Newbie here, absolutely zero olds experance. I cut my teeth on fox body mustangs. 25 years ago my father passed away unexpectedly when i was very young. I was left a 1985 442 olds cutlass that he bought new. It has sat in my garage for the last 25 years. It has not ran in 15 years due to me not being interested because of the lack of power. It it now time! I cant make myself do a ls swap. So a 350 olds is in the making! Good to meet you all, im sure i will need some advice! I will also keep all the origional equipment.

 

Welcome to the site, post some pictures of your project when you get a chance.

 

First, kudos for leaving that LS where it belongs and for not considering a SBC. Why not go 403 and have 50+ more cubes? 350 and 403 blocks are virtually identical (and visually identical to the 307) and all the bolt-on parts work on either, so no one would know the 307 doesn't still live there. You have to be a little careful if you overbore a 403 b/c of the siamesed bore casting, and head choices are limited without getting into machine work, but they can make gawdawful power.

But a 350 will do fine. Get a 68-74 block if you can. The later ones are thinwall castings with windowed main webs, as are 403s.

 

Welcome to the forum. Be sure to ask a lot of questions before you start to ensure you get on the right path from the beginning as not all Olds 350 blocks and heads are created equal. Folk here will be able to give you the info you need to do it right the first time.

 

Nothing against the LS or SBC. But in my mind a olds needs to be a olds. I would loved to have a 403, found a good deal in a 1970 350 engine. It was a new short block with speed pro forged flat tops, and #6 heads. I have it apart and at the machine shop to have a professional check everything. (Hope every thing is good). New rpm intake, holley carb, msd distributor and BTR custom grind cam. I would have went with a 455 but did not want issues around the heater box. I would like to keep the air and heat. I will post some pics when i get everything back and get started. Thanks!

 

I definitely will have many questions. I already have a few around the balancer and flex plate. I will post that later in the other section.