Hi, I'm new here, so I thought I'd introduce myself.

I purchased a '79 Corvette last year, and have been spending much time tinkering with it. It's really my first car that I cared about. All previous cars have been basically a way to get from Point A to Point B. This is more a matter of enjoying the trip :)

Anyway, I've always liked El Caminos, as well. I think it's one of the better "SUV"-type vehicles. Handling of a car, with the cargo capacity of a truck, instead of the other way around, like so many of the "cute" SUV's that are on the market now.

So, I want something that I can drive around in the winter, since I trust my own driving skills, but I don't trust other drivers not to do something stupid, and even small body damage is a major expense, on the Corvette.

I've been looking around, and I can get an '81 El Camino locally (well, 2 hours away, but that's local, as far as I'm concerned). That seems to fit my budget, and my needs for a thoroughly practical alternate car. It should also help when I need to haul around large items like engines and transmissions, as I work on the Corvette (I'm doing my own sort of restoration - making the car perform like it should have, if the smog laws hadn't killed the performance cars of that era). After I get the Corvette done, I'd like to start tinkering with the El Camino. Nothing too extreme, but I'll be able to put things like the Corvette's current engine into the El Camino, when I build the 400-block (probably bored and stroked to 427 or so :) ) for the Corvette. I want to keep it practical, but I don't mind having some fun, too :)

I have some technical questions, though:

1. Are there any particular problems that these cars are known for? If so, what's the best way to check for that problem in a quick inspection?

2. I know very little about GM 6-bangers. I need to verify things with the seller, but from the way he phrased things ("it has a 305, now"), I'm pretty sure it was originally a 6-banger, and was converted to a 305 V8. I'm not sure to what extent this is a "bolt in" operation, so if there is anything to look out for that might not have been converted correctly, I'd like to know what to look out for...

3. What type of rear end will it have? (ratio and open/positraction) If there were options, is there any good way to check, from the outside?

4. The seller formerly also had an '85, and has some spare parts (nose, doors) that are included in the sale. I don't much intend to replace the nose, but he did say that there is some rust on the bottom of the doors that are on the car, so I wanted to verify whether the '85 doors will bolt right onto the '81 chassis, if anyone here knows...

5. It has a TH350 transmission. At some point, I'd like to convert to overdrive, since this is supposed to be my "practical" car to go along with the less-practical Corvette. I wanted to check if anyone knows whether the overdrive shifter and crossmember from the later fifth generation cars ('85+, I think, had optional overdrive automatic, correct?) will bolt right in, if I can get one off a wreck?

6. Lastly, the guy wants $800. Does that sound fair, assuming the condition is sound?

Thanks for any help
Joe

Welcome to ECC. First off, I used to live in Maine (75-78 NAS Brunswick), and anything locally is 2 hours away! I'm not going to answer all your questions, I'll give others a chance to keep your interest level up. The doors will fit, no problem there. $800 bucks is cheap...real cheap(!), especially if there is little or no rust. Check the quarterpanels out in front and behind the rear wheel, thats usually where it starts. Also check the rear frame and the body mounts from the axle back to the rear bumper, another bad area where rust starts, especially if salt is used on the roads in winter, if I remember right Maine does during those very harsh winters. The car should make a good alternate/parts chaser. They don't get very good traction though on wet, icy or snow covered roads. You'll need to carry something heavy in the back during winter (sandbags). The car was made with a V6 and a V8 (305), it's unusual for someone to yank a V6 and install a 305, usually they go for a 350 or something bigger. Maybe, the 305 is the original engine? If you can find the GM options code sticker, someone here can tell you for sure. It may be in the glove box, thats where mine is. It's also the easiest way to determine what axle ratio you have. Mine has a 350 THD trans, I don't know what the axle ratio is. It gets some pretty good gas mileage, much better than I thought it would with a V8. However everything is being replaced soon, and it won't be getting good gas mileage when I'm done with it. That's why I bought it. They are fun to drive, fun to work on, (most parts readily available) and easily customized/modified. You better be careful though, if you buy it, you may catch "Elky Fever" I did! Good Luck!

Check for rust around the rear window Elky's are bad about this area.. But 800 bucks sounds like a good deal either way to me....

Welcome, Shark. (I guess that's from 3rd gen Vettes?),

If the eighth digit of the VIN is a "K", the Elky was originally a 6-banger. If it's a "J" it was a 267cid V8, if the letter is an "H" it was a 305cid originally.

Rear axle ratios could run anywhere from 2.29 to 3.23 in 1981.

Many of the 1978-1987 El Camino/GMC Caballero body parts will interchange. Front fenders and headlight parts are unique to (78-81) and (82-87).

Good luck with the Vette restro and with finding an Elky. You will enjoy both!

-dan

Welcome to ECC. First off, I used to live in Maine (75-78 NAS Brunswick), and anything locally is 2 hours away!

Yeah, this one is actually in Mass, but I'm so used to driving long distances that I don't even think of two hours as far.

The car was made with a V6 and a V8 (305), it's unusual for someone to yank a V6 and install a 305, usually they go for a 350 or something bigger. Maybe, the 305 is the original engine? If you can find the GM options code sticker, someone here can tell you for sure. It may be in the glove box, thats where mine is. It's also the easiest way to determine what axle ratio you have.

I'm thinking maybe he took the 305 out of the '85 that he used to have, and put it in the '81? I'll know better, when I look at it :)

I'll also look for that options code sticker. Sounds like it shouldn't be hard to get at (the build sheet for the Corvette is on top of the fuel tank - talk about a pain in the neck to get at!)

Mine has a 350 THD trans, I don't know what the axle ratio is. It gets some pretty good gas mileage, much better than I thought it would with a V8. However everything is being replaced soon, and it won't be getting good gas mileage when I'm done with it. That's why I bought it. They are fun to drive, fun to work on, (most parts readily available) and easily customized/modified. You better be careful though, if you buy it, you may catch "Elky Fever" I did! Good Luck!

Yeah, I'd like to keep this one practical, but I'd love to get a '68 or '69 some day, and go wild :) I can't really justify a big block for the 'Vette (no need - it isn't allowed to run faster than 11 in the 1/4, due to the independent suspension), but I'd love an oversized big block in an El Camino, to show people what we mean by "American Iron" :)

One project at a time, though :)

Welcome, Shark. (I guess that's from 3rd gen Vettes?),[/B]

Yup. :)

If the eighth digit of the VIN is a "K", the Elky was originally a 6-banger. If it's a "J" it was a 267cid V8, if the letter is an "H" it was a 305cid originally.

I'm mostly used to the 350 small-block... assuming the car has a V8, is there any easy way to tell if it is actually the 305, or if it's the 267, other than checking the casting numbers? In other words, are the markings in different places, or something like that?

Rear axle ratios could run anywhere from 2.29 to 3.23 in 1981.

I guess I'll probably end up jacking it up and counting the driveshaft revolutions, as I turn the wheel. I'd prefer the shorter ratio, to go better with the 200-4R that will eventually find it's way in there (and I don't plan on replacing the ring&pinion any time soon, so I'd like to find one with the gears that I want).

Thanks for the welcome and all the tips on what to look out for, guys. I'm going to check it out, tomorrow morning. If everything looks good, I'll probably take a second trip over on Monday to pick it up :)

If not, I'll keep searching...

Joe

I believe the smaller V8 had a 2-bbl and the 305 has a 4-bbl. Obviously those could have been changed. Get the axel code and we can look up the rear ratio.

Hi Joe - Welcome to ECC and NECOA! It sounds like you haven't actually seen the Elky in person. Is that right? Here in Mass. anything under $1000 is usually a bucket of rust with lots of dents and dings. I haven't seen a rust-free Elky for sale here for less than $4500...so be very cautious. There are two low-mileage rust free Elky's for sale North of Boston that look really good, but they are $6500 and $8500. Don't waste your money unless you put it up on a lift and have it inspected for body mount points, the frame around the rear wheels and the back of the passenger compartment floor panels. These are the major problem areas on local cars. Give me a call or email if the car is located around Interstates 495 and 93 (Greater Lawrence) area and I'll give you the names of reliable shops that can do a quick and cheap check for you.
Welcome to the club and get ready to have fun and spend money.

Thanks, I'm going to take a look at it in a couple hours. I'll know more once I've looked it over, with the helpful advice you guys have given me.

John: It's located in Leominster. If everything looks good, from my basic inspection, I'll make a second trip in a few days, and take it to a mechanic, at that point, so any leads on good shops would be helpful.

Joe

Well, that one didn't pan out. The condition was just too poor.

So, I'm going to keep my eye out.

If anyone hears of any good deals, feel free to let me know. My budget is $1000-2000, depending on how much advance notice I have to let me save up some money. I'm not looking for anything too fancy - as long as it goes from Point A to Point B in a safe manner, I'm not picky. I'll worry about fixing it up properly once I get the 'Vette into better shape. Right now, I just need transportation :)

Joe