I have been on the Forum for a while reading and following peoples builds and projects, thought it would be a good time to officially start posting.
Thought id share what i have been busy with on and off for the last year and a bit. Bought myself a 1973 El Camino that id been chasing for a while, the specific one i wanted was sold to another buyer and i kinda put the idea on the back burner for a while, until i recognized it on Gumtree again but only in a different color and some interior work done, so i snapped it up immediately. She needed a little bit of work, but thats what i wanted. Ended up replacing the carb for a brand new one, ordered a whole lot of things from Australia to replace some worn out and missing bits. Eventually got it running nicely again and enjoyed it for a few months.
Here she is in 308 Form:
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After enjoying it for a bit and sorting out some little issues i decided the 308 had to go, Roll on Chevy 454 Big Block and TH400 transmission
Once the 454 and TH400 were in i got addicted improving it. I drove it for a while with the standard diff and drums at the back. I decided to change all the brakes, so it was new discs/hubs up front with new pads, new drums/shoes and slaves at the rear, after the brake renewal she definitely felt more solid when stopping. I again drove it for a while and then the electrical issues started, that was a nightmare. I proceeded to rip all the wiring out and completely rewire the vehicle from front to back, with all new switches, relays etc etc. The gauge cluster i had was no good, as i only had rpm, fuel and oil pressure. I did some hunting and find a place that will make customs gauges (background) for almost all applications, so i made these gauges up:
Now i finally have a working speedo, fuel level, water temp, voltage and accurate rpm - The speedo is the GPS type, so no cable from the tranny to the gauge, just a GPS receiver mounted on the dash and off you go, works like a charm. Mounted a switch panel with all fuses on the panel as well
Had my Ford 9 inch diff installed, re-drilled the flanges for Chev PCD, mounted new discs and calipers at the rear, ran new brake lines to the residual valve, installed a new booster and new brake lines up front, replaced the standard Holden brake proportioning valve for an aftermarket type that works well.
I only had the metal fan running off of the water pump in the beginning and the temperature would get way high, 120deg. So i pulled that off and made up a shroud for the bac side of the radiator and mounted two 10 inch fans to pull the air through the radiator.
The transmission cooler i mounted under the passenger seat and gets plenty of airflow, i also installed a Derale high volume TH400 sump with cooling tubes and fins to help with the gearbox fluid cooling.
I had issues with the carburetor bowls running dry at WOT and the car would fall flat on its nose until the bowls filled up again, this was due to the fuel system being hooked up wrong by "so called" pro's. Ripped their system out and did it properly, installing a regulator after the carb with return to tank, now she screams at WOT and doesnt skip a beat - I feel bad for the neighbours as a 454 with no silencers at WOT is LOUD.
I have a few more little things to complete, like install glass pack mufflers to quiten it down a tad, adjust carb and scoop linkages, cut another hole in my bonnet and securely mount my 240Ltr fuel tank. Hoping to have all this done by November if time permits.
Some recent pics with new wheels and tyres, had to raise the bak with some extended shackles due to the rears rubbing a bit:
Great looking Elky you have, must be a monster with the big block?!
