1980 El Camino. FORGOTTEN in a Field. CAN WE DRIVE IT?!?

I found the ol girl on Facebook Marketplace months ago. I finally had a chance to scoop it up. Lets see if she has any life left in her. We appreciate the constant support and I hope you guys enjoy the video!
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#fieldfind #elcamina #willitrun

[@paulbianco121]

In honor of Sir Mortske, how about the name "El Camortske"?

[@PuddinsFabShop]

😂😂😂 I’m pinning this comment just because it made me laugh, thanks for that!

[@davidbarr832]

Put the sir Mortske pic on the door😂

[@davidbarr832]

And flexy hoses on it too. He will cry on channel for a week about it.

[@paulweigle6872]

And kragers.

[@Bill-xc8le]

@@paulweigle6872 you mean Cragar?

[@JimsIfitaintbrokefixit]

That picture of Mortske on the crapper was GOLDEN.

[@jeffwalker3768]

Happy new year to you and your girls

[@toddhayes9955]

Yep, pure gold.

[@nickelnoserestos2598]

Rancheros and El Caminos.. Love 'em all!

[@Eric-fs3cc]

The g body front suspension is also compatible with s10. But the el camino is 7" longer wheelbase. They're malibu wagons with roof cut off. That's why the smugglers compartment still has wagon floor area

[@jamesberry276]

The Elcaminos were like wagons UNTIL the G-body (78 - 87's) The G-body Elcaminos had a separate frame from the station wagons in the last generation. The GBody Elcaminos had their own unique chassis.

[@brianwatson3705]

Wooooooooooooooooooo here we go again ! Happy 2024 everybody

[@lindseyscottjr3078]

Happy new years too you and your family

[@edwinbonnelljr1587]

Well, it's about time you done something right. You gotta great fool Chevy El Camino❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@artking1839]

The lock up problem on the left front is classic rubber hose colapse. The hose colapse allows presure to flow to the caliper but wont allow tge fluid to return. When you open the bleeder it relieves tge pressure.

[@jeremyrowe743]

I was just going to comment the same thing, I agree with your assessment

[@doughuppe9276]

I had the same thought

[@genebeilkeiii8489]

Agreed. You beat me to it lol

[@nickmcminn2137]

100%

[@kkottke3674]

Agree!

[@JesterRed]

Since Bill held the camera for you while sliding around your yard he is now The Pot County Drone Shot!

[@johnstancato8785]

I don't know why but El Camino and puddin go together so well 😂

[@greenevegiebeast]

Double check your brake hose on the sticking side. The inner hose can collapse and act like a check valve.

[@zajacmotorsports5910]

This, the brake hose is collapsed. You can pressure past it, but it won't let the fluid return.

[@douglasmesina6922]

Duh

[@danielventura8073]

Agreed

[@gibhamracing37]

I spent 10 minutes screaming at the tv trying to get you to replace the drivers side brake hose. Its collapsing and causing the caliper to hold pressure

[@Snakes_N_Crafts]

One more reason to build Wheel-Hop Wilma into the rollback she deserves to be.

[@kimberlywilliams9757]

Yep

[@Atodaso-pg9kq]

She sooooo needs to be a rollback, some people might argue and say ramp truck but a rollback is so much more versatile. Quite often I see great deal’s on used rollback beds as well as complete units that would make great candidates to body/cab swap.

[@tom-ehill2713]

Dooo it!😉

[@JimmyCandFriends]

Agreed

[@stomper2582]

I concur

[@337amm]

When I was 16 (now 50), I got my first lowrider magazine and there was a blue el camino with hydros. I fell in love with it and never really had the money to build one. Just an idea there! You know it would look good.

[@JimmyMakingitwork]

Ok, one more tidbit: The ported vacuum switch on the thermostat housing is to keep the EGR from opening cold or for the air cleaner air door that helps it warm up faster in cold climates. :)

[@glenryan6569]

DD SPEED SHOP mounted a winch to the floor of his shop and it works fantastic for towing wrecks into the garage.

[@runsolo7418]

Great idea!

[@wallbanger1968]

That frame, if I can recall, is the same as the Malibu station wagon. The suspension will be the same in the 78-88 A and G body cars

[@tompalcie6284]

El Camino frame is all by itself,wagons are different. Front suspension is same as S10 except for the steering cross link, because the S10 is a narrower track with. S10 drop spindle and front spring will work on Camino. That carb is just a two barrel quadrjet . Check the float, it's probably bad. Plastic float and ethanol don't mix well.

[@EarlwithanE]

The more I watch these videos, the more it becomes painfully clear Bill and Slick are the “Brains” behind this operation…just kidding Puddin’ 😂😂😂 Love your channel 👍💪😎

[@thebigj8691]

Puddin your automotive content is flat out the most entertaining videos on KZbin. Every week me and my wife watch the main channel and the second channel videos and never stop smiling. Cheers to you and yours brother.

[@greylocke100]

I remember these back in the 80's. A neighbor bought one, then gave it to his son in I think 92. I helped him pull the 3.8 and swap in a 305 V-8 and a 5 speed manual transmission. We found we got better gas mileage and it ran a LOT better.

[@joethepirate1]

Hey, Puddin. That thing on the thermostat housing is called a Ported Vacuum Switch. Just break it off and plug all the lines that went to it. Also, the turbo looking thing is an AIR pump. Also something to disconnect and delete. That car deserves some Astro Supremes.

[@whoru2judge476]

Also known as a smog pump.

[@mikeschriever1034]

Thermo switch

[@mwb3984]

Pay attention to vacuum advance issues, just yanking off stuff without knowing what it is can bite you. Ask me how I know......

[@whoru2judge476]

@@mwb3984 how do you know???

[@scottjays360s.johnson2]

​@@mwb3984yeah what he said.

[@chevyfan82]

Nice 👍gotta love those El caminos. On the HEI module be sure to put heat soaking gease between the module and distributor base with out the grease to conduct heat away it can leave you stranded.

[@dougtaylor8735]

My Grandad had this exact same truck. The wheels that came with it from the factory are the rally wheels you have on the back. They were painted color match to the body, and had chrome hub covers and chrome trim rings. He had the V6 as well. I thought it was a 4.3 liter. He bought it new in 1980 for his 80th birthday present. Really enjoy your videos.

[@tommylord]

1980 would have been a 3.8 liter, 229 cu in.

[@ChrisZemek]

Starting the year out right with a little Puddin's fab shop!!!!

[@chetSeminole]

A.K.A. mocking Fords.

[@tetedur377]

@@chetSeminole They need to be mocked. Honestly, though, they ALL need to be mocked. Except Toyota. Leave my Tundra out of this.

[@Tom-uf2um]

I think I saw the matching front wheels out there in the field. You need to go back and get those if you can.

[@Ryan-re7oj]

Huge fan of GMs styling during that era. Still regret passing up a Malibu wagon over a decade ago.

[@americanrambler4972]

Really like the El-Camortski. My recommendation? Get a gas tank, sort the wiring and vacuum lines, fix the carb, fix the floorboard, get yourself some proper drop springs, pound the dents out of the tailgate. And before I forget, get a replacement inside drivers door handle. Then come up with a cool name and decal for the truck like your YouHaul trucks.

[@briansmallwood2103]

Love those ElCaminos, this is going to be good.

[@StephanMarcDubois]

LOVE that you're doing some work on good 'ol American muscle and classics! Bring it on!

[@buddydeansmith8435]

I have a 78 Elco with a 305 myself. Floats down the road, one of the best riding vehicles I’ve ever been in. Love seeing one on the channel!

[@kerrywootton2435]

Those are great vehicles. I had a 1973 Blue Datsun truck I traded in on a 1979 El Camino which was powder blue It almost looked like the one you have. I bought it at Hembree Chevrolet in Poteau Oklahoma with 17, 500 miles on it in 1981. It had the 305 V8 in it. Had it for awhile. I miss that one. Kerry

[@wolfc7280]

Happy New Year to you and the Puddins Fab Shop Crew. Thanks for the great content in 2023 and looking forward to 2024s content.

[@BubbaC69]

Good job tonight. Good to see Bill and slick back in the program.

[@timfury7098]

I never commented on your show, but I love it. Got me through some tough times in my life. make me laugh when life was kicking my butt Great job i’m a fan for life

[@DanielGeisler-rr3vl]

My first vehicle was a '71 El Camino and I wish I still had it. Guy I sold it to just left it out in a field where it has now been sitting for 30 years. Would buy it back but sure it is probably rusted out. Anyways thanks for the great videos and not editing out the bloopers like some channels do. You da man Puddin!!

[@brendankelly3596]

The valve with the hoses is a thermal vacuum switch. The thing on the motor that you were asking about earlier in the video is a smog/air pump. The pulley for it was inside the cab.

[@941Earl]

The switch on the thermostat housing is a "thermo-vacuum switch" Your explanation of how you think it works is basically spot on. As far as the driver's side brake hanging up, the left front brake hose is collapsed inside the rubber. It acts like a check valve. It lets brake fluid through, but wont let it release back to the master when you let off the pedal. As cheap as they are, just change both the fronts if you plan on driving it in traffic.

[@dirtswimmer]

I was yelling that at my tv while puddin was hammering on the master and portioning valve. 😂

[@benthemaker]

Hey puddin' a shop trick for you- When removing old hoses, remove the clamp then put a pair of channel locks where the clamp was and rotate a few degrees left and right. You'll feel it unglue itself. Then it will pull right off without cutting. Applies to all vacuum, fuel, coolant, etc hoses.

[@BeaverSmashing]

Pro tip for exhaust work if you don't already. Run a deburring tool around any exhaust tubing that's been cut before welding it up. No floppy edges to mess up the sweet sweet sounds.

[@victorrobinson7008]

You can always go to the junkyard and get a tailgate that's no problem and you might want to get some more wheels and casings ?

[@J.C86]

Maybe gotta upgrade the Towrola to the El Camitow! 😂

[@dirtswimmer]

I had the same problem with the running light turning on when I pressed the brakes. Turned out the rear brake bulb had shorted to the running lights. Keep up the good work puddin. ✌️

[@barfass]

A man that taught me a lot, Bob Hudson. He always restored El Camino's and would head from Ontario, Canada to Florida every winter and get himself 1, 2 maybe 3 of them and bring them back and completely redo them. He did many others over the years and was an amazing restorer. I always think of him when I see these cars. Can't wait to get one of my own some day.

[@skrachvynl]

Happy 2024. So great that you tackle anything and everything, from imported mini trucks to domestic cars. Can't wait to see what you end up doing with this Camino. Cheers!

[@Zanzan066]

Happy new year pudding for you and your family hope the year treats you all well ❤

[@urbanurchin5930]

......Puddin......pudding is something you feed your children for desert.....derrrr......

[@kirkoglesby6175]

Puddin those are G bodies. Your Grand National, Buick Regal, Chevy Monte Carlo, El Camino basically all the smaller squares are interchangeable. Doors forward you can make it any variety you like. Parts are cheap and plenty.

[@_Dave_S]

Man I love this gen of El Camino! Aways wanted one, especially the 78-81 with the single head lights like this one. Nice find!

[@HeartLessGem_]

Best part of the day right here boys! Enjoy ya day puddin and all👌🏾🤙🏾

[@HeartLessGem_]

Should definitely bag and drop the el "eagle eye" Camino 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@billhays5495]

New building helps a lot but hope you can get a fence in there soon!

[@Eric.Estrada]

Sweet! I restored and built an EL Camino Lowrider that I did all the fab work and custom kandy paint on myself. Sold it and now regret it. haha

[@mwb3984]

The thermal vacuum switch you asked about can be important unless you are going to take everything "factory" off of it ... the ignition advance can be actuated/suppressed according to temperature(as you correctly surmised) - there is a middle road that retains the basic systems and deletes stuff like the A.I.R. pump.

[@veb6814]

The 3.8 liter is one of the best engines ever built. They've routinely gotten over 300k miles on them ,few engines can boast that.

[@tommylord]

You're thinking of the Buick designed engine that was refined for FWD applications. This El Camino has the small block Chevy V-6. A completely different animal.

[@auteurfiddler8706]

It is completely different, but the Chevy has a good reputation, too. I mean, it isn't for towing, but...

[@grabasandwich]

6:45 love how you guys always joke around with each other 😂 happy new year!

[@00nutt]

Dude I lost it!!!! Bill recording on his Jitter Bug hahahahahahahahahahahaha

[@larryoren5928]

Don't underestimate a V6. There's a lot you can do with them including buying aftermarket cams , 4 barrel manifold headers and more. You just have to do some research on them. But you can put a little muscle into them and make them pretty quick.

[@anthonypiligno7618]

Darn right....lets go.... hope you all had a great 👍 and fun New Year 🎊..... thanks for the video 📸📸...... JJ....😊

[@kevincordle9731]

I like El caminos with the right motor and the right rear end. And especially the customize you can do to it.

[@chrislambert2889]

Very safe and Happy New Year to you and your family safe 🎇

[@jordanknapp7872]

My first car was an el camino. I beat the tires off of it, and watching you beat on it in the field, probably brought me a little too much joy.

[@johnhenderson3646]

Happy New Year! Love this El Camino. Had a '78 Malibu with this motor. Brand new off the lot, it was gutless. Too much pollution crap, a real smog-dog.

[@geebopbaluba1591]

I think the elco would come in handy to use to pickup parts!

[@jesterr7133]

I feel ya, Puddin. I have been fascinated by El Caminos since childhood. I will own one sooner or later, maybe when I win the lottery, lol.

[@wbsims2996]

Love your channel, I will watch you whatever the topic. I love old tractors, we have a very small cattle operation, keep chickens etc. I am 64 and still learn from you and others

[@scottblackwell157]

Happy new year puddin and family!God bless you and yours!

[@SUBZEROinfinity]

I have always liked those old car/truck's. Yes those gm modules can be A pain but when they work they are great. Nice find and great job getting that little mild v6 running. Can't wait to see more on It.

[@Rs_ArGoX2170]

This channel just got recommended to me AND THANK YOU youtube ❤ I'm someone with bad anxiety and depression. So your sense of humor and road trips are a great help and rest for me !! You and vice grip garage are my 2 favourite channels now ! ❤

[@PuddinsFabShop]

I love comments like these. I pray every video reaches someone who needs it for this purpose here. Answered prayers. Thank you for being here.

[@HogshooterHotrods]

Nice ol Elco there, they usually rust below the back glass, but that one doesn't look bad

[@dalesmith112]

Those are called ported vacuum switches (or thermal vacuum switches) Definitely a product of smog era vehicles. P.S. one of your other ElCo rally wheels was on that green ElCo ... LOL

[@robinroddy2170]

hour and a half, field find running and driving. . . . compared to another guy and his dog , . . . 2 and a half hours trying to figure out why flatheads overheat. . . . well done Puddin, well done!!!! Happy New Year.

[@mexicanspec]

The El Camino wasn't sold in Mexico, Ironically, but the Malibu of the same year came with an inline 6 and a 4 speed manual on the floor. They are pretty cool cars.

[@Eric_Schon]

The frame and suspension is the same as the malibu/cutlas/regal/grand prix. Things like the spindles and other parts could also be found on s-10.

[@donlapierre8145]

Happy new year puddin, love all the content on both channels! Love the el Camino, excited for this one!!

[@donlapierre8145]

Actually between this one and the s10, you got my vote for president!

[@benotsilent6703]

Happy New Year, Puddin'! Damn nice find there bro. I've wanted one of those since I was a kid.

[@tarawalker7823]

We had an El Camino growing up and my dad drove our family of 5 in it. That little cubbie hole was my brother’s seat. Gotta love the 80s lol.

[@davidmclendon27]

My very first car was a 1980 el camino, and I am currently restoring a 1982 el camino. This is the best way to celebrate the new year possible

[@jamesjohnson8867]

Best video of the year. You and Mortske rock. Happy new year Puddin Bill and Slick.

[@crcgarage1003]

Happy New Years Puddin excited to see the El Camino now make a hot rod out of it

[@tonystates924]

PARKING LIGHTS TURN ON WITH THE BRAKES: I have an 85 Cutlass with the same problem. Check the steering column to see if the hazard switch is on, i think it has something to do with the flasher being bad but i fix my by just turning the switch off and not having hazards for the last 20 years

[@jesterr7133]

I've told the story before, but I used to run the scale at a salvage yard. I paid $200 for a '71 Torino with 53K original miles. A woman bought it new, drove it for a few years, decided she didn't like it, parked it in a barn, and never started it again. Her sons inherited it when she died several decades later, and junked it because they didn't care about it. Besides being covered by an inch of dust, the car was in near perfect condition. The woman parked a perfectly good muscle car with a 302 because she didn't like it, and her sons junked it for $200 because they didn't even care about it enough to sell it on Marketplace. Stuff like that happens every day

[@auteurfiddler8706]

I think when I pass away my relative will give away my classic cars for free. 😥

[@beckyhoyt4244]

What a find, Puddin! Beautiful. I really really enjoyed this video. It’s a good omen for the beginning of the year.

[@billyj.williams2341]

Those El Camino are a G Body platform like 78-88... Malibu, Regal, Monte Carlo ect..... Caprice or box Chevys are a B Body platform. Also that's a 4.3L V6 based off the SBC, not the Buick based 3.8L.

[@auteurfiddler8706]

Yeah. The sbc distributor location give it away since a Buick v6 would be in the front. But it was 200 and 229 (3.3 and 3.8) before it grew to 4.3. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_El_Camino Nothing wrong with any of them except the 200 is going to be low on power.

[@anthonym5979]

39:35 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 she didn't just run she busted off!!!! That had me dying laughing. Thanks puddin.

[@ffrydriver]

Elco Mullet looks like a cool project. Happy New year to you and you family

[@rickydonahue1586]

Look young man don't second guess Bill he knows his shit!

[@victorrobinson7008]

How about mounting a winch on the floor in the shop so you can pull the vehicles in with no effort ? Is what I would do do.

[@OKHall]

Loving the ELCOMINA!!!!

[@Jesusdiaz925]

That's the smog pump with the pulley removed, probably explains the flex pipe where they cut out the catalytic converter. And that's the th200 transmission. Can't wait to see ole eagle eye flying down the road!

[@unwired1281]

Not a big fan of ramming it repeatedly in the tailgate. You couldn’t have pulled it up onto the apron?

[@PuddinsFabShop]

We’re you worried I was gonna tweak the tweaked door? 😂

[@user-427.commodore]

As long a you get a straight (tailgate) one, an fix the door...

[@stevemowat4294]

Eagle eye is gonna make a great Taco hauler! … soon as you overhaul that dual jet carb. It’ll also be a comfy “take momma on a date” ride.

[@tommylord]

I had a 1980 Lemans with the same 229 engine. It got 26 mpg on the interstate. 2.41 gears and the trans had an early version of a lock-up converter. The 78-79 El Caminos had a 200 cu in V6. It looks like someone swapped in a steering column from a 1990s Chevy PU. That's what the steering wheel is. That key is another hint.

[@vernoworkman9879]

Nice to have the kids playing around again❤ Uncle Bill❤ hanging out with the family no worries

[@2809Nick]

Can’t believe you cleaned the bed out before pulling it in the shop.

[@johnburch6927]

Thermal vacuum switches are the absolutely biggest pain in the rear end. Ugh, feelin' for ya.

[@madmex2k]

Them front rims look like the rims off an Old Cutlass from the 70s-80s. I had some that I used on my 64 Ford Econline pickup truck from off a 71 442. My brother in law put them on the Ford Econoline and went with chrome reverse big and little steelies with moon hubcaps on the 71 442 that I eventually bought from them as well. I really like how they look too. My ex GF had the same El Camino in the maroon flavor paint. Love those old cars too.

[@jasonpittell516]

Entertaining as usual. Love your positive attitude.

[@carlgoetting5508]

What a way to start the New year.!!!!!

[@robertbourinski8286]

I’ll be dipped, Puddin’s natural gas heating for the garage !

[@brucecarrell4919]

That thing on top of the thermostat housing is called a (Standard Ignition Ported Vacuum Switch - PVS48)

[@ChUnKySaVaGe]

The tow-rola always coming through in the clutch! 💪🏼💯🤙🏼

[@tjrice333]

My dad had a 79 El Camino and used to let me sit on his lap and let me steer while we did donuts in snowy parking lots. First car...truck... er, vehilce I drove on my own. Glad you're working on one of these!! Thanks for the work, happy new year!

[@user-rs5ms9qo2f]

The best part of the video is seeing more of HotRod . She's a sweetheart . I have watched grand kids and great grand kids grow through the stages of young life and it happens quick so y'all enjoy her . Before you know it she will be the Pot County Homecoming Queen . Save your S-10 for someone that can use it as i have an 87 with 2.8L throttle body .

[@markallen1413]

It's the front rubber lines 👍 great show man

[@seangill7985]

#1...smog pump (pumps air to the hard lines in the exhaust manifolds and/or down the the converter), #2...thermal vacuum switch