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Well sellinng it again for money is one thing I never see happening. I plan on keeping this car untill it is past all ways of saving it. I don't want a roll pan I love the look of the crome on these cars and I am going to try and keep as much of it that I can. I look of the caddy lights But I thought of maybe reasecing into the rear instead of flush. _________________ Don't worry about yesterday when you have today to live
Necoa #: 2682
Location: Pittsburg, California 94565
Joined: Mar 19, 2004
Posts: 149
Posted: Sat Mar 20, 2004 5:17 pm Post subject: Swap 305 motor for 350 ? is it legal in California???
I have a 1984 El Camino with a stock 305 motor. I wish to put a 350 engine as a replacement motor. The only possible problem is, will it be lega with a motor with a different VIN letter when it comes time for the smog test at years end ??" _________________ Yaba, Daba, Doo, How Sweet it is.......Or was!
Chevrolet did us all this huge favor by building so many engines that LOOK exactly the same. You can swap any other sm. blk in, just don't tell the smog police. I live in California, by far the worst smog state. I never check the engine when doing smogs, its not required. If it says it has a 305 in it and it looks like a 305 then it's OK. Just dont cam the hell out of it and someone reason to think its something that its not.
Necoa #: 2678
Location: Loudonville, NY
Joined: Mar 18, 2004
Posts: 8
Posted: Sun Mar 21, 2004 6:35 pm Post subject:
just getting started bought my 85elki with a 350 in it
have purchased 9000 scat 383 stroker crank flat top hypertech
.030 overs ,compcams xtreme energy cam , roller tip rockers
62cc chev heads with 2.02intakes&1.60 ex. dynamax ceramic coated headers headman xpipe 2.50 flowmaster delta flo 50s eldenbrock
torqor 2 intake eldenbrock 750 card
after the eng your guess is as good as mine just to many ideas _________________ Eli - Up-State NY 85 Elcamino
Necoa #: 2321
Location: 15(AZ,NM)
Joined: Jan 30, 2004
Posts: 1168
Year: 1974
Model: El Camino
Posted: Sat May 01, 2004 4:18 am Post subject:
My plans for my 74 seem to keep coming at me every 3 weeks or so. I've been getting it ready to be repainted for about 5 months now. That included removing all the two-tone trim including the lower chrome strips under the doors and all the emblems etc.
IN the meantime got the hinge covers put on after getting my tailgate hardware straightened out, changed the differential pinion seal, switched out my amp and head unit, reconditioned and painted a dash bezel I picked up on Ebay ( mine was more JB weld than plastic so it need to go ) Made one of those dual speaker setups you see in the OPGI catalogs out of my old center speaker retainer and a couple of JBL 3 1/8" speakers. (mostly because 80 bucks at OPGI seemed too much for panel board and crappy kraco speakers) Then I changed the front springs because the old ones were too damn tall and gave me 4x4 clearance.
The next up is steering. I had the steering box blueprinted 5 years ago which equals about 25K miles and since then have gone through 2 Pwr Steering pumps. 1 started leaking badly and the other just never had enough pressure to the gear. Now I may do it again and while Im at it see about changing the rag joint and rebuilding the pot joint coupling. The pot joint is what really worries me as the rubber seal has blown out. Only reason I am looking at steering is due to a little problem I've run in to with the steering feeling like it's stuck while in a turn every now and again. Kind of scary actually.
Anyway, thanks for asking lets me get my thoughts in order for the next round. _________________ 74 El Camino Classic - project car #1
96 Camaro - RIP, Traded 10-16-2007
2008 Mustang GT, It ain't a Chevy but at least it's American!
Necoa #: 2321
Location: 15(AZ,NM)
Joined: Jan 30, 2004
Posts: 1168
Year: 1974
Model: El Camino
Posted: Sat May 01, 2004 4:35 am Post subject:
Quote:
If it says it has a 305 in it and it looks like a 305 then it's OK. Just dont cam the hell out of it and someone reason to think its something that its not
At least you guys still have the rolling exemption although I hear they are trying to get rid of it or something like that.
In AZ they make me take the 74 through smog every year and test at idle and loaded on these big rollers that look like a rear wheel dyno setup.
BUt they can't pop the hood so I can put anything under there. If it was a 75 it would be a different story.
I Got rid of the Air pump and EGR long ago. Car passes sniff test better without it anyway.
AIr pump is a joke in that car the manuals actually said that backfiring was a normal occurence with it. Off it goes then, don't need my exhaust valves getting hammered by that kind of crap. Car had Federal emissons for 74 so it had no Catalytic Converter ever. All they do for equipment check on mine is GAS cap.
It's kind of crazy that they even test a 30 year old car for emissions. Most are long gone and those left don't get driven much and/or have become hot rods. That and I don't think its fair to test a 30 year old car for a loaded reading either. The emissions systems were never designed for that but I manage to pass anyway. The 69 Firebird that belongs to my mother is in the same boat, idle and loaded reading but no real equipment check.
It;s all a racket anyway. They don't have emissions testing in gas stations in AZ like they do in CA. They make you go to an "official" state inspection station and wait in line and overheat. I actually killed an AC clutch waiting in line one time. AZ is f****d up... _________________ 74 El Camino Classic - project car #1
96 Camaro - RIP, Traded 10-16-2007
2008 Mustang GT, It ain't a Chevy but at least it's American!
The only plans I have for my elky is a wagon cover, The body is straight but it badly need a paint job.
I like'em stock _________________ 1984 el camino 305
Necoa #: 3152
Location: Northern Nevada - Near Carson City
Joined: May 16, 2004
Posts: 25
Posted: Thu Jun 10, 2004 11:15 pm Post subject:
I'm just starting also. I bought an '82 El Camino with an almost brand new 231 V6 (3000 miles on the rebuild) and auto trans for $800. It's a rust-free Nevada vehicle that just needs a lot of cleaning up and general maintenence.
I just got it last weekend, and I'm tracking down a starter problem. No big deal, it just doesn't start with the key all the time. I think I have it tracked down to the positive battery cable - if I wiggle it down close to the starter, it will start. Now all I need is the time to actually get outside, get under it, and fix it. Hopefully this weekend.
The maroon interior is in great shape, except for the seat belts, which won't retract. The dash is cracked from the harsh sun we have out here, but a cover will take care of that for now. It also has a clunky looking white fiberglass camper shell on it, but that might disappear as soon as I get the starting problem fixed.
I have a couple of other projects going right now that have to take top priority, including a '54 GMC Panel van getting a frame-off rebuild, so this El Camino is going to be my daily driver. I'll be wrenching on it and improving it as I go, but it's basically going to be my daily transportation to and from work.
I don't have a digital camera, but as soon as I can get hold of one, I'll post a few pics.
Necoa #: 2321
Location: 15(AZ,NM)
Joined: Jan 30, 2004
Posts: 1168
Year: 1974
Model: El Camino
Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2004 9:20 am Post subject: Re: Swap 305 motor for 350 ? is it legal in California???
James84elky wrote:
I have a 1984 El Camino with a stock 305 motor. I wish to put a 350 engine as a replacement motor. The only possible problem is, will it be lega with a motor with a different VIN letter when it comes time for the smog test at years end ??"
I doubt it too. Most of the time the guys who check don't even know where to look for a VIN stamping. AS long as all the smog crap is there they should be happy with the equipment inspection. _________________ 74 El Camino Classic - project car #1
96 Camaro - RIP, Traded 10-16-2007
2008 Mustang GT, It ain't a Chevy but at least it's American!
Necoa #: 2321
Location: 15(AZ,NM)
Joined: Jan 30, 2004
Posts: 1168
Year: 1974
Model: El Camino
Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2004 9:26 am Post subject:
Dusty82 wrote:
I just got it last weekend, and I'm tracking down a starter problem. No big deal, it just doesn't start with the key all the time. I think I have it tracked down to the positive battery cable - if I wiggle it down close to the starter, it will start. Now all I need is the time to actually get outside, get under it, and fix it.
Good thing you got the 231 buick motor. The 229 chevy V6 was awful in my 81 camaro. My buddy had another 81 camaro except he had the 231 and it'd smoke me every time.
As for your starter. Sounds like loose cable or bad starter solenoid. Specially if the wiggle trick is working. Good luck with it!
_________________ 74 El Camino Classic - project car #1
96 Camaro - RIP, Traded 10-16-2007
2008 Mustang GT, It ain't a Chevy but at least it's American!
Truthfully my plans are to keep the 305 for a long time. I get pretty good gas mileage, and i'm just trying to make that better. I want to by then end of the summer switch my 350 tranny for an overdrive unit. Then maybe change the rear from the 2.41 to maybe something like 2.73 and at the most at 3.43. I want something that is gonna be a screamer on the highway and still get my good gasmileage. A few other things I plan on doing when money permits is new carb/intake manifold set up. Stuck with a 2 bbl on there now. But before that, some kind of nice exhaust. After that i think i'll be done with all the drivetrain aspects and just work on keeping everything nice. _________________ 1984 El camino, V8 with wheels spinning in the back, thats the only way to do it
Necoa #: 2801
Location: Callahan, FL (north of Jacksonville)
Joined: Apr 03, 2004
Posts: 555
Posted: Sat Jun 12, 2004 7:53 pm Post subject:
I cant decide all the things I want to do. Currently my car has a 350, but it is an genuine 454 SS (has the 'W' in the VIN), so I am going to restore that and make it a little more powerful than the 72's had....maybe about 425 to 450 hp...
I have a bench seat currently and column shift automatic. I purchased a tilt column (column shift) and think I will keep the bench. Its nice for the wife to slide over next to me! And the rest of the interior will have very little different from stock except color, currently factory black. I purchased a map light factory option rear view mirror and desire to add other factory type options that COULD have come on my car, like power windows and locks, etc.
I have the round gauge dash, but only with the idiot lights, not the optional tach package, so I am currently debating whether or not to restore the original type gauges, or perhaps see if I can buy like some Autometer types, and find a way that will allow me to see them through the stock holes without destroying the SS dash. I am going to also install a Painless wiring harness under dash and engine harness, since 32 years of modifications and snipping have wreaked havoc on my wires!
I am 'thinking' about...only thinking about it....doing the gauges in white face, and recovering my seats, headliner, visors etc in white and leave the dash, pad and column in black. Also probably the carpet. I want the white to ease the heat problem here in florida. But the black carpet is easier to keep clean. I think that black and white combo - if done correctly - could be cool....would even match fuzzy dice!
I have a functional factory cowl induction, and a vinyl top. The car is currently painted black but factory color was #14 Pewter Silver. I might return it to that or something similar, and do white and or blackish stripes or flames or something....maybe a mural on the tailgate...
I am installing currently matching sport mirrors on the doors. Not a factory option of course, but I found that certain ones from 71 72 GTO's and LeMans' would fit almost perfectly on my Elky door without shimming to correct height, so I am installing them.
I am currently trying to 'concept' it in drawing form ala Chip Foose on 'Overhaulin'.
other items, as budget allows:
oversized disk brake slotted rotors for the front disks
oversized drums for the back (a lot cheaper than disk conversion and close to the same stopping power)
drop spindles
powerTrax posi unit (currently a 12 non-posi bolt rear - dont know the gearing though)
DVD player in glove box
Removable hard type (like Gaylord) tonneau cover
Rhino liner
second mortgage to pay for it all _________________ Mike Stevens,
NE Florida Area Coordinator, Region 6 (FL)
Necoa #: 3152
Location: Northern Nevada - Near Carson City
Joined: May 16, 2004
Posts: 25
Posted: Sun Jun 13, 2004 12:20 pm Post subject:
elcamino74guy wrote:
As for your starter. Sounds like loose cable or bad starter solenoid. Specially if the wiggle trick is working. Good luck with it!
Yep, it was the cable. Dunno if it was just loose, dirty, or if there was a short someplace, but since a new cable was only $5 I went ahead and replaced it. Replaced the negative cable while I was at it, then replaced and added some new split loom to clean up the wiring under the hood. While I had the battery out, I replaced the bulbs in the parking lights and turnsignals (one was burned out anyway), then scrubbed down the battery tray with baking soda and water. Two hours and only minimal sweat later, it fires right up and looks a whole lot better under the hood. Most of that time was spent cleaning up the battery tray. Heh, it might be just me, but it looks like the battery sits about an inch lower in the tray than it did yesterday. It was pretty nasty.
Thanks for the help and the welcome, now I'm off to see how it looks without the camper shell on it. I have a feeling we all know how that's going to turn out.
Dusty _________________ It's not a bug, it's an added feature!
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I like'em stock
