I plan on buying the 350 rocket (block #395558 2 its painted gold) from a local shop, but its only a block and pistons, of which he only has 4. He says that the other 4 pistons are at his house because he was moving stuff around, and he'll bring 'em back Monday. He also says that the block is bored .030 over, the crankshaft thats in it is no good so I need to replace it, needs a cam, and heads. I have a question about each of these: Crankshaft I called a local machine shop (www.doverusa.com) and they don't have the crank for this block on hand. They tell me that I'ma have to find one then bring it to them. Or go w/ an aftermarket Crankshaft and I don't know much about them. Cam I looked at Lunati cams for Olds V8s and Summit doesn't carry the one that the shop owner suggested for it, they carry another thats not too far off tho. But I'm not going to have him build the 350, I'm just gonna buy the block and have my mechanic build it, the only thing is that my mechanic can't get to it for at least another week. Could use some advice on this too... Heads I also asked Dover about heads for this block and they don't have 'em in stock and I'd have to find these also and bring 'em in for machining. Or like w/ the crank I can go w/ aftermarket heads. Since the block came in a few different applications and in combination w/ different heads (i.e. #5, #6, #7a #8) and I don't know which were on it, I'm thinking about Edelbrock heads. Intake I've read that the 307 intake I have, 5A, will limit the 350's potential so I plan on getting a Edelbrock Performer RPM intake. Does anyone have experience w/ these on an Olds 350 and what should I expect/plan for? I appreciate any feedback E.P.
If I were you, I would find a complete 70-2 Olds 350 and have it rebuilt. You are going to spend more money and time chasing down and buying parts. Olds 350 engines are plentiful and you should have no problem finding them. Visit www.442.com or www.realoldspower.com Use a 215-225 at 0.050" lift. Do some minor port work and align the ports.
What do you mean by a complete 350? And if I were to rebuild a complete one, wouldn't it be the same as what I'm doing now? What would or wouldn't I have to buy? Minor port work on the 307 intake??
Why a complete 350....because what you are considering now is not complete and when you go to assemble the engine....you will realize more parts are missing. If you can get a 70-2 and have it rebuilt you will be further ahead.....all parts will be present, better heads, better engine! The 307 was set-up as pollution controlled engine and you will be further ahead with a vintage 350. You can even use the 73-77 versions but will need to get another intake for better performance. Visit www.442.com and see what they recommend in their FAQ section. If you want to be sneaky.....buy a 79-81 Trans Am engine. Those are basically a bored 350 and are 403 ci.
Don't the 70-72 olds 350s have low compression, 8.5:1??? I'm thinking about it, but its just that I don't know of anywhere to get a complete engine from...this one is basically convenient. You say that I'd be further ahead w/ a vintage 350. How so? Lost me Thanx for the insight E.P.
Actually, I think the '70-'72 Olds motors are higher compression than later years. I know '70 and '71 Buick motors were high compression motors, and then the compression dropped in '72(?maybe '73?) up, due to emissions controls and for economical purposes. The 1970 "Rallye" olds cutlass had a 350 that put out 325 Horsepower! :shock:
Just a side question.... How can I know exactly what block it is (block #395558 2) without having the original heads? I'm looking for the compression ratio and the rated horsepower. If its the low compression 350, then I'll pass but if its 10.25:1 then I'ma hafta think about it more before I just drop the idea E.P.
70 Cutlass 350 w/325 hp had 10:1. I would get a 350 from 70-2 because you can use the stock intake and have a nice, solid street engine going with a slightly hotter cam such as the 215-225, some minor port work/alignment, conversion to HEI or Ignitor and adding 10:1 pistons for best performance. The later 350 engines had 7.8- 8.0:1 compression as catalytic converters were introduced.
Don't I already have HEI on my Regal? 86 regal limited w/ 307 Olds. If not then what do I have? I'd be able to use the stock 307 intake w/ the 70-72 350?
Your '86 regal should have came w/ an HEI dist., so yes, you should have one. At the very least, it is some sort of electronic system. I am far from being an expert on these cars, but just using some deep-headed knowledge here.
Yes, you do have an HEI, but if it an 86, it uses Electronic spark timing, so it has a different module(7 pin vs.4 pin), and it requires a computer. It also has no vacuum advance(not sure if this is important to you or not) I agree with George, a 70-72 Olds 350 would be a better starting point. You should be able to score a complete engine at any good boneyard. Then when you have it rebuilt, you can use new pistons and deck the block to get any compression you want. The 307 was a smog motor. I think alot of Olds guys even look for the diesel blocks as they are very sturdy. What you are trying to do will cause you more potential problems as you go along. Just my .02
I'm on the lookout for another 350, any suggestions on how much I should pay. Or rather, the cap I should put on how much I'm gonna spend. My total budget is about 2k, its the money I was gonna use to get it painted. I want a totally streetable car, 16-18 MPG, power when I need/want it, don't want a Vagina on wheels. What are my options as far as fuel injection on an Olds 350? Haven't seen much on it. Also, I want to use all my accessories from my current 307 setup 'cuz all are new except alternator and power steering pump (plan on replacing the latter w/ a new chrome one)
$2k will build a nice 350 Olds to meet your needs. Forget about the F.I. All accessories and brkts from your 307 will bolt to the 350.
I would call around to some boneyards and inquire. I would expect to pay somewhere around 500.00 or so, but I might be wrong. Fuel Injection? You could blow your entire budget and more on fuel injection. Take a look in a Jegs or Summit catalog, you'll see what I mean. If you want 16-18 MPG, limit the rear gear to 3.08 or lower. A good rebuild and 9.5:1 compression with a small cam should give you lots of streetable power. Your accessories should bolt right up to the 350 block. There's a 70 W-31 rebuilt long block on E-Bay here: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1970...ryZ34202QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
If you put "Oldsmobile Forums" into Google, you'll come up with a number of Oldsmobile message boards. This would be your best bet on getting advice and finding parts you need.
I'm glad some of these folks chimed in here. I think your "deal" on this Olds 350 that has parts laying here and there, and at the house etc, is really bad news! Bad crank as well!?!?! Sounds like crud. Start with a complete engine. :TU:
if your going to rebuild it anyway i dont think it maters what year your engine is but make sure the heads match the year of block there was a change around 75-76 in heads passages and the head gaskets changed also, if you mix early and late heads/blocks you will need to get matching head gaskets or they will leak and cause overheating.the factory "gold" motors are strong runners stock and with good bolt ons will make plenty of power and still get fair mpg 307 heads and intake are worthless,and your stock dist will require the factory computer and carb to operate/ you could use the olds diesel engine with 350-403 heads. has a 4 bolt main and steel crank/stronger rods and can be bored out to a 403 i believe.
High Five'n everybody for responding! Cody, George, Larry, FLOYD, and Andy.....I appreciate ya'll! I already have an edelbrock #1400, 600 cfm I believe, and the computer has been eliminated. Even had part of my harness cut because there were alot of unused connectors that were just wrapped and sitting between exhaust manifold and upper A-arm. And as far as I know, I still have the stock Dist. What is the exact name of the "Gold Motors"? I've heard 'em called "350 Rockets" but I'm not sure. Sounds like what I want to accomplish can be done w/ a stock "Gold motor" I would want to rebuild it with some new parts for reliability and the added security of knowing EXACTLY whats in my engine and under my hood....still looking. So stock 350 w/ small cam and ported stock heads gives me what I want....Add to that an Edelbrock Performer RPM intake I want and the Edelbrock 600cfm carb I already have. And I'm in there? Plus lil stuff like chrome power steering pump and alternator. What y'all think?
