1976 el camino vs. 1977 malibu
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Laguna Budman
pila
driveit
7 posters
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1976 el camino vs. 1977 malibu
Hello,
I'm looking to buy 1976 el camino and 1977 malibu as a package.
Malibu was in the accident and frame is damaged.
I like to take malibu body and put it on el camino frame.
Will that work? is the frame in both cars exactly the same?
Any help is appreciated.
I'm looking to buy 1976 el camino and 1977 malibu as a package.
Malibu was in the accident and frame is damaged.
I like to take malibu body and put it on el camino frame.
Will that work? is the frame in both cars exactly the same?
Any help is appreciated.
rogal_tx- G3GM Member
- Street Cred : 0
Re: 1976 el camino vs. 1977 malibu
Frame is different, but you might be able to mod it and make it work. I think it is the same from the rear wheels forward, but longer behind the rear wheels if I remember correctly. Someone else may be able to confirm for sure on that.
driveit- Donating Member
- Street Cred : 15
Re: 1976 el camino vs. 1977 malibu
the elky frame is a narrower boxed frame I don't think I will work
Limey SE- Management
- Street Cred : 98
Re: 1976 el camino vs. 1977 malibu
malibu has a 112" wheel base. Elky, wagon and 4 door frames have a 116" wheel base. So the elky frame would have to be shortened. Not really worth the work in my opinion.
Joe73- Donating Member
- Street Cred : 83
Re: 1976 el camino vs. 1977 malibu
That's not good, I was hoping I can put together one solid car without any crazy modifications. Any other options anyone got what would make mistakes sense? Maybe try to get bonded title for elk?
rogal_tx- G3GM Member
- Street Cred : 0
Re: 1976 el camino vs. 1977 malibu
Yes but Malibu frame its damaged, and I would think that it's not worth trying to fix it.
rogal_tx- G3GM Member
- Street Cred : 0
Re: 1976 el camino vs. 1977 malibu
whats damaged on the frame? It can be sectioned.
Joe73- Donating Member
- Street Cred : 83
Re: 1976 el camino vs. 1977 malibu
If the Malibu is nice enough I think it would be worth trying to fix, but I just really love the Malibu. Â I have found myself wanting an El Camino as well though. Guess I was wrong about where the frame needed to be cut as well. Sorry about that. I knew someone would correct me. They usually do. lol
driveit- Donating Member
- Street Cred : 15
Re: 1976 el camino vs. 1977 malibu
Malibu is super nice inside, it was completely redone, including dash not a single crack. Looks like brand new. Exterior is really clean as well except the front nose of course. I guess when I pick it up this weekend I will inspect the frame closer and see if there is any other ddamage. If not it would be worth fixing. Thx for help
rogal_tx- G3GM Member
- Street Cred : 0
Re: 1976 el camino vs. 1977 malibu
If its a front end hit, the front "horns" can be replaced. I've replaced them between the upper control arm and the firewall. I make a template with a piece of light cardboard and cut a zig zag pattern in the cardboard. Basically making "teeth" instead of cutting straight on the frame which wouldnt be as strong. Find a convenient mark on the frame, put the template around the frame and tape it in place. Then trace the zig zag pattern. Then cut on the line. Put the template on your new horn and cut it. Teeth should match up with little fine tuning. Take some measurements and weld it up. It will be good and strong.
Or you can just heat the heck out of it and pull it straight. Also pretty easy to do once cherry red.
Or you can just heat the heck out of it and pull it straight. Also pretty easy to do once cherry red.
Joe73- Donating Member
- Street Cred : 83
Re: 1976 el camino vs. 1977 malibu
If there is a tech school with a body shop they may be able to pull the frame and such for free for you! just a thought.
driveit- Donating Member
- Street Cred : 15
Re: 1976 el camino vs. 1977 malibu
Yes, that was another think. How much would it cost do something like that. But I will look into tech school.
rogal_tx- G3GM Member
- Street Cred : 0
Re: 1976 el camino vs. 1977 malibu
I straightened the front section, firewall forward, on a '73 Chevelle I had. I used a Port-a-power to push the front diagonally, while heating both frame rails at the firewall with a torch, with a rosebud tip.
In your, case if you remove the body, take it to a place with a frame machine where they should be able to check & straighten the frame completely. If it was hit on a front corner, the whole frame may need to be tweaked back straight.
In your, case if you remove the body, take it to a place with a frame machine where they should be able to check & straighten the frame completely. If it was hit on a front corner, the whole frame may need to be tweaked back straight.
pila- Donating Member
- Street Cred : 43
Re: 1976 el camino vs. 1977 malibu
I'm not sure how it wa hit but whole nose is damaged and driver door won't open. I will pick it up this weekend and I will find out more.
rogal_tx- G3GM Member
- Street Cred : 0
Re: 1976 el camino vs. 1977 malibu
The driver door being jammed a bit will likely be a front door post ( A pilar) being pushed back a bit. That can likely be pushed back into the correct position with a jack.
pila- Donating Member
- Street Cred : 43
Re: 1976 el camino vs. 1977 malibu
Is that Malibu green by chance?
Laguna Budman- G3GM Enthusiast
- Street Cred : 9
Re: 1976 el camino vs. 1977 malibu
That's what I was thinking George must have decided against redoing it ?
Limey SE- Management
- Street Cred : 98
Re: 1976 el camino vs. 1977 malibu
I will try to post pictures when I pick it up.
rogal_tx- G3GM Member
- Street Cred : 0
Re: 1976 el camino vs. 1977 malibu
Limey wrote:That's what I was thinking George must have decided against redoing it ?
this is why we thought it was green ...... He is a member here and I bought the other green one from him, and lives really close in your area.
Limey SE- Management
- Street Cred : 98
Re: 1976 el camino vs. 1977 malibu
I would say the nose is tweaked towards the drivers side. Check the bushing on the pass. side under the firewall to see how far it moved. But otherwise, I'd heat it up and pull it. Then take some measurements.
Once its stripped down, it wont look that bad. I say pull it.
Once its stripped down, it wont look that bad. I say pull it.
Joe73- Donating Member
- Street Cred : 83
Re: 1976 el camino vs. 1977 malibu
thats not the on Joe LOL, That's the one we thought it was but its not
Limey SE- Management
- Street Cred : 98
Re: 1976 el camino vs. 1977 malibu
Limey wrote:Limey wrote:That's what I was thinking George must have decided against redoing it ?
this is why we thought it was green ...... He is a member here and I bought the other green one from him, and lives really close in your area.
What did it hit or what hit it?
Wallyuph- Donating Member
- Street Cred : 31
Re: 1976 el camino vs. 1977 malibu
His daughter was in a car accident a lady pulled out in front of her and bam this is the result
Limey SE- Management
- Street Cred : 98
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