New member from Michigan
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 8
From: Michigan
New member from Michigan
Great site! Finally registered although I've been lurking here for a couple years. I've got a '70 Cutlass Supreme convertible - it actually belongs to my uncle but since I've had it in my garage since 2005 I've become somewhat of a foster parent 
. I'm just about done doing a complete mechanical restoration before it goes in for paint and bodywork.
It was originally a 350 4bbl/TH350, but somewhere along the line a '73 350 was swapped in along with some "custom" underhood touches
The original plan was to freshen this motor and add headers/cam/intake, but we lucked into a complete unmolested 1970 Toronado that had been sitting for a looong time. It didn't run, but for $500 it was too good to pass up. The motor was liberated and the rusty carcass was hauled away.
The previous owner of the Toro apparently didn't change the oil very often, and then the motor had gotten water in it while it sat. It was a mess inside, but salvagable. The only things I wound up re-using were the block, crank, bare heads, front cover, and some misc fasteners/externals. Since the car was a '70, and the motor was a '70, I decided to go with the theme of making it appear to be the original motor for the car, albiet with a few dress-up items. I built the motor somewhat mild - fitting for a cruiser with a highway gear. It's typical inside - .030 over, decked, line honed, balanced. Speed Pro L2323Fs sit .02" down in the hole bringing the CR down to 9.4:1. The E heads were given a very mild port job, comp valve job and new guides & valves. A Lunati 318A3 cam (221/230 @ .050 on a 112, .485 lift) moves Crane rockers. The Toro oil pan & baffles were used with a Melling pump and Mondello restrictors. The intake is an Edelbrock Performer is topped with the Toronado's original Q-jet (now converted to electric choke) and spark is lit by an HEI. The exhaust is handled by reproduction W/Z manifolds and a Flowmaster 2.5" exhaust.
What else...I converted to an internally regulated, 78A alternator...fresh TH400 and a mild converter replaced the TH350...4 core radiator...and the suspension is fully restored now as well. There are still a few little things to take care of, but for the most part it is turn-key and ready to cruise.
I guess that's sufficiently long-winded for an introduction!
- Don
. I'm just about done doing a complete mechanical restoration before it goes in for paint and bodywork. It was originally a 350 4bbl/TH350, but somewhere along the line a '73 350 was swapped in along with some "custom" underhood touches
The original plan was to freshen this motor and add headers/cam/intake, but we lucked into a complete unmolested 1970 Toronado that had been sitting for a looong time. It didn't run, but for $500 it was too good to pass up. The motor was liberated and the rusty carcass was hauled away.
The previous owner of the Toro apparently didn't change the oil very often, and then the motor had gotten water in it while it sat. It was a mess inside, but salvagable. The only things I wound up re-using were the block, crank, bare heads, front cover, and some misc fasteners/externals. Since the car was a '70, and the motor was a '70, I decided to go with the theme of making it appear to be the original motor for the car, albiet with a few dress-up items. I built the motor somewhat mild - fitting for a cruiser with a highway gear. It's typical inside - .030 over, decked, line honed, balanced. Speed Pro L2323Fs sit .02" down in the hole bringing the CR down to 9.4:1. The E heads were given a very mild port job, comp valve job and new guides & valves. A Lunati 318A3 cam (221/230 @ .050 on a 112, .485 lift) moves Crane rockers. The Toro oil pan & baffles were used with a Melling pump and Mondello restrictors. The intake is an Edelbrock Performer is topped with the Toronado's original Q-jet (now converted to electric choke) and spark is lit by an HEI. The exhaust is handled by reproduction W/Z manifolds and a Flowmaster 2.5" exhaust.
What else...I converted to an internally regulated, 78A alternator...fresh TH400 and a mild converter replaced the TH350...4 core radiator...and the suspension is fully restored now as well. There are still a few little things to take care of, but for the most part it is turn-key and ready to cruise.
I guess that's sufficiently long-winded for an introduction!
- Don
Past Administrator
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 10,361
From: Rural Waxahachie Texas
Don, welcome to CO. Very nice looking engine you have there and a very clean installation. Your re-build is very similar to the 455 in my '46, mild and street friendly and can take today's fuel.
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