El Camino Fan
Mar 31st, 04, 11:40 PM
OK, guys, has anyone come up with a really effective way of sealing up the access panel over the foot well section at the front of the El Camino bed. I have just spent much time, money and effort replacing all the floor pans under the cab and the access panel, and while it took 33 years for them to get bad the first time, I don't want water back under there again. I have already applied POR-15 to the fllor pans, both in and out of the cab.
I am considering welding in a short section of metal tube at the corner seam at the front of the bed on each side, and then attaching rubber hoses to the drain holes underneath. Any water caught in the front of the bed would then be routed directly to ground, and not be trying to work its way past the access cover seal.
A local body shop owner who has three El Caminos himself recommends using 3M windshield buytl sealer, which I have ready to apply. I just began to wonder about the lasting effects of a sealer that will not harden.
In addition, how many bolt holes should there be in the access cover in the front section closest to the cab. Mine has only two bolt holes, but the bed appears to be tapped for at least six bolts. Just GM sloppiness, or was that all they ever used? It looks like water leaks waiting to happen. I recently bought a complete set of original hardware for all of the bed sections, and it comes with about 20 of the correct bolts for the access panel, and I probably have 8 original GM bolt locations max.
I am about to finish a numbers matching 71 SS El Camino, with 350 275HP, TH350, buckets & console, tilt, cruise, and factory AC. I am ready to cruise and enjoy it this Spring after a year of detailing and restoration.
I also have a 40,000 mile 1973 El Camino Estate that I purchased last fall from my aunt, the original owner here in Texas. It is one of those true little old lady cars, and spent evryday of its life garaged, and the last 24 years never driven in the rain or dark. Had a bed topper put on when brand new, so the bed is pristine. Unfortunately, it does have about as many door dinges and minor parking lot bumps as it has miles, so there is much minor body work to be done.
Anyone with information or access to any trim parts for an "Estate", please chime in. The Estate was the luxury version of the El Camino, and may have only been produced one or two years. It has SS running gear, the swivel bucket seat interior with console, special "turbine" wheels and wood grain trim all along the sides between the two chrome trim strips. If anyone ever sees an El Camino or station wagon parts car with the Estate trim, please let me know.
It is great to have the new board for El Caminos!
I am considering welding in a short section of metal tube at the corner seam at the front of the bed on each side, and then attaching rubber hoses to the drain holes underneath. Any water caught in the front of the bed would then be routed directly to ground, and not be trying to work its way past the access cover seal.
A local body shop owner who has three El Caminos himself recommends using 3M windshield buytl sealer, which I have ready to apply. I just began to wonder about the lasting effects of a sealer that will not harden.
In addition, how many bolt holes should there be in the access cover in the front section closest to the cab. Mine has only two bolt holes, but the bed appears to be tapped for at least six bolts. Just GM sloppiness, or was that all they ever used? It looks like water leaks waiting to happen. I recently bought a complete set of original hardware for all of the bed sections, and it comes with about 20 of the correct bolts for the access panel, and I probably have 8 original GM bolt locations max.
I am about to finish a numbers matching 71 SS El Camino, with 350 275HP, TH350, buckets & console, tilt, cruise, and factory AC. I am ready to cruise and enjoy it this Spring after a year of detailing and restoration.
I also have a 40,000 mile 1973 El Camino Estate that I purchased last fall from my aunt, the original owner here in Texas. It is one of those true little old lady cars, and spent evryday of its life garaged, and the last 24 years never driven in the rain or dark. Had a bed topper put on when brand new, so the bed is pristine. Unfortunately, it does have about as many door dinges and minor parking lot bumps as it has miles, so there is much minor body work to be done.
Anyone with information or access to any trim parts for an "Estate", please chime in. The Estate was the luxury version of the El Camino, and may have only been produced one or two years. It has SS running gear, the swivel bucket seat interior with console, special "turbine" wheels and wood grain trim all along the sides between the two chrome trim strips. If anyone ever sees an El Camino or station wagon parts car with the Estate trim, please let me know.
It is great to have the new board for El Caminos!