Hi all I'm new here and am looking to pursue the olds enthusiast lifestyle, I have a 1980 cutlass that I got from my parents which has been sitting in the garage for 2 and a half years. So I want to replace the 260 in the car with a 350/350 combo (260 only has 63,000 miles but I'm looking for something that's more aggressive ). Now here's where my dilemma is, I don't know much about rebuilding a motor (never done it before) as I am 17 and really want my olds to turn heads going down the road. I REALLY LOVE old cars especially olds so I wanted to drop in a 350 with some mild upgrades. While I have a dad who's a 20+ year master mechanic for Cadillac and owns his own pro street nova which needs to be finished (EWWW chebby I know), so he knows engines pretty well and I can ask him for help if I get in a tight spot. Fortunately, I absolutely HATE ricers no matter what they have in them.

So my question is what would I need to have put in the engine (yes I searched, but wanted a more specific answer) to give it around 340-360 ~ish horsepower? I would like to run this on pump gas 89 octane preferably, and keep the budget pretty low as I am in high school still. I was thinking a new Crane cam for start, with some better compression heads (9.5-10.5 cp). What milling should be done what other parts should be replaced with the best value to money ratio. I am open to anything now that's why my parts list is pretty vague. And I know you guys know a plethora more stuff than I do (but I've been reading up on oldspower and classic Oldsmobile when I can). I live in Ohio, so I will be attending the Canfield Auto Swap on Saturday the 15th so I'll be looking for olds engines while I'm there.

Sorry for the novel, I just want people to know where I'm coming from (as I'm new here), so I wanted to get off to the right start.

Thanks for reading and all help/advise will be taken into consideration. Thanks!

 

Welcome to the site! Eventhough you are still in school you can do alot of Oldsmsobiling on a smaller budget. Just have patience! I did the same when I was in school and I still have my Olds (8years later).

If you get yourself an engine and do it in pieces while you continue to drive the Cutlass with the V6 then you can take all of the time you need. Then spend a weekend dropping in your new engine and tranny when you are done and you will be GOLD. Keep asking questions and I am sure people will give you some good answers. Welcome.

 

I'm running a 260 v8 But I'm just trying to find out a reliable setup to give me good horsepower (not too much) and pump gas obtainable. I have a potential to buy a 1976 350 with 400 trans for 75$ (I'd buy it instantly even though it's a core basically but I don't have a pickup to go an hour away and pick it up. So when I go to Canfield next week I will look for some more engines. So in the meantime what are some good parts to use for a street setup? CRANE, edelbrock perfromer etc.

 

Edlebrock makes a power kit for the Olds 350. Puts out 395 hp and 400 ft lbs, (or something close to that)

I didn't go for that with my 350 Olds, I'm thinking of doing a set-up from Mondello twister parts

 

Some Cads used Olds engines. A Master mechanic will have experience with engine both engine R&R and rebuilds.

Your Dad is the best source you could ask for.

Norm

 

I suggest you decide on a plan using your dad's guidance. Decide on rebuilding the 260 or replacing it, THEN decide on parts and brand names IF you rebuild it. I don't know how much speed equipment is available for the V6. If you decide to replace it then you have to decide on what engine/transmission combo to use and that will be determined by how difficult it would be. Even if you find an running engine with a good transmission for free it might cost you lots to make it fit. I think there are some threads on this site about transplanting a 350/350 combo into your kind of car that would help. Still, parts and brand names come much later in the process. Olds64 has a good point in his second paragraph, a positive for replacing the engine....... At any point, good luck and like Norm said depend on dear old dad.

 

What Olds64 said is how I was planning on doing it. My car is getting all body/paint work this winter and i'll be driving my dad's 91 cadillac around in winter. During then I was going to save up and buy the parts as I go for spring in which I hope to have it done. As far as engines, I'm going to an auto swap this weekend but I already have a engine lined up in case I don't find anything at the auto swap. It's a 1976 350 with a TH400 transmission (engine is core at best) for only 75$! So, since I was going to the auto swap I thought I'd wait until I went just to see all the possibilities (or do you think I should just take the 76' 350?

http://www.oldspower.com/vb/showthre...664#post287664

If you all say I should go for it I'll see if I can get my dad to borrow my brother's truck to go and get it sometime this month.