caprice_2nv
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Originally Posted by rubberchicken
Originally Posted by maxdustington
Originally Posted by old1
Seems to me I have read not to long ago that 1 lb of pressure per 1000 rpm is sufficient.
I think that rule of thumb is from a time when any engine that was rebuilt got a HV oil pump. I think HV oil pumps fell out of favor on stock engines because they would shear the oil pump gear off the distributor shaft or whatever drove the oil pump.
I know that Pontiac engines in particular were infamous for having very low oil pressure at idle so I think you are OK. It could be a worn out oil pump, but I'll bet that engine did not have stellar oil pressure at idle when it was brand new. As long as it had decent oil pressure above idle you are most likely OK, you can't judge a 40 year old 350 Rocket by 21st century standards.
I would try to find a Vortec 350 and swap that in before I invested in your current motor. There are lots of GMT400 trucks with them that are overshadowed by the LS-powered GMT800s. You should be able to get a used Vortec carb intake somewhere.
HOLD UP on the Vortec 350 swap idea: This is a Olds 350- unless you were one of the few unfortunate souls that accidentally got the Chevy 350, the Olds 350 is a different engine. It is considered a "big block" and has more in common with the Olds 455 than the Chevy 350. The Chevy / GM 350 may not even bolt in due to motor mount or trans mounting hole differences (not sure though). There was a class action lawsuit at some point where Olds owners who thought they were getting a Olds Rocket 350 actually got some Chevy 350 instead, and GM failed to tell them about the swap. Class action suit, much hilarity ensued, owners won the lawsuit. If this car has some collector value then it might be worth just rebuilding the Olds 350. My overall point is to do your homework and do not assume any engine swap is a bolt on affair.
You are correct. Unfortunately the Canadian cars came with the Chevy 305 (after they switched to calling them all "corporate gm engines" or something to that effect because of the lawsuit you mention.
My friend and I switched a lot of stuff to put the olds 350 in (to make it right). It was worth it in the long run since the engine was free besides the cost of gaskets and a timing chain, water pump etc.
Back in the day I would never consider anything but the olds engine in my olds but nowadays I'm ready to do the ls swap for fuel economy, horsepower, etc.
Originally Posted by maxdustington
Originally Posted by old1
Seems to me I have read not to long ago that 1 lb of pressure per 1000 rpm is sufficient.
I think that rule of thumb is from a time when any engine that was rebuilt got a HV oil pump. I think HV oil pumps fell out of favor on stock engines because they would shear the oil pump gear off the distributor shaft or whatever drove the oil pump.
I know that Pontiac engines in particular were infamous for having very low oil pressure at idle so I think you are OK. It could be a worn out oil pump, but I'll bet that engine did not have stellar oil pressure at idle when it was brand new. As long as it had decent oil pressure above idle you are most likely OK, you can't judge a 40 year old 350 Rocket by 21st century standards.
I would try to find a Vortec 350 and swap that in before I invested in your current motor. There are lots of GMT400 trucks with them that are overshadowed by the LS-powered GMT800s. You should be able to get a used Vortec carb intake somewhere.
HOLD UP on the Vortec 350 swap idea: This is a Olds 350- unless you were one of the few unfortunate souls that accidentally got the Chevy 350, the Olds 350 is a different engine. It is considered a "big block" and has more in common with the Olds 455 than the Chevy 350. The Chevy / GM 350 may not even bolt in due to motor mount or trans mounting hole differences (not sure though). There was a class action lawsuit at some point where Olds owners who thought they were getting a Olds Rocket 350 actually got some Chevy 350 instead, and GM failed to tell them about the swap. Class action suit, much hilarity ensued, owners won the lawsuit. If this car has some collector value then it might be worth just rebuilding the Olds 350. My overall point is to do your homework and do not assume any engine swap is a bolt on affair.
You are correct. Unfortunately the Canadian cars came with the Chevy 305 (after they switched to calling them all "corporate gm engines" or something to that effect because of the lawsuit you mention.
My friend and I switched a lot of stuff to put the olds 350 in (to make it right). It was worth it in the long run since the engine was free besides the cost of gaskets and a timing chain, water pump etc.
Back in the day I would never consider anything but the olds engine in my olds but nowadays I'm ready to do the ls swap for fuel economy, horsepower, etc.