My 1969 Chevrolet El Camino restomod project

[number9]

I like spending money on things with wheels and internal-combustion engines.. and sometimes they have four wheels instead of two.



This is my pet project, which I've had for a couple of years now. It's a '69 Chevy El Camino, it came stock with a 2-speed Powerglide and 350cid small-block. From the factory it was Le Mans Blue, which is a popular sky-blue color. Right now it has a 3-speed TH350 and I'm building a 383cid (well, 385 actually) warmed-over small-block for it. I have a big thread over on El Camino Central where I'm documenting what I'm doing to it. The previous owner did the paint job and the three-speed swap, I'll probably re-paint it and go to a four-speed next year.

Hope someone enjoys it! I can't wait to tow a bike to NHMS with it

[nt650hawk]

All I can think of when I hear of a El Camino

[TheIglu]

Very nice!

[Stoneman]

My buddy just bought a slapped-together-but-looks-really-good '72. The previous owner kinda Micky Moused it and made it look semi-nice and added headers to an otherwise weak 350, along with a shift-kit so it at least snapped a bit when it shifted. I've always had a thing for El Caminos...

[number9]

All I can think of when I hear of a El Camino

LOL! Been a while since I've seen that.. had completely forgotten about it!

[Sheppo]

it's pretty sweet. I had a 69 impala with the 350/300hp and power glide from the factory. I love the old cars. I currently don't have one, but always looking. Good luck the 385 stump puller will be impressive.

[yesterdayze]

Nice! I just sold my '68 SS 396 El Camino. Different marker placement in front, different grill, square gauges instead of round, different bolt spacing on the hood to hinge mount but otherwise pretty much the same. I am currently doing a 71 Charger SE.

[R7]

Nice! I've always liked the El Camino's, specially the older styles like yours.
What 4spd do you plan on going with?
I put a 200 4R in my 71 C10 with a stock 350 and it works great...though not sure it would hold up to a built up motor

[number9]

Thanks for the replies guys.

it's pretty sweet. I had a 69 impala with the 350/300hp and power glide from the factory. I love the old cars. I currently don't have one, but always looking. Good luck the 385 stump puller will be impressive.

I hope the new motor is impressive! Not sure what my motor was from the factory, but I presume 225hp. I'm shooting for near 400 with the new setup -- hypereutectic pistons, Eagle rods, Chevy Vortec heads, Edelbrock Vortec intake, rebuilt Quadrajet and some other stuff. Should be close to 10:1 compression too!

Nice! I've always liked the El Camino's, specially the older styles like yours.
What 4spd do you plan on going with?
I put a 200 4R in my 71 C10 with a stock 350 and it works great...though not sure it would hold up to a built up motor

Eventual plans are to put in a TH200-4R like you did. I was looking at a 700-R4 but that would require a new tailshaft, whereas the TH350 and TH200-4R are the same size externally so no need to change that. Rear end is currently an open 2.73:1, 8.2" 10-bolt. Will probably stay with a 10-bolt to save money but would like something like 3.43:1 or so and maybe an aftermarket Posi.

After all, it's only money

[R7]

Eventual plans are to put in a TH200-4R like you did. I was looking at a 700-R4 but that would require a new tailshaft, whereas the TH350 and TH200-4R are the same size externally so no need to change that. Rear end is currently an open 2.73:1, 8.2" 10-bolt. Will probably stay with a 10-bolt to save money but would like something like 3.43:1 or so and maybe an aftermarket Posi.

After all, it's only money

I only did a mild build on my 200-4R, cost me 9 bills with a new converter from a local reputable shop, and I even bought the core from him. There's 3/4" difference in length from the TH350 to the 200-4R...which will be fine for the conversion. Only things you'll have to change is the cross member location (Holes should be in place from the factory if it was ever equiped with a TH400) and modify the trans cooler lines a little bit. I'm sure whoever builds your 200 will also mention how important the TV cable is as well. Let me know if you have any questions when you're ready to do that. BTW, the 200 holds an insane amount of fluid, just over 13 quarts.

My truck has a 3.08 12 bolt, and that ratio is a bit harsh on the overdrive. I don't have a tach yet in mine, but the tranny guy did the math and said I'd be at 1700 rpm at 75mph with my current tire size and gear ratio...with the TH350 it was in the 2400 rpm range

[Sheppo]

I love the old quadrajet...Mark seems to have the set up down. My past Chevy's were in the past and had full on Turbo 350's with converter and shift kits. Or in the case of the Impala it was 1979 and gas was CHEAP !!! so who cared.