What motor came in the El Camino SS?
The El Camino SS did not ride on a single engine. Across its production, Chevrolet paired the SS sport package with a variety of V8s, most famously the big-block 396 cubic inch engine in 1968–1969 and the 454 cubic inch engine in 1970. Earlier SS models also used smaller-block V8s such as the 327 in certain years.
In its Chevelle-based form, the El Camino SS was Chevrolet’s answer to enthusiasts who wanted a practical pickup with performance credentials. The exact motor depended on the year, the market, and the specific SS option package chosen. Below is a year-by-year look at how the powertrains evolved, with a focus on the engines most commonly associated with the SS badge.
Engine options by era
1964–1967: Early SS configurations
During the early years of the El Camino SS, power came from V8s carried over from the Chevelle lineup. The SS package commonly paired a small-block V8 with the El Camino, with larger-displacement options appearing as the model evolved.
- 327 cubic inch (5.4 L) small-block V8 with a four-barrel carburetor (a common SS powerplant)
- Potential for larger big-block options as the SS program expanded, including 396 cubic inch V8 in some configurations
In this era, buyers could choose between lighter, more tractable small-block power and the more aggressive big-block options as Chevrolet widened the performance scope of the SS package.
1968–1969: The big-block era
The SS badge became strongly associated with big-block power in this period, as Chevrolet leaned into muscle-car performance under the El Camino umbrella.
- 396 cubic inch (6.5 L) V8 big-block standard in many SS-equipped El Caminos
The 1968–1969 years solidified the El Camino SS as a genuine performance variant, with the 396 big-block delivering the muscular output that enthusiasts now associate with the model.
1970: The final SS with large-displacement engines
The 1970 model year expanded the big-block options even further, giving buyers a choice between continued 396 power and the larger 454 cubic inch V8 for the SS trim.
- 396 cubic inch (6.5 L) big-block V8
- 454 cubic inch (7.4 L) big-block V8 (often marketed as the SS 454)
With the 1970 SS, Chevrolet offered near-muscle-car performance in a pickup body style, culminating a decade of engine diversification for the El Camino SS.
Performance notes and context
Engine availability for the El Camino SS varied by year, body style, and market. The SS badge signified a performance-oriented package, and Chevrolet matched that branding with a progression from small-block V8s to robust big-block power starting in the late 1960s. Collector documentation, such as build sheets and VIN options, is often required to confirm the exact engine in a specific El Camino SS.
Summary
In short, there isn’t a single engine for the El Camino SS. Across its run, the SS could be equipped with a range of V8s, from the 327 small-block to the 396 big-block, and eventually the 454 big-block in 1970. The most iconic SS configurations are the 396-powered models from 1968–1969 and the 454-powered variants in 1970, with earlier years offering smaller-block options as the program evolved. For any given car, the exact motor depends on its production year and option code, so check the build documentation to confirm.
