how can i find out the cubic inch size on my 1982 el camino 3.8 engine?229 or 231

Welcome to NECOA/ECC Adam.

If the distributor is in the front of the motor it is a 231, if it is in the rear of the motor it is a 229. Also, the 8th letter in the VIN will tell you. "A" is 231, "K" is 229.

just multiply your displacement in liters by something like 61.4 and the number you get will be the displacement in cubic inches so (3.8 x 61.4=233.32) the formula isnt exact but it works. So id say you got a 231

http://elcaminocentral.com/users/elcamino/alphabet/w.gifhttp://elcaminocentral.com/users/elcamino/alphabet/e.gifhttp://elcaminocentral.com/users/elcamino/alphabet/l.gifhttp://elcaminocentral.com/users/elcamino/alphabet/c.gifhttp://elcaminocentral.com/users/elcamino/alphabet/o.gifhttp://elcaminocentral.com/users/elcamino/alphabet/m.gifhttp://elcaminocentral.com/users/elcamino/alphabet/e.gif

Welcome to ECC/NECOA Gunner!

The only problem Gunner, is that there were two different 3.8 liter engines available in the El Camino. One was a 231 cubic inch and the other was a 229 cubic inch, but they were both described as a 3.8 liter engine. An easy way to tell them apart was by the location of the distributor.

Math fails me again. :( Well good to know, and thanks for the welcome.