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Since my dear friend Joe B. aka "oldsmaniac" already started this project on here, it would only be right that I continue to provide our progress also in honor of John may he rest in peace.

We were able to get the transmission off current set up this past weekend, I do want to go w matching # trans so that's the goal, have it rebuilt and pair it together w the matching number stock engine. The rear diff also was cleaned up and painted, can't believe before and after pics.

More to come to guys.. and I'm really looking forward to bringing this special hot rod back to its glory days.

 

few pics…

 

and of course matching engine n trans..

 

 

 

When life gives a wake-up call to this degree it gives urgency to follow thru with things. Nice to see the plan going forward!

 

today was dismantling of the good ole 350..it was rough looking but as we tore into it no major showstoppers but I guess machine shop has final say before rebuild…(prior owner had done fair share of carbon footprinting &#128516

 

Quick update: Engine is at the machine shop and getting a very nice make over. Keeping it as stock as possible, w exception of high compression pistons.

also sent the carb out for rebuild, looking pretty shiny 😁

 

Nice job, carry on gents!

 

Put it in 2nd when R&R-ing the side cover to avoid losing the fork.

 

although may not sound like much but alot of things going on w engine build (more to come) also other things.. sharing some pictures for now

 

after the engine rebuild, few months had gone by now and today we were able to make some progress.. one thing that came in handy was tesla 😳 and transporting the matching #s 350 back to the shop.. also helps to have a master mechanic Oldsmaniac to lead the project where we put on few components on… hopefully from this point on ill have more updates as we will have more time during holiday break to get more done.

 

Looking beautiful 👍

 

we were back at the shop and wrapping up the short block assembly..before oil pan gaskets, including the rubber one went on the inline tube aftermarket timing cover which was a tricky fit (nothing is ever like OEM).

after snugging the bolts on oil pan (going from middle section to end corners multiple times).. we were ready for paint (inline tube - color is a close match to factory)

Next came using metal gaskets which you cant buy any more and before that used a copper sealant (from permatex); after careful placement, headbolts cleaned and heads went on.. we will pick from here next

 

 

Looking good👍

 

so it was sunday, fun day…

cylinder heads were torqued 80ft lbs in the sequence shown in manual.. we actually started w less 60 before going to 80. You can see the metal
gasket squeeze tightly and hopefully does its job.

heads got some paint too, plus intake.. also the balancer was also put on. Lifters also went in w some Molly lube and topped off w oil.. next I need to buy some push rods (looks like stock lenght might work)

water pump is going to be interesting, its no AC and power steering so lining up w pulleys and brackets are going to tell if short water pump I bought will do.

Cant wait to hear this puppy run…

 

happy new year 🎉 and kicking off 2026 where we left off 😎

I had bought new lifter rods so those were installed plus the rockers.. and next was infamous turkey pan and intake. Fitting the turkey pan was a bit challenging, where the 4 grooves sit in the slots, Joe had to modify it and even afterwards still not flush so he being creative tapped them slightly into the holes while intake went on.. strangely one of the 12 intake bolt holes on cylinder head side was not same as others with an indent (it still worked).. fuel pump also went on.. we did find the alternator brackets so ill be cleaning those up, next need to also find a single groove waterpump pulley since it will be no AC / PS 💪 car..

 

pics..



some lipstick I mean hi tack on non water ports

 

What is the stated purpose of the "Turkey Pan?"
Thank you

 

I wont be able to tell you more then its the stock metal gasket between intake manifold and heads..if thats what youre asking…

 

I remember seeing it on my car many times when I had the intake off, and so many times I asked myself do I really need to put it back.

 

Slang name for stock style intake manifold gasket. It keeps hot oil from splashing on the underside of intake heat control lol, (although with the manifold exhaust cross thru seems like a moot point) and also controls oil splashing to some extent which could I suppose flash into vapor and smoke from the exhaust intake crossover passage, carbon build-up also..

 

Im sure its been debated gazillion times, you can go w this or use the ones that come w composite material in two gasket pieces…theres also the rubber gaskets for end/front side of block, and how much and where to use RTV conversation… Hopefully when the engine is installed and running I can come back and say all good 🤞

 

as they say, its been a minute.. (in reality months) but making progress. The engine is almos complete where all the add ons like short waterpump, single groove pulley, flywheel (which was a bitch to torque to 90lbs.. ended up w 85 instead) are all on.. pressure plate and clutch also went on. Also cleaned up the engine bay w some paint, when im at shows I like seeing a car thats clean and tidy. Oh yea engine mounts went on too.

pretty soon maybe engine and trans get mated to drop in as a whole, I guess we’ll see. I gotta clean up the bellhousing and order more parts.

 

 

this past weekend was a major milestone.. not sure when the matching# engine n trans stopped running and out of the car but on June 7th 2026 heart and lungs of the car was put back into the car (had to be metaphoric lol )

But I tell you what,it was like surgery to mate the m20 back w engine, the input shaft looked like had a clear path but roadblock every attempt until final try..

im blaming the dowel pin and bellhousing as culprit.. but when it was airborne, the fit onto frame was smooth landing…

pictures are as always 1000 words…before








after - 😎

 

Do you mind if I ask what the compression ratio is supposed to be? I was given to understand that flat-top pistons and a thin shim gasket got you on the high side of 10.5:1 or higher, especially given that the block's been decked.

Doc.

 

Ed spoke with cutlassefi while choosing a cam and pistons. He may know what the CR was said to be. If I remember it was said 10.25-10.5 range.

 

thats correct as Joe said..flat top pistons like w31 and going w cam in pictures via Mark Remmel “cutlassefi” .. let me know if you need his #, definitely worth talking to him before your build start.

 

Thanks guys. I'm still a ways from starting up my 350 build, it's just that most of what I've read suggested sticking to around 9.5, and reserving anything much higher for a hot street-strip engine.

Doc.