What year el caminos 73-87 came with 350's, which model, and how do I tell? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

C30Shaka · 05-11-2006, 05:52 PM

topic basically says it, I want an el camino in this year range but i REALLY dont want a 305

what years within this range had them, and specifically which trim models

and how do i tell if its a 305 or a 350

I know to look up the numbers on the stamp on the heads and the plate by the alternator but is there another way?

thanx for any responses

Chevrolet4x4s · 05-11-2006, 07:41 PM

Check the sticker in your glovebox and see what it says.If the build sheet is not there look for the emissions sticker on the corre support or look up a vin decoder.
Hope this helps,
Shane

snowbuzzard · 05-11-2006, 07:59 PM

Pretty much look at the sticker on the core support, as was said. It still doesn't gaurantee a 350. There were more 305's than 350's, and you would usually find the 350's in the Royal Knights, the SS models in the later 80's and in the Diablo's in the GMC sister line of Caballeros.

Although, lots of these had HO 305's with the aluminum intake and sometimes a 4 speed/center shift with buckets.
You might be bettr to do a transplant yourself.

Here's mine, just to brag a little

http://www.autoclubs.ca/gallery/2005.../target41.html

speed · 05-11-2006, 08:31 PM

73-77 had 350's, all 78-87's had 305 as the largest motor stock. I have had 12 in the last 10 yrs, of the 78-87's.
Easiest way is to swap in the 350, or a 400. Direct swap in, and you can still use the factory ECM with some tuning.

Slonaker · 05-12-2006, 09:03 AM

My 305 had the numbers 305 cast into the side of the block. They won't all have that, but I would be suspicious if I saw that and the seller said it was a 350. I think a lot of 305s get sold as 350s.

Slonaker

snowbuzzard · 05-12-2006, 09:12 AM

http://www.mortec.com/castnum.htm

you can find the stamped numbers here:

http://www.mortec.com/location.htm

**Zoomad75** · 05-15-2006, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by speed

73-77 had 350's, all 78-87's had 305 as the largest motor stock. I have had 12 in the last 10 yrs, of the 78-87's.
Easiest way is to swap in the 350, or a 400. Direct swap in, and you can still use the factory ECM with some tuning.

I don't know the exact years but 350's were an option in 78-81's, maybe as far up as 84. looked at lot of el camino's, worked on them and my dad's got one and I know 350's were optional. As a matter of fact the only way to get a 350 in a "G" body was for it to be an El Camino or a wagon. The 2dr and 4dr sedans (malibu classics) could only be had with 305's max and even then only the 4drs got 4bbl carbs (2drs only got 2bbls)

Joe67 · 05-15-2006, 03:18 PM

on cars that old, never trust the decals.
Run the castng numbers from the block

They had both in at least 76-77

05-11-2006, 05:52 PM	#1
C30Shaka Big bore AND stroke baby! Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Long Beach CA & Palos Verdes CA Posts: 129	What year el caminos 73-87 came with 350's, which model, and how do I tell? topic basically says it, I want an el camino in this year range but i REALLY dont want a 305 what years within this range had them, and specifically which trim models and how do i tell if its a 305 or a 350 I know to look up the numbers on the stamp on the heads and the plate by the alternator but is there another way? thanx for any responses __________________ 84 C30 - 454 Cubic Inches of Pure American Ass Kicking, Now in camoflauge. Eatin up dirt at a desert near you 91 S10 - May not kick as much ass as big brother, but at least its better than a Honda 73 Plymouth Satellite - For sale, NICE condition, Email me for details. http://www.cardomain.com/id/borrachotheshaka

05-11-2006, 07:41 PM	#2
Chevrolet4x4s Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: WV Posts: 227	Re: What year el caminos 73-87 came with 350's, which model, and how do I tell? Check the sticker in your glovebox and see what it says.If the build sheet is not there look for the emissions sticker on the corre support or look up a vin decoder. Hope this helps, Shane __________________ 1993 K1500 350 5 speed 1985 K10 Silverado Vortec 406 5 speed (in body shop) "I been drivin' this '85 pickup truck Them buddies of mine call it a bucket of rust She's a little beat up but she still runs like the wind Yeah, kinda like me I been banged and bruisedBeen around the block a time or two But I'm runnin' like new goin' places I never been No, I ain't broke I'm just broken in" 1963 Dodge Townwagon(its amazng what 30 years and zero miles will do to a vehicle ) Member#20327

05-11-2006, 07:59 PM	#3
snowbuzzard Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: mb canada Posts: 16	Re: What year el caminos 73-87 came with 350's, which model, and how do I tell? Pretty much look at the sticker on the core support, as was said. It still doesn't gaurantee a 350. There were more 305's than 350's, and you would usually find the 350's in the Royal Knights, the SS models in the later 80's and in the Diablo's in the GMC sister line of Caballeros. Although, lots of these had HO 305's with the aluminum intake and sometimes a 4 speed/center shift with buckets. You might be bettr to do a transplant yourself. Here's mine, just to brag a little http://www.autoclubs.ca/gallery/2005.../target41.html

05-11-2006, 08:31 PM	#4
speed Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Northern Iowa Posts: 258	Re: What year el caminos 73-87 came with 350's, which model, and how do I tell? 73-77 had 350's, all 78-87's had 305 as the largest motor stock. I have had 12 in the last 10 yrs, of the 78-87's. Easiest way is to swap in the 350, or a 400. Direct swap in, and you can still use the factory ECM with some tuning. __________________ Jeff J ---------- 86 El Camino 81 Monte Carlo 81 Regal 04 Colorado Last edited by speed; 05-11-2006 at 08:34 PM.

05-12-2006, 09:03 AM	#5
Slonaker Insert Witty Text Here Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 3,415	Re: What year el caminos 73-87 came with 350's, which model, and how do I tell? My 305 had the numbers 305 cast into the side of the block. They won't all have that, but I would be suspicious if I saw that and the seller said it was a 350. I think a lot of 305s get sold as 350s. Slonaker __________________ '86 Chevy C10 (Sold 04/19/13 ) Stock '01 Silverado

05-12-2006, 09:12 AM	#6
snowbuzzard Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: mb canada Posts: 16	Re: What year el caminos 73-87 came with 350's, which model, and how do I tell? http://www.mortec.com/castnum.htm you can find the stamped numbers here: http://www.mortec.com/location.htm

05-15-2006, 03:18 PM	#8
Joe67 67 is sold Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Troy, Michigan Posts: 6,733	Re: What year el caminos 73-87 came with 350's, which model, and how do I tell? on cars that old, never trust the decals. Run the castng numbers from the block They had both in at least 76-77 __________________ Joe - Formerly 67c10step ------------------------------- 1967 Chevy Stepside - ECE 4/6, fuelcell, 5lug - SOLD gr8lakes - My ebay auctions Click here to order forum apparel :: Click here to become a subscribing member Last edited by Joe67; 05-15-2006 at 03:23 PM.

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