Hey all, been a while since I posted, but do at last have something to say: engine swap and exhaust are done for the 81 El Camino yeehaw. Removed 229 V6 for a Chevy 350--fairly easy swap, right? Yes, unless: block is a 67, heads are true Vortecs with custom tall aluminum valve covers, AND you want to keep the power steering and A/C. The block swap itself was straightforward, but the brackets and belts were a challenge. The A6 bazooka compressor had to be swapped out for the R4 shorty, and the power steering pump and A/C brackets all ended up being cut, fab, an weld jobs. Got the 3 belts right after much fussing, countless NAPA runs, and throwing a belt clear across the garage. Aluminum Frostbite radiator, pair of Spal fans from a junked bus, headers, roller rockers, HEI distributor, Edelbrock 1406 on Summit intake, streetable cam. Don't have to pass smog for it, so emissions anything gone. G-force dual cutout crossmember--which has the added benefit of stiffening up the frame nicely, the thing is a beast--with Pypes dual exhaust kit for g-bodies. Would've been nice to have finished with more summer cruise time left, but I'm happy to have it done!
