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I thought I'd post a couple of photos of my 1979 Hurst/Olds that I've owned for 23 years. I've posted pictures of some of my other cars but have never posted any pictures of the car I've owned the longest. It was purchased in Brookline, NH in Feb. 1997 for $1700. It was a really solid car with decent original paint and the typical used interior with ripped front seats and a worn-out carpet. It had a non-original 1973 Olds 350 2bbl motor in it that ran good but leaked oil from every orifice possible. My father and I swapped out the 2bbl for an Edelbrock intake and a rebuilt Q-jet, changed some of the gaskets to slow down the oil leaks (didn't change the oil pan gasket or the rear main seal), and replaced the pushrods since we found that 3 of them weren't completely straight. The 350 ran better but was tired. I ran it like that for a couple of years and then decided it was time to move on to big block power. My father passed in 1998 and never got to see the next stage when I put in a 1971 Olds 455 out of a Delta 88 and an 8.5 inch 3.73 posi rear out of a 1985 442. I ran the 455 completely stock until 2006 and then decided to have it rebuilt properly. Stage 3. I went with 10:1 compression, Edelbrock aluminum heads, Comp Cams XE274 cam, roller rockers, Edelbrock intake, W+Z exhaust manifolds, 2500 rpm stall converter, and some other goodies. The machine shop said it was probably making 400+ horsepower and 500+ ft/lbs torque. The stock Turbo 350 didn't last too long so I had another one built by a local transmission expert. He said it was good up to 750 hp. Never had another problem with the trans even to this day! It was a fun car and the power was way more than you could use safely on the street. It drew a decent crowd at every show I attended, especially when I would pull in with that lopey idle and my Flowmaster mufflers and 2.5 inch true dual exhaust. As fun as it was, I didn't use it much, maybe 700-800 miles a year. I used 93 octane, got 8-10 mpg, hated driving it long distance on the highway, and it would be tempermental at times. In June 2018 I decided to go back to stock. I pulled and sold the 455 and replaced it with a 1969 Olds 350. The Turbo 350 is still there but with a stock converter. The 8.5 inch 3.73 rear is still in place but will be pulled in the next month or so and the original 7.5 inch 2.73 posi will go back in. I want to go back to stock so I can enjoy the car more. This is the final stage for this car.
Here's a few pictures:
Phil, if you are running full duals now you might want to think about keeping that set-up, there is nobody out there anymore making the 1 in 2 out muffler. If you were lucky enough to hold onto one of these, well done. Waldron Exhaust made a few but that was years ago and they won't make any more of them. Some years back Brian Monahan ordered 2 of these from Waldron for a 79 H/O he was going to work on (and keep one as a spare) but he took delivery on only one of them and then abandoned his project & sold that car. When he told me he was not going to buy the 2nd muffler I called up Waldron and I bought it from them. It's now on the 79 H/O I currently have.
I'll keep a close watch on any parts out there which I think you might need/want & I'll let you know if anything surfaces.
Last edited by BlueCalais79; Mar 4, 2020 at 04:10 AM.
Reason: more info
I'm not going to be changing my exhaust set-up any time soon. It's been on the car since 2006 when the 455 was rebuilt with high performance in mind. It's still in great shape, no rust through areas, only surface rust. I have a dual hump crossmember that was installed at that time, also. I thought I was going to have to change the exhaust when I put the 350 back in but I lucked out. I was using the stock W+Z manifolds on the 455 since I didn't like the header choices that were available- one brand had the 4th tube that ran on the outside of the frame and limited your turning capabilities, and Kooks headers were way too expensive. When I swapped the 350 back in I ordered a pair of exhaust manifolds from The Parts Place that were essentially the W+Z manifolds but made specifically for the Olds small-blocks. They are identical so my existing exhaust system bolted right up. Didn't have to change a thing! The manifolds are about $300 and part number EX9735Z.
Nicely done! I've got a set of NOS 1979 350 R motor exhaust manifolds ready and waiting for the day I put a 350 in my blue Calais but for now I don't see that day coming, the darn 260 runs too good to mess with. My 79 H/O is in South Carolina right now but I'll be bringing it back up in time for the H/O Nationals in Gettysburg.
Gene,
I wouldn't wait too long to swap in a 350 in the blue car. As good as the 260 may run, there's no replacement for displacement. If it was me, I'd do a mild build on a 350, no need to go wild, and enjoy it. That 3.08 posi will give you a nice jump off the line and the OD in the 200R4 will help keep the RPMs down on the highway and you'll probably get low 20s mpg for mileage. The longer you wait... the less likely you'll want to do the swap.
You nailed it. I think it will never be done. . But, the time may come where if I no longer have a 1979 Hurst Olds I will probably want more kick in the blue 79. However, no plans to sell the H/O for a long, long time, having too much fun with it. I drive this one. The other one just sat and sat and sat. See the photo in my avatar? those seats were re-covered before I got this car, and those T - Tops make for a nice ride and they don't leak a huge plus.
Last edited by BlueCalais79; Mar 8, 2020 at 05:11 AM.
Speaking of the other car, I found a couple of pictures of it from the 2010 Nationals in Sturbridge, MA. I pulled my wife's car along side yours for the photos. Ours is on the right.
Yes indeed, and in the 2nd photo there in the background is Mike Culp's 1979 442 (black).
The 2nd photo is an excellent contrast photo for all you out there who wanted to see the difference between a 78-87 G Body with Hurst Hatches vs Factory Fisher T Tops. My Avatar shows the one I own now with the Fisher Tops off.
Last edited by BlueCalais79; Mar 9, 2020 at 05:00 AM.
I'm pretty sure Mike's car is a 1978. I remember taking about 50 pictures of his car over the course of the show. It was only the 2nd 1978 442 I've ever seen in person, his and mine. His car was exceptionally nice, black/gold with black bucket seat interior with console. I believe it has the a Chevy 305 engine. Very nice. If I remember correctly, he had the chrome 15 inch wheels from a 1985-87 442 on it. Looked good. I think a set of the aluminum N78 wheels would have been just as good. They were available on any Cutlass 1978-81 and were basically the 1979 Hurst wheel that wasn't painted gold. I still have 6 of theses wheels.
Finally got around to swapping in the original 2.73 posi rear end yesterday. Things went pretty well considering I don't have a lift and only a few power tools. Definitely NOT a 1-person job. I had to have my 15-year old daughter come help me guide the rear in place so I could get the bolts in the control arms. The car hasn't been all stock since 1999. Just need to finish some odd and ends and I may put it back on the road later in the year.
No, I didn't personally. I had the rear end rebuilt by a local shop. They changed the seals, gaskets, and replaced an axle. It was all set and ready to go. I just had to install it. Good thing! Out of all the fluids you can put into a car, the differential gear fluid smells the most putrid. Worst smelling automotive fluid ever! Good luck, Gene, if you decide to do it.
Thanks, it's on my blue Calais, the 3:08 posi I bought rebuilt back in 2002, the gasket is played on it and I'm getting a leak. Not a bad one but they don't get better. You are right about the smell, it's skank bad. I'd plan on replacing it with Mobil one synthetic 90 weight, good stuff.
I've always loved the black/gold paint scheme on these cars. Plus, those N78 aluminum wheels are awesome on that color combo. My 1978 442 was silver/black with a black bucket seat interior. Those wheels looked great on that color scheme, also. I still have 6 of these rims tucked away.
Hello all! We are new to this board and just acquired a 79 H/O. It will be my daughters first car. Looking forward to learning a lot here and meeting others.
Very nice! It looks like a clean solid car that only needs some detailing. There's even some coins in the slots in the glove box. It should be a nice cruiser. I see that you're missing the seat belt guide on the passenger seat. Is the driver's side missing, too? The original GM part number was 20552387. You might still find some originals but they only come in blue and have to be painted to match the interior. Gbodyparts has repros available on eBay for $25 for the pair in multiple colors, including black. No painting required. You can still find radio face plates if you decide to go back to a stock-type radio.
Nice to see another one with the black interior other than mine. I've seen a dozen of these cars locally over the years but only TWO others have had a black interior. All the others have been Camel Tan.
Sunroof car? NICE! Also, the tach is not original, that's from a newer car. Also, my apologies for not getting back to you , will do my best to contact you by the end of this week.
hardly the right place for me to make an introduction but there are a few names and cars i recognize from many years ago when i had the time and energy to source parts for my 78 4-4-2.
Edzoldz... it's tommy in Toronto... I'm glad you never sent me a pic of your car back when you were selling it, as I likely would have scooped it up right away if it looked like the pic you posted! I remember (or am mistaken) that the one thing tha didnt send me back to texas to buy my 2nd '78 was that you mentioned there had or was a small seal leak with the need to perhaps fix some minor rust in the footwell? I could be confusing you with someone else, but do distinctly remember talking to you online when you were selling. In retrospect it was likely the one that got away...I always liked black with gold and a 4spd... which takes me to Mike's '78
Mike Kulp is a good friend of mine... crossed paths with him in the 90s and kept in touch ever since. His car is a stunner... and worthy of its accolades.
Anyway, wanted to say Hi... and will be on the lookout for interior bits and pieces as that's all my '78 really needs. It's been relegated to indoor storage for most of the last 10 years, and when I see pics of others' rides, clean and detailed, it makes me want to get it finished.
sorry for the long one here... seems like a nice place here and i'm suprised I missed this forum.
Tommy, I remember conversing with you. Found the leak was a valve cover problem (damn Chevy valve covers). Sold the car to a guy from Chicago, last name Hammerlund or something like that. Hope he still has the car and kept in as good shape as when I sold it.
Speaking of the other car, I found a couple of pictures of it from the 2010 Nationals in Sturbridge, MA. I pulled my wife's car along side yours for the photos. Ours is on the right.
In looking at this again, this is a somewhat good comparison of the Fisher T-Tops ordered from the factory (Phil's was one of 436 or 437 1979 H/O's that had these installed by GM on the line, that includes both white/gold and black/gold), and the aftermarket Hurst/Hatch tops. A close look shows the Fisher tops were bigger.
You could buy the Hurst Hatches for your 78-80 G-Body Cutlass/Monte Carlo/Regal and whatever the Pontiac was, , but I have seen very few of these sets actually on a car.
Makes yours even more rare as you have to figure, how many are left? I no longer have that Hurst, in 2017 I traded it for cash & the 79 H/O I have now, it's got the same Fisher tops as are on yours (mine's white/gold).
Brian Monahan restored the one I used to have, it was his car between 1981-1989. Those Hurst/Hatches for the 78-80 G Bodies are really problematic these days due to the inability to get the weather stripping. I used to buy whole sets just to get the weather stripping. That all went with that car.
Agreed, black has a classier look than the tan IMHO. I've never owned one with black Interior, it's been either camel tan lochland velour or the oyster white I have now. I thought I was going to hate the white seats but I have found they are great in the hot summer sun.
Not sure. Haven't decided yet. It's been off the road since June 2019. I at least start it periodically and then put it back in the garage. It still needs a few things done and then it'll be ready to hit the road. Plus, I'm enjoying my 1978 Delta 88 Holiday coupe too much. I'll have to give it some serious thought soon.
Not sure. Haven't decided yet. It's been off the road since June 2019. I at least start it periodically and then put it back in the garage. It still needs a few things done and then it'll be ready to hit the road. Plus, I'm enjoying my 1978 Delta 88 Holiday coupe too much. I'll have to give it some serious thought soon.
Having the trans redone and a shift kit added as well as a reprogramming valve body. Adding 3.23:1 Posi. Also ordered a stall converter that will double the torque of this engine.
mines been off the road for a while too… But I’m finally getting some work done on it.
. But, the time may come where if I no longer have a 1979 Hurst Olds I will probably want more kick in the blue 79. However, no plans to sell the H/O for a long, long time, having too much fun with it. I drive this one. The other one just sat and sat and sat. See the photo in my avatar? those seats were re-covered before I got this car, and those T - Tops make for a nice ride and they don't leak a huge plus.
