68 lemans

Hello all. I just resently purchased a 1968 Pontiac Lemansthat originally had a OHC6 and 2 speed automatic. Somewhere along the line a previous owner installed a 1967 Olds Toro 425 and a TH400 trans.
The guy I bought the car from was having a hard time selling the car, as the die hard Pontiac guys didn't like the Olds motor.
For me it was not a problem since I'm a Ford guy that happens to love Oldsmobiles as well. I used to have a 1966 442 that was all stock with worn out original paint that I used as a daily driver for quite a few years. I eventually traded it to a guy for a 1957 Fairlane with a Y-block with dual 4s and a 4 speed trans. I had fun with that, but alway regretted selling the Olds.
Fast forward to now, figuring I'll never get a good deal on a 442. I was looking for a 68 Cutlass, but found a good deal on the 68 Lemans.
I did confirm it was a 67 Toro 425, but it had a dead #7 cylinder. I just tore it down and found broken rings and ring lands on #7.
It also had a worn out plastic tooth timing chain, and bearings that looked like they might have spun if driven and longer. With the exception of the added aluminum intake and Toro pan being replaced the motor doesn't look as if it's ever been apart. Hardly any taper on the cylinders, even the #7 cylinder looks to clean up good. The steel crank looks good too.
Knowing the cost of a rebuild of the 425, I just picked up a good 1969 455 from a delta 88, that I'm going to go through and put in if for now or maybe for good.
I've been lurking for awhile, and decided I might as well join. There's alot of good info on Olds motor on here.

oldcutlass

Welcome! Pics?

nonhog

X2 on pics! If I were you I'd put Oldsmobile emblems on it.
I'd love another OHC six someday. Had a 66 Lemans Sprint. fun car!

Welcome!

68 lemans

I need to add tailpipes, and I'm finding it hard to resist putting on the 442 tips. I like them better then the tips for a 68 GTO.

68 lemans

Pics to come...

68 lemans

I didn't realize I haven't taken too many pics of it since I tore it down. These are after I got it home...
DSC04151.jpg
DSC04168.jpg
DSC04186.jpg

and the 442...
My1966442001.jpg
My1966442032.jpg

oldcutlass

Looks good!

rocketraider

If that was originally a Sprint OHC it was criminal to put that Olds engine in it- but I can understand why because the OHC 6 is getting harder to find parts for. At least the guy didn't stuff a frickin' Chevy 350 in there.

For those who don't know: Sprint OHC 6 had a four-barrel, higher compression, hotter cam/ dual valve springs, and a split exhaust manifold that allowed true dual exhaust. It was a beastly little engine putting out about 230 HP from 250 cubic inches, but when a V8 was the same price and gas was 30 cents a gallon, most folks went for the V8.

68-9 are my favorite Pontiac A-bodies.

redoldsman

I wonder if there are guys on a Pontiac board ranting about a Pontiac having an Olds engine in it. Just a thought. Nice cars by the way.

oldsguybry

Yes , great cars !

68 lemans

A good friend of mine that has a 1968 Buick GS400, was just telling me about a cool article resently about the Pontiac OHC6. About all it's innovations etc. But at that time when it came out nobody cared because the cubic inch race was on (and gas was cheap). It was just ahead of it's time that's all.

68 lemans

You know thay are!

Thanks everybody!

redoldsman

I bet that OHC-6 would be one expensive motor to rebuild. The 455 was probably cheaper.

Intragration

Hmm, that's kind of interesting. I always thought that Sprint was just a fancy marketing term they used. I still like the V8 better, but I didn't realize they actually put R&D into a performance six-cylinder. VERY cool Lemans, I really like the Pontiac A-bodies of that era as well. It's great to see the chrome bumper, from what you see at car shows you'd think they were all Endura.