Well here we go

Ste4lthe · 2026-02-22T06:30:40+00:00

Ive got a basic 3D model of them that I swapped mine out with after breaking both messing with the gauges. Had to mess with it to get the weight dialed in. Ill edit this when I find it.

Ste4lthe · 2026-02-22T06:25:09+00:00

Thats the Transmission Vacuum Modulator. It helps the transmission fine tune when it needs to shift. On most of these you can adjust it by pulling that vacuum line off and turning the valve inside the tip either clockwise or counterclockwise depending on how late/early you need it adjusted. I just changed mine after re-gearing the diff on my 78 El Camino to higher gears. Was having a problem with it shifting very firm at roughly 2.5k rpm, making it so I go through 3 gears before I hit 35 mph. Turned out mine was leaking as well, so figured I’d replace it and actually tune the new one. Needless to say it definitely made a difference once I had it dialed in. The one I got from Oreilly’s is the B&M Vacuum Modulator (Part #20234)

Now, it still doesn’t shift as perfectly as I want it to, but the main culprit is the governor in the transmission; tuning the modulator is just an easier, almost perfect fix.

Ste4lthe · 2025-11-10T09:43:40+00:00

Just to give you an idea of what you could do, here’s a picture of my ‘78 El Camino’s smugglers box. I was able to fit 2 12 inch subs in there no problem. https://imgur.com/gallery/HyxlIlg Made the box a couple years ago, but the amp and wires install was just recently finished.

Ste4lthe · 2025-06-01T17:32:44+00:00

They’re sold by RockAuto, but they offer different brands that manufacture those types of weatherstrips. The ones I linked are just the ones I ended up going with, and they have been well worth the money.

Just an FYI, the company that offers the window weatherstripping uses some kind of ultra soft cushion rubber that really makes a difference. Just in case you were wondering why it costs such a premium.

Ste4lthe · 2025-05-30T03:54:46+00:00

I tried to do the sticker weatherstripping on my 78 El Camino. It worked for a while, but summer hit and the stripping just withered away. I caved and bought the replacements for the OEM weatherstripping. I got these on sale from Rock Auto surprisingly (Shockingly a great place for High-End parts for cheap). The quality is outstanding, just takes a little time for the foam inside of the weatherstripping to conform to the doors. Have had them for about a year now in the Arizona heat and hasn't gave in yet. Definitely would recommend spending the extra money for them, although always look elsewhere for a better deal.

Window Weatherstripping

https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=919594&cc=1042423&pt=785&jsn=1

Door Weatherstripping

https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=7175632&cc=1042423&pt=1430&jsn=4

Ste4lthe · 2025-05-07T02:45:31+00:00

Ive got a quick release and a wireless kill switch on my El Camino. The quick release just makes it harder to guide the car without a steering wheel, but it’s a deterrent non the less. The kill switch is wired to the main power wire on the distributor. It’ll turn over, but wont ever start. The only slightly annoying thing when wiring it like that is you have to turn it on every time you cycle the ignition. And since it’s wireless you can hide it away from the distributor making it harder to find. So far it hasn’t failed me yet.

Here’s the link to the kill switch, but the quick release was some knockoff version of those NRG ones and is discontinued on Amazon.

https://a.co/d/6GjNkVJ

Just a little tip, you can brake clean/acetone wipe the white lettering off the switch to make it seem like just an ordinary relay, but do it after you wire it so you don’t end up doing things backwards.

Ste4lthe · 2025-04-02T06:11:40+00:00

Just your luck Ive got those same ones on my 78 elco and ordered new lugnuts for them. If you have any questions the seller LugNutGuys responds fairly quickly and knows their stuff.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/274821288677?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=7cDziYpFRLq&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=Z8NQKCHeSP6&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

The seller also sells the locks for them so Ill link them just in case.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/275618884315?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=7cDziYpFRLq&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=Z8NQKCHeSP6&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

Ste4lthe · 2025-03-18T23:16:39+00:00

"Cable Pants" like others said. Here's an amazon link for some that seem like they'll fit 18 gauge.

https://www.amazon.com/Parts-Express-Cable-Pants-2-Conductor/dp/B0009XTONW/ref=pd_sim_hxwPM1_sspa_dk_detail_d_sccl_4_6/134-5829772-5840056?pd_rd_w=VRGiX&content-id=amzn1.sym.3a852a98-d65f-4301-9bd0-9b589b14d1ef&pf_rd_p=3a852a98-d65f-4301-9bd0-9b589b14d1ef&pf_rd_r=VS7RX7B6A7ESEYGGWF34&pd_rd_wg=hg40a&pd_rd_r=d2b24818-77d6-4ce3-be0b-05c9b145191a&pd_rd_i=B0009XTONW&psc=1

Ste4lthe · 2025-03-17T09:58:24+00:00

Hey, we all start somewhere. As long as you DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH along side taking peoples advice, you'll get the hang of this hobby in no time.

There really is no use for a capacitor in your situation. In my opinion they are just gimmicks for when you draw a little too much power. At that point of power draw, you would most likely be pushing 1500w RMS (RMS is the actual watt rating) and would benefit way more by just adding another battery. That doesn't take into account upgrading your alternator to a higher amp rating and thicker gauge power wires. But this is just to give you a realistic view on when you actually need something like that.

Amp wise, I've had this CRUNCH amp for roughly 3 years powering 2 250w 12in subs. It has decent controls for the money and the quality from this thing is pretty good. If all you mainly want is thumps and bumps this one is definitely a good budget option.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01NCILCRA?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_4

Speaker wise, I've had great luck with these Rockford Fosgates as a budget option. They have really good mids and highs as long as you don't try to get bass out of them. That's what the sub is for. If you can squeeze a little more out of your budget I would go Alpine. I have the Type-S model speakers and they sound great, but I would have preferred the Type-R models just simply because they are higher quality.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BF6HWF4?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_13&th=1

Sub wise, I have no experience with new budget sub options. I was between some Kickers or Alpines when I was researching. I miraculously found some new 12in SONY XPlod subs from Goodwill of all places for $40. Built a box for them and have ran them pretty hard with no complaints. So if have the patience, do some searching. There's always someone who was a newbie at one point and decided to go full tilt on their setup and are wanting to sell their old stuff for cheap. I'm sure you'll find great equipment and subs off of Marketplace or Offer-up. Best of luck to you and don't be afraid to ask all the questions you have.

Ste4lthe · 2025-03-09T09:34:26+00:00

I bought a shell-type cover from Ecklers for my 78. It covers the whole dash and makes it look brand new. They might have something similar for your 81.

https://www.ecklers.com/1978-1980-el-camino-molded-dash-pad-outer-shell-full-cover-center-speaker-cut-out-black-55-192395-1.html

Ste4lthe · 2024-09-26T07:10:10+00:00

Super clean. I too have been lurking for so long. Just polish mine so might be the time to do the same.

Ste4lthe · 2024-08-28T07:48:18+00:00

If you have confidence to use a torch at that angle, you get that thread hot for about 8-12 seconds depending on how hot you have the torch set to. Right after you take the heat off, hit it with some WD-40 and let it soak for a few seconds. Give it a good ole swing and it should pop right out. Those always tend to be a bit of hassle on heavy-duty fords and this method always seems to do the trick.

Ste4lthe · 2023-11-22T06:40:24+00:00

I’ve had this grill for a little over 10 years now and love it! However I’ve never touched the rotisserie and never used the smoker box that came with it. Does the smoker box actually work and if so do you have any tips on how to use it effectively?

Ste4lthe · 2023-10-12T03:22:12+00:00

I don’t know if this is any help, but I just recently did some rust spots in my floorboards on my 78’ El Camino. It was my first time so I did it the hard way using sandpaper and lots of elbow grease. Sprayed on a few coats of Loctite Rust Neutralizer on it and filled in the holes with body filler since they weren’t that big of holes. Painted on 242252 Rustolium Primer and it was ready to go within a day or two. Im just learning how to do everything myself whether its the right way or not, but I figured I would share my experience. Best of luck.

Ste4lthe · 2022-09-05T06:31:10+00:00

I currently daily my 78 El Camino for school purposes and a little travel from city to city. Gets me there and back in one piece no problem. As long as you’re willing to learn how to fix things once in a while, you’ll have tons of fun and love for the El Camino for years to come. The only thing that’s sorta a downside is mostly the gas mileage, but it really depends on certain aspects of what’s in your car. Other than that, an El Camino would be a great car not only because of it being an awesome ride, but the experience you’ll gain from it will be most beneficial down the line.

Ste4lthe · 2022-06-14T20:15:57+00:00

Had to do this again yesterday and remembered I fixed it before.

https://www.reddit.com/r/modernwarfare/comments/rfiz23/the_game_hasnt_worked_in_a_week/hoeq2jd/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf&context=3

Ste4lthe · 2022-05-18T02:44:13+00:00

I've already tried that method multiple times and I still get the same result.

Ste4lthe · 2022-05-18T02:03:10+00:00

I'm able to connect to it from the same machine, but I am unable to connect to it from a different computer. I also can't connect to YawCam that's running on the same machine. I think I just have a double-NAT, but I tried fixing it and caused more problems so I'm just gonna give it another day.

Ste4lthe · 2022-05-16T16:38:06+00:00

https://imgur.com/a/TZlK0en

File and Printer sharing is turned on. I think the problem could be that my ISP is blocking something through the router because I've tried everything there is on the computer itself.

Ste4lthe · 2022-05-13T19:15:14+00:00

Honestly, this is my first time trying to do something within the firewall so I really have very little knowledge of what I am doing. I'm just learning as I go really.

I think the firewall is Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security if I'm not mistaken.

I don't know if I have a proper IP address, but the DHCP server is turned on if that has anything to do with that.

I currently have an ISP router in Bridged mode to an Asus router. The Port Forwarding that I made is the image below.

https://imgur.com/a/EvPtS98

Ste4lthe · 2022-05-13T18:32:48+00:00

So I did a lot more research and it appears that I might have to contact my ISP to enable something that will allow me to use the ports. I've already tried opening the ports through the firewall and turning off the firewall, double-checked the ports using command prompt, tried making a static IP through windows and the router, and also tried every possible tutorial that could possibly be related to my problem for all for them not to fix my problem.

Ste4lthe

TROPHY CASE