Re: 1975 El Camino - long term project

by g3chevy / Mr Pontiac Sat Apr 02, 2022 11:59 am

Looks like you have some clean sheet metal to work with. That'll will make your June deadline much easier.

by tgaetto Wed Apr 06, 2022 9:24 am

More progress before returning to work.

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by tgaetto Tue May 03, 2022 10:50 pm

Took the week off to get some stuff done... I was able to tighten up the drivers side gaps and while the fenders are off, I resealed the cowl seams. Hope to get the backsides of the fenders and the wells painted by the end of the week.

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by tgaetto Tue May 03, 2022 10:53 pm

Touched up the paint to match.

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by tgaetto Thu May 05, 2022 9:44 pm

Finally got the backsides painted fresh with all sorts of crap, my neighbor was doing yard work.. not too worried though they are sealed up! And started blasting the wells but it started raining (again)!

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by g3chevy / Mr Pontiac Fri May 06, 2022 10:33 pm

Looking good!

by tgaetto Sat May 07, 2022 8:14 am

Went and picked up a canopy and some tarps. Have to make use of the time I’ve got!

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by g3chevy / Mr Pontiac Sat May 07, 2022 11:26 am

Yeah, that's some messy work. But the results are worth it.

by tgaetto Tue Jul 26, 2022 5:00 pm

I’ve been busy. But I have been finding some time. I’m making some panels and my welder was binding on the feed. I got that sorted and will get back to it. I am contemplating buying 2 nos quarters. I’ve been thinking about it for a couple years but may finally pull the trigger. We’ll see…

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by tgaetto Tue Jul 26, 2022 5:02 pm

Not sure I’ll weld this in, I might redo the entire panel. Each step for me is a learning process…

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by g3chevy / Mr Pontiac Tue Jul 26, 2022 5:41 pm

Looks like some great progress! I would try and save the money and work with what you have. I've learned a ton of stuff from this guy. Hope this helps!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Azez3ZYR03c

by tgaetto Tue Jul 26, 2022 6:11 pm

Me too he’s great, that’s how I got the motivation. There is another dude “make it kustom” out of CA too. Still can’t weld it and get the results Fitzee does!

by g3chevy / Mr Pontiac Tue Jul 26, 2022 7:02 pm

tgaetto wrote:Me too he’s great, that’s how I got the motivation. There is another dude “make it kustom” out of CA too. Still can’t weld it and get the results Fitzee does!

Yes, Karl Fisher from Make It Kustom is a true talent. Love watching his videos as well!

by Finn Monte Wed Jul 27, 2022 11:41 am

]quote="tgaetto"]
Yes, Karl Fisher from Make It Kustom is a true talent. Love watching his videos as well![/quote]

I agree.

by tgaetto Mon Oct 17, 2022 7:18 pm

I have been finding time between work and my daughters softball schedule. I also invested in a metal forming station and dolly’s. I welded in the front of the passenger side rear well and got busy with the rear side soon after. I then moved on to the drivers side and started with the fuel door. I made the backing structure by making a form. I used 18 gauge and learned real quick how unforgiving it is when trying to shrink. This is all new to me… I was able to save the piece after thinking it would just be chalked up to learning curve. It’s not quite what I pulled out but I was pretty happy with the results. Next time I would either make it with a few different pieces or use a lighter gauge….

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by tgaetto Mon Oct 17, 2022 7:31 pm

I also bought a roll of silicon bronze on the suggestion from Dagger tool. It’s good for straight work but can be difficult to clean inside edges do to the nonferrous aspect.

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I picked up the stud welder from HarborFreight and bought a rivet tip - it worked great. The rivet tip had to be modified a bit, I just filed it a little narrower at the top. It fits snug and worked well. The HF unit is threaded and others use set screw.

by tgaetto Mon Oct 17, 2022 7:35 pm

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Here is some of work to the rear of the well.

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My helper wants me to finish so we get working on her car!

by tgaetto Mon Oct 17, 2022 7:43 pm

Cut away and rebuilt the inner structure - starting to gain some confidence. Not as apprehensive.

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by tgaetto Mon Oct 17, 2022 7:46 pm

And once this is ground down on to the drivers side.

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by g3chevy / Mr Pontiac Mon Oct 17, 2022 8:07 pm

Very nice work! You are definitely making progress. Looking forward to seeing more progress on your Camino.

by tgaetto Mon Oct 17, 2022 8:13 pm

These quarters were already reworked by someone. I can only figure that due to the sand and clay in New Mexico the moisture stayed put? On to the drivers side, home stretch! Had to open the well to retrieve the strength member behind the fuel door. I had no idea what I was getting into but now it makes sense. The quarters have 4 tabs that get welded to the strength member which is spotted to the inner fender structure and then finished with seam sealer. Mine was a bit of a disaster to start.

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by tgaetto Mon Oct 17, 2022 8:16 pm

Here is the form I made. I wish I would have taken a few pics of the hammering between but I didn’t think I was going to use the piece.

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Was looking for more rounded corners but the 18 gauge was only giving me what you see.

by tgaetto Mon Oct 17, 2022 8:57 pm

Using the silicon bronze is nice, I need to tack some of the tabs with steel yet but here’s where it ended up. The door seats nice and when I adjust it after paint it should look decent.

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by tgaetto Mon Oct 17, 2022 8:59 pm

A little finishing and more to do but this is this mock up.

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