I need to know the correct type bolts for the bed panel over the elky's storage compartment. I am using self-tapping screws (i believe 1/4") to hold it down. I plan on making it as weather-tight as possible. Is it possible without using roll-on bed liner or caulking it?

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<UL TYPE=SQUARE>
<LI> '68 El Camino w/327 Turbo 350, PB, PS, PW, cruise control, A/C, gauges.
<LI> Team Chevelle Member #1289
[/list]

Nathan,
Finding an El Camino with the correct or oe bolts on the inspection cover is rare. The bolt itself is easy duplicate, but its got an unique cupped fender-type washer that's made out of copper/brass/bronze looking material. On one of my projects, I've used plain fender washers of similar od.

The factory used a sealant on the cover, I would too. It's not a simple task to get one to not leak. I've given up and settled for making sure that there is adequate drainage underneath so that it doesn't hold water.

Good luck.

Since I couldn't find enough good bolts at the boneyards I found a good substitute at my local paint and body supply store. they had a display rack from a company called W&E Sales out of Newark NJ which had many assorted body bolts , screws, clips, etc.. The bolts I used are p/n 2256, which is a 6.3mm X 25mm hex head screw with a 24mm(15/16")loose washer. Even though its metric it worked great and looks/functions well. I have a catalog from W&E but it gives no address or web site but maybe you can find some at a paint & body store.

as for sealing the smugglers box cover I used strip caulking and seam sealer(non urethane) on the bottom side and urethane seam sealer(caulking) on the top side. Also the bolts should be sealed with a dab of seam sealer around the threads and under the washer. You can mask off the area you're going to caulk or do it free hand. I used a combination of both and smoothed the caulking with my finger(wetted with thinner). Excess sealer can be removed with thinner. After waiting for the urethane caulking to cure I primed/painted the bed.

Most importantly all rust must be cleaned/coverted and any pitting repaired first!

Also, DO NOT USE SILICONE SEALER!! Use a PAINTABLE SEAM SEALER!!

Here's some pictures of the finished job. By the way, It does hold water!
www.chevelles.com/showroom/smuglersbox1.jpg (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/smuglersbox1.jpg) www.chevelles.com/showroom/smuglersbox3.jpg (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/smuglersbox3.jpg) www.chevelles.com/showroom/smuglersbox4.jpg (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/smuglersbox4.jpg) www.chevelles.com/showroom/smuglersbox5.jpg (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/smuglersbox5.jpg)

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Elcaminos are special!
I'd rather walk around with a Chevrolet hubcap in my hand than drive a Ford


work in progress
Big James Elky(AKA Ol Paint) (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/Big%20James4XL-Ol%20Paint1.jpg)
www.chevelles.com/showroom/workgoeson1.jpg (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/workgoeson1.jpg)
www.chevelles.com/showroom/newpaint1.jpg (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/newpaint1.jpg)

[This message has been edited by Big James 4XL (edited 09-01-2001).]

[This message has been edited by Big James 4XL (edited 09-01-2001).]

[This message has been edited by Big James 4XL (edited 09-01-2001).]

A while back I asked about these bolts on this site. Got some good suggestions, search this forum and you'll find them. I can't recall the name of the company someone suggested, but I bought some screws very close to the originals from them.

I have an original unmolested Elky. The panel on mine was not sealed at all. The box itself had all of the seams sealed and has holes for drainage in it. Ventilation is important in that area also. I sanded the panel and the box, put a couple of coats of epoxy on the on everything, put new seam sealer on all the seams, sealed the screws and holes when installing. Fortunately there was only surface rust where the plastic bin rested and rubbed the paint off. My thinking is that putting sealer around the bottom and top perimeter would eventually trap water because of the limited ventilation.

I didn't worry about trapped water because when I restored the floor pans underneath I made sure any water would drain to the floorboard drains. The worst water/rust problems I've seen are where silicone sealer was used and water rusted around the edges of the silicone.

Another thing is the later Elkys have a solid floor and sealed all around. Wish the earlier ones were done that way.

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Elcaminos are special!
I'd rather walk around with a Chevrolet hubcap in my hand than drive a Ford


work in progress
Big James Elky(AKA Ol Paint) (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/Big%20James4XL-Ol%20Paint1.jpg)
www.chevelles.com/showroom/workgoeson1.jpg (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/workgoeson1.jpg)
www.chevelles.com/showroom/newpaint1.jpg (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/newpaint1.jpg)

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