512Lac

So I have a olds 350 block 395558-2 with #8 heads. Every were i read seems like nobody like the #8 heads so whats wrong with them? mr cars is just a DD so am i ok or do I need to swap them?

joe_padavano

The two things wrong with them are that they are 1973-76 smog heads with smaller ports, and they have very large 80-ish CC chambers vs. about 64 CCs for most earlier small block Olds heads. This makes CR very low. For a daily driver, if the car runs well, don't worry about it. Keep in mind that 1) most of these comments are quotes of other threads and 2) the comments primarily refer to getting maximum output from the engine. What you need on the track is very different from what you want in a daily driver.

stan 65 cutlass

mine has 8s on it and runs very strong. yours will be fine

512Lac

Thanks guys now i just need to tune my car exhaust smell real bad!!

joe_padavano

Whats the year and model? If you have a catalytic converter with rotten egg smell, you're running waaaay too rich. More importantly, that can lead to the converter matrix melting down and plugging the exhaust, so fix it sooner rather than later to avoid another parts bill.

512Lac

its a 83 cadillac with a olds 350 block 395558-2 with #8 heads and no cat, has a edlebrock rpm intake and edelbrock 1406 carb. I recently took the car to Meineke and has no exhaust leaks

joe_padavano

So what does "smells bad" mean? Overly rich?

512Lac

smells like exhaust bad(strong exhaust) after driving fo 20 mins eyes are bloodshot and my head hurts

455man

Overly rich can be seen by black smoke. Is it very black around the tailpipe?

76olds

Maybe the heat riser isn't opening all the way, Blowing back thru your pcv/ vent tube hoses to the carb when you let off and wind tunneling back into the car. As others said may be very rich

512Lac

no black smoke at all. Weres the heat riser????

MDchanic

Does your car have any holes underneath or in the trunk or missing gaskets in the rear?

That sounds like carbon monoxide poisoning, which can be fatal.

I've driven cars with minor exhaust leaks all my life and never worried about them, but when I have a car that makes me sleepy or gives me a headache, I fix it right away.
It's worth a few bucks not to be that idiot on the evening news who poisoned himself, passed out, and hit a bunch of school kids in a crosswalk.

- Eric

76olds

Eric he mentioned he brought into meineke and they found no leaks, Sounds funny with the smell eh !! They heat riser is on the passenger side down at the bottom of the manifold should have a line going to or maybe rotted off. there is a butterfly dohicky that may need to be opened up. Not sure if this could be your problem, I hope others have more suggestions if the system has no leaks an no convertor problem.

76olds

You may even have a grommet popped out of the firewall that fumes are getting into the car , I have also seen guys remove the rubber hood sill for more air flow thru the top of the engine......if this is the case and running rich you will defiantly smell it.

512Lac

so there is no heat sheild and there is some grommet holes that are unplugged also the heater core from the fire wall but even when you stand back from the car on the outside you can smell it.

512Lac

Would it happen to be the the mechanical fuel pumping to much gas to the edelbrock carb to much ps1

MDchanic

It doesn't matter what it smells like from the outside.
You should leave that smell behind you, but your car is sucking it in.

- Eric

512Lac

I'll goto vatozone and see what i can get to plug up the holes

76olds

LOL.... and pick up a bottle of oxygen till you get 'r' fixed !!!