New member with 1983 Elco, looking for ideas/advice

[KYelco83]

Pewee Valley, Kentuckyy here! Inherited a decent condition 1983 El Camino. Currently has a 305 needing some work. Lower left side of engine has years of oil/fluids from leaks, valve cover gaskets leak. Looks great and is fun to drive! I've looked at a 350 or 383 swap, still researching the best fit. Also may just clean up the 305, add some headers, valve covers and poly gaskets and call it a day.

 

[bracketchev1221]

Congratulations on the new car. Decide how much of a project you are looking for. You COULD clean the engine and spend hours doing it or you could get a GM 350/260 hp crate engine from Summit and drop it right in. Just know that there was some computer controlled equipment on that year car. So you have to decide how far you want to go eliminating things. Myself, I would try cleaning it all and driving it. But if I did an engine swap I would try to maintain all the computer controlled stuff and keep the car reliable.

 

[Injectedcutty]

Wow, nice Elco! Welcome from Louisville man. There are a ton of options that will work, alot depends on skill level, budget, etc.

 

[KYelco83]

Congratulations on the new car. Decide how much of a project you are looking for. You COULD clean the engine and spend hours doing it or you could get a GM 350/260 hp crate engine from Summit and drop it right in. Just know that there was some computer controlled equipment on that year car. So you have to decide how far you want to go eliminating things. Myself, I would try cleaning it all and driving it. But if I did an engine swap I would try to maintain all the computer controlled stuff and keep the car reliable.

Thanks for the info!

 

[KYelco83]

Wow, nice Elco! Welcome from Louisville man. There are a ton of options that will work, alot depends on skill level, budget, etc.

HAHA! Mainly budget!

 

[airboatgreg]

Heck ya..
Nice ride
Welcome from SW Georgia from a fellow El C owner

 

[O. D. Showtime]

Welcome aboard! Good looking Camino!

 

[CaliWagon83]

bowtiebutler956 just did a 383 swap on his Monte. He might have some ideas or advice on doing that swap.

 

[KYelco83]

bowtiebutler956 just did a 383 swap on his Monte. He might have some ideas or advice on doing that swap.

Many thanks for directing me to bowtiebutler956 his post was detailed and what i have bene looking for. Thanks again

 

[spicercars]

Welcome to the site from Northern MN. If your on a tight budget then maybe just clean up the 305 and throw some gaskets at it.