BUILD THREAD 1986 Oldsmobile 442 Build

[Texas82GP]

Hi everyone-

First - THANK you for all the great comments and observations. I took that back to the people who are doing the work with me and we cancelled the order on the headers and will be keeping the AC box. Thank you Canon_Mutant for the lead on the manifolds from Thorton - we are actually going to get those instead and run a true dual exhaust back from them. I am really appreciative of everyone's feedback and comments - you made my build that much better!

We are still doing the Monster transmission - its a better deal than rebuilding the existing. Should have it in 4 weeks.

Now - any thoughts on rebuilding the existing Q-jet or putting in an Edelbrock or Holly? I'm thinking just rebuild it and keep it stock. I do not plan on changing the intake.

I would have one of the specialists rebuild that Q-jet for you. Someone like SMC, Mountain Man, Cliff Ruggles or the guy I used is a small one-man shop in the Texas hill country called Quadrajet Power. I haven't run the carb yet but check out his facebook page (you can do this if you don't have a facebook page of your own). He seems to be very knowledgeable and detail oriented. Glad to hear you are leaving the HVAC case. I really think that this best decision.

 

[olds307 and 403]

If you dump the Qjet, you need a new distributor as well. You have a decent calibration in that 442 carb. Dual exhaust will make a nice difference, keep the pipe size to 2.25".

 

[RunAwayNJ]

Again thank you for the advice - I did not know that about changing the distributor. I'll keep the Q-Jet and look into one of those shops that Texas82GP recommended. We have a carb guy around here but he hates the Q and pushes Edelbrock.

 

[RunAwayNJ]

Again a big thank you for all the advice. I just got off the phone with http://thorntonmusclecars.com/ and ordered the 350 JR manifolds. Great advice too on installation and setup - they really know their products. HIs recommendation was keeping the 2.25 pipes and installing without gaskets metal-metal. If anyone else has these or has installed them I'd love to hear from you. Should have those in about a week.



I think this winter we will send the carb out to http://www.quadrajetpower.com/ - another guy that knows his stuff. There are other rebuild services, even one local here in NJ but although he is a little more expensive, he does it right and really knows what he is talking about. Off to a great start!

 

[RunAwayNJ]

Received the Thorton Musclecar's manifolds in yesterday - they were packaged so well I almost did not want to open up the box further. They look really high quality and well made.

Spoke w/ Monster Transmission - my trans will ship by 8/22. They upgraded me to the level 2 for the same cost, very nice of them. So we are looking good for the end of August!

 

[olds307 and 403]

Make sure Quadrajet Power knows the electronic or CCC Quadrajet, they are different. Great part of having the 442 carb is you have the better calibration as metering rods and jets I believe are different and hard to come by. I am pretty sure Sean Murphy Induction and the guy that did my 78 403 carb, Everyday Performance does the electronic QJet. My carb, since I had core, only cost $250 without plating and included back barrels rebushed. Make sure who ever does the service is looking at and replacing the bushings as necessary. Speaking of core carb, when you send your carb in, write down the number that starts with 1708 on the drivers side. Your carb is valuable and has a richer calibration than the Vin Y carb. What do those Thornton manifolds look like inside around the divider and outlet openings, smooth? Your trans is also valuable as it has a higher shift point, better calibration and servo from the factory. What rpm are shift points in the Monster trans? Your car will shift close to 5000 rpm full throttle stock. Most non performance 2004R shift at 4000 rpm, some as low as 3000 rpm, my stock trans in the 88 CSC shifted at that rpm.

 

[RunAwayNJ]

After almost 5 years - the engine is finally getting done. By stroke of luck I found someone selling a 1986 Vin Y 442 307 AND 200R4 trans for $400! Complete carb to pan and running, 12k miles all original. The car was never driven, and it was removed to make a race car and sat in the back of the guys storage garage. He's moving and has to be out by the end of the month, thus my good fortune. We were planning to rebuild my 307, and the trans needed a rebuild as well. Now I don't have to worry about that. My mechanics have checked it over and it seems to be everything that it was promised to be. So sometime in April the engine will finally be done.

 

[L67ss]

I always do away with CCC. And on the HVAC...stuff like vintage air systems fit behind delete plates

 

[Texas82GP]

We put Vintage Air in my brother's Camaro. I'm not blown away by the performance. It does free up a lot of room under the hood but I think the cooling/heating capacity is less than the stock setup (smaller components).

 

[L67ss]

I also never use heat or ac lol