As some of you know, I have been wanting a little more out of my 76 olds 350 in the past. However budget always seems to put things off. To date I can't express how much appreciation I have to all those who have helped me out with all your suggestions.

I have had several conversations with (DON) 80 rocket during the past several weeks. He has put so much of his time and effort getting to know what I would like to get out of my 76. Not a single bonehead question of mine was left unanswered, I have to praise "Don" for his patience. Put'er'ther.

Don has begun to put together his previous enjoyed 350 for our enjoyment in our 76 cutlass supreme.

Both my wife and I are very excited about this.

We all know how difficult it can be when making decisions and major purchases over the internet and especially out of country or states.

Don, has on several occasions reassured us that he would make us happy and not to worry, he would make sure this is a quality engine that we would have years of enjoyment with.

Even through many questions and emails, considering both my wife and I were getting cold feet on a purchase out of province, he has never given up on us, I'm surprised he still responded to us given my huge indecisiveness on making decisions.

My wife and I are extremely excited and looking forward to the spring of 2015 with the new arrival of our well built 350.

Both my wife and I would defiantly recommend Don (80rocket).

Cheers
Eric & Christine

 

Don has made his cars move with surprisingly simple parts combos. Track times and wins don't lie. I am sure you will be pleased with what he is building for you.

 

I'm now more than confident and pleased with the way the engine is coming along. My biggest hurdle was getting my wife convinced that this was a great deal for us. I'm sure many of the Olds enthusiasts will be excited with what will be coming to the forum in the near future. Don has kept me up to date with everything he has been doing, along with pics, measurements, parts etc. He has been awesome. I really can't wait to get this beast into the car this spring.
Cheers
Eric

 

Glad to hear your moving forward in a direction that both meets with expectations and your budget. Looking forward to the end result.

 

Eric, I am humbled by your kind words. Thank you!

 

No problem Don !! I owe you more of a thank-you as well as Dave (cutlass freak) Put'er'ther . I picked up a new copper 3 row rad this weekend locally , I also put in an order to summit for a Transmission cooler, new carter fuel pump, fan and clutch, as well as a new set of TaylorThunder Volt 8.2 wires, MSD distributer cap and rotor etc. I'm holding off on the carb at the moment . I used up most of my allowance for this month lol. However my wife said I have been bad ANUF to get a little more $$ very soon.
Certainly looking forward to an early spring here now.
Cheers
Eric

 

How about some details about the build?

 

Hey Steve, I don't want to come of as rude or obnoxious in any way, But this build is top secret information at the moment.
What I do know is that I will be taking ownership of this well built 350 this spring after completion and installing it in my 1976 Cutlass Supreme.
Geez I can't even tell my wife LOL.
I will leave it up to Don at this time to give out the details prior to finishing it up.
Cheers
Eric

 

That's awesome news, Eric. I'm excited for you!

 

Put 'er' ther.... Thanks Mac, It took me several months speaking with shops and builders before I could make a decision , I can say for certain now, I made an awesome decision after hearing from Don. I hope you can get your valve train set-up soon without breaking the bank. I feel your pain buddy Nice to see copper has been helping you out, he's an awesome young guy !!
Cheers
Eric

 

Oh no worries man, I'll get it straightened out. With Copper's help of course. I know what it's like to be on a tight budget. Gotta make every move count. And it sounds like you made the right decision going with Don. I'll bet spring seems pretty far away, lol.

 

We got a strict budget to work with. Basically, this will be around 9.3:1 compression, hydraulic flat tappet cam, mild ported #7 heads with 2.07/1.71 valves, Performer RPM intake. Nothing magic.......maybe

 

Should be much more fun.

 

BOOYAH !! That's about all I laid on my wife for now LOL. Well that 'n' 'er' purse string after I got into 'er'!!

 

Hey Eric,
Glad you got to do a build for the '76. Keep us posted on the progress and any further details.
Best of luck!!!!!

 

Thanks Mark,
Further details should come out soon, It may have been sooner but the dam ground-hog seen his shadow lol.
Cheers
Eric

 

Didn't you already do a gear swap? Just go with Don's torque converter recommendation and it will really fly.

 

9.3 compression, up from what? 8.0? Oughtta' feel that in the ol' butt dyno.

 

I put the 3:42 gears/ posi in the rear last spring that I got from Monzaz, (Jim) along with the TCI saturday night special T/C. It certainly made a big difference. Don's engine will certainly complete my car !! I'm going all the way with Don's recommendations, The budget went up slightly with the new torque converter but that's a good thing. You don't mind paying a little more when you have a great guy leading the way to a great build.

 

Hey Mac, I think I was down around 7.8.1 after the heads were done last go around with the fel-pros. I'm sure the butt dyno with get a spike along with my gears and T/C Don is getting done. I should have no problem getting the wife in the back seat from a dead stop on a breezy summerz eve LOL.

 

Your converter "should work". It's a generic converter, and for what you are doing, should be fine. I would be talking with the converter company I work with, Midwest Converters, about building a custom one for your car.........but I do not know if that would be necessary. I guess it depends on how far you want to go. And, naturally, it is an added expense.

And don't praise me anymore until the engine is done, in your car, and blowing the tires off. LOL!!

..........then we will be discussing suspension to get it to hook.........I will not be responsible for whip-lash when you hit the gas, though. Gonna write up a waiver you have to sign! haha

 

LOL.. Ok ANUF-SAID, I'll have the wife yank the belts tight one more time, grab onto the holy **** strap and try not to blow a hole in the rubber!! I don't want to get to the finish line with whip lash.
Put 'r' ther we will she how it all shakes out this spring.
Cheers
Eric

 

Get the wife in the back seat? Newlyweds

 

Where does your current converter launch at? I would assume low 2000's, should be fine and do many burnouts with ease.

 

I have no idea, I just purchased it from summit and thru it in. I believe it is rated up to 2000rpm so I'm thinking under that but I could be wrong.

 

That converter is tight . I ran one years ago In a 9 to 1 combo with a 260h cam it was good but flashed before 2000 rpm. I later made the mistake of keeping it when i build a 10 to 1 350 with the 280h . Damn car couldn't spin em fron a dead stop but still well 13.3's with a horrible 2.02 60 ft. lessons on converters learned the hard way lol.

 

Man, that is pretty tight my stock low D9 flashed at 1900, my current is 2300, much better. It may stall around the 2000 with more power.

 

Don had mentioned early on in our discussions that I may need a different converter, So I'm assuming at this point he feels as thou the Saturday night special will do the job. The car won't be seeing any track time, its just a weekend warrior. So I'll see how it goes once its in and running.
Thanks for the insight on the converter guys.
Cheers
Eric

 

Its not just a race thing. If you want to flat foot the car and roast the hides a properly set up converter to the combination is key. A little more slip is better than less it will also perk the car up so to speak as it would bring the flash point to peak tq. Rpms . Personally for the street a 2400 stall is perfect. I have a 2800-3000 and slip is minimal . I bought mine from a shop with an ebay store and had a local shop inspect it ( torque converte technologies ). Converter was 180 inspection was 100 and he said it was a really nice unit. Same shop makes converters in house to your needs and very resonable prices. Midwest converters which don uses sells a nice 11inch 2500 stall for a resonalble price.

 

Hey thanks again for your input copper, Don seems to think the converter I have will be fine, I don't know much about this stuff. With my current engine I can get a squawk out of it and a chirp out of second. At this point I'm going with Don's combo which is about 9:3.1 so I'm hoping my new converter will do the job.

 

I know don has you cover. Just though I would mention that tid bit there.

 

Tid bits are often good, However it makes the decision making alot harder for us newbie's lol. Just when I think I'm headed in the rite direction, tid bits start coming in along with PM'S lol.

 

Like I said you will be alright . Don has more than enough experience I wouldn't worry too much you are in good hands.

 

I love me a good converter conversation!

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Hey Eric, there's a set of #7 heads on my bench right now with your name on them. Today I spent about 10 hours porting. They look real good. I know you will be happy with the performance. We are hoping to put this engine some where between 325 - 350 HP, very street friendly.

While I was porting Don spent 10 hours taking measurements and doing some mathmatecal equations with various cylinder heads. I saw steam coming from his ears so I think he was figuring out something.
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Put 'er' ther Dave, I was thinking something crazy was in the works with my engine lol. You guys are doing amazing work !!! I'm sure I won't be the only guy around this site that want to stick to our original irons. A factory look with aftermarket performance will be wicked. You just can't beat that !! Cheers to you and Don for your hard work and determination.
Eric

 

Dave and Don,
I couldn't help but think about you guys all day, picturing die grinders going hard in cast iron. I have been a Tool and Die maker for more than 25 years now. Spent more than the last 10 doing much of the CNC machining. I certainly don't miss blending in 3D radius's and form blocks with carbide burrs.
I applaud the both of you for your hard work along with all the R&D time you have spent to bring us OLDS enthusiasts an awesome set of IRON HEADS that will perform as good if not better than the aftermarkets.
Again cheers to you both,
Much appreciated
Eric

 

Eric, your first head is just about done. I have to do the valve job on 3 more exhaust seats. Then I will lap the valves, & back cut them. I hope this will light a fire under Don's *** to finish the short block. We're still lookin' hot and heavy for an RPM Performer intake for you. I'll snap off some more photos soon.
Cheers - The Freak

 

Dave there is a bopc swap meet on Sunday out by me I can keep an eye out for ya . Talk to tim mcdaniel I think he has a 7111 intake . I'm headed to his place Saturday to pick up a core trans.

 

Thanks for the update Dave, I know Don mentioned he has alot of things on the go with his business, busy time for him. I also won't be getting the car out of storage until the end of march mid april ( weather permitting). I had a look at the EDL 7111 non egr that would be great, so for the extra $ I would just purchase a new one and install it before I drop the engine in . I'n the event it would need port matching to the heads than we could add it into the price and I'll hook Don up with the extra. I would like something clean for the car shows.
I'm getting pretty pumped here LOL, You guys are awesome !!
Cheers
Eric