:cool: :cool:

I just bought a '78 El Camino for my 16 year old son, and I need your help identifying it, and help figuring out other things about it.
First, can you recommend a book, website, etc to help me trace and figure out the emissions control plumbing? Some of the vacume hoses are missing (I think - because some vacume nipples are bare of hoses), and there's a connection missing from the throttle to a three inch rubber headed device (vacume hose on back) on the firewall. The choke doesn't work at all, but it runs farly well, other than a miss that shouldn't be there.

Next, how can I tell if the engine has been replaced? It originally had a 350 according to the emissions sticker, but I don't know if the smallblock in it is original, or even if it's a 350. It would seem to be important to determine this before I can proceed on the above issues. Other than that, I'd just like to learn more about what I have. The dash has an SS on it, and the body has no rust according to my handy-dandy magnet. According to documents found in the glovebox the original owner was from California where the Elky was until the late '80s, so I think it's worth putting a few bucks in to make it nice for the kid. I paid $3,000 so I don't think I got hurt too bad. What else can you guys recommend to look for, or at? Also, it's got a Lund sun visor on it. What's the deal with this - I haven't seen another one on any of the websites? Is it just because people don't like them? Thanks for any help you can give a new guy.

Post a pic of it if you can! Sounds like you got a great deal! Find the casting numbers on the back of the engine block, and the stamped numbers on the front of the block behind the alt, those will tell you what it is. I'd like to see pics of the SS on the dash 8)

I've scanned in the pages from the Service manual for the hose routing. Got an e-mail address?

Its worth putting money into in my opinion. By the way... Welcome to El Camino Central! 8) We're really glad that you found us. I'm sure you'll find help for most of the topics you have a need to know about your new Elky.

You are now, not to say you were not already, one of the "Interesting People" on the net! I found it "worth it" to put money into three Elkys of my own.

Again, Welcome aboard!

I'd like to see pics of the SS on the dash 8)

Sent it to you in E-mail

I'd like to see pics of the SS on the dash 8)

Sent it to you in E-mail

I know what it looks like, I have one on my '78, thanks though :D . But, I don't have it in the proper location. I have mine on the upper right corner of the Conqustia badge. If wotz's is a true '78 SS, I'd like to see what it's proper location is on the dash.

Welcome to ECC wotz! Congratulations on your new Elky.

Look in the glove box for the Service Parts Identification Label. It'll have the VIN and all of the option codes. An original SS will have a Z15 code. Look at the rear tail lights. The 78 tail lights are different than the 79-87 tail lights.

The 78 El Camino was offered with an anemic 170 horsepower 350 except in California where it was rated at an even more anemic 160 horsepower.

The Lund sunvisor was an aftermarket item I've seen them on El Caminos before. I used to think they looked cool, but I've matured since then.

:mrgreen: