1970 Olds Cutlass S Rat Rod Style
- Thread starter olds307 and 403
- Start date
Good point. I will show the current carb setup next time I am out there and the TH350 in place. I will be ordering an O ring kit to replace the one in thermostat housing. The base gasket is also leaking, I have terrible luck getting any Olds thermostat housing to seal. I will double the base gasket this time with Optimum Grey and replace the O ring. I also replaced the last 2.5" non stainless exhaust clamp with a stainless one, it sure was rusty for a year old. I will make sure the trans shifts right along with some more loading up in low on the stands before dumping the break in oil. I will be cutting open the filter this time around.
The TH350 is done and filled it with fluid. True to old GM automatics, it has a minor drip, my fault this time. I had to flatten the pan again, dented by the drain plug and pulled the boss away from the pan. My 20 pound sledge got it pretty flattened and back in place I added rubber and steel drain plug washer, it isn't a drip, only seepage. I removed an intake vacuum plug and added an extra nipple for the TH350 modulator hose. I also shortened the vacuum advance hose. I decided to do some more investigation into the Davies Craig fan controller. No power to the ignition wire on the controller. Turns out the ignition fuse popped, changed it, powered up. You can see by the pic why I can't use the pan mounted dipstick. Yes, the stainless exhaust is shiny. Here are some pics.
Rocker arms arrived. I actually used the original bridges, a tiny bit shorter. The first 4 torqued up tight first try. The last set, I had to flip around the bridge then all was good. I'm going to fire it up and make sure it shifts and sounds like it tomorrow.
Tick is gone. Belt started walking foward again. I removed my extra braces completely and added one thin washer on the passenger side, where it is walking. It didn't instantly pull foward and I shifted through the gears. Dropped down to low couple of times, shut it down, the belt pulled foward again. I drained the oil, some metal on the magnet but not excessive. I cut open the filter, no forbidden glitter.
I contacted RobMc about a replacement O ring for their thermostat housing. They don't so I but the universal replacement kit, the largest 2 1/4" O ring is the right OD. It is a bit thinner but two were too much. I also didn't want to pay $13 each for thermostat gaskets from Amazon. So I bought a silicone cookie sheet liner for $5 on sale. They are very high temp and oil resistant. I cut my own gasket for the thermostat housing. Also fresh 10W30 Lucas Hotrod oil and a Wix filter. I used Aviation sealant on the temp sensor plug and on the drain plug along with a rubber metal gasket. I also got a 6 pack of VR1 10W30 for a good price of Amazon. I also ordered a new deep pan for the TH350. I will probably do another oil change the oil again in a few hundred miles.
I also added one washer behind the passenger side serpentine adapter bracket. If it continues, I will try space the A/C delete pulley itself, since that is where the belt is walking foward.
I like how you made your gasket. I've heard of people having good luck doing that but I've never done it with anything other than regular gasket material. I may end up copying you since the reusable gasket from Mr G. is now $30. The knockoffs are $13 but I'd probably end up doing this after it leaked.
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