Olds 358 build

[olds307 and 403]

Since my old thread is closed after a year and a month, starting a new one. Of course the $2252.70 machine shop bill made this all possible but also left me too broke to get the new Edelbrock cylinder heads or finish the roller cam conversion. Going flat tappet, using the low mile 2.07"/1.56" bowls opened, positive seals, upgraded springs full rebuilt #6 heads with fairly new rocker and bridges along with stock push rods. Using Felpro Blue head gaskets with the pistons. .003" in the hole, just need to polish the chambers to 66cc from 62 and 64cc for 9.5 to 1. Using my already broke in and degreed 204/214 Performer cam, unknown brand dual roller 3 way timing set. In the non advanced position, it was 107 or 107.5 ICL. Perfect for 9.5 to 1 on 91 octane. I will be enabling the knock sensor on the Holley EFI.

 

[olds307 and 403]

Got the dehumidifier running in the garage, was 70 percent, now down below 50 percent. It was dry all Summer, now that motor is in the garage, we have been getting rain. The Melling high volume oil pump is torqued to 35 ft/lbs. I tightened the Canton pick up and gasket with a long 1/2" wrench. I can't get a torque wrench on one side, so just reasonably tight. I cleaned then torqued the oil filter adapter with a steel core gasket with a very small amount of Right Stuff One Minute on both sides to 35 ft pounds with some nice stainless 3/8" × 1" fastners I had lying around. I put on the nitrile coated, rigid core Felpro OS30471C pan gaskets, used the Right Stuff One Minute to glue it to the block. I torqued the Canton 6 qt pan in place to factory specs as it is very slightly warped. I am painting the factory flanged bolts VHT Black Metallic high temp once it sits for a few hours, this afternoon. I also cleaned and painted my best spare timing cover VHT Gold Metallic high temp paint. I will put new gaskets and front seal and paint top rear of the timing cover. Keeping the 358 sealed in plastic in between work on it. It also looks like a pilot bushing is installed, I was planning on a TKX in the next couple of years.

 

[olds307 and 403]

Timing cover seal and gasket with the Right Stuff and front pan seal installed and top painted. I got all the bolts painted with VHT Black Metallic high temp paint.

 

[olds307 and 403]

I will be pulling the heads, cam and timing set in the next couple of weeks. Ordered a black oxide small head 12 point sockets for the 7111 Performer off Ebay. I have been painting and reusing the factory fastners since they are better quality than basic replacements. Of course factory bolts won't work with the RPM due to different runner length and one bolt is very pinched. Edelbrock actually sends a small 12 point bolt like these for that one runner. I also ordered a single Trick Flow SBF 1/2" to 7/16" head bolt bushing, was missing one. You need to open up the top of the hole slightly larger to fit these. These heads were drilled for 1/2" head bolts when I bought them, going on a 7/16" block. I also ordered a fuel pump block off plate. I also ordered a Transgo TH350 1-2 shift kit, converter seal, tail shaft seal and bushing for the TH350 in the car. I also have a 2000 to 2200 stall converter for it. I have the 2004R but had issues with the CK shift, would not shift at all. So I just went back to stock in the valve body and accumulators from a parts 2004R. This TH350 shifts Ok but on the soft side. Honestly part of the reason I am using this Performer cam and iron heads are these weak automatic transmissions. I have seen both fail behind very little stock power. Both can beefed up but then you either have a shitty gearing, old school inefficient 3 spd or a good gear ratio harsh shifting 4 spd auto. I honestly don't trust either of these trans behind real power. With the 3.08 gears, the first gear 3.27 TKX 5 speed should give a perfect launch ratio and make the car much quicker, the .72 OD will also be great a 75 mph. A manual is a millennial theft deterent, old school but with a modern twist, just like this whole car. I plan on getting the SEFI on this 358, no Qjet on this one at all and I will be enabling and running the knock sensor and timing control on the Terminator X. Once the SEFI and 5 speed conversion gets done, I will install the 218/218 .541/.541 112 LSA roller cam, Cloyes Billet 9 way timing set, cam button, Comp Evolution hydraulic roller lifters, Harland Sharp 1.65 ratio rocker for the new Edelbrock heads. Since I also have the Mr.Gasket MLS head gaskets and Edelbrock intake gaskets, I will literally just need 3/8" custom length push rods when the time comes for the Edelbrock head swap.

 

[olds307 and 403]

 

[olds307 and 403]

Pulling the #6 heads, Performer cam, lifters, rockers, push rods and timing set. Antifreeze drained, rad plus block drains on the 403 and battery unhooked. All the header bolts, except the last one, valve cover bolts out and dipstick tube out. I cleaned and painted the valve cover bolts.

 

[olds307 and 403]

Serpentine accessories unbolted from the motor. I removed the NGK XR5 spark plugs from the heads so they don't get broken off, still in good shape. Valve covers, intake, carb, distributor and new Melling oil pump drive out.

 

[SoFloG]

Looking good. I'd paint it orange.

 

[MrSony]

wanna sell the qjet?

 

[olds307 and 403]

Heads, push rods and rockers are off.