I've owned this car for ten years and can't seem to find much info on manual trans (saginaw) cars of this gen. I know it was oringinally equiped with a 6 cylinder and have had so called Guru's tell me it was not original and others offer well more than its really worth. Any insight would be greatly appreciated. P.S not looking to sell . big plans include a 400ci small block powered mild street cruiser on factory rally wheels ;)

1979 CHEVROLET EL CAMINO 305-145hp (8cyl-2V) AT
#5 #4 #3 #2 #1
Pickup 550 2100 4200 5850 8500

Add:
350-170hp (8cyl-4V) 15%
4spd manual trans 10%
Air conditioning 10%
Power windows 3%
SS pkg 10%
Royal Knight 10%
Buckets w/console 5%
Deduct:
200-95hp (6cyl-2V) -10%
231-105hp (6cyl-2V) -10%
267-110hp (8cyl-2V) -5%
3spd manual transmission -10%
Manual steering -5%

I think the largest V8 with a 4-speed in `79 was the 305. I had a couple of `78 Caminos that were 350 4-speed. There is some info from the GM hobbie center that talks about engine availability.

I think there's a website dedicated to just the later Malibu.

That's a fairly rare car you have there. I've had my 78 malibu factory 4 speed, posi, tach and gauge package car since 1986, and have only run into a few. I also had a 1980 elcamino ss 4 speed, non posi, non gauge package car, but it was factory 305/4 speed. when I was researching both of these cars, the figures of manual shift G body chevrolets was in the neighborhood of 1200 unit's per year, 79 being the most "common" year, but still worth a decent buck. Now if your elky was originally a 6, then it came with the 3 speed saginaw, but the 305's, and 350's came with the 4 speed. Yes, they did sell them with 350's, but for some reason, I believe 79 only came with 305's? and 78's came with 350's? may be mistaken there. You may find more information on it on www.elcaminocentral.com or www.maliburacing.com I've had a pile of those elky's now, and still miss that 80 ss with the 4 speed. I still have some misc parts laying around from them like spare back glass, maybe spare door glass, and I have a really decent set of rear frame rails from the rear crossmember to the bumper. as for what it's worth? what's somebody willing to pay for it? I sold my 80 ss 4 speed elky for just under 5k back in 1999, but i've seen them go for as much as 12k in prestine condition. Weak link in that car will be the saginaw with the 400 block (your limited to the 10.5 bellhousing size unless you shop around), your header selection will be limited due to bell and Z bar clearance, if you have a console in the car as mine did, your limited to shifter location unless you remove the console, or remove the tray inset in the console, and do yourself a favor and buy either a GN 8.5 rear end for that car(or hurst olds/olds 442 8.5 rear end with 3.73 gears instead of the GN's 3.42's), or spend the extra cash for a 9" rear end. With the 4 speed, and a posi rear end, do new body mounts, and adjustable uppers, boxed lowers to eliminate wheel hop. Good luck with that car and have fun.

Mike

few years back we bought a 79 malibu wagon off my friend, it was a 305 4 speed car. gauges, ac etc. Wished I would have kept it. jim

Thanks for everyones input. Mine's in pretty bad shape. I think the frame is bent, floorpans rusted away to nothing, engine is shot and thanks to my former girlfriend there's dents all over it (she hated that car). The man I bought it from supposedly had a 396 BB in it and swapped a carbed 4.3 V6 to sell it. He may have swapped the trans as well. (Could'nt imagine a saginaw against big block power but...) My car has a bench seat, the strip speedo, fuel gauge and a bunch of dummy lights. I believe it came with A/C, no tilt, intermintant wipers, power windows or locks. It currently has a 3.23.1 ratio (open diff) on the 7.5 inch time bomb.

I'm reading this and was surprised about the elcomino 4 speed production. In 1986 I had a 1980 elcomino 305, 4 spd. bucket seat, console car. It was black with tan interior.Had 8 inch cragars on the rear and 6 inch cragars on the front.It was fun to drive. The grille was different from any other one I had everseen. The grille bars went only vertical. I sold it to someone in extreme south Mississippi.I had to replace the saginaw trans with a M20 muncie before I sold it. I had no idea the 4spd. was that rare.
Wonder what happen to it?

I remember at car craft in the early 80's someone had a 78-9 (I think) malibu. Car was black with red int, buckets, 4sp on floor, no ac, and thought it came with a 350? Thing was all stock, I think special ordered. Cool car!