1978 El Camino 454 Big Block w/pics

Definetly enjoy the big block in it. Its somewhere in the area of 500-550HP. It's a crate motor, I bought the car pretty much the way it sits at a swap meet. The big block is great but I need a cowl hood bad. I have a triangular holley air filter on there right now that is really short just so I can close the hood. The filter still hits unfortunately. I am hoping to get the hood soon. If you look on the tail gate in the picture I know you can't see it very well there is a spot coming through there too I need to address.

Finally had the time for the pics guys and here they are

79elky454ss said:

Lookin' good, If you switch the walve covers side to side it will be easier to add oil.

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Ahhhhh very observative my friend. Never thought about it. If it ever gets a valve cover gasket leak Ill swap them then. She doent use any oil so I very rarely have the cap off except for changes.

dogshit said:

Very cool. Overdrive electric fans & AC to! You can check out my pics for info on a simple inexpensive solution to the hood. Ever take her down to test n tune night at the local 1/4 mile track to see where she is at? Or see what kind of mpg she can get on the highway? What gears does it have?

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The best I have seen is 16mpg. As far as the strip I have never takin him down there. As for rear gear is has a posi unit but I'm thinkin a 3.08. I think it needs a 3.73 or 4.10 hahaha.

Those valve covers wont need gaskets. they have an o-ring sealing them. I got the same covers on ebay.[/quote]


Actually the motor has had some work done to it. The guy I got it from bought the engine brand new and then went through it and beefed it up even more. Originally I think you are 100% correct but now it has really thick cork gaskets.