New member - questions

[roosgunboss]

I'm a carrer Naval Officer who has been longing for a 68 Olds Convt for over 20 years. Well I finally found it. I'm picking up a partially restored 68 Cutlass Supreme Convt the end of this month!!!! I want to keep it fairly stock (350, auto, 2BBL, Single exhaust), but I do want to switch to dual exhaust. Questions
1. What header manufact do you all recommend? Estimate cost of converting?
2. Where can I lay hands on shop manual?
3. Have done a lot of research on hardening valves/unleaded fuel. What do you recommend?

[Dynaflash8]

Welcome as a new member. eBay is a likely place to find the shop manual quickly. As for the hardened valve seats, I've heard a lot of conflicting stories, but the most common is that if you're not going to run the car 65-70 mph for hours on end, day in and day out, you probably do not have a problem. When I take any kind of long trip with my older cars, I usually dump in a bottle of lead additive, but I don't know if it does any good. So far, none of my cars have ever indicated a problem and that includes a 66 Chrysler 383 that we drove on long tours for 11 years, totalling over 39K miles.

Add to that warning about long 65-70 MPH runs, avoid those runs in very hot waether with the air conditioner putting an additional load on the engine.

Back in '83, during the phase out of lead in gasoline, I was serving as AACA Technical Director. I had occasion to contact the chief engine engineer at Buick, as I wanted a professional opinion from an auto manufacturer regarding the effect the removal of tetraethyl lead from gasoline would have on older cars. His response was that there should not be any problems so long as the engine was run in a moderate manner and avoiding those things that Earl and I have outlined. Like you, Earl, I don't know if lead addative is anything more than snake oil.

DISCLAIMER: I am NOT an engineer and I am merely passing on my non professional opinion based on information provided 21 years ago by someone in the automobile industry. SEMPER CYA

hvs

[R W Burgess]

"Roos", The lead additive is good stuff. I use it in my high compression 327. As far as the manifolds, I'd use the stock ones and just get a local muffler shop to mount duals for use. It'll sound almost as good and will not take away from the car's original factors. Please contact the Tidewater Region @ 757-421-7534(Pres. Ken Talley) They'll be able to help you in many ways with your new Olds and you can meet new people with an "Olds" inclination. Tell Ken, "Wayne sent you!" <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/image...lins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Wayne Burgess

Wayne ~ Which lead addative is "really good stuff" and which is snake oil. Seriously! Not being funny or a wise guy. There is so much crap being sold as a lead addative that one wonders what really works. Sort of like octane booster. I never found any that boosted the octane enough in my '65 Olds to make any difference.

hvs

[Dynaflash8]

Howard: Wayne told me earlier today he was going on the road for the next two days, so you may not get an answer for a bit. I have no proof this stuff helps or not. I put it in sometimes, as I said, and either way I never had any valve trouble with these cars I've irregularly used the stuff in. It's sort of a thing that if I have it, and if I remember it, I use it for long runs, and just as often I either don't have it or forget it. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/image...ins/smile.gif" alt="" />

[Dave@Moon]

I've used CD2 and STP Lead Substitute for long hauls in my 1960 Buick. Like Dynaflash I've got no basis to compare it to, but it's better to be safe then sorry. Also I've been told it is much more critical to use this stuff in areas with oxygenated fuels by some well-informed engine rebuilders. I'm not sure if they sell oxy-fuels in Virginia Beach, but it'd be advisable to find out.

As for shop manuals, there are many dealers who sell these over the internet. A simple Yahoo search for "Automotive Literature" should turn up dozens. However, before buying be sure to check out what's available on eBay. Manuals generally sell for less there than directly from dealers. Olds manuals are especially plentiful there now with the demise of Olds Motor Division.

As for the headers, I'm no performance expert but with a 2-barrel carb I don't think that the extra breathing they'd give over standard manifolds would be used by this engine. The dual exhaust will likely give all the free breathing this motor could use. Also you'd save yourself a headache installing them!

[jaxops]

Welcome aboard!! If you need any help with your projects, drop me a line, as I am also in Va Beach. I just bought a dual exhaust for my 56 Cadillac using an EBay store. The price was very good. I couldn't afford the stainless one which would have been preferable but costly, so for now I bought the aluminum one. Not sure on headers but there are a lot of dealers for GM parts from those years. I have a Hemmings suppliers book if you want to borrow it. The shop manual is critical. I also buy a chassis or body manual so I can figure out how to take apart doors and trim pieces etc. I bought my Buick and Cadillac manuals at car flea markets, but EBay again is a good one to check out.

See you on the weekend road out there, possibly at one of the Cruise-ins on Independence Blvd Sat night.

Mark Monaghan
jaxops@bellatlantic.net