Does anyone make a replacement drip rail.

drip 1 (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/tempdrip1.jpg) drip 2 (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/tempdrip2.jpg)

I found some on a car at the junkyard, but it's impossible to get them off. I think they're seam sealed on or something. Any tip's. Thank's, Cal

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TC Member # 1308

my trailer queen (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/trailerqueeny.jpg)
future racer (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/austin.jpg)
justins 67 (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/67sideveiw.jpg)
cals caminos web site (http://72sselcamino1.tripod.com/calscaminos/)

They're screwed on and seam sealed. I think three or four phillips screws once the weatherstrip channel is removed. I removed mine before painting with no problems. They had some seam sealer on em requiring a little persuasion to remove.

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Tony Nausieda
1970 SS 396 L34
1977 Caprice, roller SB406
1965 Le Mans EFI'd 468, M22, Global West, etc

Thanks for the replie. I have the 3 screws out, but the darn things won't budge. http://www.chevelles.com/forum/mad.gif I even took a utility knife and cut along the seem. I wonder if it would help if I used a propane torch on them to maybe soften the seam sealer. http://www.chevelles.com/forum/eek.gif

I have used a bottle opener (the square end, not the pointy end) to remove them in the past. You have to go easy so you don't ding them, but it can be done fairly easily. If you are in a junkyard, its best to make a few practice runs on some REAL junk before going after the ones you want.
HTH

K

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64 2 Door 400SB/TH350 (actually IN the driveway!)
http://users.rcn.com/chevello
"You laugh because I am different. I laugh because you are all the same."
TC Member #1155

That's good advice from Chevello. My car came out of the desert so most of the sealer was all dried up and easier to remove.

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Tony Nausieda
1970 SS 396 L34
1977 Caprice, roller SB406
1965 Le Mans EFI'd 468, M22, Global West, etc

Hey Chevello. I tried your bottle opener trick. It worked like a charm. Thanks for the tip. Cal

I have a '71 and was thinking of leaving the drip rails off. I don't plan on driving it in the rain all that much and think that the look and the wind noise would improve. Any thoughts?

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TC# 1458
1971 El Camino
"What do you mean 'junk'? Its a classic."

You cam only leave off the part that goes along the windsheild. The rest is part of the roof.

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by 72sselcamino:
You cam only leave off the part that goes along the windsheild. The rest is part of the roof.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I was thinking of grinding the entire drip rail off. And flaring the lip above the window just slightly.

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TC# 1458
1971 El Camino
"What do you mean 'junk'? Its a classic."

Ok, my bad. http://www.chevelles.com/forum/rolleyes.gif

If you're really going to cut them off, I'll take the scrap. http://www.chevelles.com/forum/wink.gif Both my rear drip rail's are rusted at the bottom. Sure wouldn't mind having a little peice to weld in on each side.

If you really decide to do that, let me know. Cal

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TC Member # 1308

my trailer queen (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/trailerqueeny.jpg)
future racer (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/austin.jpg)
justins 67 (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/67sideveiw.jpg)
cals caminos web site (http://72sselcamino1.tripod.com/calscaminos/)

just an aside...You need to get some primer on that bare metal it will oxidize in a few hours and and risk oils from your hands and other stuff affecting the adhesion. Sorry didn't mean to butt in.

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71 SS-454 El Camino

rwthomas- Doesn't the roof weld to welded portion of drip rail? Driprail extends to inner roof reinf. Maybe I am missing something, but if you remove welded drip rail the whole side flange (about 1/4 ") of roof goes with it. In other words, without drip rail, roof has nothing to attach to on side. Roof would have to be rewelded to inner reinforcement along entire edge of removed welded drip rail. I am sure it can be done, however, seems like a LOT of work. Maybe I AM goofy, Karl

Cal;
I don't have anything to add but thought it a coincidence I drove through Granite city,Il. on my way home from the A.C.E.S. chevelle, El Camino show in Kansas yesterday.
My wife and I had a good time, but there were'nt enough El Caminos hope to see yours finished and attending one of the future shows.