I've picked up a beat up 80 ec 305 that originaly had a manual trans but was replaced with a 4 spd (overdrive) auto. When I tried to ID the oil pan shape and bolt pattern it didn't match any in my book. It is 2" longer than the 350 that I think is in my daily driver 82.
I bought the 80 for the frame, and will be putting it under the 81 conquista and adding a mild (cam,intake,headers (no smog),) 350 4 bolt in it. Presently the I've got the body off the frame and it looks like I only have to repair two body mount holes. Second question is, is that 4 speed trans going to be alright for the 350? It'll be my Sunday/Cruisenight ride with a little HP when the need arises. Oh yea, duh, pan is square,only 3 bolts on the front. Non electical as far as I can tell. BTW, may have the clutch pedal for sale when I get around to stripping what little is good, off the 80. Sorry, the stick-type column is gone. New to the site and EC's but sure got hooked quick!! :P :P

A popular swap for these cars is to put in a 700R4 overdrive tranny. It's not in your book because it wasn't offerred in the El Camino. I understand the 700 tranny will take some horsepower, wouldn't expect to destroy it with a street engine.

That swap is on my list of things to do too, along with a lower ratio rear end (2.41 is a dog). But that will happen when either the trans or rear end needs fixing anyway -- not gonna pitch parts that are still working.

Likewise, when the 305 needs work, I'll pitch it in favor of a late 350, preferably with TPI.

It sounds like a 700-r4.

Read this:

Transmission Identification & Decoding (http://www.nastyz28.com/transid.html)

and this:

CHEVROLET; CARS, TRUCKS, AND VANS, TRANSMISSION IDENTIFICATION PAGE (http://www.webbcon.com/patio/transid5.html)

:mrgreen:

Thanks, TPI, my book made reference to a 700r4 but no discription.
80---donor
81 conquista -project car
82 daily driver (wife gets the Jeep Grd Cher Lorado, of course)

When I stripped the 80 down to frame ( it was driveable),I knew that the project car would take me a couple of years and so I put the 700 behind the 229. Now I like it so much that I don't want to take it back out. Thanks for IDing it for me. Now I know what to look for for the 81.

FYI, I found the 81 conquesta in a field where it had been for about 12 years. Air,cruise,PW,full instr,(tach w/clock). It had only suffered LF collision damage, never harming the bumper or frame. just crumpled the fender,hood,and dr door, when they tried to open it. The sad part was, they decided they wanted the right spindle and started to torch it off at the frame (ouch). I had the 80 which had BAD body rust, but had a almost new front clip on it. It had leaked oil so bad that the frame when cleaned up, showed only enlarged holes at L1 and R6 body mount locations. I MAY deal with the side lights, or lack of, at a future date.

BTW, when I chopped up the cab of the donor, I did so about 8" in front of the rear glass, and you know, it looks kinda cool.
Thanks too, to Earnie G. As stated, I'm new at this EC stuff and ,dare I say it, was a ford man before. Now I can start building up a reference library for my EC's.