Hey guys, I'm new here and this is a pretty general question so I thought I should post it here so as not to piss anybody off with my first post.

I really like the El Camino, unfortunately don't know as much about them yet as I'd like to. From the gallery, I've pretty much decided that the Generation 3 models are my favorite and I'm starting to look for one to buy. I have lots of mechanical experience, and plan to build a 383 with fuel injection to drop into it, with an automatic transmission.

So my actual question is, what should I be looking for when I am looking to buy? What motor, transmission, accessories, will make the swap to a 383 FI easiest? Are there different axles depending on the motor/tranny that's in it?

Thanks for all the help and if I should've posted this in a different section please let me know.
-Mike

So my actual question is, what should I be looking for when I am looking to buy? What motor, transmission, accessories, will make the swap to a 383 FI easiest? Are there different axles depending on the motor/tranny that's in it?

The El Caminos that had a Big Block in them from the factory will have a 12 bolt rear end. The rest will have a 10 bolt, generally speaking. If you are going to put in a different engine then look for the best deal body wise you can get. Make sure its as rust free as possible and look under it at the places where the body mounts to the chassis to be sure your not rusted in places that count the most, body mounts.

Expect some problems. You are going to have to modify the gas tank for fuel injection. An El Camino 400 would have come with a big block more often than not. You are not going to have a problem with mounting that 383 in any model you end up with. For the 3rd generation Elkys that is the Muscle Car Era cars and you should expect to pay a bigger price that a later model Elky.

Thanks for all the help and if I should've posted this in a different section please let me know.
-Mike

If it helped then that is what we're here for. If not then I tried. :D

Not all sbc El Camino's have a 10 bolt rearend. My 78SS had a sbc350 and a 12 bolt rearend all stock. I have noticed at least on the 5th gen elks that you need to watch for serious rust on the rear off the frame. All of the elks that I have had, have had either a little rust or a ton of it near the bumper shocks.

Not all sbc El Camino's have a 10 bolt rearend. My 78SS had a sbc350 and a 12 bolt rearend all stock.
Sorry, there were no stock 12 bolt rear ends offered in any 78-87 El Camino, or for that matter any other 78-88 G-body. All 78-88 G-body platform cars came with a 10 bolt. Most were 7.5" ring gear, some were 7.625" ring gear, a small number were 8.5" ring gear. But they were all 10 bolt rear ends.

Not all sbc El Camino's have a 10 bolt rearend. My 78SS had a sbc350 and a 12 bolt rearend all stock.
Sorry, there were no stock 12 bolt rear ends offered in any 78-87 El Camino, or for that matter any other 78-88 G-body. All 78-88 G-body platform cars came with a 10 bolt. Most were 7.5" ring gear, some were 7.625" ring gear, a small number were 8.5" ring gear. But they were all 10 bolt rear ends. And all 5th gen Elkys had a 7.5"

Let's see, first thing to look for...

Your checkbook and a tow truck! :D

Seriously though, A lot of driver condition El's will be a bit rough around
the edges. Remember they were considered trucks and got treated accordingly so look for the normal wear and tear on the interior, Jury rigged addons and fixes and such.

Big thing I would look at is the floor behind the seats and the condition of the rear window seals. They tend to leak after awhile and can cause the floorpans to rust out behind the seats. That seems to be a common problem for all El's regardless of generation. The condition of the bed is always important in a truck and will tell you alot about how it was used and/or abused. For example on mine, I have a wavy bed floor that actually has the impression of the frame crossmembers in it from someone carrying motorcycles in it at one point. THat's an indication that it might have been overloaded which could mean rear suspension and rear end problems down the road.

On 4th gens check for rust in the floorpans underneath the smuggler's box which should be about 18" back from the cab's rear wall looking at it from under the car. I had problem there. What's bad is that there's a frame crossmember there too and it can rust out with the floorpan.

Check for rust holes on the rear fenders on the back of the wheel openings towards the bottom. Also check for rust around any moldings like around chrome strips that run the length of the cab just under the door. Leaves and dirt can get stuck in there and cause rust to develop.

Make sure the tailgate opens. I have heard that some people like to weld them shut which can make a difficult to use bed pretty much useless.

Make sure all the moldings are there. They aren't quite as plentiful as you may think especially on 4th gens. Parts for 3rd Gens and 5th Gens seem to be a bit more plentiful as I look at all my catalogs.

ONce you buy one, I recommend ECPARTS and El Camino Store for your replacement parts needs.

Just my 2 cents..

8)

Well 87camino you might want to look under my 78SS because it wasn't added later on. It is a real 12bolt with z15 on the vin. I also know a buddy of mine that has a Rare 88' El Camino with the same set up. I didnt even know they built 88's but apparently they finished up production early in the year.

..It is a real 12bolt with z15 on the vin...
Dave, I don't doubt that your Elky is a true SS, or that you have a 12 bolt rear end in it. I'm stating a fact here. There were no stock 12 bolt rear ends in the 5th gen El Camino. If you have a 12 bolt in your Elky, it was probably installed by a previous owner. By the way, Z15 is not found on the VIN number.