Help Identifying what engine is in my El Camino.
Posted by YamiKASocial@reddit | projectcar | View on Reddit | 40 comments
I don't know much about cars at all, I've just looked up stuff. I've been working on her here an there and I've tried to look it up, but I genuinely can't for the life of me find any block numbers. I'm sure you guys will be able to help me In no time, and she isn't the prettiest I know lol.
Unhappy-Airport-4112@reddit
Run of the mill small block. The casting numbers are on the back of the block, behind the driver side head.
Panpitter@reddit
Guessing 305, but if it has a large groove cut out on the lower harmonic balancer then it's a 400 which is rare for that model. If it runs good those models would not pull after 4k rpm if it has the 305 5.0L. However the 350 5.7L would continue pulling stronger past 5k rpm easily. 400 sbc would start dropping out around 5k
Albino_Echidna@reddit
It's a Small Block Chevy, but more specific pics will be needed to tell you anything more. You need a picture of the deck stamp, which is a flat spot sticking out from under valve cover on the passenger side, right behind your alternator. It would also help to get a picture of the casting code, which is going to be on the top of the engine near the firewall behind your air cleaner and slight favoring the drivers side.
DFA_Wildcat@reddit
The stamp is only going to tell you what the block was when it came from the factory. SBC crank swaps are super common. The only way to tell 100% for sure is to pull a head, measure the bore, then spin the crank and measure the stroke. Unless you need displacement specific parts, like rings, it really doesn't matter what the displacement is for a daily driver.
YamiKASocial@reddit (OP)
Thank you sir, I found the one you said is near the alternator, but it's grimy as hell. Imma run and grab a can of brake cleaner, and I'll have ya that number asap lol. Very much appreciated
twizted_whisperz@reddit
There is also a flat surface on the block behind the driver side head that will tell you what size it is.
Traditional_Ad_1360@reddit
Wow, someone has Mickey moused a lot of things on that motor.
masterteck1@reddit
Looks like a standard 305 or a 350 with a single hump head so you don't have fuelie heads. With the intake it looks like a performer I don't know what kind of carburetor you got. Usually they put a 650 or a 750 on them. Anything more than that and your wasting fuel. What kind of carburetor I couldn't tell you it looks like you have a aftermarket air cleaner top with a recyclable air cleaner
YamiKASocial@reddit (OP)
All I've done is fix minor things and do the exhaust, the lady who I bought it from bought the holly street warrior carburetor that's what's on there now. The intake is a weland team G or however you spell it lol. It's like $480 for just that intake. I was googling it and it was saying that the intake is bottlenecked by the carburetor because it's only 600cfm. But I don't know anything about cars that's just what Google said
Kurchok@reddit
If its the same team G intake as the one I've got, it could be a single plane, which is usually pretty poor for street use, good for high revving
masterteck1@reddit
Yes we got a performer bottom end with a torque carburetor
largos7289@reddit
Well without pulling it or running the engine numbers, it's going to be either a 307, 305 or a 350.
rwhart@reddit
Someone probably once claimed it’s a 350, but its most likely a 305z
Beullersghost@reddit
305 with an air gap intake and headers, so much waisted money
Familiar_Palpitation@reddit
Or 307.
Tbirdoc@reddit
Probably not a 307, too new of a el Camino. But dollars to donuts a 305.
rwhart@reddit
100% - That's happened to a couple of folks I know that bot an old hot rod.
Familiar_Palpitation@reddit
Makes V8 noises and looks the same, just not the same power.
New_Wallaby_7736@reddit
305 to 383. What a spread am I right?
TankerKing2019@reddit
How about 262 to 400.
YamiKASocial@reddit (OP)
El Camino Runnin
EpidonoTheFool@reddit
Was thinking same thing
Dinglebutterball@reddit
Love the color and the vibe of that thing
If it runs good with that big single plane intake I’d wager it’s not a stock motor.
sladebonge@reddit
Pre-1987 sbc
Ok_Raccoon_2711@reddit
The black and green alternator wires need the connector replaced, the wiring at the end is looking bad.
chuck-u-farley-@reddit
Small block Chevy. Could be any cubic inch denomination from 265-283-327-350-400 Numbers on block under the alternator directly in front of the cylinder head and on that back drivers side behind the distributor will allow you to look up what it is exactly On a side note that got a single plane intake on it….. betcha she revs to the moon but is a little lacking on the bottom end…. Would be much better with a dual plane to build that low rpm torque….. Wonder what gears are in it?
New_Wallaby_7736@reddit
Don’t forget the stroker. 😞
chuck-u-farley-@reddit
I wasn’t even gonna include those because if someone has went thru and done that type of work there is usually some knowledge of it ya, know what I mean?
BossHoggInc@reddit
Smol blok cheb
djsilentmobius@reddit
I mean, it looks like a 327 from an old corvette to me... but... I'm baised and our 73 El Camino has the 454
UnbelievableDingo@reddit
302?
YamiKASocial@reddit (OP)
El Camino Runnin
YamiKASocial@reddit (OP)
I'm terribly sorry for the delay, it's always bo time lol. Imma smoke me a blunt, crush this Bojangles and then I'll get the numbers for you guys, I can't express how much I appreciate ya. It is an El Camino Classic 1977. The only thing I've done to it was the exhaust, it seemed to go from the long tube headers just to the original pipes that were stock with the car. I spent $600 on exhaust, but I think it sounds pretty good. I got karnage performance mufflers big body series, just the mufflers were $160 each lol, and I got big chrome tips that come out behind each rear tire. I will attach a link so you can hear what it sounds like at idle and when I rev
El Camino Runnin
texan01@reddit
If it’s a 76-77 Camino it’s probably a 305, maybe a 350.
GRN225@reddit
https://www.nastyz28.com/chevy-engine-code-stampings.php
https://nastyz28.com/sbchevy/sblock.html
GoonDawg666@reddit
I have a “J241” stamp on my 350sbc but I couldn’t find it on that site
Albino_Echidna@reddit
Where is that stamp? That's not a deck stamp format, to my knowledge.
GRN225@reddit
Sounds like he found the date code. Which should be like 24th day of October and I’m assuming 1981.
GRN225@reddit
This is where you should be looking.
YamiKASocial@reddit (OP)
Sorry about the random pictures, I didn't know exactly where to look so I figured id just send images and someone would be able to like circle where I need to look for. :) Sorry I'm so stupid 😭