W-31 Clone

[z11375ss]

So I picked up a really sweet '68 S. I paid alot for it (22k) because it is mint. It has the twin snorkel air cleaner with the under bumper scoops (way cool), the interior is perfect, so is the trunk and underside. The only problem is that is has an anemic stock 350 with a 600 holley and headers. Total mileage 64k. The guy I bought it from wanted a w-31 but decided to make this into one. They only came with three or four speeds and ths on has a turbo 350. The car runs sooooo nice I hate to take it apart but I have to.
I found a complete m-20 on ebay and am going to put it in over the winter. I know this entails installing a different crank which I have bought. As long as the motor is out I am going with the 2 inch intake valves and bumping the compression ratio. A bigger cam is in store too. The car is really beautiful and deserves this treatment in my opinion. Plus I think it will be worth more with a four speed even if it's not original, but nothing on the car is. I found the build sheet in the door and it came as a two barrel powerglide car,. I can't even imagine how much this guy put into the car to get it this far. 4more grand can't hurt. When I bought the car the guy told me I couldn't build it for 50k. I laughed until I got it home and looked at it. I couldn't build it for 35 for sure. What do you guys think. Should I leave it stock and running sweet or spend the dough and beef it up. What would you do?

[Cecil Anderson]

This sounds like a nice car as is. If it aint broke dont fix it. Enjoy it. Plenty of time when it breaks.

[Olds64]

I agree with Cecil. Don't forget that even if you beef it up you are always going to find somebody faster than you. Just enjoy it for what it is. Since it was originally a two barrle powerglide car you won't be able to win any trophies for complete restoration. However, if the car is as nice as you say it is I am sure it is a real head turner. Drive it to shows and cruise nights and let people enjoy it.

[z11375ss]

You know, I like your reasoning but I think I'm gonna do it anyway if I can swing it financially. I love 4 speed cars (all the rest of mine are) and I have a complete M20. I also have the mechanics able to do the job. The car will never be fast. I know that. You guys should hear it though, it sounds sooooo stock. Blah! I need a cam! It reminds me of my mom's bone stock Malibu in 1969. Booooring! The good thing is that right now it sits in my garage not in pieces but together and unmolested so I have some thinking to do. When you walk up to an Olds at a show and it's a 4 speed don't you just wanna have it? That's what I'm talking about. Jim