LT1 or Olds 350-rebuilt? Congrats, its an olds!

[87z16]

Re: LT1 or Olds 350-rebuilt? Why?

i agree with randy and chris. i think the older units caused a bad rap for all of them and also people dont understand them so they always think thats the problem. it makes timing the engine a piece of cake!!! u cant be one tooth out or 180 out, they are designed to go on the engine ONE way. needless to say they cant be advanced they are computer controlled and keyed to go on one way. ive heard of LT1's going over a 175,000 mi on the original opti.

has anyone ever taken one apart?? there really isnt that much to them. so i dont understand why they get such a bad rap. i took pics a few years ago but i cant find them, sorry.

when i had my issues with my LT1 everyone blamed the opti. but that wasnt it. as i did little checks i did the compression test first and found i had a bent valve. then fixed that and a journal bearing let go and snapped the timing chain. it was a 9C1 engine from a 94 caprice so a high hour engine and the original owner beat the snot out of it then sold it to me before it all let go. the transmission took a dump as well. OH I GOT STORIES WITH THIS CAR. needless to say the whole drivetrain is rebuilt and my friend and i have touched every bolt attached to the chassis as well as some attached to the body. and i didnt have a problem with my opti in fact to prove a point we reinstalled the original opti on the 60k LT1 350 roadmaster engine and it still runs fine.

 

[mheath717]

Re: LT1 or Olds 350-rebuilt? Why?

I say keep it olds powered. There are too many chevy powered Oldsmobiles out there already. No need to make it any worse. It is a very easy engine swap.

 

[Rocket]

Re: LT1 or Olds 350-rebuilt? Why?

my opninion is to keep it Olds'

 

[86-blk442]

Re: LT1 or Olds 350-rebuilt? Why?

I vote keep it olds. I too have a 442 and couldn't bring myself to putting a chevy in it. The olds 350 swap was super easy. Just my opinion, at the end of the day its your car do as you wish.

 

[85cut420]

Re: LT1 or Olds 350-rebuilt? Why?

Keep it Olds. Cheaper, easier to put together, and all one brand. Leave the Chevy motor for the Monte and Elky guys, keep your 442 a true Olds.

 

[G-Body_Vet]

Re: LT1 or Olds 350-rebuilt? Why?

Another vote for the Olds :wink:

Nothing against Chevy, but when I see BOP cars with swapped sbc's it's like seeing a hot woman that can't walk in heels. It just makes me shake my head and I'm put off by it. I removed a perfectly running 305 from my car and sold it because I wanted a Pontiac mill in it! But I'm funny like that too.

This is also something to think about if you ever decide to sell the car. If I was looking for a 442 and see that it has a sbc in it I wouldn't even consider it.

 

[QS442]

Re: LT1 or Olds 350-rebuilt? Why?

Thank you everyone for the replies. I did more research on the swap due to the feedback I got back on forum. I am just a little worried about the unknowns and i hear that swap can hurt the pockets. However, I know that the motor and trans is in good condition.

I got some more info on the olds motor, it's from a 70 cutlass convertible, it was rebuilt 3000 miles ago and pulled for a 455. The guy sounds straight forward and has stated the same info the times I have talked to him but I want to put what he told me on forum for your feedback. Pistons, rings, lifters, oil pump and timing chain has been replaced with rebuilt. He gave me these cam # 494.512 lift? Don't know much about cams. The motor is 9.5-1 compression, it is factory 4 bbl Has Edelbrock Aluminium intake with a power rating of 1500-2500 rpm. I would need to put on carb but he has two laying around, i need alternator, starter and distributer. He has motor mounts and exhaust manifolds also in sale.

I hear everyone stating keep it olds and i would love too but im worried about the unknowns, motor has been out of car for 7 years. I hear the swap is easy if motor is good. What you think? If i do get motor is there anything I should do? Seller states refreshing is a waste of time. Should i get for $600 he needs to sell? I will have casting numbers tonight.

 

[QS442]

Re: LT1 or Olds 350-rebuilt? Why?

it has #6 heads

 

[CHRIS.O]

Re: LT1 or Olds 350-rebuilt? Why?

Without knowing for sure what is inside it is a gamble. It sounds like a solid 300hp engine. Those heads are pretty good. The price is good if it truly is rebuilt. I looked at a 350sbc before I built mine. Guy wanted 600 dollars said it was freshly rebuilt with flat top 4 vr pistons. Swore up and down it was. I asked him if he was so sure then would he remove a cylinder head so I could see myself and I of course would just have to buy a cheap gasket kit if I bought it. He agreed and I am glad he did, not rebuilt, not even honed out, and dish pistons. So everything else he told me had to be bullshit too. He apologized as he did not know and I still made an offer on it but it wasnt enough for him. So sadly he had an engine on a stand with no heads on it and he needed a gasket kit but atleast he knows what he has now haha. I doubt the guy will let you take it apart but maybe he can show you some receipts for the parts or work.

 

[cut123]

Re: LT1 or Olds 350-rebuilt? Why?

the 455 is not a simple swap. i have done 2. Use good exhaust manifolds headers are a nightmare. For a good set of headers that doesnt go outside frame your lookin at 700$. On my 81 project i am took out the 455 for a small block 403 olds. just sick of the trouble with the big block. Find a good small block olds shouldnt be hard to find. I have read some forums on the swap and none of mine have gone quite as smoothly. My 455 will be going in my 69 cutlass lots more room and less bs.