Making a life long dream come true

[Gozer442]

Nice build, with great details in your story! That's I started out with my build too! Keep up the momentum!

 

[sportriderOK]

Great start! I think we've all jumped the gun on a car only to find a better one soon after. And I know I've taken two and built one, more than once. Keep after it!

 

[Longroof79]

Wow!! The car cleaned up nicely. It's amazing how it wasn't subjected to the harsh Minnesota winters.
Good luck with the build. Keep us in the loop.

 

[JustBoostin]

Wow!! The car cleaned up nicely. It's amazing how it wasn't subjected to the harsh Minnesota winters.
Good luck with the build. Keep us in the loop.

The guy I bought it from had hauled it to MN from North Dakota, bought it from the original owner. He got it home, put all new brakes, shocks, from wheel bearings on it and a new radiator. Then he decided to do a new intake manifold gasket. After the gasket install, he took it for a drive and he said the first time he opened it up, it blew up.

I got it home, checked the oil, there wasn't any. I think he drained it and forgot

Any how, I added oil and started it only to hear the loud clanking from the engine. I saw sparks down below the water pump, the water pump pulley and the crank pulley were hitting each other.

I thought maybe I had gotten lucky and it all was just a harmonic balancer coming apart. So ripped all of the belts and pulleys off. Nope, the crank is just moving around in the block that much! Curious to see what's inside but I'm sure it's pretty bad.

Anyhow, outside of my tinkering, here's how she looks under the hood. Pretty stock.

 

[ssn696]

I was hoping no one would notice that, dammit! Garage clothes are garage clothes though as we all know

Ahhh, but it was my favorite garage wear. 30 years old and washed a thousand times. Welding burns. Sun-fade. Thumb-holes in the sleeves....

 

[ssn696]

Wait a minute - Olds motors have the distrbutor in the back? That's not a Chevy water pump...

 

[JustBoostin]

Wait a minute - Olds motors have the distrbutor in the back? That's not a Chevy water pump...

Yep, that's the stock 307

The 350 going in is an Olds too, looks pretty much the same

 

[ed1948]

One hundred thumbs up to you!

 

[fleming442]

Wait a minute - Olds motors have the distrbutor in the back? That's not a Chevy water pump...

The tell is the oil fill standpipe behind the AC compressor.
Glad you're keeping it Olds powered! I've always wanted a street bruiser G Cutlass. It looks like you're well on your way!

 

[Gozer442]

Wow, I forgot how much wiring and hoses I removed when I dropped in the 403 Olds small block. Putting the 350 in-place of the 307 will be just like dropping the 307 back in...but with way more torque! Label everything you remove and disconnect, and take pics during the disassembly...it should be smooth sailing for the swap.