Re: 500 Caddy into El Camino
The title finally came in for the El Camino so now the fun begins. This part of the swap should possibly be in the body section of the forum, but I’d kind of like to keep everything in one post if possible however if the moderators want me to split it out I will.
I’m tackling the Monte Carlo front sheetmetal swap part of the project first. Although it’s tempting to go ahead and set the caddy motor in while the front end is apart I want to know that my clearances on the inner fenders and radiator are going to be as I install the motor. The plan in once all the mock up is done I'll pull the engine and transmission and the body will be sent to the body shop while I build the engine and trans, then paint and re-assemble everything for the final time once it's home form the body work.
After I got it in the shop yesterday I got the front end off and the motor that was in it ready to pull. I knew the engine was a 305 that someone had done a Krylon overhaul on but never really looked at it too closely. It turns out it is a later roller motor with the center bolt heads (87 up?) and of course does have the serpentine belt set up. I suspect I’ll eventually find someone who needs a builder or wants the belt setup and sell it down the road.
The front suspension has new upper control arm bushings and upper ball joints but the lower ball joints, lower bushings, tie rod ends, pitman arm and draglink still look to be original and probably worn out, so I’ll add that to the list of things to do.
I started on the doors today and they fit the holes pretty well. I do have the body line issues I knew I was going to run into. I need to raise the rear of the drivers door a bit but the door gap seems like it’s going to be good.
The upper body line on the El Camino below the quarter window will need to the softened a bit to match the more rounded curve of the Monte door.
The lower body line between the door and front of the rear tire will need to be moved down to match the door line and the body line behind the rear tire will be removed.
The doors work smoothly (between the 2 cars I was able to come up with a tight set of door hinges) and I’ll spend a little time this week adjusting them just a bit more. Although I don’t think it’s going to be an issue I want to get at least get one El Camino door glass changed over to insure there won’t be a fit problem there.
So far nothing looks like it’s going to be a show stopper on the sheetmetal swap. A friend is coming over hopefully next weekend and we will try to get the front clip on and I’ll see where we stand from there.
If you go parts hunting at any of the junkyards, also check the front of the Grand Prix frames, some have a brace that runs between the frame horns. There is also an x-brace that goes in front of the radiator, and 2 separate pairs of underhood fender/core support braces (2 from core support to fender, and 2 from fender to cowl).
