I'll assume you mean who is Joe M. and not me.... :Brow: Joe is also known as "Dr. Olds". Been building, modifying and racing the Olds engines for a long, long time. The #5 heads are supposed to breathe better. No idea why though he can tell you. His shop is or was in Paso Robles, CA.
Joe Mondello is THE Olds performance engine guru . Big time Olds drag racer,engine builder in California. Olds performance parts are sold through his shop- Mondello Performance. Another Olds small block engine to consider is the 403 which came in a lot of late 70's GM cars.Even Buicks! Bone stock , the 403 makes 320 ft.lbs. of torque at a low 2400 rpm.Torque wins races! 2 ways to increase compression : Expensive way- new pistons 10.0 to 1 or cheap way-bolt a set of #5,#6 0r #7 heads on the 403. The head bolt holes will have to be enlargened to 1/2 inch dia. I would use the #7 or 7a heads from a '71-'72 Olds 350 engine with the hardened valve seats. For some reason,the '71-'72 Olds Delta 88 350 engine uses a 2" intake valve.The same size valve used on the 403 #4a head. The 403 looks and is outside dimensionally the same as a 350,307. A 403 with some squeeze,Performer intake,mild cam,headers should make your car run in the 13's and be dependable .Even with a highway gear.
I bought a set of NEW buick rally's through ebay from a guy in Paso Robles. They were new and still in the Wheel Vintiques boxes. 15x7 front, 15x8 rear. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=8055610051
i dont see the need for hardened valves my 65 v6 runs fine on pump as does my 72 convert with a 430, my fathers 72 electra i was told the metal gm got for blocks/heads back then had a lot of nickel so they where hard enuff for unleaded seats,spend the money where its needed
