1985 Delta 88, the way it should have been

[Redog]

I finished the project about 2 weeks ago, still getting the bugs out.

Car's at the shop right now. I needed a new tranny tailshaft seal and tranny pan gasket. (It's done but I couldn't get down to pick it up today although I stopped by and paid the bill)

Anyway, I blew the 307 "Y" motor in my Delta, actually my mech's ex assn did that by only putting in a 2 quarts of oil at an oil change instead of the 5 needed, so I dropped in a 1968 Olds 350 395558 block which had a th 400 tranny behind it, pulled out of a 1968 Olds Delmont 88. I know they came with a th 350, but this is a th 400, and the numbers match (somebody used their head in '68 ordering this car)

I swapped out that old 2 barrel carb and manifold for a 4 barrel edelbrock 650 cfm and a Edelbrock performer RPM mainfold. Along with the "X" pipe duals with Flowmaster super 40's, the Be Cool raditor w/electric fan and 180* thermostat. I have myself a pretty good combo here.

It's loud, sounds like a muscle car. People look at stare thinking either, "what the hell did he do to that thing?", "What's under the hood?" or "Why did he do that to a Delta 88?"

I might badge it a 442. I know there was no Delta 442, but it would be pretty sweet, and if it can hold it's own in the 1/4 mile, why not. The ricers do it and they have no parts that bear that name (like a GTR badge {Nissan} on a Civic )

Anyway here are some videos. The videos where shot the day I brought it home. It has a bad squeak in the fan belt, that was fixed the next day

exhaust video

Engine idle video

[joe_padavano]

Originally Posted by Redog

... so I dropped in a 1968 Olds 350 395558 block which had a th 400 tranny behind it, pulled out of a 1968 Olds Delmont 88. I know they came with a th 350, but this is a th 400, and the numbers match (somebody used their head in '68 ordering this car)

Actually, the TH350 wasn't released until 1969, so the TH400 was the only option in 1968. Also, behind a 350 motor the trans was probably a TH375, which is a lighter-duty version of the TH400. Same case, fewer friction plates, smaller internal parts.

[Redog]

^^ Hmmmm.... OK It would also say "TH-375" on the right side by the tail housing. I just found that out.

I'll have to look next time the car's in the air

Would the tailshaft itself be the same size at the th400? That's the yoke I bought and it bolts (slides) right on with no problems

[joe_padavano]

Originally Posted by Redog

^^ Hmmmm.... OK It would also say "TH-375" on the right side by the tail housing. I just found that out.

I'll have to look next time the car's in the air

Would the tailshaft itself be the same size at the th400? That's the yoke I bought and it bolts (slides) right on with no problems

The TH375 used the smaller TH350 driveshaft yoke. If yours uses the large yoke, it's a TH400.

[J-(Chicago)]

Man that 85 is pretty shiny. I'll have to come up with some pictures of my beater 85 for you guys. I sprayed it smoke gray with a gallon of rustoleum and rattle canned some racing stripes on it. It actually looks pretty damn cool for a 70 dollar paint job.