Aceshigh

Just as the title says, is this a good reliable name in Olds parts??
Looking to possibly source my Manual conversion parts from this site.
Flywheel, pilot bearing adaptor for my auto crank, etc.

www.dickmillerracing.com

442much

I've heard good things about Dick Miller. Apparently he know's his stuff when it comes to building a fast Oldsmobile.

TripDeuces

I met Dick awhile back in Ohio and he seemed like a decent guy. That being said his email etiquette flat out sucks. Whether it was him personally or some lacky on the other end is unknown but it sure did **** me off. Making a phone call might be a better idea. His parts are decent but maybe a little pricey. Mondello and he were fairly good friends at one point but it seems that relationship has cooled off.

507OLDS

Never bought from him & never will.

Run to Rund

I got CAT flywheels from ebay. I have a conversion pilot bearing if you want it, but getting the crank professionally bored for a bushing or bearing is much better. Other parts can be found on ebay or restoration vendors. Some stuff is year-specific so be careful.

Aceshigh

Here's the dilemma I'm facing.
I have an LS1 T-56, and right off the bat it's going to cost me ~$800 to get it mated to the Olds 350.
$320 Flywheel, $350 Weir Bellhousing & Dust Shield, $20 bolts, $40 pilot bearing, etc.

Now......adding in the cost to rip apart the motor, drill the crank on top of that, I don't know where
that puts me in at.......but it's closing in on an LS swap cost with a GM LY6 salvage motor.

See where I'm going ??? $1000 right now is easier to do then an LS engine. But anymore, and I'd rather
upgrade to a modern EFI motor. So I was trying to do this cheap to get the 6 speed in before summer
$4 a gallon prices again. I like to drive my car all summer.

Sure I'll take it.
I'll PM you. CAT Flywheels.....couldn't find anything on Ebay for Olds.
Post #8 in this thread isn't giving CAT a good review......and most are saying go with Aluminum.
http://www.oldspower.net/vb/showthread.php?p=407208

Elaborate?? Did you have a bad experience , or something else ??

64Rocket

Look on craigslist for OLDS boat engines and most all had a stick flywheel. I drill the crank with a hand drill and use the adapter brg. Simple job.Done a number of them. I say use the steel flywheel, won't stall so easy or kill the engine when you let out the clutch.
So you say going Chebby is not as cheap as you thought.

Gene

Aceshigh

So the aluminum flywheel will make clutching in and out harder ??

Going Chevy ?? Never was. I own a classic Chevy already.

LS Engines = GM Corporate. Pontiac and Chevy were both using them.
If Olds were still kicking, they'd be using them as well most likely.

The swap definitely isn't cheap.

MDchanic

Aluminum is lighter than steel and has less inertia, thus providing less smoothing to the power impulses, and less modulation of engine speed when transitioning from "NoGo" to "Go." You will have to be more precise with the throttle and clutch when starting out from a stop with a lighter flywheel, since a heavier one holds more "oomph" in storage, and gives you more leeway to "dump" it before it will loose too much speed and stall.
On the other hand, a lighter flywheel should allow freer revving and quicker changes in revs for up and down shifts.

I have never used an aluminum flywheel on a standard-shift V-8, so I have no idea how different the feel is in practice.

- Eric

Aceshigh

I guess I should see what the newer motors are using for flywheels then.

If they're still using steel, then I'll get a steel one. Thanks.