I have a 72 El Camino (350 / Turbo 350) that I'm parting out. It has the rear frame braces like were part of the F41 suspension package on the SS cars. I know El Caminos didn't have F41 as an option but were these frame braces (without the boxed control arms and sway bar) an option on Elkys? These things look like they have been on there a very long time. I was surprised when I crawled underneath to pull the rear end and saw them.

The braces I'm speaking of are like these: http://www.ss396.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=chevellecamino&Product_Code=DZ-4500

I know my 72 has them and does not have boxed lowers or a rear sway bar (but I am putting a rear sway bar on).

Matt

Both my 1970 ATL built small block (350 2 bbl), TH350, 10 bolt Malibu's have the rear frame braces. One is a two door; other one is a 4dr hardtop. Neither had rear sway bars.
Seems like they were added to A/C cars. :confused:

Both my 1970 ATL built small block (350 2 bbl), TH350, 10 bolt Malibu's have the rear frame braces. One is a two door; other one is a 4dr hardtop. Neither had rear sway bars.
Seems like they were added to A/C cars. :confused:

This Elky has AC :confused: :D


So Bill...when did you pick up the '67? I don't remember you having that. Is that the replacement for White Lighting'?

My elky has A/C as well! weird?

So Bill...when did you pick up the '67? I don't remember you having that. Is that the replacement for White Lighting'?

Not a replacement. :noway:
I used to own this car...bought it off the original owner here in GA back in 2004 and "freshened" it up. Totally rust free 283/PG car but paint/interior faded.
Sold it in Aug. '05 to TC'r BLN (Dave)...bought it back from him last week.
Dave is buying Marooned's '65...today in fact.

Makes me the 2nd AND 4th owner of this original 46K miles more door. :cool:

Not a replacement. :noway:
I used to own this car...bought it off the original owner here in GA back in 2004 and "freshened" it up. Totally rust free 283/PG car but paint/interior faded.
Sold it in Aug. '05 to TC'r BLN (Dave)...bought it back from him last week.
Dave is buying Marooned's '65...today in fact.

Makes me the 2nd AND 4th owner of this original 46K miles more door. :cool:

I couldn't believe it was the replacement...as I thought you were going to go FASTER! :D

I couldn't believe it was the replacement...as I thought you were going to go FASTER! :D

Dana,
That's just about exactly the same statement I got from my wife. :o
She would like to see the 8 Chevelle doors presently in my shop replaced...
My only saving grace here is I do have a BBC project presently in the machine shop. ;)
Just no place to put it...yet.
Thanks for the interest.

BTW...the rear frame braces showing up on lower performace but A/C equipped cars is just a theory of mine. But I have seen them on about 6 different vehicles with factory A/C as the only common thread.

This is interesting as mine also has them and is an A/C elky.:confused:

If I follow this right those braces should be the trailing arm braces going from the upper control arm to the lower control arm. We have a non-air car which had them. I also believe they came with standard suspension. All the F41 suspension did was add box lower control arms and a rear sway bar. The F41 suspension was not on El Camino's since they used air shocks in the rear like the Monte Carlo's had.

I just expected that ALL El Caminos got the frame braces in the same way that they got the boxed frames...it was clear that the 'Camino was going to be used hard; so some of the HD goodies that were optional or not even available on other "A" body lines were just standard equipment on the truck.

My '68 had them; no sway bar and only an 8.2 axle.

But, yes, it came with A/C so I can't dispute the possibility that only A/C-equipped vehicles got them. Since all the weight from A/C would be on the FRONT suspension...I don't know why A/C would require rear suspension braces.

My 70 elky didn't have them... It was a Small block non-ac car/ 10 bolt rear car.
My 68 did have them, but it was a BB SS / 12bolt car.

my 69 SB/AC 12bolt rear car didn't have them, but that rear could have been replaced before i got it so hard to know.

BTW= Schurkey, i sent you a PM over on RealOldsPower.com if you get a chance to get over there again... :-)

My 72 454 has them,no air.

BTW= Schurkey, i sent you a PM over on RealOldsPower.com if you get a chance to get over there again... :-)
Handled.

This 72 parts car had an 8.2 10-bolt.

I agree with Schurkey, I thought all third gen Caminos had them. My current one does as well as the last one, don't remember about the other two.