicles and we employ welders and auto body techs. So they give me alot of advice about panel welding, sanding, and body prep. I also have a two door down neighbor that owns a welding company and always keeps a Mig welder in his garage for me to use in exchange for golf and beer.
The maroon exterior colour of my car is paint code 75, Claret. The car was originally two tone Claret and Dark Claret. but is all one colour now. I like the Claret and will keep the colour as it is easier and cheaper not to do a colour change. To do a proper colour change, the insides of the front fenders and doors should be painted as well.
As for the air dam, my Diablo used to have one but is long gone now. I have installed a regular small black pastic air deflector from a Malibu to keep the air flow directed into the radiator.
The urethane air dam is still available at a few places like the El Camino Store in California. I have ordered various parts from them a few times and never had a problem with anything. What I usually do to keep my shipping and customs brokerage down is to order parts when I am in the USA on business and have the parts sent to my hotel and bring the parts back on the plane. _________________ 1980 GMC Caballero Diablo
Fifth Generation El Camino Owners Group
Cool. maybe we will see each other on the road. How about a little more info like color, etc. How much do you drive it? Is it stock? Mine had a lot of work done on it when I got it, not all of it correct - so i am still sorting out issues about one year later. _________________ 1980 El camino 396
this is my car...i drive it pretty regularly ..it in no way is meant to be a show car...just did enough work to it to make it presentable...i'm 17 so this was a big job for me and i think i did good...if you see me on the road give me a honk or a wave
the engine is a 305 which i rebuilt...it runs well but am thinking of putting a 350 in it next summer along with a manual trans and a posi rear end with at least 345 gears.....i don't plan on having this car stock ..although for now i don't have money for very much modification.....hard to make some decent dosh at 17...know any good jobs lol ?
Necoa #: 6542
Location: 21Canada (W. of Ont)
Joined: Dec 08, 2005
Posts: 6
Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2005 11:21 pm Post subject:
I live in Edmonton too , first post for me . I dont have an elky yet but I have access to a 68 with no frame , so... I came here for some details before I go get it !
Necoa #: 7978
Location: 21Canada (W. of Ont)
Joined: Aug 13, 2006
Posts: 1
Year: 1979
Model: El Camino
Posted: Sun Aug 13, 2006 12:48 am Post subject: Rear window Tint
Hey, if any of you have had your rear windows tinted, could you help me out. Ive been looking all over for a place to do it. Ive been quoted at $300!!! just for the rear. Any places i should try?
Posted: Tue Aug 15, 2006 9:46 pm Post subject: Rear Window Tinting
A few years back, I had a guy at Windshield Surgeons at 82 Ave and 50 Street here in Edmonton look at my back window for tinting. If I remember correctly, he wanted $150.00 to do it. I decided to try the $18.00 Canadian Tire limo dark film do it yourself route. With the shape of the 1978-1987 back window it is hard to get into the corners. It did come out ok but not perfect.
I have the back window out right now to paint the body and will likely get the window tinted professionally this time. _________________ 1980 GMC Caballero Diablo
Fifth Generation El Camino Owners Group
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
Forum FAQ
Calendar
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Staff Site
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
