Hey...looking to see if anyone can tell me if this sounds to wild for street & Strip for a 68 442 Clone. It comes with a rebuilt TH400 Trans. Currently has a 350/350 set up in it. Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

See below-

 

you plan on doing this or it's already done?

 

This work has already been done , but motor was never put into the car......They also are offering a TH400 at no charge.

 

Just my .02 cents...

The cam is too stout for a daily driver... and I'm not so sure the Diamond pistons would be very quiet in a street motor... good stuff but not suited for a street motor since they have short skirts.

What's an AED carb?... not famliar with them... and, if it's 1000 CFM, it will be waaaay too big. Sound's like this thing was built for racing more than street use. (OK... I looked 'em up... modified Holley race carbs).

The problem with using a race motor for the street is they are cool at first but most guys get pretty sick of finicky, ill tempered, fast idling monsters after a short time.

If the price is right you could change the cam and make it work... maybe... if the price is right.

 

Thanks......He is asking 7500, but I was going to see if I could get him down a few bucks.
I am looking at another 455 in pieces(Forged H-beam rods, Forged 11.5/1 pistons, N crank, balanced rotating assy. Mondello All Out C heads, Mondello cam, studded block Line-honed, never assembled).....for 5k) but I would need to put another 1500 into it and then a rebuild on my TH350.

Oh...what to do...lol

 

That's about how much it would cost to get it done if they were building it for you. Sounds like it was built, and then customer backed out? You should be able to get them down a fair amount. Or I'd suggest having an engine built to your specific needs, and you'll pay about that much for your engine.

 

Thanks for the input.., I appreciate it!

 

That's a great engine... but not for your purposes, I think, as set forth above.

For a 442 "CLONE" they should have done that on a G-400... or, better yet, a 425. Same money could have been spent on a big block.

The attention to detail sounds great.

 

Yeah, I agree. It would run good but you wouldn't have enough vacuum for power accessories like power brakes and A/C.

 

Hmmm tough choice, if the trans has been rebuilt lets say your saving $800 - 1k off that price as that what it will cost to go through yours.. Yes that's a bit much for the street, but if they would knock it to say $3500 - 4k, trans included, they could keep that carb and manifold, and you can replace with something more streetable. Yes, your vacuum maybe a bit lower but I would be willing to bet that it will be enough to run some accessories.

They would need to stand behind the motor if I bought it.

 

I looked at that motor myself, 455, it was done by a fellow named Merkell I think. That cam isn't too much for the street, I am running an almost identical cam in my street car and love it. I seen what he was asking and it seemed a bit pricey for me but it does have some nice parts and looks great!

 

My best advice to you would be to find a machine shop that specializes in Oldsmobiles. They do have specific needs. Try getting hooked up with BillT @ BTR Racing. He is the man who can deliver. A while back he was discussing a stroker short block for a street car that could be built for close to 5K.

 

In my opinion the bearing clearances are too tight. Oldsmobile blocks and rods flex at elevated power levels, you need to have the bearing loose enough to allow the flex (or parts will "clearance" themselves!)if you expect the engine to live. If the engine has been assembled I would have serious concern.

The cam is probably OK for a sunny day car, but probably a bit much for a daily driver. It depends on how you feel about the "rumpity rump" idle. Get a good converter, that will help drivability. I'm running a Lunati cam with almost the same duration, there is no way you could mistake it for stock but runs power brakes just fine.