84 Hurst/Olds New Project

[86-blk442]

I hear ya, I picked up my 350 for $250 Didn't even need to touch the bottom end, just did all the little stuff. Take your time a good one will come up eventually.

I have small dishes in my pistons, and had my #5 heads milled .038 for a there abouts 10.25:1

 

[84clonewars]

I hear ya, I picked up my 350 for $250 Didn't even need to touch the bottom end, just did all the little stuff. Take your time a good one will come up eventually.

I have small dishes in my pistons, and had my #5 heads milled .038 for a there abouts 10.25:1

Yea well mine looked clean and for 350$ I thought it was a decent pick up at the time, when I opened it up it was pretty clean no sludge so I figured it didnt need machine work. I went to change the cam and rubbed the first cam bearing and the top of it was kinda rough feeling, anyways the shop said its cracked right above cam which would probably explain the wierd feeling bearing. I dunno how the hell I missed the crack :x

 

[84clonewars]

Again I'm just looking for a really fun(on occasion) daily driver type build with modern like power numbers and good drive-ability. Thats why I had the #5's rebuilt with the stock smaller valves and the not so big (218 In 224 ex @ .50) cam. Whatever it ends up being I'm sure I will be extremely happy.

 

[KrisW]

Okay, BEFORE you throw out your engine block on the advice of most likely a NON Oldsmobile specialist, you need to take pictures of the "crack" and then call Mondello out in California. Your block may not be cracked, at least not like you think it is.

Apparently it is very common for the number one cam bearing to take a beating and actually beat out that hole where the front cam bearing goes. Mondello sells a press in repair part to make the hole back to stock, then you can put your normal cam bearings back in. I think I read they make the new spacers in three or four different thickness. Most likely it will just be having a competent machine shop bore out the front cam hole and press in the new spacer.

Calling them won't hurt, and you can probably email them the pictures of your block for them to tell you if it will work or not.

Good luck!

 

[olds307 and 403]

The 403 is any easy motor to get high compression on. I get just under 11 to 1 with kb 6cc dish, use their calculator. That is with 0 deck, a .040" head gasket and 68cc chambers.

 

[84clonewars]

Okay, BEFORE you throw out your engine block on the advice of most likely a NON Oldsmobile specialist, you need to take pictures of the "crack" and then call Mondello out in California. Your block may not be cracked, at least not like you think it is.

Apparently it is very common for the number one cam bearing to take a beating and actually beat out that hole where the front cam bearing goes. Mondello sells a press in repair part to make the hole back to stock, then you can put your normal cam bearings back in. I think I read they make the new spacers in three or four different thickness. Most likely it will just be having a competent machine shop bore out the front cam hole and press in the new spacer.

Calling them won't hurt, and you can probably email them the pictures of your block for them to tell you if it will work or not.

Good luck!

Great info Krisw thanks man, I'm gonna goto the shop and take some pics...... Hmmm that 350 diesel block they have for 1500$ is very interesting though

 

[84clonewars]

The 403 is any easy motor to get high compression on. I get just under 11 to 1 with kb 6cc dish, use their calculator. That is with 0 deck, a .040" head gasket and 68cc chambers.

Yea im noticing the CR factors with the 403, I just dont want this damn thing to drag out into the friggin summer I need to get my beast on the road.

 

[86-blk442]

A diesel block would be great but its not really needed for what you're looking to do. A regular gas block should be just fine. Personally before I called Mondello I would Call Bill Trovato over at BTR in Rochester, NY. Just my opinion though. I worked with him on my heads and he was awesome, really knows his stuff. He even let me help out when he was building the 403 for his 78 Starfire he races.

 

[84clonewars]

A diesel block would be great but its not really needed for what you're looking to do. A regular gas block should be just fine. Personally before I called Mondello I would Call Bill Trovato over at BTR in Rochester, NY. Just my opinion though. I worked with him on my heads and he was awesome, really knows his stuff. He even let me help out when he was building the 403 for his 78 Starfire he races.

You're right abt the Diesel block, I was just saying if I had to put similar cash into a reg block I may as well get the better block. Then when and if I want to make future upgrades I have the best SBO foundation. At this point I'm taking all advice given, I plan to call both BTR and Mondello asap.

 

[KrisW]

The reason I throw out Mondello's name is because he is so deep into Oldsmobile. He has contracted for GM more than once and helped develop specific designs for Olds and Chevrolet. He also helped Edelbrock design their aluminum Olds cylinder heads.

Also, I have not seen anyone else sell the spacer ring for the cam bearing at all. I think if that engine block gets one installed in the front cam bearing area, his problems will be over and he can then rebuild the engine.