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New member here, I signed up for info about my sacrilegious move, sorry guys. I got a 1976 skylark for 700.00 that needed an engine, found a 200.00 olds 350 on craigslist, so here I am. The engine is from a 1974 with the dreaded #8 heads, but it moves the nova/skylark along pretty good. I got from a guy doing LS engine swaps. I opened it up and it was a fresh looking rebuild with a cold compression test of 150 psi in each hole.
When I had the oil pan off all was very clean and
the #on the pistons was .30 over bore, cam lobes looked very low wear. I don't think it had many miles on the rebuild, just sat for a time. I pulled the rod bearings and they were new looking but acid pitted, so I replaced them. I also installed a cloyes timing chain kit and a long A/C water pump, cause desert!! It came with that edelbrock 1406 carb and air cleaner as well, ooh and a working th350 trans. I have installed a wide band A/F gauge and have been dialing in the carb and its running very strong!
I am currently working on getting a sanden compressor installed. I found some 3 rib pulleys and the brackets to move my alt. and power steering pump to the correct spots. I had a vintage air mount that didn't work well at all, so I returned that and order one from classic auto air that looks much better.
I am using the stock manifolds with the crossover welded closed, each bank dumps into its own catalytic convert and dumps right out the side in front of the rear wheels. Its nice and loud, lol
Pulled # 3 main bearing to check, looked good so just did the rod bearings, The old engine was an odd fire v6 turd on its last legs, trans was gone as well as the brakes. Got about 3,000.00 into it now, its a rust free AZ car!
Custom engine mounts
Last edited by AZ520; March 7th, 2017 at 04:35 AM.
Thanks all! Its been fun learning about the olds engine, I really like the way it runs and the shock factor when popping the hood is priceless, is that a big block???lol
Pretty hard, it chirps the tires going into second. Its not too heavy, I would be surprised if it weights more than 3600lbs. I would love to get a cam and some decent heads on it, I first wanted to see how well it ran and if its a solid runner.
How are these custom motor mounts holding up so far? Do you feel any vibration? Where did you get these rubber spacers and how dense are they?
I have been surprised with them, no vibes and holding up fine. The 3 rubber washers are from ACE hardware, they are neoprene 1/8" thick X 3" I used 3 carriage bolts with lock nuts to keep them from opening up, but left them room to give a little. The engine runs so smooth I could have use 1/4 oak board in-between, which was an option!
That is a clean Skylark. You must be out west. The valve covers on the Olds 350 are worth $100 so I'd say that you got a very good deal. Bearing looked good. I'm sure it will be "peppy". I put a 403 in a Regal once. Good luck.
You would want the 64cc set, otherwise you stay at 8 to 1 compression or less. Are your pistons flat top or dished? The #8 heads with flat top pistons, minor milling and a 2.072" valve, a bowl hog, especially under the exhaust valve and a better cam will be a nice combo. Other than a restrictive lip under the exhaust valve, they are a decent head. I am adding a set of #6 1970 350 heads with 2.07" intake valves added, bowls opened up, upgraded springs, new guides, positive seals, fresh valve job and milled to 64cc with the stock pistons gives me 9 to 1 compression. I am getting a custom cam from Cutlassefi on this site. The Olds 350 is GM's best 350, man I love the SBO. I am still finding mid 70's versions untouched in good shape. The motor I mentioned still had the nylon timing gear, 140-142 compression, 20 psi hot idle and 45-50 hot cruise oil pressure with 5W30 oil. Enjoy.
Last edited by olds 307 and 403; March 17th, 2017 at 04:54 PM.
Hey, I had a Skylark for my first car, although it was an '84 and FWD. Nothing stopped it in the snow with the winter recaps. The Skylark in this thread is apparently a little different however. Interesting combo. Would be fun. Welcome to ClassicOldsmobile!
You would want the 64cc set, otherwise you stay at 8 to 1 compression or less. Are your pistons flat top or dished? The #8 heads with flat top pistons, minor milling and a 2.072" valve, a bowl hog, especially under the exhaust valve and a better cam will be a nice combo. Other than a restrictive lip under the exhaust valve, they are a decent head. I am adding a set of #6 1970 350 heads with 2.07" intake valves added, bowls opened up, upgraded springs, new guides, positive seals, fresh valve job and milled to 64cc with the stock pistons gives me 9 to 1 compression. I am getting a custom cam from Cutlassefi on this site. The Olds 350 is GM's best 350, man I love the SBO. I am still finding mid 70's versions untouched in good shape. The motor I mentioned still had the nylon timing gear, 140-142 compression, 20 psi hot idle and 45-50 hot cruise oil pressure with 5W30 oil. Enjoy.
I am pretty sure the pistons are dished, it really runs strong still as is, but.... want more! I'm having trouble with heat now its been 93 here in the desert, new h20 pump and a 3 pass aluminum radiator.
A big two core or a good 4 core should do the trick, if you are running hot. My 403 was marginal with the G body 3 core Champion radiator. The 260, 307, 330 and 350 usually have a lot less over heating issues than the 403 or 455.
Ah, that Skylark brings back memories. I had a '77 when I was in college in the mid '80s. It was light blue and had bullet mirrors but had the same 231 V6 under the hood that you pulled out of yours to make room for that 350. Nice upgrade!
Ah, that Skylark brings back memories. I had a '77 when I was in college in the mid '80s. It was light blue and had bullet mirrors but had the same 231 V6 under the hood that you pulled out of yours to make room for that 350. Nice upgrade!
That poor little v6 was beat down, the transmission was blown and the brakes were shot. The car got my eye on craigslist, rust free AZ car. The cool thing about it is you don't see too many at all, but the parts are cheap cause its really just a gen 4 Nova with a different cosmetics. I am glad I found this Olds engine, it was pretty simple swap since the Omega had a 260/350 option. I have spent a small fortune gathering up parts for the A/C conversion, it's needed here in Tucson though!
Finally got a good AC compressor mount! Classic Auto Air had the hook up. Luckily they sold it to me, its listed in a kit. 160.00 for the bracket and now I just need to put some hoses together.
March 6th, 2017, 04:47 PM
