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Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 2:46 pm Post subject: Newcomer to Camino's
Hey all,
My name's Jake, but my online handle has always been MrCryptic. Currently i drive a 1999 Mercury Grand Marquis, yeah, a "grandma car" or "smokey look-a-like" but i still like it. it's been mine for a little over a year and a half, and i've babied it just about every day.
While the Marquis is a wonderful boat to drive around, i got interested in looking for a project car for something to do in my spare time. I looked at old trucks and i looked at old cars, and i found myself interested in them both! i decided what else to look for than an Elky?
Tomorrow i go talk to a seller about a 1981 El Camino, it's got a few dings and dents, and desperately needs a paint job, as well as interior work, but it is drivable. so far the info is he's rebuild the engine and transmission, two of the more essential items i no nothing about fixing so hopefully i can clean up the cosmetics of the Camino and have it looking like a show car in no time, that is, if we come to an agreement.
Anyways, love the site, been checking out forums and such for a while just never made a profile or posted. _________________
Cypress Texas, a nice little place others just call North West Houston.
Welcome Jake, my son also has an 2002 police intercepter and boy does it hall a** he just loves it and good gas milage. Hope you find what your looking for in an Elky.
Dan _________________ 78 Hot Rod Elky, Black Knight
68 Chevy longbed stepside
99 custom built Harley
Region 8 Director
i've got a 4ft whip on mine as well, and a CB Radio for kicks- along with a bunch of my friends.
debated about getting a front Police Brush Guard for kicks, and perhaps a black or white paint job, but i think i'd much rather spend money on a nice Elky _________________
Cypress Texas, a nice little place others just call North West Houston.
Necoa #: 572
Location: 10(IL,MN,WI)
Joined: Jan 28, 2003
Posts: 3630
Year: 1984
Model: El Camino
Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2008 12:22 pm Post subject:
People have been buying retired cop cars for as long as I can remember...but things have changed since 911...be careful what you do...all it takes is someones perception that your impersonating a police officer and you might find yourself sitting in the back of a Crown Vic looking through a wire mesh screen...and at the very least explaining yourself why your driving a look alike cop car, if your not a wanna be cop.
Well the guy n' i worked a deal out, i go pickup the car in a few hours, when i get it back home ill snap some pictures of it, and begin cleaning it up a bit, it could use a good junk removal. _________________
Cypress Texas, a nice little place others just call North West Houston.
Welcome aboard Jake, Congrats on the Elk, enjoy your project, don't let it become a chore. Gotta agree with Larry, absolutely addicting.... _________________ Mark
1972 Elky Picture Album
Okay folks, here we go the "Before Shots" of Jake's 1981 Chevy El Camino.
The Engine was a 283 if i remember right, but they changed it out a few years ago to a 305.
Im looking forward to cleaning this baby up n' painting it 'Galaxy Blue' im thinking some Baby Blue interior with navy blue accents on the inside, it's still all up in the air, but for now engine work and minor interior things, such as the steering wheel, it's very loose, but fixable- my father's going to be helping me out with the whole project as well. Hoping it all turns out well! *crosses fingers* _________________
Cypress Texas, a nice little place others just call North West Houston.
Necoa #: 7439
Location: 4(MD,VA)
Joined: May 07, 2006
Posts: 685
Year: 1967
Model: El Camino
Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 11:10 pm Post subject:
Nick,
Welcome aboard.
Jim _________________
On the plains of hesitation, bleach the bones of countless millions who on the threshold of victory sat down to wait and waiting they died.
Necoa #: 9074
Location: 25(All Other)
Joined: Feb 20, 2007
Posts: 1022
Year: 1975
Model: El Camino
Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2008 7:33 pm Post subject:
Congratulations on picking up a fine looking El Camino Jake. It is a good thing buying one that needs a bit of work to get the satisfaction of working to improve it which makes it all the more valuable to you in the long run. Keep us posted. _________________ John (from Down Under)
Necoa #: 716
Location: 13(TX)
Joined: Mar 18, 2003
Posts: 194
Year: 1985
Model: El Camino
Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2008 8:56 pm Post subject:
Welcome aboard. Any idea what you will do first now that you have had a chance to checkout the truck in detail? _________________ 77 HD Sportster
79 Corvette L82
85 El Camino SS LG4
93 Camaro Z28 LT1
05 Dodge Caravan daily driver - yeah baby!
Thanks for the replies, and yes i've already started on the truck.
the idea is to get it in a "safe" running condition so that i can take it places if i need to have work done to it, the first thing was the steering column bearings both the front and back bearings were shot- so after reading the handy guide i found on the site i talked to a mechanic friend of the family who happened to have the extra parts i needed laying around at his shop that was a lucky coincidence.
since this is kinda a father son project my dad did mention that the suspension should probably be looked at next, which i need to agree it apears to need replacing as well.
i figure it should generally go in order of engine work, body work then finally interior, i've never worked on a vehicle like this before so any input you guys can gimme would be greatly appreciated _________________
Cypress Texas, a nice little place others just call North West Houston.
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and a CB Radio for kicks- along with a bunch of my friends.
