First time for an El Camino

[Csilvy2000]

Yesterday I added to my g-body family. I have been looking for an El Camino for the past year. I finally found one that fit into my budget. It's a 1978 model and judging by the label under the hood, it was born with a 350. The car is worn out, but the body is straight and the frame is clean. Stay tuned for some pictures.

This is my first El Camino and I'm just now starting to research the car and figure out what to look for on the car. One thing that sold me is it's got PW, power seat, and power locks.

What else should I look for, that may be of interest. And without crawling underneath just yet, can anyone tell me what gear ratio this car was likely to have received from Chevrolet?i

 

[oldtinsmith]

My guess is a 2.73 rear gear. The test model in "EL CAMINO & SS MUSCLE PORTFOLIO 1959-1987" (w/350 C.I. and automatic trans.) had a 2.73 rear gear.

Doug

 

[Csilvy2000]

Thanks. It looks like the el camino has a stronger parts offering compared to the other g bodies.

 

[Csilvy2000]

I paid $800 for it and drove it 80 miles to the house. Parked it and the right front tire went bad. Is $800 fair?

 

[Gbody]

I bout my regal for 400, 800 dont seem to bad with everything being powered and working.. plus you have a 350.. i say its a deal

 

[Csilvy2000]

More pictures. The valve covers are chevy orange. Are they supposed to be corporate blue?

 

[elcaminodan]

Great deal for 800 boy would I love to get my hands on a rust free car like that . That baby blue seems rare . Good luck I like it

 

[woody31]

800 is a good deal for a running and driving elky....good luck and pics are a plus,,,cheers

 

[fnoblitt]

800 is a great deal. I paid 1300 for mine and had to tow it home

 

[Csilvy2000]

Well the drivetrain is out. Upon closer inspection, the passenger side floorboard is gonna need some attention. The front end will require some attention as well. The beautiful blue interior will REMAIN! I love it.

Some 'Tractor Supply' black paint and my small block 400.

Pictures soon.

The only thing I'm lacking are a set of wheels. A previous thread showed some 2011 Camaro wheels on a Monte. Anyone know what size spacer is needed to make those work. The 17's are what I have in mind, but a good deal on anything larger than a 14 is under review.

Thanks for the responses.