caminofx.org

For quite some time, I have been looking for a replacement for the stock 3-row copper/brass radiator that was the largest available for the El Camino with the 305. Even the Diesel 350 used the same radiator.

That has become an issue because I replaced the stock 305 with a 350. Ever since, the engine has run a bit warm in the summer. Now, we're not talking about fear-of-overheating warm, but warmer-than-I'd-like-it warm, staying between 215° and 220° F on hot days rather than the comfortable 200° it should settle at with a 195° thermostat.

Finally, I located this stock-replacement radiator with two rows of 1" tubes. These radiators are made in China and are becoming easy to find on eBay for $200 for less (compared to $700 or more for one with a transmission cooler from Griffin). The part number on this one is 8162AA.

The El Camino's right rear axle seal is leaking. Axle oil is getting past the seal and contaminating the brake linings. I have attached some pictures of the carnage. Apparently, the contamination is making the brake linings on this side grab harder than on the other side, causing a severe pull to that side when the brakes are applied at highway speed.

Yeah, OK, so apparently I fail at grease guns.

When my granddad passed away and Grandma came to live with us, we cleaned out her house and garage, put some stuff up in a garage sale, and bought some tools from her (Granddad was a carpenter by trade and had many tools). I got one of his large grease guns, the kind that takes a 14-oz. cartridge. I didn't have one of this size, only a smaller one, and this type builds a lot more pressure, which is great for ball joints with Zerk fittings that have frozen up.

As requested, here some some pictures of my 1984 Chevrolet El Camino Conquista. They are in 800x600 format at very high color depth so they may take some time to retrieve on a dial-up connection, but I think they are worth the wait. Be sure to tell me what you think.

Here they are:

Picture 1
Picture 2
Picture 3
Picture 4

Here is a running parts list of items I have bought or ordered. I will edit it as I get new items. All parts are specified for a 1990 Camaro RS (RallySport) with 305 (5.0L) V-8, TBI, "E" eighth digit of the VIN.

I had to get the TV cable and throttle cable bracket for a 1990 Suburban with a 350 V-8 and TH-700R4 transmission. The parts that came with the manifold and throttle body will not work.

All prices do not include tax or shipping. This is to avoid confusion as some parts were ordered online from companies in other states, so sales tax would not apply, but shipping would.