Judge Mills' 81' El Camino Build Thread

[Rktpwrd]

Small update:

I hadn't posted it before in this thread, but I'm using Moog 5660's up front, which is 590 lb spring rate.

I measured up my factory sway bar, 1 1/16", and ordered up poly end links and sway bar bushings. I also gave the sway bar a quick shot of Rustoleum. Please tell me I put my sway bar on right. I didn't even think about it until I looked at the picture.

Besides replacing one of the tie rod ends, I may be done with the front suspension until next Fall/Winter. I think the next focus is on saving up for three more Cragar Soft 8's and tires to go with them.

You can relax, your sway bar is installed correctly.
🙂
Looking good by the way, keep up the great work.

 

[Garrett1982]

Front suspension looks good. I like the soft 8's, had considered doing those before I switched from a streetfighter type build to a mostly drag oriented build.

 

[HAFROD]

Do the valve covers have baffles in them? It seems like they don't but its been years ago I had a set. Without a baffle under the PCV, it will suck oil out. Also noticed your pic that you had no PCV grommet. These are on the shelves at parts stores (dorman). Without a PCV you'll have oil leaks. If you have a hesitation, make sure timing is correct first. If its still hesitating, plug in a vacuum gauge to direct vacuum. NOT the one on the side of the jet plate that's for your HEI's vacuum advance. With engine warm, put it in gear. Whatever your vacuum reading is, split that number in half. That is the power valve you'll need. You may not notice hesitation in park just revving it up. It may show up while driving. (under load)

 

[Judge Mills]

Do the valve covers have baffles in them? It seems like they don't but its been years ago I had a set. Without a baffle under the PCV, it will suck oil out. Also noticed your pic that you had no PCV grommet. These are on the shelves at parts stores (dorman). Without a PCV you'll have oil leaks. If you have a hesitation, make sure timing is correct first. If its still hesitating, plug in a vacuum gauge to direct vacuum. NOT the one on the side of the jet plate that's for your HEI's vacuum advance. With engine warm, put it in gear. Whatever your vacuum reading is, split that number in half. That is the power valve you'll need. You may not notice hesitation in park just revving it up. It may show up while driving. (under load)

I only had that cast valve cover sitting on there. I thought I was going to use them, but decided to sell them instead. I bought the wrong grommet size, and it didn't have an oil cap hole, so I decided to keep the stock ones. After reading up on PCV valves, I'm definitely keeping it. I bought a new one and put it in.

I did get a vaccuum gauge for Christmas, and am planning on using it once I get the Elk back on its wheels! A few months back I put in a non-CCC distributor, and plugged in the HEI vaccuum. I haven't ran it since I plugged it in. Thanks for the tip on the power valve! I had no idea. How come it will rev up fine in park, but not run so great under load?

I found my timing light a few months back as well, and am hoping to check that soon. I have very little experience using one, so hopefully I do it right.

 

[Judge Mills]

One tire down, three more to go! I think this is totally going to change the look of the Elk.

 

[Judge Mills]

UPDATE: I couldn't wait for the other 3 tires, I wanted to see how it'd look.

 

[Judge Mills]

My Elk developed a huge vacuum leak, causing fuel to come out from the bottom of the carb and for fuel to drip out of the secondaries. I decided now was the time to rebuild the carb.

The Holley 4160 has side hung non adjustable floats. I bought a Quick Fuel rebuilt kit and brass floats.

This was the first carb I've torn apart, and it actually wasn't that bad. I thought it would be a lot more difficult. The best part is: it actually started and ran great! I can still hear/feel a slight hesitation, but no where near where it was. I didn't notice the hesitation from a stop sign, just revving it in the driveway.

It also seems to be smoking quite heavily at startup, so I'm guessing this tired 305 at minimum has leaking valve stem seals. I took the Elk to the newly opened NAPA store, and it ran great.

 

[Judge Mills]

Another month, another tire! Check it out! Not sure if I want to go lower at this point, but I think it looks good with uncut springs.

 

[Injectedcutty]

Another month, another tire! Check it out! Not sure if I want to go lower at this point, but I think it looks good with uncut springs.

Looks killer, what are the specs on those wheels/tires?

 

[Judge Mills]

Looks killer, what are the specs on those wheels/tires?

These are Cragar Soft 8's, 17", 8" wide.

The tires are Federal Super Steel 595's, 245-45-17. I'm thinking I may go a little bigger in the rear, but I'll have to research how big I can go on these wheels. I chose these tires because I'd have to travel about 3 hours round trip to get name brand at a good price, and these don't get all that bad of reviews. They are probably much more tire than I need!