Hi.

As you guys know i bought a 1970 Cutlass W-31.
It has the correct #6 heads (I know it doesn't mean a lot to Chevy guys.. but those are 65cc heads with 2" intake and 1.65" exhaust if i am not mistaken)

I would like to know if it's worth it to rebuild this engine..
I don't know much about oldsmobile engines.. But i can tell just by looking that a lot is different.. I've lifted the intake, and this stupid metal thingy was under there.. now i found out i have to order a new one.. smile.gif

Anyways.. Is it worth my while? Is Olds reliable as an engine.. what are the pros and cons..

I want to learn more...

Thanks in advance for any info.

Shai,

Go to www.realoldspower.com (http://www.realoldspower.com) and ask that question......

UDHarold

Wouldn't you want to keep something like that original? The heads alone sound good, 2" intake valves?

I don't know a lot about Olds and Buicks, but some of those cars came with some pretty trick parts. Remember the Hurst Olds?

Is Joe Mondello the Olds guru? You may want to give him a shout.

W31 Olds 350 engine ... absolutely worth it ...once you ask around the Olds forums you will find guys lined up to take it off your hands if you don't want it ...

http://www.oldsperformanceproducts.com/

Shai, Absolutely rebuild and restore that car as it is extremely rare and valuable. Olds engines are dependable as long as you don't try to wind them like a small block chevy. They are very torquey and that particular engine is one of the most well rounded that olds ever built.

Shai, that Olds 350 will just eat the 350 in your malibu.

Those things flat out cook.
The metal thing under the intake is probably a heat shield, meant to keep hot oil off the bottom of the intake manifold to keep the air fuel mixture cooler until it reaches the combustion chamber.

Try to keep that car as original, as possible.
Oldsmobles aren't as mainstream popular as Chevys, but thats a car, that I personally would love to own, and its a pretty rare car as well.

2 words, torque monster. The Olds 350 is an awesome engine to build, a little more pricy than a Chevy engine, but well worth it. I'm an Olds affictionado myself, love em. The metal thingy is a the intake gasket/valley pan, all Olds v-8's that I have owned has had them.
I have 2 Oldmobiles, a 69 Cutlass S built in Canada with a 455, and an 86 Cutlass that I am currently doing a restification on.

There was a class action lawsuit back in '77 when some people felt cheated that their new 1977 Olds 88 came with a 350 Chevy instead of the Olds. Oldsmobile used valve rotators to extend valve life.

The W-31 was basically a high compression 350 with a fairly radical cam and FACTORY blueprinting! I say keep it stock and build it carefully. It will put a grin on your face every time you stomp on the throttle.