Hey Y'all. It's been ages since I've posted, been busy with life. Now that time has opened finally, time to get back to work on the Oldsmobile. I've dumped the idea of replacing my 307 with a 350. I don't think its quite worth it, and wont be original. Right now I'm just going to get mine to run right. Any recommendations on cleaning up all the emissions on there. Cats been gone on mine for a while, so is it a good idea to get rid of the remaining emissions that spear out of the heads and all the vacuum lines sprawled out in my engine compartment? I've heard 20 different stories on this. Some people say it runs a lot better, others say it will run weird and rich. My thought is to dump the restrictive exhaust manifolds, run older 350 manifolds without the emissions running thru it, maybe a black edelbrock intake straped to the top, new exhaust and clearing out a few of the emissions that I can take off without compromising running characteristics and getting it to breath and run a little better. Any thoughts? Thanks guys!

 

It is quite possible and cheap to ditch the e-quadrajet and the computer and all you would need is a controller for the lockup converter. You can ditch the smog pump and the air injection and tune it to run nicely.

 

Do you have the electronic distributor and carb? And do you plan on keeping them. I've heard if you mess with too much of the smog stuff it wont run right because of the computer. I'd also heard that if you go with non ecarb and non edist and get rid of smog stuff you will get some small gains.

 

I currently run the CC dist and carb. I might ditch the e-carb and dist and would like to pack everything neatly away and make sure I don't ruin anything when I take it off so I can go back to original if I wanted to. Whats the best way to set up a non CC distributor? Will it still be HEI? or do I have to practically re-wire the whole car to get everything to work? I know it wont be a 300 horse power house, but just to it runs half way decent and maybe some power gains while I'm at it is my main goal. I still have working air and cruise, so I don't want to mess with it too much. Just hoping for some simple ideas to make it all work

 

I don't see a point in ditching the computer stuff for what you're looking to do. There is plenty of crap under the hood you can get rid of that will not effect the computer or compromise your drivability. The big thing is the air pump. Scrap that right off the bat and it will make things a lot easier for you. Just start there.

 

I got my '72 350 down to 1.5% CO2 with wide-gapped plugs, HEI, and a '77 Q-jet with jets and rods from Cliff Ruggles. How far down do you need to get it?

 

before you tear to much off, you might want to check your state emission laws

 

No emissions testing here in Michigan, so no way of really getting caught.

Ryan, with the overall issues with the car as you mentioned to me, maybe it's time to jump ship. Still it's a decent car and I like it, just don't want it to be money pit for you!

Pat

 

If keeping the computer I believe you can change the secondary rods and hangers to get more power when floored. I'm not sure what size to go with but I'd think that info should be on the net somewhere. I'm not sure if the air pump will affect the computer but if not get rid of it and pull the air tubes out of the exhaust ports. Then just plug the holes with a pipe plug.

 

So far I think I will try and keep as much original, but I may try and take the advice of taking the tubes out of the exhaust ports, and all the mess that goes along with the A.I.R pump. The cats haven't been on it in some time, so I don't think the AIR pump is even doing anything anymore anyways. Thanks for all the info guys! I do appreciate all the input, and Pat, you are prob right. My pops has said this same thing you did numerous times too, I just can't get myself to get rid of it. Shes like a child to me lol.I know as soon as it rolled out of the driveway, I would regret it forever