Thread: El Camino's

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Anyone here familiar with a 1980 El Camino with a 4.4L V8 and auto transmission? Any information on these such as common problems, are the 4.4's any good, what kind of transmissions do these usually come with? I found one with 125,000 miles no rust, all original and looking to replace my daily driver Honda car for one. I like my little Honda but it's too small and I need something with a bed in it but that still gets halfway decent mileage (19-20).
Any information on these things would be great, also your opinions on what you think are fine too. Pretty much want it to daily drive, run fire calls in and haul around my detailing equipment.
Thanks!

BTW, I noticed it has heat and A/C but the A/C of course doesn't work. Are the brackets and compressors the same on these 4.4L (guess that is a 267ci?) as a 350 sbc? I have a 327 that I could throw in it but not sure if the 3 speed auto tranny that it comes with will bolt right up or not? Supposedly these years have lock up 3 speeds (guessing 350 transmission)?

262 or 267? , the trans will bolt to anything from a 194 straight 6 to a 454 bbc.

I believe the 4.4 V8 is a 267 correct? At least that is what I am pulling from my head filled with little knowledge haha.
The car seems to be in good shape and I am going to try and look at it this weekend (Sunday or so depending on when the owner is home). The guy said he bought the car for his grandson but his grandson got a Ford Ranger instead so doesn't need it. 125,000 miles, runs and drives and said I could drive it home. Has 3 of the same wheels and one steel wheel in the back so that is going to be a downside and can talk him off the price for it. Another is no A/C, I am guessing the compressor is blown.
As long as the heat, power brakes and power steering work with no problems, I would be happy. I just miss my 85 Chevy pickup and miss the feel of the power steering and power brakes and want another similar vehicle but something better on gas and lighter than a fullsize longbed pickup.

All the SB stuff interchanges, should either be a TH250 or TH200 (as I recall the 200 will have METRIC embossed into the pan) neither one is to strong but will do as long as you dont beat on them.

Typical rust areas are floor pans, rear frame rails and spring pockets (Check them close).

I am not set on buying this thing. I am going to go sometime early next week to take a look at it. If it turns out nicer than I think it is and the guy comes down to $2200 I will possibly buy it... He is asking $2750 for it which IMO is very high. It had a paint job but I can even tell in the pics it is not a very good one because the jambs are original white and exterior is black. That I am not worried about, I have paint and primer to paint the vehicle if I wish. The thing that caught my attention on it is that it supposedly runs and drives enough to be a daily driver. A/C doesn't work but it's all there and should be simple enough to throw a compressor in it (which I know of a Holley one for sale for cheap), charge it, etc. Heat works, interior is in OK shape but could use a head liner.
All in all, if the brakes are in great shape, etc then I dont mind doing things like a new headliner, steam clean the carpet, new door rubber (seems that weatherstrip and parts for this thing are cheap and small). Even though it has the small 4.4L V8 I want something good on gas and I think that will do the job. I am not looking for anything high horsepower, just something decent on fuel, great handling and easy to work on/semi reliable.
I have a very low mileage TH350 tranny and low mileage 327 sbc that I can throw in it if need be but I dont think that will be needed.
As for handling on these, how do they do when lowered 2-3 inches and sway bars?