1971 el camino ss or not?

**eddielb** · 11-27-2007, 12:32 PM

I have a friend who has a 71 el camino, with a 350 and he said it had a factory cowl induction hood, he went to a body shop and the guy asked him how he got the factory cowl induction because those only came in SS model,

question is, did non ss models with a cowl induction hood also? or only ss?
He has a 350 in it... was it swapped in or is it original?

thanks guys!

**AXIS** · 11-27-2007, 12:57 PM

I would say the hood is not factory. There is some conflicting info but most everything I have read is that the Cowl Induction package was only available with the SS-454 in '71. 2 versions of the SS package was available. the SS-454 and just the "SS" which was available with either the 402, 350-4, or 350-2 engine. One thing to note though, while it may not have been factory, it could have been a dealer installed option.

**Zboner** · 11-27-2007, 01:02 PM

Originally Posted by AXIS

I would say the hood is not factory. There is some conflicting info but most everything I have read is that the Cowl Induction package was only available with the SS-454 in '71. 2 versions of the SS package was available. the SS-454 and just the "SS" which was available with either the 402, 350-4, or 350-2 engine. One thing to note though, while it may not have been factory, it could have been a dealer installed option.

good point about the dealer installed option i was going to mention that, in 72 I believe SS because more of a cosmetic option more then a performance i know u could get one with a 350 in it

**67CamaroRSSS** · 11-27-2007, 03:06 PM

In 70 the Cowl Induction hood actually worked (had a flapper valve and it mated to the carb pan). For 71 and 72 it was a cosmetic item - looked good with the hood bulge but wasn't functional. 70, 71 and 72 all came with a 396 (402) and a 454 as an SS and it had the hood. In 72 only the General came up with an insurance beater called the "Heavy Chevy" which had all the outwards looks and hardware of a BBC SS but had a 350 2V or 4V for the engine. This would have (or could have if so optioned) the non-functional cowl hood.

**Jays00ss** · 11-28-2007, 05:23 AM

My 71 SS el camino Has a SS hood and not a cowl induction. The induction was another option for $155 more. My hood is a cowl hood but not the induction hood.

What dash does your buddy's car have? If it is a sweeping speedo (long and rectangular 1 piece with idiot lights) and does not have a factory tach, speedo, oil pressure, amp meter in circles on the dash than it is not a true SS car. If it has a 10 bolt rear end, a th-350, column mounted shifter, and a small block more than likely it is not a true SS car.

Mine has a 402 Big block, Th-400 tranny and a 12 bolt 3.73 rear end. Center console with the factory horseshoe ratcheting shifter, bucket seats, and the true SS dash. It is a true SS car.

**Jays00ss** · 11-28-2007, 06:15 AM

I have had serveral 71 and 72 Chevelle Malibus (same as a El Camino but in car form) and they all had the item mentioned above. (sweeping dash, small block, th-350, 10 bolt, column mounted shifter.)

I have also had many SS and non SS cars, (chevelles, Camaros, Chevy 2's and Novas) so you really need to know the differences.

Back then an SS package really meant something. Better trim, Bigger engine, better tranny, better rearend, beefier suspension, different dashes, bucket seats, different shifters, etc...

Not like todays SS cars that put a hood scoop and bigger wheels and thats about it.

**67CamaroRSSS** · 11-28-2007, 08:58 AM

Now that you mention it and IIRC, the actual metal part of the dash is different in an SS because of the different instrument cluster (round {SS} vs sweep {Malibu or base}).

I know you guys are talking about El Camino's but remember: All Malibu's were Chevelle's but not all Chevelle's were Malibu's. They never made a Malibu SS.

**Jays00ss** · 11-28-2007, 09:16 AM

Originally Posted by 67CamaroRSSS

Now that you mention it and IIRC, the actual metal part of the dash is different in an SS because of the different instrument cluster (round {SS} vs sweep {Malibu or base}).

I know you guys are talking about El Camino's but remember: All Malibu's were Chevelle's but not all Chevelle's were Malibu's. They never made a Malibu SS.

The chevelle trim and option line was the 300, 300 Delux, malibu, then an SS. They also had a station wagon and a truck (El Camino) in different trim levels.

**eddielb** · 11-28-2007, 09:23 AM

ill check with him about the speedo ! he comes into work at 1:30 and ill post back then

**Jays00ss** · 11-28-2007, 09:41 AM

a lot of people try to clone cars into SS's but most of them never take the time to change out the dash.

Its easy to change the motor, tranny, rearend, hood and throw some badges on it but the SS dashes and center consoles are harder to find.

**Jays00ss** · 11-28-2007, 04:06 PM

well ya got me all up in suspense. Verdict?

**steelerfan** · 11-30-2007, 12:22 PM

I owned a '71 Chevelle SS with the factory cowl hood & a 350 small block,everthing was SS but just didn't have a big block,wish I still had it as they were extremely rare !!!

**Jays00ss** · 12-01-2007, 10:38 AM

Originally Posted by steelerfan

I owned a '71 Chevelle SS with the factory cowl hood & a 350 small block,everthing was SS but just didn't have a big block,wish I still had it as they were extremely rare !!!

I have never seen a small block 70-72 SS chevelle or el camino before. Like to know How many they built because it must be really rare.

**snaggeltooth** · 12-01-2007, 11:34 AM

starting in 71 ... You had a SS car or the SS454 car .. So if you just got a Chevell SS it had a 350 or the 402 .. I guess it was the same for the El Camino .. there was 41k ElCaminos in 71 but havent found a breakdown yet of SS opt[om ..

**Jays00ss** · 12-01-2007, 11:57 AM

Originally Posted by snaggeltooth

starting in 71 ... You had a SS car or the SS454 car .. So if you just got a Chevell SS it had a 350 or the 402 .. I guess it was the same for the El Camino .. there was 41k ElCaminos in 71 but havent found a breakdown yet of SS opt[om ..

? In 71 they had a 300, Malibu or an SS. The SS cars came with a 402 Big block or a 454 Big block. I have never herd of them optioned with a 350.

**snaggeltooth** · 12-01-2007, 12:07 PM

Originally Posted by Jays00ss

? In 71 they had a 300, Malibu or an SS. The SS cars came with a 402 Big block or a 454 Big block. I have never herd of them optioned with a 350.

the plain SS was offered with the 245 or 270-hp Turbo-fire 350 or the 300-hp Turbo jet 400V8 .. The SS454 came with one of two powerplants the 365hp version and the detuned 425 hp versions .. The 425 hp engine and the 350 engine for the Z-28 were the only chevy engines allowed to have a compression ration above 8.5 to 1...

**Jays00ss** · 12-01-2007, 12:11 PM

Originally Posted by snaggeltooth

the plain SS was offered with the 245 or 270-hp Turbo-fire 350 or the 300-hp Turbo jet 400V8 .. The SS454 came with one of two powerplants the 365hp version and the detuned 425 hp versions .. The 425 hp engine and the 350 engine for the Z-28 were the only chevy engines allowed to have a compression ration above 8.5 to 1...

Ok, My 402 is transplanted from My grandfathers 70 Monte Carlo that he bought new and has 10.25:1 pistons. and a built up upper end (New cam rebuilt rectangle port heads, air gap rpm intake and demon carb, headers etc...) Took the original one out due to a cracked block.

**snaggeltooth** · 12-01-2007, 12:16 PM

Well you made me get out my Chevelle book ..lol.. the functional cowl hood was know as the Z12 and was picked by 4079 buyers .. dont have a big block/small block breakdown .. and yes the Chevy 400 displaced 402 cubic inches...

**Jays00ss** · 12-01-2007, 12:22 PM

Originally Posted by snaggeltooth

Well you made me get out my Chevelle book ..lol.. the functional cowl hood was know as the Z12 and was picked by 4079 buyers .. dont have a big block/small block breakdown .. and yes the Chevy 400 displaced 402 cubic inches...

Ya when I was a kid (17 0r 18), I passed on a caprice because it had 400 badges on the side. Thought it was a small block 400 and never opened the hood. Come to find out, my buddy bought it and it had a big block 402 in it. Learned a big lesson to always pop the hood to "Just make sure" LOL

Man I was pissed because I had a Nova at the time that a big block would have looked really nice in.