Mild 330 Engine build

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Old September 15th, 2010, 11:53 AM
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Mild 330 Engine build

So it looks like I will be rebuilding my 330 olds engine and looking for some advice. I was just thinking of a mild build, a mild cam, change out the 2 bbl carb and manifold for a 4 bbl, convert to an HEI ignition and use the stock exhaust manifolds but add dual exhaust (exhaust is shot and needs to be replaced badly anyway). I was looking at the aluminum intakes but was thinking of looking for a stock 4 bbl manifold and carb instead.

The transmission is another issue. I have the 2 speed jetaway in it now which is leaking (from where I don't know yet). I was thinking about just having it rebuilt but have also thought about going to a th350. I think the 2 speed jetaway would be just fine for my needs but any opinions on this would be helpful. How hard would it be to change to the th350 and what would I gain from it?

I'm not looking for anything crazy just something I can drive around with decent performance. Money is also a factor (ain't it always) so I'm trying to keep it reasonable. I am NOT a mechanic but have worked on my cars over the years. I did pull an engine in my 74 Trans Am about 15 years ago but never got to see it go back in (long story I won't get into). I feel confident I can get the engine in and out with minimal effort but have been debating whether I will try to rebuild the engine myself. I have a friend that I trust who can help if I need help.

I'm also looking for some place (hopefully locally here in Nashville) to do the machine work and possibly the build if I decide I don't want to get into it myself. Any recommendations would be great.
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Old September 15th, 2010, 11:55 AM
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Originally Posted by 67townsedan
So it looks like I will be rebuilding my 330 olds engine and looking for some advice. I was just thinking of a mild build, a mild cam, change out the 2 bbl carb and manifold for a 4 bbl, convert to an HEI ignition and use the stock exhaust manifolds but add dual exhaust (exhaust is shot and needs to be replaced badly anyway). I was looking at the aluminum intakes but was thinking of looking for a stock 4 bbl manifold and carb instead.

The transmission is another issue. I have the 2 speed jetaway in it now which is leaking (from where I don't know yet). I was thinking about just having it rebuilt but have also thought about going to a th350. I think the 2 speed jetaway would be just fine for my needs but any opinions on this would be helpful. How hard would it be to change to the th350 and what would I gain from it?

I'm not looking for anything crazy just something I can drive around with decent performance. Money is also a factor (ain't it always) so I'm trying to keep it reasonable. I am NOT a mechanic but have worked on my cars over the years. I did pull an engine in my 74 Trans Am about 15 years ago but never got to see it go back in (long story I won't get into). I feel confident I can get the engine in and out with minimal effort but have been debating whether I will try to rebuild the engine myself. I have a friend that I trust who can help if I need help.

I'm also looking for some place (hopefully locally here in Nashville) to do the machine work and possibly the build if I decide I don't want to get into it myself. Any recommendations would be great.

Give me a call

203-623-3135
Steve
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Old September 15th, 2010, 01:28 PM
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Would it be ok if I called you just after 5 central time?
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Old September 15th, 2010, 06:08 PM
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The Hunt brothers who run ROP live pretty close to Nashville (Leoma, IIRC) and should be able to steer you to a good Olds-friendly machine shop to get the big stuff done. If the 330 needs bored, piston availability is an issue. A 350 might be easier. I'm sure Steve/Stickw31 will steer you in the right direction.
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Old September 15th, 2010, 08:01 PM
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Give me a call as well. We have several guys here locally in the Music City Rockets Olds chapter that will be glad to give you some good info.

Alan
(615) 351-0550 cell.....call anytime
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Old September 15th, 2010, 08:11 PM
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67TOWNSEDAN- don't mean to jump your post but I am pulling a good running 64 330 ( low compression Jetfire) and Jetaway for my resto project. Odometer reads 57,000 on the buggy I have reason to believe it is the true miles, runs very smooth, quiet as a church mouse, no leaks, not an oil burner. Live in the DFW area. My sister lives in Paduach so I can help with the ride....$350.00
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Old September 15th, 2010, 08:32 PM
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Originally Posted by therobski
67TOWNSEDAN- don't mean to jump your post but I am pulling a good running 64 330 ( low compression Jetfire) and Jetaway for my resto project. Odometer reads 57,000 on the buggy I have reason to believe it is the true miles, runs very smooth, quiet as a church mouse, no leaks, not an oil burner. Live in the DFW area. My sister lives in Paduach so I can help with the ride....$350.00
DFW? Is that Dallas Fort Worth??
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Old September 16th, 2010, 05:50 AM
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Mike,

Nice talking with you last night. Looks like there are some trustworthy machine shops in your area, thats the most important. I'll get you the quote over the weekend.

Thanks,
Steve

Cas-Am Performance & REstoration
www.casamperformance.com
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Old September 21st, 2010, 10:00 PM
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Went with a TH350 in my 66 cutlass and glad I did. Also changed the gear ratio from the stock 3.08 to a 3.73 and added a shift kit. The only issue was the console shifter. The TH350 has an extra low gear that the 2 speed didn't have, so when the shifter shows "L", its really in the TH350's "2". Not a big deal to me really. Stomp on the throttle and I can get rubber in all three gears.
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Old September 21st, 2010, 10:59 PM
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I also have a 330 that I'm doing a mild street/strip build on, but yes money is a factor here too.

I opted to NOT change out the cam in mine to save some cash. I have the 10.25:1 1967 330 engine with the .434/.432 cam in it. Decent cam but if I were to put a new cam in it I'd probably go with the Mondello 20-22 cam. ( I think that's the part number) Decent lope and with a .496/.520 lift, it's pretty sweet.

If you do a cam, you should really change out the rods, lifters, and rockers as well.

I'm going to be blocking the crossovers as well as putting hardened valve seats in so I can run unleaded fuel with no problem. Maybe some stainless valves, and new springs that can take upto a .550 lift (stock Olds springs can go to .500 lift no problems I'm just thinking for the future)

Manifold, you'll want to look at Edelbrock. the 3711 is a good manifold, almost like stock, and the 7111 is a high rise mani. the 3711 is good for a stock look. The diffecernce between the 2 is like $10 so it's your choice there. I'm going with a 3711 becasue I want a "stock" look

Dual exhaust is good, but do youself a favor and run "X" pipe duals. Equalizes pressure and has been dyno proven to turn out more HP and ft/lbs than true duals. Mufflers or glasspacks? Glasspacks are cheaper, but a hell of a lot louder.

I'm also doing a double roller timing chain, and a 5 quart Toro pan. Later if and when I decide to totally rebuild, then I'll do a cam.

HEI. Unless you want a rev limiter, a totally stock, $110 at Autozone, HEI unit with a vacuum can is fine. REv limiter ones, I suggest Mallory
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Old September 23rd, 2010, 10:35 AM
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Thanks for the added advice. Anything I can get is helpful.

Redog:
What are you doing for a carb?
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Old September 23rd, 2010, 10:57 AM
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So are there no options for 330 pistons other than the low comp ones offered by egge?
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Old September 23rd, 2010, 01:32 PM
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I love the El Camino getting owned by a soccer mom vid!

I remember when I was a teenager driving with my mom in a 70's Dodge Dart with a 318 and some young punk with a jacked up car "tried" to roast the tires in front of us and it was pretty weak. My mom looked at us and said "pfft...I'll show you how to do a burnout!" and she smoked the tires for a block...lol. It was awesome.
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Old September 23rd, 2010, 01:53 PM
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Originally Posted by RAMBOW
So are there no options for 330 pistons other than the low comp ones offered by egge?
Egge #L2228 for my '65 are 10.25:1 reproductions.

They have standard, .020", .030", .040" and .060" in stock.

Norm
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Old September 24th, 2010, 08:52 AM
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Originally Posted by 67townsedan
I love the El Camino getting owned by a soccer mom vid!
I love my cutlass, but man do i ever miss that elcamino. Instant burnout machine. I loved driving it to work on the freeway in traffic. I would scare the **** out of my carpool friends when I'd punch it, & wind it up to 6k to pass someone (had 4.10 gears so we'd have to slow way back down real quick). Probably scared the **** out of whoever was in the lane next to me too.

Originally Posted by 88 coupe
Egge #L2228 for my '65 are 10.25:1 reproductions.

They have standard, .020", .030", .040" and .060" in stock.

Norm
Awesome! Thanks!. I guess i should have picked up the phone instead of just looking at their website. Webiste didn't show any options.

Cool... Looks like i will be doing my own 330 buildup next spring then.

Going to have to do some research, but I'm hoping to get between ~350-375hp at the crank out of my 330.

Factory hi compression was rated at 310hp? So hopefully a cam swap, headers, intake & some headwork should be able to squeek me up to the range i want to be in.

Hopefully that won't be too radical for such a small motor. Wonder if they have any forged piston options. Then i could put a little 100shot of Nitrous on it and be running in the 12's again.

guess i need to start my own thread

Last edited by RAMBOW; September 24th, 2010 at 08:59 AM.
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Old September 24th, 2010, 11:55 PM
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Originally Posted by RAMBOW
........ Website didn't show any options. ........
Site is a bit confusing since they "modernized" it. Now it shows 2 choices. 4 barrel carb = high compression and 2 barrel carb = low compression.

Originally Posted by RAMBOW
........ Wonder if they have any forged piston options. ........
No. They manufacture pistons to the same specs as the originals, and Olds only used cast in production.

Norm
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Old September 25th, 2010, 04:02 AM
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67Townsedan, yes DFW is the Dallas/Fortworth area. I live on the East side. The 330 and Jetaway is sold to another club member, he going to help me pull it next week, but if that changes i will let you know if you are interested. Although he is taking the whole enchilada, he does not need the Jetaway Trans. Few pictures, the 400E is out of my 67, thats going to be my donor motor for my 425 build.
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Old September 25th, 2010, 05:43 AM
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Therobski, Thanks and let me know if anything changes.

88 coupe, This may be a dumb question but I assume I would still need the 2 barrel low compression pistons even if I was replacing my 2 barrel with a 4 barrel carb during my rebuild?
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Old September 25th, 2010, 07:12 AM
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Another option is cheap 350 sbc pistons and after market rods. You can off set grind the crank or keep the stock stroke. Crank work is needed but vendors do have them ready to go for reasonable. Nearly any rod and piston available for the sbc 350 and most cheaper than what we can get.
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Old September 26th, 2010, 06:08 AM
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Originally Posted by 67townsedan
........ I assume I would still need the 2 barrel low compression pistons even if I was replacing my 2 barrel with a 4 barrel carb during my rebuild?
No. Their "modernization" solved one problem and created another. In reality, CR and type/size of the "fuel mixer" are not related.

Your options are unchanged: Higher compression (higher octane fuel) and 4 barrel for a performance application, high comp and 2 barrel carb for (theoretically) less fuel consumption, or low compression (with either carb) for use with lower octane (less power) fuel.

Norm
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Old September 26th, 2010, 01:06 PM
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Originally Posted by olds 307 and 403
Another option is cheap 350 sbc pistons and after market rods. You can off set grind the crank or keep the stock stroke. Crank work is needed but vendors do have them ready to go for reasonable. Nearly any rod and piston available for the sbc 350 and most cheaper than what we can get.

You really can't keep the stock stroke with available SBC 350 p/h. Also, you would need to bore .060 +. So, by the time you stroke the crank and pay the extra machining, he could just hone the stock bore and get custom pistons for less $. Or, just use the Egge pistons Norm suggested. IMO, the stock cast pistons can take a 100 n2o shot.
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Old September 26th, 2010, 06:33 PM
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Not even with a longer rod and a dome? Just better parts. Why .060" over? Isn't the 330 a 3.9 something inch bore?
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Old September 26th, 2010, 07:46 PM
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Originally Posted by olds 307 and 403
Not even with a longer rod and a dome? Just better parts. Why .060" over? Isn't the 330 a 3.9 something inch bore?
3.938" bore. SBC 4.000" bore, difference of .062". Dome isn't an issue, P/H is, the math just does not work out.
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Old September 26th, 2010, 08:17 PM
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Fair enough, then in this situation Egge pistons are the way to go. Isn't the pin height a problem on the 400 sbc or is it different? I thought you meant .060" over sbc 350 pistons.
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Old September 26th, 2010, 08:24 PM
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Cutlassefi Mark explained it in the other post. He knows his stuff and has built some nice SBO and BBO.
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Old September 27th, 2010, 09:27 AM
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anyone know what how many CC's the stock 330 high compression pistons displace?

"2bbl pistons & 4bbl pistons replacement" pistons is not exactly the kind of detailed info i'd like when planning my build.
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Old September 29th, 2010, 06:30 PM
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About 5.4 CC. Compression height is 1.615".

Norm

Last edited by 88 coupe; September 29th, 2010 at 06:36 PM.
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