Hello, I am a newbie here with questions regarding the pros/cons of stuffing a big block in a 1979 ElCamino. The car does have air conditioning...which I know is not going to help things....but any tips suggestions, and parts needed would be appreciated....and yes i know it will never hook-up unless I possibly tub it . Thanks in advance!:)

Hello and Welcome.

Stuffing a big block in a G-body will fit with no modification to motor mounts and driveshaft with a TH350. Most common swaps are 350/th350 combos but big blocks need more room in the engine bay because it is very tight. The brake booster and A/C heater box will make the fit challenging on install and if you run headers they will need to be set in engine bay before hand. The stock springs may have to be swapped because of the weight of a BBC, unless you are using aluminum heads. Then you will need an after market cowl hood. For some good research information on this type of swap try this site: http://www.maliburacing.com/

Then there is the issue of body and frame twist which is a whole other story. You can crack a windshield and tweek the doors to where the won't open or close.

I'm doing a 383/TH350 swap on my 79 Malibu and I started with G-force crossmember from Summit. Boxed upper and lower trailing arms, purchased an up-graded 7.5 posi-diff with GN axles and that is just a start. I think it will be fun to drive when I'm done...:D

Good luck and again welcome.

Hello, Thanks for the help.....this is a very stout 496 I am thinking of installing....but that twist issue has got me rethinking my options....it does have a 350/350 in it now and is very cool...might just warm up that 350 !

With the Elky having a full frame, is twist an issue????? I'm totally ignorant of the late 70's Elkys maybe they don't have a full frame like our early ones? I don't know.

As far as getting an elky to hook up with a lot of torque, don't believe that can't be done without cutting the thing up and backhalving it. A very good friend took a 69 to 9.6's @ 135 on a 10.5" slick and nothing but boxed stock rear suspension arms. A Elky actually has a much better front to rear weight ratio than many cars. Look at how much of the body and chassis is hanging out there beyond the rear tires,,, then look at a car and compare. Elky's can hook up quite nicely with out a lot of work.

....and yes i know it will never hook-up unless I possibly tub it .

Actually an El Camino has more weight on the rear than an equally equiped Chevelle.

The late model G-bodies and El Camino had the weaker frames and bodies or I should say were not made of the same thickness of metal as the earlier years. Tons of torque will cause twist the body and frame. Some ways to combat the twist is to install a better trans cross member, solid body mounts, removing front end weight and if you have access to a welder, boxing in key center sections of the frame or roll cage. I am not an expert on G-bodies but I have done some research on a high hp/tq SBC G-Body engine swap and most of the recommendations lean towards frame strengthening in key areas. G-Bodies have heavier front halves as opposed to the rearend weight and a BBC is only adding to the front end weight.
Boxing trailing arms and a stronger rear axle to handle the torque will always help keep the carnage factor down because they are another weak link in the G-Bodies. More recommendations are to up-grade the axle housing to either a Ford 9" or an earlier Chevelle (65-67) 12 bolt. UMI products make upper control arms to fit the early Chevelle 12 bolt rear axle housing swap. Notching the rear frame for 275 drag radials are all things to consider in a G-Body project.

I think a 496 would be an excellent engine swap project to do and you would have all kinds of fun once it was completed. Just do a little research G-Bodies/late model El Caminos so you can make your own determinations on your project.