Carlarena1

I have a stock 77 Olds 350 motor that has a bad bottom end knock, and it would need a rebuild to live again, The car it came out of is my daily driver cutlass sedan which is getting a low milage 307. I don't need the extra cubes for this car, so if I kept the 350 it would be to use in a future Cutlass of the 2 door variety. That being said is it even worth holding on to this motor being that it has crappy heads and windowed main webs? If so ill fog it and put it in storage till I have some extra cash to fix it. If not, it would make a cool coffee table Let me know what you guys think. Thanks as always in advance for all the advice.

Olds64

Were you ever able to test your 350 as others mentioned in your other thread? Even if the bottom end is bad it's probably worthwhile to keep the engine. Especially if you have an engine stand or garage.

joe_padavano

1977 was the first year for the lightweight blocks with windowed main webs. It will work for a driver but isn't desirable for a performance application.

Carlarena1

Good morning. I haven't tested it yet, but I will be today. Its still in the car at the moment. A 2 job work schedule means slow progress lol. Also thanks joe, I figured it wouldn't be good for real power, but a mild daily driver with maybe 250 - 300 hp maybe? or is that just a pipe dream of mine? lol.

joe_padavano

It will be fine for that level.

Carlarena1

Ok cool! sounds like ill store it for a while and fix it this winter. When I find out what actually went wrong ill post it here. Thanks again guys.

Sugar Bear

Diagnosing the noise while it is running will be easier. If you pull it without diagnosing it'll likely end up being a complete teardown. Just a heads up so you can decide.

Good luck!!!

Carlarena1

So the #2 cylinder changes the noise, so I guess its a bearing. We started pulling it today after we checked that out, but come winter (and more cash lol) ill be rebuilding the bottom end at least. Also I swear there was a thread that covered what you could do to get the most of a smog motor like this. Ill have to look that up again.

Oldsguy

I owned a '77 Cutlass S with the 350 engine for a few years and it was perfectly serviceable as a daily driver or as a Saturday morning show car. I did both with it, drove it from Kansas City Mo. to Red Oak Tx. without a hitch, highway speeds all the way 10 hour trip. The car had 84,000 miles on it.