[200170]

I think anything that makes our chassis more solid is a good thing as long as it doesn’t impair maintenance. BMW made a fortune with a strong chassis. Then we need to take in consideration that our frames and chassis in many cases are not as strong as they were or needed to be but because of buck cost they were not. Just take my convertible,I have strike plates to keep the door from hitting the quarter. I would have preferred a stronger chassis in place a couple metal bumpers in the jam. More rigged in a suspension and chassis is usually a good thing.

 

[BobinPA]

Update on my front frame brace Phil made for me. Finally got time to install it. It took a bit to get the holes in the cross member tapped, but other than that it fit perfectly. After a quick pass around the block my initial impression is that this really tightened up the steering. The car always had just a little play in the wheel at center. Kind of like a dead spot and you needed to turn the wheel 1/4" either way to have input. The brace seems to have eliminated that. A very worthwhile upgrade for sure. Has me thinking about a rear shock/spring tower brace.

 

[Hotwire]

Update on my front frame brace Phil made for me. Finally got time to install it. It took a bit to get the holes in the cross member tapped, but other than that it fit perfectly. After a quick pass around the block my initial impression is that this really tightened up the steering. The car always had just a little play in the wheel at center. Kind of like a dead spot and you needed to turn the wheel 1/4" either way to have input. The brace seems to have eliminated that. A very worthwhile upgrade for sure. Has me thinking about a rear shock/spring tower brace.

Wait until you hit uneven pavement, you'll realize how much your front end was flexing. I could literally tell the difference once I bolted mine in. Before each "leg" of the front frame felt independent, you could feel it flexing when driving around, now it's a solid platform, definitely worth the investment/install!

 

[2/75NastyNewbs]

Update on my front frame brace Phil made for me. Finally got time to install it. It took a bit to get the holes in the cross member tapped, but other than that it fit perfectly. After a quick pass around the block my initial impression is that this really tightened up the steering. The car always had just a little play in the wheel at center. Kind of like a dead spot and you needed to turn the wheel 1/4" either way to have input. The brace seems to have eliminated that. A very worthwhile upgrade for sure. Has me thinking about a rear shock/spring tower brace.

I bought one from Phil too. And a rear one that he just started making. They seems to be nicely made. I just painted them the other day. I’m going to get these body mount bushings swapped out before I put the braces in. (In progress) . I’m glad to hear your positive feedback. I’m looking forward to seeing the difference especially with 275 tires up front.

 

[BobinPA]

I have the poly body mounts already installed, and am running 245's up front. Let me know how hard it is to install the rear one. I will have to look before pulling the trigger on the rear brace, as the floor under an Elco may be a little different in that area than your 2 dr.

 

[2/75NastyNewbs]

I have the poly body mounts already installed, and am running 245's up front. Let me know how hard it is to install the rear one. I will have to look before pulling the trigger on the rear brace, as the floor under an Elco may be a little different in that area than your 2 dr.

If you’re referring to the shock tower brace, I have one already. It was pretty straight forward. If you’re talking about the chassis brace shown a few post back, I will definitely report back when I get it in.

How do you like the poly body mounts? Did you get the energy suspension ones that are graphite impregnated?

 

[BobinPA]

The shock tower brace from UMI does not fit an Elco apparently due to the floor configuration. I am not aware anyone else makes that brace. Yes, I have the graphite impregnated bushings. Car is very solid, no rattles or squeaks. Happy I did the upgrade. The PO had used some junk rubber bushings he had laying around when he put the body back on the frame, or used some of the original ones I think, and they were all highly deteriorated after only 7 years. Glad I made the switch

 

[Hotwire]

I bought one from Phil too. And a rear one that he just started making. They seems to be nicely made. I just painted them the other day. I’m going to get these body mount bushings swapped out before I put the braces in. (In progress) . I’m glad to hear your positive feedback. I’m looking forward to seeing the difference especially with 275 tires up front.

You would be better off installing the shock tower brace while you have the body loose and have a little room to work. Not sure if they're the same but the UMI brace I got was tight going in, had to use a rubber mallet to get it in position, and I had to shave the ears to clear the body when bolted up. Might just be my 64 setup, but it's what I experienced.

 

[temp2c]

Back in my younger days when these cars were new. I drove a 68 el Camino 396 TH400. That car was so nimble, with a very solid feel, the interior was so quiet, no squeaks no noise.

 

[2/75NastyNewbs]

You would be better off installing the shock tower brace while you have the body loose and have a little room to work. Not sure if they're the same but the UMI brace I got was tight going in, had to use a rubber mallet to get it in position, and I had to shave the ears to clear the body when bolted up. Might just be my 64 setup, but it's what I experienced.

I already have a UMI shock tower brace installed. I agree with you though. It took a little bit of strength, cursing, patience and beer to get it in.

 

[2/75NastyNewbs]

The shock tower brace from UMI does not fit an Elco apparently due to the floor configuration. I am not aware anyone else makes that brace. Yes, I have the graphite impregnated bushings. Car is very solid, no rattles or squeaks. Happy I did the upgrade. The PO had used some junk rubber bushings he had laying around when he put the body back on the frame, or used some of the original ones I think, and they were all highly deteriorated after only 7 years. Glad I made the switch

Yeah I guess that makes sense about the elco not having room since it’s a flat truck bed essentially. I’m glad to hear your positive thoughts about the bushings. Hearing conflicting things had me worried about them being too harsh.

 

[BobinPA]

Well the strength, cursing, and beer I have. Also have a bfh. My only other issue is the EFI fuel filter and return regulator are also now in that area. Can probably make it work though. After some reading UMI does not say it will absolutely not fit. Probably an issue of how hard do you want to work to make it fit.

 

[Lew540]

Would the 1964-1965 one be different than the 1966-1967 ones and do you have one for a 1965?

 

[72chevellephil]

Update on my front frame brace Phil made for me. Finally got time to install it. It took a bit to get the holes in the cross member tapped, but other than that it fit perfectly. After a quick pass around the block my initial impression is that this really tightened up the steering. The car always had just a little play in the wheel at center. Kind of like a dead spot and you needed to turn the wheel 1/4" either way to have input. The brace seems to have eliminated that. A very worthwhile upgrade for sure. Has me thinking about a rear shock/spring tower brace.

I have one of those also if you need one.

 

[72chevellephil]

Would the 1964-1965 one be different than the 1966-1967 ones and do you have one for a 1965?

Let me find out,I'm still waiting for the one member with the 66 do make one off of,I also have a friend that has a 65 chevelle.

 

[72chevellephil]

The shock tower brace from UMI does not fit an Elco apparently due to the floor configuration. I am not aware anyone else makes that brace. Yes, I have the graphite impregnated bushings. Car is very solid, no rattles or squeaks. Happy I did the upgrade. The PO had used some junk rubber bushings he had laying around when he put the body back on the frame, or used some of the original ones I think, and they were all highly deteriorated after only 7 years. Glad I made the switch

I made a rear shock brace for one member for his elco,from what I remember it had some bends in the forks to clear the bed.
On the lateral support brace post pics of your El
Camino from the underside.
I might be able to whip one up.

 

[72chevellephil]

Oh,and thanks for reporting on the install and results after the brace install.
Bob.
Much appreciated 😃

 

[72chevellephil]

Bob,KOLO has the one and only el Camino rear brace in the world! I PM him,and I have his # will call him in the morning I'm on the west coast he's I think in the east.

 

[BobinPA]

Phil
I would be interested in the rear shock tower brace, the one in the middle of the picture above. I will crawl up under there this weekend and grab some pictures. Thanks

 

[72chevellephil]

Phil
I would be interested in the rear shock tower brace, the one in the middle of the picture above. I will crawl up under there this weekend and grab some pictures. Thanks

I contacted KOLO with the 70 el Camino I made for him.
Actually I sent him the forks,he welded a piece of angle iron to the forks he bent for the elco application,and sent me the part back to make a jig.
I need to look in my shed for it.
I'll contact you when I find it
.