Back In The Saddle

[Rocket350]

Hello,

I was 18 when I bought my dad's '79 Cutlass Supreme Brougham. I bought a '70 Delta 88 for $300 and dropped the Rocket 350 in it in his driveway. It has #6 heads, came with a 2 bbl, but I wanted a 4 bbl. At the time I didn't know anything about them. Come to find out I have a #16 cast intake from a 403 Olds and the matching Q Jet #17056257 put a a set of 442 15 inch rally wheels, headers and dual exhaust on it with some BFG Radial T/A's

I drove it from 1988-1996 and it has been parked ever since. Now 51, it's time to get her back on the road. I intend on an engine refresh and complete body restore. The car is complete with the exception of some weathered trim, emblems, worn door hinges, etc... Needs a little TLC. I joined the group for guidance, support and advise and knowledge. I have been in the collision repair industry for 27 years and am learning that half the "fun" is finding odds and end replacement parts a challenge unlike today's vehicles that typically have a/m parts available within a year of production. Attached are a couple pics.

Thanks,

Steve

 

[olds307 and 403]

Welcome Steve. You happen to have my favorite engine in your car. That Qjet is very lean at idle, otherwise it is probably fairly close for your 350. That 2bbl 70 350 will be around 9 to 1 compression as is, with a very mild stock cam. Do a compression test and put an oil gauge on it once running. It probably needs gaskets and timing chain at minimum, there are now neoprene rubber rear main seals. If the motor is decent, just do a timing chain, gaskets and a better cam. How does the antifreeze look? If you replace the shim head gaskets, you loose .5 to 1 going to Felpro head gaskets. If the antifreeze isn't mud, you can probably leave the factory steel head gaskets. Get a rebuild kit from Cliff Ruggles if the Qjet needs rebuilt. The Olds 350 are very durable and much less finicky than a 455 to rebuild. I am currently rebuilding an Olds 350 for my 70 Cutlass S. I let my 88 Cutlass go after over 10 years of ownership, hard but it was time. Mahle and DSS have very modern forged pistons, the 10cc dish coated Mahle pistons with a 1mm ring pack are going in mine in a 4.100" size, will be around 9.5 to 1. There are also new, direct replacement rods from Scat and the high quality Molnar rods going in my 350 with a 330 forged crank. I also have #6 heads with a 2.07" intake valve, RPM intake, custom Qjet by me with Cliff Ruggles parts and a mild roller cam for it. Edelbrock is coming out with a small chamber aluminum head next year for the Olds 350, very tempting, will a 75 cfm gain over your #6 heads, as is. Mark Remmel(Cutlassefi) is man behind most of the new products, including a Billet 4" stroker crank allowing an easy 420+ci from an Olds 350. Mark drives a sequential fuel injection Olds 350 in his 72 Cutlass Convertible and specializes and builds the Olds 350 in Florida. You being a body man makes fixing this car like new much easier. There are a couple of guys on here that have hoards of Olds parts, they may part with. Good luck.

 

[Rocket350]

Thanks for the valuable information. The motor turns with breaker bar but has a tight spot from sitting. Shame on me for the neglect. Soaking the cylinder's to see if I can get it to roll 360°. Non the less, I will pull the engine and have someone tear it down and freshen it up. I will start gathering the parts to get it done. Ran strong when parked. I will scour the forum for the body parts I need. Thanks, again!

Steve

 

[Flyers9928]

Welcome! Look through the posts in the tech section. You'll see just about anything that can be done has been, with a how to guide. Lots of knowledge, experience, and talent on here. Love the car, and good luck with the build!

 

[snitmule]

Welcome, Steve!

 

[Texas82GP]

Welcome to the site from Houston. Cool car! Start a build thread when you get going on it. There are several Olds gurus here that can help you.

 

[Rocket350]

Welcome Steve. You happen to have my favorite engine in your car. That Qjet is very lean at idle, otherwise it is probably fairly close for your 350. That 2bbl 70 350 will be around 9 to 1 compression as is, with a very mild stock cam. Do a compression test and put an oil gauge on it once running. It probably needs gaskets and timing chain at minimum, there are now neoprene rubber rear main seals. If the motor is decent, just do a timing chain, gaskets and a better cam. How does the antifreeze look? If you replace the shim head gaskets, you loose .5 to 1 going to Felpro head gaskets. If the antifreeze isn't mud, you can probably leave the factory steel head gaskets. Get a rebuild kit from Cliff Ruggles if the Qjet needs rebuilt. The Olds 350 are very durable and much less finicky than a 455 to rebuild. I am currently rebuilding an Olds 350 for my 70 Cutlass S. I let my 88 Cutlass go after over 10 years of ownership, hard but it was time. Mahle and DSS have very modern forged pistons, the 10cc dish coated Mahle pistons with a 1mm ring pack are going in mine in a 4.100" size, will be around 9.5 to 1. There are also new, direct replacement rods from Scat and the high quality Molnar rods going in my 350 with a 330 forged crank. I also have #6 heads with a 2.07" intake valve, RPM intake, custom Qjet by me with Cliff Ruggles parts and a mild roller cam for it. Edelbrock is coming out with a small chamber aluminum head next year for the Olds 350, very tempting, will a 75 cfm gain over your #6 heads, as is. Mark Remmel(Cutlassefi) is man behind most of the new products, including a Billet 4" stroker crank allowing an easy 420+ci from an Olds 350. Mark drives a sequential fuel injection Olds 350 in his 72 Cutlass Convertible and specializes and builds the Olds 350 in Florida. You being a body man makes fixing this car like new much easier. There are a couple of guys on here that have hoards of Olds parts, they may part with. Good luck.

Would you recommend a different Qjet or can the one I have be modified to suit?

 

[Wraith]

Welcome!

 

[olds307 and 403]

Would you recommend a different Qjet or can the one I have be modified to suit?

Yes, those being 800 cfm and with all the factory improvements, are the best to modify. Get Cliff Ruggles book and check out my thread, if you decide on a cam swap. It should be pretty close on your 350 as is. Here is a link to my Qjet build thread. Good luck. https://gbodyforum.com/threads/quadrajet-build-thread.80123/