I got my engine block and crankshaft dropped off at the machine shop today to get hot-tanked and new cam bearings installed. The machinist and I were BS'ing for a few minutes, and he mentioned that the trade magazine 'Engine Professional' published by the Automotive Engine Rebuilder's Association (AERA) just published an article by Joe Mondello about the Olds 455. He loaned me his copy so I could read the article, and I decided to scan/post it here as well.

Rocketing the 455 Oldsmobile Engine into the Future using Today's Gasoline & Oils

At the end of the above article, Joe Mondello states "In my next article I will cover all machining, blueprinting, and correct assembly of all engines". I will be picking up my block and crank next week and will ask my machinist if he's got the newest issue of this magazine which includes this article. When (if?) I can get it, I'll scan and post that follow-up article too.

 

Ooooooh. Neat!

Thanks, Keith!

- Eric

 

That's great to hear because my wife just told me we are out of toilet paper.I should be able to use that.
I had the opportunity to sit down & chat with Joe,in 1997,and he was great to talk to,but is reputation will forever tarnished by all the bad-happenings that came out of Paso Robles.
There have been plenty that have come along and accomplished more in less time,in the Oldsmobile world.

 

Speaking for those of us who don't think that a tech article from someone who has spent his life working with high performance engines is fit only for toilet paper, I'll be looking forward to that future article.

 

Wow.

 

For those of us who don't know the story what happened at Paso Robles?

 

Follow this link if interested.

http://blog.hemmings.com/index.php/2...mondello-dies/

Stetzie

 

does anyone know what 507OLDS is referring to?

 

507OLDS I don't know you, but I think your remark is a very disrespectful thing to say about a guy that dedicated his life to the high performance industry - and now with his passing, your timing couldn't be any worse - JMO

 

You're right,the timing was not good at all.It is unfortunate of his passing,as I do not wish that on anyone. Hey,at least I wasn't the one that was rather happy,and hoped that Lynn would pass away next.Now THAT was harsh,especially since it was his son's topic/thread.

 

I agree with Brian.........Joe was not a saint. Parts came repackaged in plain brown wrappers.

 

If you look, you'll notice that Brian's comment was made 1 week before we got the sad news yesterday.

It could be seen as a "foot in mouth" comment, but only in hindsight. The only way it could have been disrespectful of the departed is if he was psychic.

- Eric

 

Ok so what happened at Paso Robles that people keep referring to? I googled and only find that it was the home of mondello performance. Just curious really as to what the negativity is regarding Mondello. Thank You

 

from what i've heard / read- Joe sold the business off, but the name renamed.
i dont know if this is true. though.


either way R.I.P Joe Mondello

 

It's my understanding that Joe sold it to Lynn, and moved east.
Apparently, Lynn took on a 'partner' that knows nothing about anything, and is a bit unscrupulous, as in wrong parts, and 'credit only' refunds!!
Buyer Beware!!
'Tis a shame Joe left his name to that business!

Thanks for the article - explaines a lot!

 

Bought something from Bernard Mondello a week ago came fast was right item.

 

Bernard is doing his own thing.Hopefully he'll head the right direction.
Lynn was a used car salesman before joining Mondellos.He was partnered with Joe for awhile,before taking it over himself.If he has a new partner that knows nothing about anything,then that would make 2 people with identical skills.Yes,years ago,you could get some satisfaction out of Mondello's,but the nighmares started long before Joe left.What he actually was aware of,we'll never know.Maybe all,maybe some,but none of it?,no way.Yes,there are the people that spent $15,000.00 on a race engine,with the best of everything,only to recieve it,open it up,and find a basic rebuild.How about the gentleman that sent his original 70 W30 F-heads to be ported,only to get them back looking like a student experimented with them,and poked through the water jackets in various places.A lot of things to wonder.No,I did not realize he was even ill before I made my original comment,and it was made before his death was made known.I call that a bad coincidence,but I said what I said.

 

Well, I still think your comments are disrespectful even if he had not passed away this week, but like I said earlier, that is JMO - I guess I'm just wired a little different!!

 

If people can't share consumer experiences about Olds builders and vendors here, I don't know what this site is for .

- Eric

 

I just posted the second article by Joe which was published in the Jan.-March edition of Engine Professional magazine.

"Machine It, Blueprint It, Professionally Build It"


And like the first installment, Joe makes a reference to an additional article in this series, to be published in the next edition. So...I guess I'll have to make an excuse to go visit my friendly machinist again, and see if I can borrow the newest edition of this magazine.

 

Thanks again, Keith!

- Eric

 

I just hope Joe had time to finish it - -

 

Good reads, thanks! Although I am now questioning my decision to stick with stock main caps / billet straps and ARP studs instead of the billet caps / girdle combination.

 

I just posted the third and final installment of Joe Mondello's three-part technical article series as published in the April-June issue of Engine Professional magazine. I also included an tribute written by the editorial staff and published in this edition.



AFAIK this is the last technical article written by Joe before his death exactly one month ago today.

 

Thanks Keith, definitely worth reading.
Scot

 

Thank you for posting this, Keith!!!

I was really looking forward to reading Joe's third installment.

I was not even sure if this third article would even be published or not, but I am very glad it was.

 

Great articles. Thank you for posting them. If anyone's in Austin, TX I have access to a cryogenic freezing company, but now I need a shaker.