BUILD THREAD theoldsone 442 build

[theoldsone]

EDIT: Just because I have been through it, I would recommend you save your time and money trying to do anything to the 307 and just save it all up for the 350 build . . . or perhaps a big block maybe? Only slightly more important [to me] to keep the 442 "All Oldsmobile" if possible.

Agreed. All I'm doing to the 307 is getting it up to date so I can run it on the street. I have a 355 sbc. But if a Rocket comes my way it would be 100% preferable. Hopefully EFI either way.

I've been waiting for the title to arrive so I can get it registered. So in the meantime I got the power windows to work properly. Turned out the master switch was a dud. The motors are really slow and weak. Once the door panels are on I don't plan to keep pulling them back on and off. So both motors are going to be replaced. Grease the rails and it's a done deal. Installed some chrome turndowns tips pointed back. I don't know where I've seen it before but it looks cool. Did it to my 87 before too. (can't see in pic)

The rusty chrome on the wheels where an eye sore. So a cheap fix was to paint them flat black and throw a clear over them. Like day and night difference. The rusty hood and front bumper will be replaced with the 87's. I have a very clean deck lid that will replace the old one. Picked it from the yard last year. After all this is done I can start doing the body work...

 

[theoldsone]

It's been a year since I've driven an old gbody. Man it feels great to be back at it.

If it looks ugly in this pic imagine in person lol. My 87 had the looks but was a junker. Can't have the best of both worlds if you don't pay for it I guess. Driving it on the street is nice. It's a lot more responsive compared to the Vin Y 307, but your not missing the icing if you have a Vin Y. It can chirp and bark tires. It picks up nice too. I have to replace the front bumper from my 87. And swap some of the bad with good.

I painted the bezels and grill black because honestly it looks awful with that chrome lol.

And there's the tips I installed.

I'll be messing around a bit here and there. Body work next and cherry bomb exhaust for giggles.

 

[theoldsone]

Well it's just my luck! 😡

While driving back home after puttering around town. The cutlass seemed to loose power, drastically. The engine felt like it was pulling a freight train after the last few feet. I thought to myself "oh no the trans died!" But it's not that. The TV cable is set correctly. The engine dies in Park unless I fluctuate the rpm's. Keep it at 2k or bellow and is bluh bluh buh. I tried to set the TV cable again but I knew it wasn't that. If I keep it in neutral or park the battery light is really dim, but ON none the less. I don't see how an alternator would cause such a drastic change. And huge power loss. The more throttle the smoother it runs and the light goes out but Im thinking maybe it's a fuel pump. The engine doesn't want to Rev freely and has a very sluggish response to throttle. Maybe not enough fuel for the 8. When I put it in drive it stalls and falls flat on its face. Driving up Hill is like pulling a boat. More throttle doesn't help either. I'll be replacing the fuel pump ASAP it was cheap so I'll give it a shot. Hope this doesn't turn ugly.

 

[Canon_Mutant]

No codes I take it? Come to think of it, I am not positive that EGR will even generate a code but a stuck EGR will cause immense problems. Also, can you hear the CCC clicking? Will it still turn over and start fine? Without alternator, if the battery gets dead enough . . .

Let me think on it some more . . .

 

[theoldsone]

No codes I take it? Come to think of it, I am not positive that EGR will even generate a code but a stuck EGR will cause immense problems. Also, can you hear the CCC clicking? Will it still turn over and start fine? Without alternator, if the battery gets dead enough . . .

Let me think on it some more . . .

I didn't check codes no but the engine light is on. Has always been. CCC? Starts fine, I dont think the alternator looses enough volts. As I think of it i did run the fuel tank pretty low. Maybe all the debris at the bottom trashed my pump or clogged the fuel filter...? The filter is new by the way. I've been trying to think on it too but I don't have time to test and diagnose it. Im creating scenarios in my head here lol.

 

[Canon_Mutant]

Oooh, yes, mine sucked the tank sock once and did exactly what you are describing but no flickering battery light. The ECM going out to lunch could easily cause that and by CCC I meant can you hear the carb solenoid clicking? There is a way to test that. Just make it click with the engine not running. I have a factory service manual but it is out in the shop at the moment and I'm in bed. I'll check tomorrow . . .

 

[SoFloG]

You checked the filter on the carb? Do you have those factory butterflies on the exhaust down pipes that get stuck closed? Not sure of the actual name just know they work with the choke! Did you check the cat?

 

[theoldsone]

You checked the filter on the carb? Do you have those factory butterflies on the exhaust down pipes that get stuck closed? Not sure of the actual name just know they work with the choke! Did you check the cat?

I'm going to check the cat today and the butterfly thing. The fuel pump did not fix it. Depending on what exactly is the culprit I'm probably going to be smashing the 355 in if it's something major. I can't look at it sit there it has to move! Going to spray some carb cleaner to see it it's a vac leak. If it's the carb I'm kicking the old lady 307 in the bucket! Like Sparta. Lol. The 355 is ready but putting it in now was not the plan.😕

 

[Texas82GP]

Check to make sure you have good hot spark. I know you just tuned it up. I'm wondering if one of your new parts may be letting you down. I'm also wondering if it might be the sock in the tank on the fuel pickup.

 

[SoFloG]

I say just go for it and drop the sbc in. I've had a couple 307 run great, and a couple that just would hardly run... which is why I have a 359 sbc in my cutlass now.