Having not covered a fifth-generation El Camino until writing up this 1980 example last week, I now have a second subject Camino in the form of a 1986 model. Not much had changed in the seven model years that had transpired though Chevy’s Ute was closing in on its finale by ’86. Today’s no reserve find is harboring a V8 instead of the ’80 edition’s Buick-sourced V6 but the seller has a powerplant suggestion that goes beyond that. So with that thought, let’s examine this Bowling Green, Kentucky resident a bit more closely. It’s available, here on eBay for a current bid of $2,275 with sixteen bids tendered so far.
OK, so right out of the gate, this listing is getting sideways with me as it states, “The body has dents, dings, scuffs, scrapes, chips, surface rust, wear, etc. The paint is faded into a nice patina courtesy of the California sunshine. An El Camino with patina would make for a cool build!“. Really? Why would it be a cool build when the “patina” makes it look completely worn out not to mention what looks like a dose of tree mung? Enough with the Patina hoax already! Yeah, it looks pretty solid, the cargo bed too, so I’ll give him that but I don’t think Chevrolet Light Brown, either faded or not, helps with the cause. Here’s a walkaround video, see what you think. I will admit that I like the lines of these fifth-gen Utes.
It runs and here’s proof! This Chevy is powered by a 150 net HP, 305 CI V8 but the seller suggests, what many of you often do, “Perfect for LS“. OK, that’s a possibility but a 305 is far from the worst that you can do and it will respond to mods. The small block does have 121K miles on its life clock so it’s probably tired – I guess it’s a matter of how far one wants to take this Camino and how much effort and $$$ they are willing to commit. Another concern is the Turbo-Hydramatic 200 automatic transmission (according to the shift indicator) – it’s a weak piece and would need either a serious upgrade or a replacement too if the engine compartment is going to grow some more hair. The 200-4R was available as an option but I’m not certain that one’s any better in the strength department though I do know they can be decently modified. Finally, the differential is a 7.5” ten bolt and it’s about as robust as the transmission so there’s another consideration – hard to believe how far Chevrolet had fallen on the rugged performance front by ’86.
The interior is rough and here’s what the seller has to say about it, “The interior is worn and soiled, the dash underneath the cover is cracked, and the headliner is torn and droopy” – all appearing to be true. It will need a complete makeover but it is a compact environment so it’s a manageable undertaking and there’s really no reason to try to stay stock – let some imagination run wild. Other observations include a non-working A/C system and a fuel gauge that appears to have lost its ground. As for the bench seat – it works in one of these, at least you can bring along two passengers if only for a short trip.
Verdict? Based on where this Camino is trading (it did jump $1,000 in the two hours that I spent on this post), this could be a nice project on the cheap. Of course, an LS swap ups the overall price of the build but if you’re starting at a low enough point, well, then there’s room enough to trip the light fantastic. Just one thing, get it painted, please?
Isn’t everything with four wheels nowadays an LS candidate? There is a kit now to put them in Porche 911’s!
Stole my thunder. I was going to say the same thing.
LS all the things.
It’s an affordable driver El Camino… not a hot rod, so the weak tranny and rear are enough for the malaise 305. Plenty of us would be glad to have one for a while. Ok, so I’d change the carpet. Paint only if it really grew on me.
Why not just go with a built sbc 350?Then add a aftermarket EFI kit like a holley stealth or similar.installing an LS in these cars invloves a fair amount of fabrication.custom driveline,transmission mount and having to install electronic fuel pump as well as having to install the vehicle computer the engine came with,transmission control module,plus the gas pedal since there’s no throttle cable.There will be electrical upgrades required to the vehicle also.That’s just a short summation.Sounds like alot of $$$$ to me.
Agreed. A 350 with proper cam and heads can easily make nearly 400 HP, and it is a drop in. The trans is an unknown to me but I used a 200-4R behind the 350 I just mentioned and it did fine. The 7.5 diffy wont be a problem because the right rear tire will just go up in smoke. And lastly you’d be surprised how much shine you can get out of old paint with polishing, until you decide to straighten it all out and paint it. This is the car I was looking for 3 years ago, but i bought an old GMC instead. The lack of rust is a major win for whoever gets it.
There is a white 1987 monte carlo ss for sale at a place called classic corner/iconic motors 3920 nw 39th expy OKC,OK.got to cars for sale then scroll down and you’ll see it.has 44k miles.click to see the photos of a very awesome LS swap with a 5spd manual,the description of the car still has is as stock.was $21,500 last week.now says email for price.this place has alot of classic cars and trucks for sale.
how far off is a 350 with EFI from an LS-1? Like 3 or 4 cubic inches?
383 crate and r 400 bolt right in and a 12 bolt posi i know
Then, Phil, you know there is no 12 bolt that will fit a G body.
For a El Camino enthusiast this would be a good project to take on. Its all there ti start from. If the rust is minimum 3500 should be a winner & let the restoration begin.
My 87 El Camino 305 4v- with a stage 1 built 200-4r has 747k miles on it. never had the pans off of the engine. The car is defiantly a lover.. not a fighter but it never lets me down. I bought it w/ 112k miles from the orig owner. The engine still has good compression and 40 psi oil. i use it to pull my 16′ flatbed trailer and wifey and I go to estate sales and garage sale in it. May be interested in selling since i just bought a travel trailer and need a 3/4 ton truck.
I’ve always liked the El Camino but when I needed a small pickup, I decided to go with a basic Nissan (back in 1985) and it was a good choice for me. The 4 banger did everything I needed and it was much easier on gas and I had nothing to fix for 10 years plus when I finally donated it to a charity. The guy from the charity was going to sell it for the money, but after checking it over, he sold the one he had been using and replaced it with mine. I still like the styling of the El Camino and wouldn’t mind having one that ran decently. I can always put up with a few dings, etc.
The perfect blank slate project. The comments above are correct. Just jack up the carb and slide any small block under it. I ousted the 305 in my 85 El Camino SS over twenty years ago and replaced it with a crate 350 with a low rpm torque cam. Retuned the carb and it works perfectly with the computer. I had replaced the TH200 with a TH350 earlier. One of these days I’ll put the posi carrier in. The whole package has a different character to it now, and is a lot more fun to drive. Everything operates as it should and you can’t tell a wrench was ever taken to it. When it had to go thru emission testing, it always passed with flying colors.
SOLD for $4,160.