Even God doesn't like the Olds 260

[Kennybill]

I almost bought a 1971 Supreme about 15 years ago. It had a 260 in it. They are dogs but they will run forever.

 

[olds307 and 403]

Well I tried to take the dog for a walk to the car wash. It did it's sprinkler impression, I swear those connections were tight, I had to buy a new clamp, one was stripped on the heater hose. After buying a clamp, I took it around the block. It is maybe a bit stronger, choke was still on, the kick down works.

 

[lilbowtie]

Easy to get me twisted, just mention the sbc going into my car, that will do it🙂. It actually bothers me a lot less these days. With the LS motors around and cheap, sbc guys know how we feel, get rid of that out dated junk, go LS as it is the new cheap, go to power plant.

I just have to ask (and it's not just you) what it is that gives guys such negativity against the SBC.

 

[olds307 and 403]

Everyone always says put a sbc in everything, it is all GM. I put an Olds 350 in my 94 4x4 and I was the devil. Why people wouldn't want a 350 with a superior torque curve in a heavy truck is beyond me. My personal experience growing up broke and owning vehicles from the dark days of the 70's as a kid, the Olds 350 was the only one that lasted 300,000 miles, nearly untouched other than routine maintenance and maybe replace the worthless nylon coated timing set. Same reason I am not a huge fan of the TH350, have seen a few die behind that mighty 160 HP/275 TQ that Olds 350 put out. And yes we had a few used Chevy trucks with 350's, OK but not stellar. No flat cams, but another failed TH350, blue puff on start up and the original 350, which was well taken care of, died at 280,000 km, not miles. Why do think Olds guys only are switching to the newer LS? The sbc didn't get any better mileage, the Olds 350 could better it slightly if anything, Olds with it's wider intake and flatter valve angle produced a better and less peaky torque curve, nicer in heavy vehicle's with awful gearing. I had a Vin Y Olds 307 with high miles out perform the sbc 350 with 2.76 gears in my 78 1/2 ton.

 

[olds307 and 403]

Took it out for a rip again, choke completely off, it isn't half bad. I am pretty sure the drive shaft is hitting the exhaust, I will check that. I had another hose come off from all the torque🙂, replaced it. I still need to space out the power steering belt more. As usual both belts, as Olds uses multiple length water pumps, this one was shorter lined up both belts on the same groove, so spacing was required, just needs more.

 

[lilbowtie]

Thanks for your reply to the SBC - I get the impression your not negative it's just more about personal preference and experiences thru the years.

 

[olds307 and 403]

I always like to be different, everyone puts the sbc in everything. If I start putting a sbc or LS in my cars, I may as well buy a new Camaro, no originality to me as everyone has done it a million times over, just ordered my fancy new motor from Summit mentality. Try that with Olds or any off make, good luck. No the Camaro's are still not quite right, make it a SRT Challenger to match my Wife's SE🙂.

 

[565bbchevy]

I have been contemplating putting an Olds in my 86' Regal just to be different and since there is a 307 in there it would be easy swap.
The problems I face considering this is that I already have a set of Edelbrock RPM heads and a new roller cam and lifters for SBC along with a new aluminum water pump, new oil pan,headers etc, basically everything to put a SBC in a Gbody except for the actual short block all from a previous project.
So even with all the SBC parts I have I am still thinking about an Olds and since I am looking for more of a cruiser with decent power and mileage I think a 350 Olds would be fine but if I did it I would have to have aluminum heads and hydraulic roller cam etc. to be comparable to the SBC I would build.
My first issue I find is the selection for aftermarket heads for Olds are very limited and since I am trying to build on a budget (relatively speaking compared to my Monte) the only heads that fit the bill are Edelbrocks and Pro Comps and from what I have read either head has to be cut down to a 64cc from a 77cc to work on the 350 adding to the cost of the heads.
The other issue and probably why many people don't choose an Olds especially on a tight budget is you can't go to your local dealer and buy a brand new crate engine or call your local mail order and have them ship you one of their "in stock" short blocks at a bargain price, so you are limited to hopefully finding a good running engine to build upon or risk finding a non running core and then having it checked out and hoping for the best and with a used engine running or not there is no guarantee that over it's 40 years of life that someone didn't get in there and overbore it or sleeve it etc. so it is a level of risk and possible loss if it doesn't meet your expectations.
Since you can't buy new with an Olds you also need a good machine shop you can trust if you plan on going with a full rebuild, regardless if you can assemble it yourself or not.
With that being said I still have not ruled out putting an Olds in my Regal even though it still won't be brand specific.

 

[olds307 and 403]

The Olds 350 is a great motor, any 76 and older is good. You have a good chance of finding a pristine mid 70's core. One of the suggestions to Edelbrock is changes so a mechanical fuel pump can be used and 2 chamber sizes. Olds Rocket Parts offer a Procomp head cut to 64cc. The RPM intake will need cut to work and an electric only fuel pump. Mark Remmel offers custom cams including rollers and also does Procomp or Edelbrock heads.

 

[565bbchevy]

Olds Rocket Parts offer a Procomp head cut to 64cc.

I actually have those heads in my Ebay watch list, I inquired with Mondello how much they wanted to cut the heads they sell which is an additional $300 over their already pricey $1400.
If I decided to go Olds I was also considering Thorntons 350 JR exhaust manifolds, have any input on those?