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Location: Edmonton, AB. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh"
Posts: 24,525
Well it looks pretty close to spot on. Caliper paint should be able to take the punishment nicely. Whoever did the previous blue got really close to the Olds BB paint color. Trying to simulate that 350 as a 455? The casting by the temp sender 395558 2 designates the 350. It would have to be a wider deck, bigger overall and casting 396021 F to be a 455. You planning to pull off the PS and alt bracket to clean and detail the front of the engine? If you pull the fuel pump, it will allow you to see the timing chain and check it for slack. Then you'll know if you need one more item on your plate.
Yeah the paint is good for 900 degrees and is stain and chemical resistant. The car is badged as an SX and the air cleaner is badged as a 455 Rocket. It was sold to me as a SX Clone, but without a 455 under the hood I thought it best to return her to stock appearance. The SX badges will be coming off too. I want to get a chrome air cleaner lid and put the correct decal on it as well.
Hmm, maybe he can talk you into a rear you might have lying around? I'd go with either 3:08 or 3:23's myself. Much easier to get parts/gears for the 8.5 corporate rear.
Yeah it can't be an 8.5 can it? I thought 64-72 was 8.2 and 8.5 was 73 on? Either way, Western will do 3.23, 3.36 or 3.55 including all new bearings and seals for $1600.00. They recommend the 3.55's, but I am leaning towards the 3.36's. I would do 3.55 if I had an OD tans but I don't.
So you are planning to not use the olds Type O rear end since no 3.36 gears exist. And you are not planning to use a 71-72 8.5" rear end since no 3.36 gears exist either.
Which rear end is it that you are planning to bolt under this car? You do realize that a new driveshaft & U joints will also be required.
Not planning on using the O type rear. Going to use an 68-72 8.2 with 3.36 or 3.55 gears.
Not planning on using the O type rear. Going to use an 68-72 8.2 with 3.36 or 3.55 gears.
That is a mistake. The 8.5" 71-72 Olds & Buick differential with bolt in axles is a far better investment. Your money....your decision. We all have to learn sometime.
Yeah it can't be an 8.5 can it? I thought 64-72 was 8.2 and 8.5 was 73 on? Either way, Western will do 3.23, 3.36 or 3.55 including all new bearings and seals for $1600.00. They recommend the 3.55's, but I am leaning towards the 3.36's. I would do 3.55 if I had an OD tans but I don't.
That is a mistake. The 8.5" 71-72 Olds & Buick differential with bolt in axles is a far better investment. Your money....your decision. We all have to learn sometime.
That may very well be but finding one for a reasonable price is another story. Considering the fact that I clearly overpaid for the damn car to begin with, I have to be very mindful of cost. I am not building a 1/4 miler here. Running a stock motor with the #8 heads and a set of headers shouldn't tear up an 8.2 rear should it?
Location: Edmonton, AB. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh"
Posts: 24,525
Originally Posted by pechetr
Yeah it can't be an 8.5 can it? I thought 64-72 was 8.2 and 8.5 was 73 on? Either way, Western will do 3.23, 3.36 or 3.55 including all new bearings and seals for $1600.00. They recommend the 3.55's, but I am leaning towards the 3.36's. I would do 3.55 if I had an OD tans but I don't.
Yes, it can be an 8.5. 71/72 was the first year Olds started using the 8.5" corporate in the A body, and it's a direct bolt up for your car. Since that 2.93 kijiji ad already has axles, all you'd need to do is get the carrier and gear set. That in mind I'd still go with 3.08 or 3.23 instead of 3.55's especially if you're planning to drive this a lot. The 8.5 axles are bolt in 28 spline so it's a better setup IMO.
1600.00 seems like a lot to do a posi and gear install even if you buy new parts. Does that include new bearings on the axles too?
I'm seriously thinking about installing a 200 4R in my car since it has 3.42 gears. The OD trans will drop final drive from 1:1 to .67:1 and give it a better rpm range at highway speed without compromising any of the lower end performance.
Just picked up the rear end. It is in pretty good shape. It is an 8.2 but does have the bolt in axles. Going to shop around for a builder. Folks I talk to say 1600 is pretty high.
On another note, I pulled off the other head gasket and it covers the water jackets in the block/head completely. Is it possible that the wrong gasket was installed at one point. There is a number stamped into the gasket. Fel-pro 8171-1. Going to do some digging.
Talked with Steve Z. last night, and he has a set of #6 heads he's looking to sell. #6 heads will flow better and raise your CR of the 350 you have.
Steve is the current lead for the "Northern Lights Oldsmobile Club" South Alberta area and very well known in the Oldsmobile community.
I will pm you with his contact info in case your interested.
Some more progress tonight. Going to change the tranny front seal while the engine is out. How much slack should be on the fuel pump side of the timing chain? Here are a few pics with the engine out.
Location: Edmonton, AB. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh"
Posts: 24,525
How much slack are you seeing? If it's less than 1/2" you should be ok. How many miles on this engine? Wow! Someone sure went crazy with an orange rattle can. Engine mount looks fairly new.
Not sure the mileage on the engine. I will measure the slack tomorrow. I assume you mean 1/2 from centerline? If so, I would guess it is less than 1/2. Maybe a 1/4.
[QUOTE=pechetr;925715]Some more progress tonight. Going to change the tranny front seal while the engine is out. How much slack should be on the fuel pump side of the timing chain? Here are a few pics with the engine out.
If the the chain has the original nylon gears I would change it. Nylon ages and becomes brittle over time. Steel timing chain & gear sets are not expensive and worth the insurance.
Some more progress tonight. Going to change the tranny front seal while the engine is out. How much slack should be on the fuel pump side of the timing chain? Here are a few pics with the engine out.
If the the chain has the original nylon gears I would change it. Nylon ages and becomes brittle over time. Steel timing chain & gear sets are not expensive and worth the insurance.
Agreed. My old Buick had the same. I will definitely check that out.
Yes it has the Nylon gears. They will be coming out tomorrow once the rain stops. The block is all cleaned and repainted now. Gasket kit showed up yesterday. Headers arrived last week. Will post pics tomorrow once the sun returns. Any suggestions on removing the old gears?
Oh and decided to go with the 3.23 gears in the rear. The diff should be ready next week sometime.
Well a little more progress tonight. This engine must have been rebuilt at some point. Still see the cross hatching in the cylinders, no ridges and the pistons are stamped .030. I also cleaned up the engine compartment a little. Should have the engine back in the car on Friday. Completely disassembled the distributor and installed the electronic ignition and also installed a new front seal on the transmission.
I am going to leave the heads and intake off until the block is back in. It gives me much easier access to the bell housing bolts and will give me a lot more room to get the headers into the general area.
Block is back in the car. Headers are a real pain in the ***. Likely have to remove the steering shaft to get the drivers in. Broken rocker bracket discovered today.
Almost done. Headers are tight....I mean really tight. Can't get the starter in. Going to nab a mini starter. I am really concerned about the headers. Less than 1/4 inch off the cross member. The heat would have cooked the factory starter anyways. Need a rocker pivot bracket and then I can finish it up.
Location: Edmonton, AB. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh"
Posts: 24,525
What kind of headers did you buy? I've had headers on my first 72 and it didn't have any of the issues you're finding. BTW, they may be tight now but they will need re-torquing after they've been run a few hundred miles. Olds did have heat shields on the BBO cars, is that something you could jury rig on yours? Either that or wrap the header tubes that run close to the starter. Do you think the engine torque will make the headers contact the cross member?
I think with a mini starter I will be ok for heat, but yes I do think the engine torque may cause the headers to contact the engine cross member. I could shim up the engine mounts on the frame for more clearance. The headers are Flowtechs.
Flowtech Long Tube Header - Painted
1968-1977 Oldsmobile Cutlass (not Supreme)/442 350-403ci Standard Headers Primary Tube Collector Size 1.75 in. x 3 in.
Part# 11150FLT
$185.95
If the picture is correct, these headers look different than headers from Hedman 58060 or Blackjack. Almost looks like the right header fits AROUND the cross-member?
Last edited by scottv442; June 19th, 2016 at 06:32 AM.
All done. Had to go with a mini starter, but fired it up today for the first time and purring like a kitten. Thanks for all your help guys.
Looks real good, nice job.
One comment....the upper rad hose is on backwards or its the wrong hose? Should follow the upper rad support before dipping to the engine. Not a biggy.
Enjoy the ride.
Yes it is. Too much money to do what I want to it. I am already into it for thousands more than it is worth. I picked up a big block Vette today so that is what my focus will be for the next little while. If it does not sell I will bring it to the Olds show next week and see if it goes there.
Location: Edmonton, AB. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh"
Posts: 24,525
Originally Posted by pechetr
Yes it is. Too much money to do what I want to it. I am already into it for thousands more than it is worth.
I'm a bit surprised. You, being a car guy must know that project cars are money pits that almost never return what you put into them.
Good luck with the Vette, but I'm sure you'll have the same $$ take on it in the long run?
Look forward to seeing this car at the Olds show on the 16, if it doesn't sell by then. Your price seems to be what the market here would pay. Have you had it appraised? That might help with a potential buyer.
Location: Edmonton, AB. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh"
Posts: 24,525
Geez! I just looked up your address and you're only 2 blocks away from my BIL. Too bad he's so cheap or I'd tell him to go look at it. He starts projects and never finishes them. I start projects and just take a bit longer than planned to finish them. Darn MAW's.
I'm a bit surprised. You, being a car guy must know that project cars are money pits that almost never return what you put into them.
Good luck with the Vette, but I'm sure you'll have the same $$ take on it in the long run?
Look forward to seeing this car at the Olds show on the 16, if it doesn't sell by then. Your price seems to be what the market here would pay. Have you had it appraised? That might help with a potential buyer.
Not all cars are money pits if you can do most or all of the work yourself. It also depends on the car. Putting 30k into a car with a value of 50k is money well spent. The issue is when you put 30k into a car worth 20k. You had better really love the car. The Olds is a great car. Runs and drives like a dream. Probably better than a new car if I am honest. I overpaid significantly for the car and that is on me. If I had paid what I should have, I would still be ahead of the curve. As it is I am selling it at a loss now. I will admit, if it doesn't sell, I am happy to keep it. The exhaust and rear end conversion have made the car a lot more fun to drive.
Did you sell the car? I don't see it advertised on Kijiji anymore.
Olds show was saturday. I dropped up for a look at noon and they had 31 cars show up. Not a bad turnout considering the weather.
Did you sell the car? I don't see it advertised on Kijiji anymore.
Olds show was saturday. I dropped up for a look at noon and they had 31 cars show up. Not a bad turnout considering the weather.
I was drilling a well 30 miles from the show. We had torrential rain every day including Saturday. There was about 2 hours around noon on Saturday that was nice. I did not get home until Sunday so I could not attend & there was too much happening at the Rig to allow me to slip over for a look at the cars.
Vaughn what cars showed up & did you get any pics?
I too am curious if the 1970 Supreme found a new owner.
Last edited by oldsmobiledave; July 18th, 2016 at 07:13 PM.
[QUOTE=scottv442;936875]Did you sell the car? I don't see it advertised on Kijiji anymore.
Olds show was saturday. I dropped up for a look at noon and they had 31 cars show up. Not a bad turnout considering the weather.
Yes sold Saturday morning believe it or not to a nice gentleman that likes the car as is and just wants to drive it. I am forwarding the link to this thread to him in hopes he will join. I know you guys will be as helpful to him as you have to me. His name is Warren btw.
May 29th, 2016, 06:41 PM
