I need recommendations as to what engine builders I should consider for buying a turn key engine for my 65 Cutlass in the 400 to 455 cid range. I was told not to use Mondello. It would be carburated, and look as stock a reasonably possible. Thanks in advance.

 

No turn key engines really available but for the same price you can probably have an engine tailored to your needs and performance goals. Member smitty275 and cutlassefi are both resident engine builders by trade contact them. But other shops are rocket racing performance , J&S machine .

 

There are 3 different Mondello named companies.

Some I wouldn't hesitate to do business with, do some searching.

 

Give BTR a call.

btrperformance.com

 

Call Smitty at M&J Proformance. He is the only Olds specialist I deal with for good reason.

www.mjproformance.com

 

If you can give me a little better idea of exactly what you're looking for and your budget I may be able to help you out.

Thanks.

 

I can vouch for Mark (cutlassefi), he won't steer you wrong. Don't be afraid that he's in FL, shipping is a small cost when you consider a full build price.

Smitty at M&J Proformance

Bill BTR http://btrperformance.com/

The GOOD Mondello http://mondello.com/JoeMondelloRacingEngines.php

The BAD Mondello http://www.mondellotwister.com/

 

Rhyne Competition Engines does my machine work. All my parts usually come from Rocket Racing. John is always great to talk to.

 

Here is my advice for the OP. Contact the shops you hear good things about. Starting with the one closest to home. Have your goals laid out that the build must achieve. Then through your gut feelings about the information you receive back from those you contact narrow it down to two. Call them again and see how you get treated the second time around. If you like guy closest to home then that's a 'no brainer'. If your choosing between a pair that has to ship to you then pick the one your most comfortable with.
You will probably eliminate a few just because they don't respond to your email or return your call.
I, M&J ProFormance, as well as others on that list are highly capable of building you a high quality engine that will give you 100,000 miles of service if you take care of it. But we each have different personalities of which you may or may not wish to deal with.

 

Bill Travato - he literally wrote the book on the olds V8 - pick it up at Barnes and noble it's a great read before you decide anyway.

 

I'm glad this thread was brought back up, seems like good resources named here.

 

I'm going to track down that book. A couple of things regarding Olds engines that knowledgeable people have told me. We had a 65 Cutlass with the 330 4bbl that Mom and Dad bought in 1965 from Pristows, in Winber, PA. There was a guy named Pappy Wilson (he was in his 50's in the late 60's). He was one of the original hot rodders and build racing engines in the 50's and 60's. He told my Dad all the car needed was to jump the timing a few degrees and the Olds people did their homework when they built that motor. Another mech, who did street racing tore one of those engines down and confirmed that it was not a mild factory motor just by the cam, pistons and valves that were in it. I ran into an older fellow at a Good Guys car show in Kansas City when I showed my 70 442. He told me, "we had better blocks in those cars because Olds put more nickle in the steel than the other three." To bad Olds is gone and there's no more individuality. Sure glad I grew up during that time. Beats the hell out of texting.

 

Did you get an engine? Whom did you purchase from? Good communications? Cutlassefi returns your calls and is very easy to talk with. The loyal are keeping the Oldsmobile brand alive.

 

George,

Not yet. Right now I'm rebuilding the front suspension. I contacted Mondello of Crossville, TN and said I was interested in a 425/455 motor. No specifics were discussed. They got back to me and I said I was in no hurry at this point and that I wanted to talk to them face to face and they said to stop by their shop, which I plan to do. I can also speak with others and will entertain CutlassFi also. It's just at this point I have enough to keep me busy and since I'm retired I plan on "holing up this winter", not going anywhere, and just work on the car. One thing at a time!

 

The book is called Oldsmobile V8's and Amazon has it also - bill is finishing up mine this month - 496 580hp 675tq