350 Diesel to 440 kit on ebay, Cheap!

[2blu442]

Not mine, but this auction is for the internal componets to build a 350 diesel block with an offset ground 425 crankshaft and big block chebby rods. Wednesday morning bid at $103, auction ends next Sunday. Located in Oregon City Oregon which is outside of Portland. I'm posting this just because its an unusual item and the way the auction title is written it won't be easy to find in a search. Good Luck to anybody wanting to do this build, this might be an inexpensive way to get the parts. John

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...m=270314464613

[Oldsguy]

Interesting, do you know anyone that has ever done this?

[2blu442]

I've not seen one in person, but I remember someone on 442.com used to sell a kit and I think Mondello also used to sell a kit. From reading through the auction it sounds like the seller isn't an Oldsmobile guy. John

[HARDLUCK88]

wow a big block diesel? that would be nuts!

[captjim]

Originally Posted by HARDLUCK88

wow a big block diesel? that would be nuts!

No, it would be a big inch "small block" This seems to be a current trend, we had a 454 ci SBC in the other day.

So, the deck height is 9.330 - 2.00 (half the stroke) = 7.330.
7.330 - 1.130 (P/H) = 6.200. I can't find a BBC rod that is that length, the closest is 6.135, which leaves the pistons .065 down, plus the gasket. So, a little milling would be in order, but it may end up being a good deal.

[380 Racer]

I have a friend with a 454 cube diesel block combo. Hasn't ran it for a few yrs. The cylinder walls tend to squirm around while it's running.

[88 coupe]

Originally Posted by 2blu442

........ I think Mondello also used to sell a kit ........

Norm

[The Stickman]

Ok why must the block be filled with epoxy resin? And why couldn't one of these engines be streetable rather than drag race only like the Mondello add says?

[joe_padavano]

Originally Posted by The Stickman

Ok why must the block be filled with epoxy resin? And why couldn't one of these engines be streetable rather than drag race only like the Mondello add says?

Well, even with a diesel block, taking the cylinders from 4.057 to 4.185 leaves the walls a little thin. Hence the following quote from above:

Originally Posted by 380 Racer

I have a friend with a 454 cube diesel block combo. Hasn't ran it for a few yrs. The cylinder walls tend to squirm around while it's running.

The Hard Block (epoxy) fills the water jacket to stabilize the cylinders. Unfortunately, it also compromises cooling, which is why it's for strip-only use. It may live for 10 seconds on the track, but not 10 hours on the interstate.

[The Stickman]

Originally Posted by joe_padavano

Well, even with a diesel block, taking the cylinders from 4.057 to 4.185 leaves the walls a little thin. Hence the following quote from above:



The Hard Block (epoxy) fills the water jacket to stabilize the cylinders. Unfortunately, it also compromises cooling, which is why it's for strip-only use. It may live for 10 seconds on the track, but not 10 hours on the interstate.

Ok so what if you leave the bore alone? Then what size engine does it give you? And will it be ok for normal driving?

[88 coupe]

Originally Posted by The Stickman

….... what if you leave the bore alone? ….....

The pistons (4.180” diameter) in that “kit” would not fit into your 4.057” bore.

Originally Posted by The Stickman

….... Then what size engine does it give you? ….....

4.057” x 4” = 414 CI.

Originally Posted by The Stickman

….... And will it be ok for normal driving? ….....

Depends how you define “normal driving”. As noted above, a “full on” 454 would need the block filled, in order for it to survive in a hardcore racing environment, but for Granny's Sunday drives to church, it would not.

The eBay kit is a “440” which, is intended for street or strip. For street use, it would be no different than a .060” over 425, except for the “small block” bragging rights. In this case, how useful are “bragging rights” when most people do not know difference between a 350 and a 425 Olds?

Norm

[380 Racer]

I have a 4.155 bore in my DX and the block is filled. Filled or not I wouldn't be afraid to run it on the street. I have a new crank on order that is going to increase the stroke from the current 3.5" to 3.85". So I would say you could run that 440 kit on the street.