hey fellas i have a question...The 1981 el camino i have was a 231 v6 with an automatic trans..what size gas tank would it have come with? I want to get a 22 gallon tank but am not sure if i have one already

The stock tank was about 17 gallons. The 22 gallon was an option. It's very hard to tell the difference unless you have the two side by side. Just let the gas tank get close to empty and then go fill it up. If it takes over 17 gallons then you have a 22 gallon tank in your Elky.

When I bought my 87 the gas gauge was on empty. I pulled into a gas station and it took almost 21 gallons to fill it up. That's how I know I have a 22 gallon tank.

I'm pretty sure they also use different sending units. So, if you really want to go that route, you'll be buying a tank for around $150 and a new sending unit for another $170. Oh, and you might as well get some new gas tank straps too, another $30.

You might want to consider upgrading the fuel lines also. The one that feeds the V6 and some of the 305s were small restrictive lines. If your running performance then get a larger line size and you'll need new "Flexable" fuel lines at the tank with a little better flow than the small stock lines.

While you are putting in a "New Tank" maybe consider rigging it for Fuel Injection just in case you do decide later to add fuel injection you'll need a return fuel line. You'll have to get someone to add that for you, unless you can weld and have the equipment.

Don't weld on a used tank. You probably already know but just in case don't do it. Anyway the return line only needs to go through the sending units cap. The vapor return lines are not good to use for that.

Just my additions.

the car was sitting for who knows how long when bought it and i has had a little gas put into it within i think the last year or so..I have a feeling it might be rusting out inside..i pumped up the gas into a bottle to look at it and it didnt look too good...Also there are bars aroudn the tank that lead to the tow a hitch..i have no idea how to get them off. any ideas? Fuel injection is not going to be an option for this car i did plan to put a tuned port system on it but changed my mind..I want this car to be simple and functional..I have enough worried with the injection system on my vette..I want a good ole fashioned carb set up.

where can i get a 22 gallon tank for 150????

$237 at GasTanks.com (http://www.quantaproducts.com/store/prodinfo.asp?number=GM-515&variation=&aitem=5&mitem=12)

where can i get a 22 gallon tank for 150????
Honest Charley has them for $179.95 with a filler neck. Subtract your ECC 10% discount that'll bring it down to about $161.

I was going to suggest looking at the RPO codes, but I don't think those were around in 1981 yet.

If they were, the code "N23" specifies "FUEL TANK, 83L, 22 GAL"

...the code "N23" specifies "FUEL TANK, 83L, 22 GAL"
...and in 1981 it was a $21 option.

I guess if you could find the build sheet it would say which tank your El Camino came with.

where would i find that code at...would i get the build sheet from?

Use the ECC Search engine (http://www.elcaminocentral.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=search) to search for "build sheet". It's a topic that has been discussed quite a bit.

If Honest Charlie has Elky tanks for only $161 versus $237 from Quanta Products, then maybe someone knows a cheaper place to get a replacement tank for my '83 Malibu wagon, too? Thanks!