Building a Small block
July 10th, 2008, 11:57 PM
#1
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Posts: 10
Building a Small block
I looking to get some advice and ideas, on building a small block olds. It's a 350, that came out of a 79 Regency. I dont have a body yet, but that's the fun part. I get to look for one 
!!!!!! In the mean time, i want to build my engine. I'm looking to get low 400's hp, yet be bullet proof. It would mainly be driven in street, some strip. I really appreciate everyones oppinion.....
!!!!!! In the mean time, i want to build my engine. I'm looking to get low 400's hp, yet be bullet proof. It would mainly be driven in street, some strip. I really appreciate everyones oppinion.....
July 11th, 2008, 04:42 AM
#2
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Join Date: May 2004
Location: Rural Waxahachie Texas
Posts: 10,161
Finding a good machine shop that you can trust would be a smart first step. Shop around and ask questions, find out if they have rebuilt Oldsmobile engines before, get referrals. If you are looking for particular build formulas i.e. cam specs, type of parts, brands to use, etc, you might want to go here and read what they have on engine builds. It is extensive and covers the gamut from almost stock to super wild strip only versions. Lots of ideas and opinions over there and they are truly about RealOldsPower (ROP). Finally, we have quite a few very knowledge able engine builders here that can help you as well, and they probably will comment later. Good luck.
July 11th, 2008, 08:15 AM
#3
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Posts: 2,250
IMO, if you are serious about getting 400+ HP, you should start with a better engine. The heads on an early 350 flow better to start and have a smaller chamber yielding a better Cr. And, you get a solid web instead of a windowed one. Money-wise, you will be way ahead of the game in the long run, even if you spend a couple of hundred for the core. Again, IMHO.
July 11th, 2008, 11:17 AM
#5
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Posts: 10
Ok, i see what you guys mean. So would it be cheaper to go with a big block olds in the long run?
Thanx for the advice Oldsguy. I have read a few post on hear, and get that olds and chevy blocks are different and need to be worked of differently as well.
Thanx for the advice Oldsguy. I have read a few post on hear, and get that olds and chevy blocks are different and need to be worked of differently as well.
July 11th, 2008, 01:40 PM
#6
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I did not say big block, though that is an option. I was referring to an older Olds 350. The older blocks are stronger, as they are solid in the webbing. Also, the older 350 heads flow better to start (though either way you will need to spend some $ to get over 400 HP out of these) and have a smaller combustion chamber.
Last edited by captjim; July 29th, 2008 at 05:36 PM.
July 11th, 2008, 04:19 PM
#8
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July 12th, 2008, 03:42 AM
#12
, lol....
July 13th, 2008, 02:58 AM
#16
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Location: Southern CA
Posts: 2,212
Not the best way to introduce yourself to a machinist. Especially one who does not (the reason I did not post a link) have one.
Nothing weird about his customer base drying up.
I only saw two Oldsmobiles (H/O GUY and John Contraras) at the last Pomona Goodguys.
I didn't realize, it's probably been 20 since I last talked to him.
I will assume you are joking.
Bernard is Joe's Son. He grew up learning from his Dad, then opened his own engine shop in the eighties.
Totally different business, totally different philosophy.
Another one (without a website) that can handle an Oldsmobile:
Dougan's Engine & Machine
9072 Limonite Ave
Riverside, CA , 92509-5035
Phone: 951-681-1961
Ask, what might be the best time for you to tour the shop area. It will be enlightening.
After the tour, you can tell them what you want, then they can tell you, what it will take to make it happen.
Norm
Nothing weird about his customer base drying up.
I only saw two Oldsmobiles (H/O GUY and John Contraras) at the last Pomona Goodguys.
I didn't realize, it's probably been 20 since I last talked to him.
I will assume you are joking.
Bernard is Joe's Son. He grew up learning from his Dad, then opened his own engine shop in the eighties.
Totally different business, totally different philosophy.
Another one (without a website) that can handle an Oldsmobile:
Dougan's Engine & Machine
9072 Limonite Ave
Riverside, CA , 92509-5035
Phone: 951-681-1961
Ask, what might be the best time for you to tour the shop area. It will be enlightening.
After the tour, you can tell them what you want, then they can tell you, what it will take to make it happen.
Norm
July 13th, 2008, 12:04 PM
#18
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Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Southern CA
Posts: 2,212
July 28th, 2008, 05:57 PM
#20
400hp is pretty easy from a SBO.
look up Edelbrock's total power power package.
Odd though, they claim those numbers with thier heads which are modeled after "C" heads. 77cc heads instead of the 64cc heads yield more power? It would drop the CR too much IMO
look up Edelbrock's total power power package.
Odd though, they claim those numbers with thier heads which are modeled after "C" heads. 77cc heads instead of the 64cc heads yield more power? It would drop the CR too much IMO
July 28th, 2008, 06:04 PM
#21
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Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,921
I have the so called Edelbrock total power package in my car. Yes, it's supposed to yield somewhere around 400 horse. Beware of using their heads. I ran into a ton of problems with the fuel pump and mounting brackets. Finally up and running though. Look for my post Fix for Edelbrock Clearance problem and posts related to it. Those heads are a real pain. I didn't discover any problems until the motor was built and in the car.
July 29th, 2008, 04:19 PM
#23
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Location: Southern CA
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