Here are some pictures of the anatomy of the 517" engine that Bill at BTR Performance is building for my 72.
The main girdle is a billet piece,made by Noel Sevigny,of Canada.He did a small run of these,but the obvious final cost limited the amount of public interest.The girdle was about $2300.00.Yes,you could buy a whole Dart BBC block instead,but that's too easy.This is the best girdle that you could make for the Olds block.
The crank is a Velasco billet,with 4.700" stroke,SBC rod journals,extra counterweight,and all the other bells & whistles you order with it.
The pistons are Custom CP,4.185" bore,.927" wrist pin,and .043/,043/3mm ring stack,1.070" pin height,keeping the wrist pin below the oil ring.
The rods are 7.170" GRP with the pro material.These can withstand the hot/cold cycles of a typical street engine,unlike the old aluminum rods of the stone age.
The oil pan is a custom aluminum,made by Moroso.I did the R&R,using one of my other cars as a mock-up,to get the oil pan to fit in a stock crossmember,and clear the steering linkage.It took 2 previous pans to get it totally right.
The motor plate was originally made by Frank Trimble.When using one of Noel's girdles,it requires lowering the radius on the timing cover,to meet the lowered pan.Frank's plate is originally made to mount over top of the timing cover,so I decided,to make a one-piece plate,to act as the timing cover AND the front plate,so I will not use a factory timing cover.I sent the plate to Noel,to have the bottom section made & welded-on.I do not do cam changes with the engine in the car,and we will have the correct one in when the duno is done,so the need for removal was not an issue for me.
I started this project in 2005,and it has been a great benefit to wait.Some great parts have been made,since beginning this project,like Noel's girdle,that wasn't available when I started.
I had also given some serious thought to adding deck spacers to a DX block,and 8 sleeves,and making a 555" engine,but I just couldn't convince myself it would absolutely work,and this 517" will do just fine.I'll write more about it later.

I'm already getting anxious to build the small block.That will be 430"-440" range. 442"?



girdle2.jpg

billetcrank.jpg


billetcrankinblock.jpg


CPpistonGRProd.jpg





aluminumoilpan.jpg

motorplate.jpg

mototplate2.jpg

 

That looks like a containment vault to set off explosives. I believe your going to have to work at blowing that apart! Beautiful!!

 

WOW

So do you have to change your user name now?
Larry

 

That's a work of art Brian. Keep us posted on progress. Can't wait to see the dyno sheet on this one

 

Ive seen some of his work and I gotta tell ya..its like automotive art I know that sounds crazy but its true. It looks great,its built to last and the performance is second to none. From what I hear he is also a stand up guy and pleasure to deal with.

 

I think I need to change my pants...Brian, any chance you could send the specs when complete, and a estimated cost? I may have to build one so the boys in Texas can have a working example as well Lol!

 

Are you going to go pick it up or have it shiped to your house? Im thinking of having BTR do a piece for me Ide def be interested in seeing the specs and dyno sheet. Bill knows his Olds for sure.

 

Bill's shop is about 2 1/2hrs from me.I try to get up there at least twice a year,for some reason or another.I've known Bill for quite awhile.His machines are the best available,and he has the knowledge to go behind it all.

 

His shop is in rochester new york right?

 

Yes.

If you have Bill build you an engine it'll be done right.

 

I'd also like to see the dyno sheets - potent powerplant!!

 

I'm an aerospace engineer specializing in structures design and that's the FIRST Olds girdle I've seen that looks like it will actually do something. The Mondello straps are a joke and all the other girdles I've seen are too thin to add any useful stiffness. This one is the first that appears to be designed correctly. Do the caps bolt to the side rails or just dovetail in?

 

For years & years,I had hoped that someone would make a girdle that went around the whole bottom of the block,with caps & all,and finally,Noel made one.The main caps are keyed into the side rails.Everything locks together.If I remember correctly,I think Noel said there about 85hrs worth of cnc into one of the girdles.It all start with a chunk of billet.I think he only made/sold about 5 or 6 of these.

 

WOW!! Brian that is a beauty, can't wait to hear the numbers.

 

Brian that is TRICK

Can't wait to see the numbers

 

That's awesome Brian. Keep us updated.

 

Man your hardcore!This could be the baddest olds engine ever!What kind of coin will buy that old raggety 507,your pulling out?Just kidding ,congrates,Later,BO.

 

...................wow................ Dazzling. Very nice! Can't think of anything else to describe it.

 

I think Dave Smith tried this back in the early 80's with bad results, it wouldn't be practical for a street/strip application by any means.

You could of bought a complete balanced 598ci - 632ci BBC short block with aftermarket Dart Big M block complete and ready for heads and intake from a few different big name engine builders for what you paid for just the crank & girdle.

But I'm like you, I will spend 2 to 3 times more to build a Oldsmobile before I put a Chevy in my Oldsmobile.

 

This is how we separate the men from the boys.

 

Some places you need the jaws of life to separate the men from the boys... Ish.

 

Impressive!

 

To each his own... Some build Chevys and some build Oldsmobiles. This engine you're building has all the right stuff, and is being done right. Nothing like it. Some of the machining you've explained and talked about in the past is great. Keep up the great work, and Good Luck w/ it!

 

Not into racing myself, but love watching the Oldsmobile's leave the line and lift the tires on their runs! Not a machinest, but your pictures show some of the prettiest machine work I've ever laid eyes on. Awesome is the correct descriptive word, here.

 

What happened with this beast?

 

He still has it as of 60 days ago when I talked to him.

 

Any chance of him wanting to part with it?

 

He might there is a new Rocket Racing Block and now just yesterday I seen NEW HEADS. Holy snikies 2.35 intake valves.

 

Yeah, I figured an all parts from Rocket racing build to be close to $30K.

 

Yeah came up with close to the same number.. Ouchers Brian's engine would also be close to that number.

 

He's still got the engine and is working on his car for this to go in. Maybe next season he can he'll have the car at the track running it. Hes been busy building rears and working but hes supposed to be getting out of the rear building business at the end of this year.

 

What did your Olds run with that 507 inch engine?

 

Sorry to dredge up an old thread, but is Brian (507OLDS) still around?

Travis

 

Yes and no. He doesn't visit this site. I think he had a new Rocket Racing Block that he was getting built. It could be finished by now. He is on Facebook.

 

I’ll have to see if I can call him, I’m not on Facebook. Just wanted to say hi and see how he was doing.

He bought that 507” motor from me nearly twenty years ago. I might have spoken to him once or twice since then. Good guy, really smart.

Travis

 

Travis if you can not get a hold of him by phone i will text him and see if it is okay to give you a contact. Lmk

 

I found his number and called him. It was good to catch up with him, he's a straight up dude.

When I sold him that engine, I sold my '72 442 not long afterwards; best I can tell, that was 20 years ago. I'm just now getting back into Oldsmobiles again, and man, a LOT has changed! We've got multiple cylinder head options, a new aftermarket block, and a lot of really talented folks building these engines. Looks like I picked a really good time to jump back in....

Travis

 

Glad you are back in to oldsmobiles again. Yes a good time to return. What kind of project you thinking of? Glad you got in touch with Brian. You are right he is one of the Good guys. Neeley