I am making this post to share things I have learned working on my 1975 Elcamino. I have a parts car that is a 1976 and while both are the same gen there are variations. I hope things I have learned can help others and invite others to share what they know to help anyone who is working on one of the 73-77 lost gen cars.

I am sure I will add more as I go but here is a couple of things I have found out so far. I will mention just the years I have. If you can add more info do it, also if I make a mistake correct me this is about helping each other I won't get offended

The AC / heater control unit is not the same in the 75 and 76 cars. My 75 has two levers that slide in a 13 port vacuum control (part # 340428) the 76 has only one lever that goes to the vacuum switch that has only nine ports. The face plate is also different but I dont have with me so I will give more info latter.

Seat belts are also different on my 75. I have a two piece seat belt the shoulder belt is non retracting. The lab belt is retracting and you must put them together before latching. (makes it hard to roll the window down since there is no slack in the sholder belt to lean forward to the window crank). The 76 had a one piece belt that retracts at the shoulder and lap. This causes the inside trim to be different also. The 76 interior trim has a void in it to house the retractor for the shoulder belt while the 75 only has a hole for the belt to pass through.

75arkansaelco, I want to come along for your 4th Gen Differences ride :-)

It is not necessaily the differences I am interested in but the actual detail of the '75. Mine is 11/75 build and I have very little reference data available to me.

Maybe I need correcting, should I be calling mine a '75 or a '76?

My Seat Belts retract both Shoulder and Lap. I am confused, if the lap should have an inertia mechanism or just the shoulder belt has that. That does bring the question of the lack of safety of the lower lap belt having just a reel and not locking in an impact. Is this normal and something I should worry about?

John I'm glad to see you on this post. I am in no way a expert on these cars just sharing my experiences. I think yours is a 75 because of the round headlights they went square in 76.

Here are a few pics of what I am tallking about.

This is the rear quarter trim from my 75 car the black ones the maroon are from the 76.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c270/NascarMeg/elcamino/100_1123.jpg

My shoulder strap goes through the hole and mounts with 2 bolts there is no retracter.
The 76 belt goes in through the flat slot and mounts with a retracter behind the speaker hole looking part on the trim.

Notice the slot in mine that is to hang the shoulder belt on when not in use.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c270/NascarMeg/elcamino/100_1124.jpg

Here are a few pics of my belts. You have to put the shoulder belt into the lap belt and then put in the holder.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c270/NascarMeg/elcamino/100_1127.jpg
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c270/NascarMeg/elcamino/100_1128.jpg

These are the ac control units I have.
This is the 1975 it only has 1 ac position and the vacuum is port has 13 ports and both the temp and selector levers go into it.
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c270/NascarMeg/elcamino/100_1126.jpg
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c270/NascarMeg/elcamino/100_1130.jpg

This is the 1976 The ac has max norm and bi options also only the selector lever goes to the vacuum port the temp lever only attaches to the cable.
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c270/NascarMeg/elcamino/100_1132.jpg
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c270/NascarMeg/elcamino/100_1133.jpg

Later
Brad

A build date of 11/75 would make your car a '76 model year car, John.

Both round and square (stacked) headlights were available in '76, it depended on the trim level of the car.

My '77 has retractors for both belts.

Arkansaselco: Thanks for doing this thread!

I had no idea that round headlights were available in 76. That is exactly why I wanted to do this thread. :D

I believe that the 6th digit in your vin will tell you the year of the car.

You can keep up with my progress in this thread.

Working on the interior of my 4th gen (http://elcaminocentral.com/ftopict-20232.html)

Brad

75arkansaselco, thanks for all the great pics and apologies for the delay in getting back (ECC was down every time I tried over the long Easter break).

Yep, it appears that my '75 El Camino is actually a '76, which I suppose you would expect it to be given the 11/75 build date. I have the same trim and seat belt set up as your '76 and the air conditioning controls are the same as your '76 pics.

I am still interested in getting advice/opinions on the lower belt retractor. Does it lock under any circumstances or is it just a reel with no inertia locking function?

Hemi
I am not sure but I belive it is a inertia lock. I have never hit the breaks hard enough to find out.

This post has a lot of good info check it out.

Double hump crossmembers (http://elcaminocentral.com/ftopict-20274.html)

brad

75arkansaselo, many thanks for that. I will spend a little time reading that thread.

I can confirm that the floor mounted seat belt assembly is in fact an inertia reel, ie. it locks the belt. You might like to review my thread in the Other Region section where I am writing up my experiences:

http://elcaminocentral.com/ftopict-21206.html

You will see a pic of my restoration of the lower assemblies too. Since cleaning them up and putting a little WD40 on the lower inertia reels it is tricky getting the belt to come out to buckle, as they lock so easily.

Hi guy's.
Mine is a 73. If you will pull the lower belt out as if you were attaching it for driving, then let it back ina few inches. Then jerk it out quickly as if your body were slammed against it in a crash, the belt should lock.
if it doesn't, you need to clean and lube the reel assembly, or replace it.
Hope this helps