Thread: How many El Camino specialists do we have in here?

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Well I may not be an Elky specialist, but after 7 years of rebuilding a '69 SS I just might be as close as you get.

With regard to the trim, it seems to me to come off easier than it goes on.

I just got finished putting the bed trim on mine and the drivers side will just not sit right. The pax side is solid as they come, but I've got to figure out what to do with the drivers side.

Wheel trim involved drilling holes in the sheet metal (which was new in 50% of the wells). Watch out for the trim! As the night that I was doing that task wore on, I kept adding scotch to my empty glass...My last trim installed I left the drill on reverse and tried to drill a hole through the partially mounted trim piece.

Yup, I tore that nice piece of aluminum all up.

Lesson learned (again), keep the scotch away from power tools!

With regard to places to find parts, OPGI (oringinal parts group inc) has a dedicated catalog (hard copy and online) that has worked well for me. They also give some credit if you are buying a lot of parts (through a point system based on the total order).

www.elcaminostore.com also has a good selection, but opgi got the most of my business.

Good luck and keep writing! I've got to run to some meetings, but I'll check back soon!

Originally Posted by Hot Rod Surfer

Well I may not be an Elky specialist, but after 7 years of rebuilding a '69 SS I just might be as close as you get.

With regard to the trim, it seems to me to come off easier than it goes on.

I just got finished putting the bed trim on mine and the drivers side will just not sit right. The pax side is solid as they come, but I've got to figure out what to do with the drivers side.

Wheel trim involved drilling holes in the sheet metal (which was new in 50% of the wells). Watch out for the trim! As the night that I was doing that task wore on, I kept adding scotch to my empty glass...My last trim installed I left the drill on reverse and tried to drill a hole through the partially mounted trim piece.

Yup, I tore that nice piece of aluminum all up.

Lesson learned (again), keep the scotch away from power tools!

With regard to places to find parts, OPGI (oringinal parts group inc) has a dedicated catalog (hard copy and online) that has worked well for me. They also give some credit if you are buying a lot of parts (through a point system based on the total order).

www.elcaminostore.com also has a good selection, but opgi got the most of my business.

Good luck and keep writing! I've got to run to some meetings, but I'll check back soon!

LOL's. So I need to add...."Leave beer in fridge" to my method of procedure before starting. Check. Got it. LOL's.

Well thank you much! I will look these guys up. I found the El Camino Store....just having trouble figuring out what is what in line of trim. I'll figure it out though. Bet that'll be a sweet ride you have there. My son has been walking around in "Wonderland" ever since he found out I bought him the Elky. Grins from ear to ear.

Again. Thanks.

Dave G

I did a 65 elky several years back.. As I recall that top trim is retained by some goofy hook type things that make it easy to install but it's a bear to take off.They snap over the pinch weld and hook into the molding.The key word is "patience" if you want to re use them..I would start at one end and gradually work inside and outside..If you start at the back you might be able to slide it off once you get a couple of them loose..A lubricant might help but that could play havoc with your paint stuff later on...Hope some of this helps.. I used a hook tool a lot and you might be able to use one of those "wiggler" things made for windshield moldings

Originally Posted by Daffy427

I did a 65 elky several years back.. As I recall that top trim is retained by some goofy hook type things that make it easy to install but it's a bear to take off.They snap over the pinch weld and hook into the molding.The key word is "patience" if you want to re use them..I would start at one end and gradually work inside and outside..If you start at the back you might be able to slide it off once you get a couple of them loose..A lubricant might help but that could play havoc with your paint stuff later on...Hope some of this helps

Yes. Thanks so much. It does help. Now I at least have a mental picture of whats under there! Really appreciate the help!

Thanks,
Dave G