TBI for '60 El Camino w/235?

[Stale Trooper]

My Brother-in-Law has been holding on to a '60 El Camino since before he went to 'Nam.

Now, since the kids are up & grown, he want's to get it up and running.

But, due to the problems with finding parts, and ease of maintenance, he wants to convert the 235 Stove Bolt over to a TBI system. Research has told us that this engine is the equivalent to a 3.8 Litre; So, I am wondering if it might be possible to utilize a single injector TBI from one of the later GM family 3.8 vehicles?

Are there any inline 6 cyl GM (or others) out there that are 3.8 to 4.2(?) Litre which might do a "bolt on" swap to the 235 intake? It's not going to be a racer, just a comfortable street machine to tool around in.

We are aware of the other requirements (return fuel line, electric pump in tank, and various sensors, etc.) and plan (if possible) to harvest them from a donor vehicle, for at least long enough to get it running, then change out pieces as needed. An OBDII system is preferred.

This is a very low-budget project, hence the use of a donor car. If you've done this project or one similar, I would appreciate any beneficial input. Thanks!

[MrPbody]

Even though it DISPLACES 235 CID, very close to the Buick 231 (3.8), that's where ALL similarities end. The only engines that have parts that actually "fit" are other 235s. There was a similar 6 in earlier years, 216, but no interchange.

Clifford Research (Performance) in California has a whole raft of "goodies" (intakes, exhaust, ignition, etc.) for 235. "Normal" engine parts (replacement pistons, bearings, gaskets, etc.) are readily available from any Sealed Power/Federal Mogul parts supplier. They made a million of them (literally), so even though quite "old", parts are still out there.

There are subtle differences across certain years. The '53 and '54 Corvette used it, called "Blue Flame".

Adding TBI is "doable", but there will be fabrication involved. Electronics, too. A small 4-bbl. might be a better route. Holley makes a 390 CFM carb for smaller engines. Combined with the Clifford intake, it makes good power. The right cam can make all the difference in drivability and fuel economy. Clifford offers them, too.

Have fun!

Jim

[Blue Bowtie]

Personally, I'd consider drilling a spare intake near each of the ports, fitting or a dry throttle body, and converting it to batch fire PFI system with a '727 ECM and custom PROM. The injectors could be run from central distribution like the early Bosch and Denso systems with a regulator ahead of the distribution. You can install the O² bung in the exhaust pipe and turn off the EGR, MAT, TCC, EST, decel FCO, AIR port/divert, and everything else which your hardware won't support. You would need a CTS, TPS and IAC on the throttle body, and MAP sensor. The throttle body from a 262 Chevy V-6 might be a good candidate, and there are trillions of them out there.

If you wanted to be lazy, the TBI from an earlier 262 (4.3) V-6 could be mounted up and the ECM similarly tweaked. That TB already has the injector pods, regulator, TPS, and IAC installed.