Ruth’s “Daily Driver” BB El Camino

[BBLemond]

With the garage clear this past week I was able to get my 12 Bolt set up for the El Camino. Figured I show you guys how easy it really is. I end up setting these up for my friends because they think its some special magic but it really isnt too tough and if you want to do your own its a great excuse to buy some new tools

So your pinion gear is the first thing that has to be set up. They are lapped with the ring gear from the factory and so they should come with a number stamped in them which is your measurement from the end of the pinion to the center line of the ring gear.
[FONT=Calibri][url=[/FONT]https://picload.org/view/rwdldppr/1964_elcamino_12bolt_rearend_p.jpg.html][/url]

To get the center line of the ring gear you need a special tool like this one. I've had this for 30 years at least but they still sell tools like this that will do the job.
[FONT=Calibri][url=[/FONT]https://picload.org/view/rwdldpii/1964_elcamino_12bolt_rearend_p.jpg.html][/url]

Before you set the pinion gear in you have to add shims and the bearing. I dont like using a press to get the bearing on and off so I take a sander to the inside of the bearing and knock off the black oxide and any imperfections so I can slide it on and off. I do this to an old bearing but once I get everything set up I go back and press the new bearing on.
[FONT=Calibri][url=[/FONT]https://picload.org/view/rwdldppa/1964_elcamino_12bolt_rearend_p.jpg.html][/url]

I will guess on the shims for the first time to get a starting point and then go from there. The shims go on then the bearing.
[FONT=Calibri][url=[/FONT]https://picload.org/view/rwdldpil/1964_elcamino_12bolt_rearend_p.jpg.html][/url]

Then you set the pinion in the case add the bearing from the outside and tighten it up so the bearing is preloaded.
[FONT=Calibri][url=[/FONT]https://picload.org/view/rwdldppl/1964_elcamino_12bolt_rearend_p.jpg.html][/url]

The preload on the pinion bearing should be set between 20-25 inch pounds
[FONT=Calibri][url=[/FONT]https://picload.org/view/rwdldppw/1964_elcamino_12bolt_rearend_p.jpg.html][/url]

Then use the carrier bearing sleeves and your centerline measuring tool to figure out your depth
[FONT=Calibri][url=[/FONT]https://picload.org/view/rwdldpiw/1964_elcamino_12bolt_rearend_p.jpg.html][/url]

Then you just shim the pinion accordingly to get your depth. Once your depth is right place the carrier and ring gear into place.
[FONT=Calibri][url=[/FONT]https://picload.org/view/rwdldppi/1964_elcamino_12bolt_rearend_p.jpg.html][/url]

From here i needed to set the backlash which is the distance from the ring gear teeth to the pinion gear teeth. I did this by just spinning the ring gear back and forth with a dial indicator in place. I set mine to .008 to .010"
[FONT=Calibri][url=[/FONT]https://picload.org/view/rwdldwgw/1964_elcamino_12bolt_rearend_m.jpg.html][/url]

To get the backlash correct you just use carrier bearing shims on the outside of the bearing case to get it positioned right. These shims are also used for taking the slack out of the carrier bearings
[FONT=Calibri][url=[/FONT]https://picload.org/view/rwdldwgl/1964_elcamino_12bolt_rearend_c.jpg.html][/url]


You also have to tighten the carrier bearing caps before checking
[FONT=Calibri][url=[/FONT]https://picload.org/view/rwdldpww/1964_elcamino_12bolt_rearend_t.jpg.html][/url]

Once everything is tight I use a drill to spin the gears so I can see the wear pattern.
[FONT=Calibri][url=[/FONT]https://picload.org/view/rwdldpwi/1964_elcamino_12bolt_rearend_s.jpg.html][/url]

I also have someone hold pressure on the ring gear to simulate a slight load. This keeps the gear from bouncing back and forth on the gear and makes the pattern more accurate
[FONT=Calibri][url=[/FONT]https://picload.org/view/rwdldwgi/1964_elcamino_12bolt_rearend_c.jpg.html][/url]

Heres the pattern I got after the first try. This is the back side of the ring gear and this is a great pattern
[FONT=Calibri][url=[/FONT]https://picload.org/view/rwdldpwa/1964_elcamino_12bolt_rearend_r.jpg.html][/url]

And heres the front side which is also good


The gears came with instructions on what the pattern should look like and how to shim to get what you want. So they make it easy to adjust from here. I've found if Im really carefully with setting things up up to this point I usually get it the first time.

Once its all set up I take everything apart making sure that I keep the shims in their proper place and I replace the old pinion bearing I used with a new one thats pressed on. If everything goes back in the way you had it then it will stay set up correctly

[Deaf Bob]

Looks alot fancier than how I do it...
Your way is the right way and I like the pinion bearing trick!
I do it by trial and error and error untill I get the pattern I like

[Loren]

That's really one of the nicest explanations I've seen. Makes it all seem like common sense (good explanations tend to do that). I have a 12-bolt staring at me each day that a friend did some time back---which sat for a few months then locked up. My turn next I guess...I think I'll buy that tool.

Those body panels are looking nice. These days we gotta accept that you have to skin the whole thing but it's all coming along great.

[RideTech_Ryan]

looks like it is coming along nicely! If you have any suspension questions that I can help with please ask. Good luck with the new body.

[BBLemond]

Looks alot fancier than how I do it...
Your way is the right way and I like the pinion bearing trick!
I do it by trial and error and error untill I get the pattern I like

I dont know about fancier but it sure does take some of the trial and error out of it. But if you have to press the bearing on and off everytime that would make for a long day

[BBLemond]

That's really one of the nicest explanations I've seen. Makes it all seem like common sense (good explanations tend to do that). I have a 12-bolt staring at me each day that a friend did some time back---which sat for a few months then locked up. My turn next I guess...I think I'll buy that tool.

Those body panels are looking nice. These days we gotta accept that you have to skin the whole thing but it's all coming along great.

Thanks!

Yah get on it! Its really not that tough. Especially if youre not in a hurry!

[BBLemond]

So I got some pics from the painter yesterday.

Here she is in the paint booth getting a fresh squirt of Corvette blue. I was gonna go with a factory aqua blue but Ruth saw a Corvette on the road and the rest is history
[FONT=Calibri][url=[/FONT]https://picload.org/view/rwdglclr/1964_elcamino_front_driverssid.jpg.html][/url]
[FONT=Calibri][url=[/FONT]https://picload.org/view/rwdglcli/1964_elcamino_front_passengers.jpg.html][/url]
[FONT=Calibri][url=[/FONT]https://picload.org/view/rwdglcci/1964_elcamino_rear_driverside_.jpg.html][/url]

[FONT=Calibri][url=[/FONT]https://picload.org/view/rwdglccw/1964_elcamino_rear_passengersi.jpg.html][/url]

[Deaf Bob]

I beveled a thin brass drift to a "fat screwdriver" point. Then switch to a bigger diameter brass drift.. (actually rather hard copper/brass rods I got while working at a scrap yard) but taking a wee bit of meat out of the center sounds WONDERFUL!
Yes, "taking your time" is the most important part! The kid makes sure nobody bothers me while I am setting up rears..

I also like the aqua blue.. Guess you need to make the owner happy to be allowed to play with her car

[BBLemond]

Yep as long as shes happy life is good

[BBLemond]

So I got Ruth's El Camino home. Here's some more pics from my garage



I thought the engine compartment turned out really nice. Of course getting rid of the giant a/c unit helped a lot


I also am really happy with the bed. The bed liner color is really close to the paint color and it should be durable just like any truck bed with bed liner in it. Of course im never gonna use it that way but it only takes that one time that I'll regret. [FONT=Calibri][url=[/FONT]https://picload.org/view/rwdglcpw/1964_elcamino_painted_driverss.jpg.html][/url]
[FONT=Calibri][url=[/FONT]https://picload.org/view/rwdglcwa/1964_elcamino_painted_driverss.jpg.html][/url]
[FONT=Calibri][url=[/FONT]https://picload.org/view/rwdglcwl/1964_elcamino_painted_engine_c.jpg.html][/url]

[FONT=Calibri][url=[/FONT]https://picload.org/view/rwdglcpi/1964_elcamino_painted_bed_rhin.jpg.html][/url]

[Deaf Bob]

Beautiful! Turned out great!
Yep... Takes ONE TIME to bugger the bed!
I got my bike tank painted.. 2 days later I was reaching to put a rear end yoke in the Jammer pocket.. Dropped the sunnuvabeetch on my new paint.. Dime sized chip.. Painter used Imron and leftover 57 paint (white pearlish ). There was no more left. I just lived with it..

[DanStokes]

Paint looks GREAT! Nice job.

Dan

[BBLemond]

Beautiful! Turned out great!
Yep... Takes ONE TIME to bugger the bed!
I got my bike tank painted.. 2 days later I was reaching to put a rear end yoke in the Jammer pocket.. Dropped the sunnuvabeetch on my new paint.. Dime sized chip.. Painter used Imron and leftover 57 paint (white pearlish ). There was no more left. I just lived with it..

I thought that imron was supposed to be some tuff stuff?

[BBLemond]

Paint looks GREAT! Nice job.

Dan

Thanks!

[Scott Liggett]

Really like the color.