1979 Olds 350 engine question

[Jolly_John]

Hi, Gang. I have a 1979 Buick Riviera with the engine code "R", which happens to be a 350 engine made by Olds. I am looking for a carb and intake manifold for my Riviera, and am wondering if these parts from a 1979 Olds, with 350 engine are exactly the same. Thanks in advance for any help! Best, John in Wisconsin

[rocketraider]

John, they should be, since the big reason they used the 350 was it already emissions-certified for the E-body car.

I don't think the later Toro engines had different intakes for hood clearance like the 66-70 did, so you should be able to use an intake from any 77-80 Olds 350 and possibly 403.

[Jolly_John]

Thanks for the info, Rocketraider. Just one other question....you mention Olds 350 intakes perhaps being the same from 1977 to 1980...did the 1977 and 1978 Olds 350 engines use an EGR valve? Thanks, John in Wisconsin

[rocketraider]

Yes. All 1973-later engines had EGR. You can probably use an earlier intake if needed; just thinking about the number of vacuum ports, since the further we got into the 1970s, the more vacuum operated emissions stuff there was.

Also- 77 was the year the windowed main web 350/403 appeared. I know head gaskets changed that year from earlier engines (there's that voice of experience yelling again).

[joe_padavano]

With the exception of the 260 motors and their oddball ports, any small block Olds intake from 1964 through 1990 will bolt up. While it has EGR, the aluminum A4 intake used on the 1981-1984 307 is a nice, inexpensive street intake. Simply block off the EGR valve boss and you're good to go. I've seen the A4 sell for $15 - $25. Alternatively, any cast iron 4bbl intake works fine also.

[Survivor 79 Hurst Olds W30]

On 8/31/2007 at 6:20 AM, rocketraider said:

John, they should be, since the big reason they used the 350 was it already emissions-certified for the E-body car.

I don't think the later Toro engines had different intakes for hood clearance like the 66-70 did, so you should be able to use an intake from any 77-80 Olds 350 and possibly 403.

The stock intake and carb on the Olds “R” code 350 is the same on the 403.  The 403 block is just a board out 350 block so the intake and carb are the same.  Im not sure if an earlier 70s Olds 350 intake will fit the Olds “R” code 350.  I believe it will fit. 

[Survivor 79 Hurst Olds W30]

On 8/31/2007 at 11:35 AM, Jolly_John said:

Thanks for the info, Rocketraider. Just one other question....you mention Olds 350 intakes perhaps being the same from 1977 to 1980...did the 1977 and 1978 Olds 350 engines use an EGR valve? Thanks, John in Wisconsin

The 1979 Olds L34 “R” code 350 is the same block and intake on the Olds 350 from 77 - 80.  The 77 - 80 Olds 350 gas blocks are windowed mains and not solid.  The Olds 350 diesel blocks from this era are still solid mains.

[Survivor 79 Hurst Olds W30]

On 9/2/2007 at 10:01 AM, joe_padavano said:

With the exception of the 260 motors and their oddball ports, any small block Olds intake from 1964 through 1990 will bolt up. While it has EGR, the aluminum A4 intake used on the 1981-1984 307 is a nice, inexpensive street intake. Simply block off the EGR valve boss and you're good to go. I've seen the A4 sell for $15 - $25. Alternatively, any cast iron 4bbl intake works fine also.

I did not know the 307 intake would fit on the 79 Olds “R” code 350.  Does it flow better then the stock 350 cast iron intake?  If nothing else, installing the 307 intake would take about 60 lbs off the front of the car!

[joe_padavano]

Welcome but you are responding to a sixteen year old thread.

 

 

All 1973-up Olds motors used EGR. All small block Olds intakes from 1964-1990 bolt up but as I've noted, the ports in the 260 intakes and the A5 intakes used on the 1985-90 307 motors are small and will cause a flow mismatch on other SBO heads. Yes, the A4 aluminum intakes from the 1981-84 307s bolt directly to the 350. They don't flow any better than the OEM iron intake but as you note, they are 1/3 the weight.