In this episode, we take a look at an Oldsmobile 350 Diesel block! This block will eventually end up in my 76 Cutlass! Follow along on Instagram @mod__everything
Completely stripped and disassembled, it's still leaking oil on the ground. Still have nitemares of working on those. Warranty time for a new short block was like 5.5 hours. UGH!!!
@@DaneSaysStuff I can not find any data, but this is well known in the racing industry. The DX blocks also feature beefier bulkheads and main caps, further enhancing their ability to handle high loads and improve overall engine longevityIn summary, the Oldsmobile 350 DX engine blocks are distinguished by their high nickel content, which imparts superior strength, wear resistance, and durability. These attributes make the DX blocks an excellent foundation for both diesel and high-performance gasoline engines.
@@DaneSaysStuff High nickel content blocks can often be identified by specific casting marks or numbers. For instance, the presence of "010" or "020" on the block indicates the nickel content. These marks can usually be found on the front face of the block, just above the main bearing bore
@@mr.monitor. That is also a claim that has never been substantiated. There has been actual testing done and those sources claim there is exactly ZERO nickel content, but GM blocks contain more chromium than say a Ford block of the same vintage. Please, for the love of all that is sacred, your Pappy was wrong, high nickel blocks do not exist.
Back in the 90's I worked for MIC which was GMAC's extended protection plan company beyond the factory warranties for GM new/used cars. Anyway, when MIC in Dallas (actually Irving) closed their doors and transferred everything to Atlanta; the office had a large trash can ben to throw away all their books not being transferred. Some old timer employee threw away GM's official guide for the line mechanics on how to convert that DX block back to a gas engine. I saw that book in the trash and grabbed it as well as other books any car guy might be interested in. Yes the DX block had more meat in it but that isnt the only reason GM used it as their official Diesel block. The DX block was a rush to fill the gap for GM's void of not having a true Diesel engine for their large 4dr family cars. The decision to use an Olds V8 block closely followed Jimmy Carter's Oil Embargo, driving gas prices up while Diesel was still cheap - for a little while longer at least. Every auto company at that time had a diesel option and or turbo diesel in their family car line up since diesel was still cheap. GM rushed the retrofitted Olds DX blocked diesel into production, and sold a lot of them. They ran fine but there was just one problem. GM didnt count on ppl "Short Tripping" their Olds Diesels to death and soon experienced Carbon Build Up issues. The Olds Diesel soon got a bad reputation and forced GM to act. GM's action was to convert that engine back to a gas engine; and the Olds retrofitted Diesel's lifespan came to an end. Anyway, fascinating peace of history.
It's crazy the stuff GM tosses out😕 I got a 3100v6 from my high school years ago that was donated by GM. Later, I found out that it had Oliver connecting rods in it!
I bought a Chevy pickup truck with one of these engines in 1985. It was 1977 retired farm truck. I know because I got 2 grocery bags full of white-faced cow hair from under the seat. I pulled my boat with it for 4 years. My brother got me to sell it to him when i was going to buy a S10 Blazer. He locked the engine up within 2 weeks. I bought 1979 Olds with a 350 gas engine for $75, it was a mess. The engine was good however so every thing ended up OK.😊
Depends on the lifter size. The DX blocks had two different size lifters, this one is the same as the other Olds blocks but apparently is rare on this block.
Completely stripped and disassembled, it's still leaking oil on the ground. Still have nitemares of working on those. Warranty time for a new short block was like 5.5 hours. UGH!!!
Strongest blocks you can find. They have unusually high nickel content.
Is there any metallurgical data to back up that claim?
@@DaneSaysStuff Nope. You are welcome to do some analysis.
@@DaneSaysStuff I can not find any data, but this is well known in the racing industry. The DX blocks also feature beefier bulkheads and main caps, further enhancing their ability to handle high loads and improve overall engine longevityIn summary, the Oldsmobile 350 DX engine blocks are distinguished by their high nickel content, which imparts superior strength, wear resistance, and durability. These attributes make the DX blocks an excellent foundation for both diesel and high-performance gasoline engines.
@@DaneSaysStuff High nickel content blocks can often be identified by specific casting marks or numbers. For instance, the presence of "010" or "020" on the block indicates the nickel content. These marks can usually be found on the front face of the block, just above the main bearing bore
@@mr.monitor. That is also a claim that has never been substantiated. There has been actual testing done and those sources claim there is exactly ZERO nickel content, but GM blocks contain more chromium than say a Ford block of the same vintage. Please, for the love of all that is sacred, your Pappy was wrong, high nickel blocks do not exist.
The old school builds were 440 inch for the street and hard blocked could go to 454.
Also the strongest v8 block ever put into a passenger car.
I'm thinking that we will end up around 435cubes I want to leave the bores a little thicker for more boost!
Back in the 90's I worked for MIC which was GMAC's extended protection plan company beyond the factory warranties for GM new/used cars. Anyway, when MIC in Dallas (actually Irving) closed their doors and transferred everything to Atlanta; the office had a large trash can ben to throw away all their books not being transferred. Some old timer employee threw away GM's official guide for the line mechanics on how to convert that DX block back to a gas engine. I saw that book in the trash and grabbed it as well as other books any car guy might be interested in. Yes the DX block had more meat in it but that isnt the only reason GM used it as their official Diesel block. The DX block was a rush to fill the gap for GM's void of not having a true Diesel engine for their large 4dr family cars. The decision to use an Olds V8 block closely followed Jimmy Carter's Oil Embargo, driving gas prices up while Diesel was still cheap - for a little while longer at least. Every auto company at that time had a diesel option and or turbo diesel in their family car line up since diesel was still cheap. GM rushed the retrofitted Olds DX blocked diesel into production, and sold a lot of them. They ran fine but there was just one problem. GM didnt count on ppl "Short Tripping" their Olds Diesels to death and soon experienced Carbon Build Up issues. The Olds Diesel soon got a bad reputation and forced GM to act. GM's action was to convert that engine back to a gas engine; and the Olds retrofitted Diesel's lifespan came to an end. Anyway, fascinating peace of history.
It's crazy the stuff GM tosses out😕 I got a 3100v6 from my high school years ago that was donated by GM. Later, I found out that it had Oliver connecting rods in it!
I always wondered why not propane with all that compression?🐾🐾🐾😎
I bought a Chevy pickup truck with one of these engines in 1985. It was 1977 retired farm truck. I know because I got 2 grocery bags full of white-faced cow hair from under the seat. I pulled my boat with it for 4 years. My brother got me to sell it to him when i was going to buy a S10 Blazer. He locked the engine up within 2 weeks. I bought 1979 Olds with a 350 gas engine for $75, it was a mess. The engine was good however so every thing ended up OK.😊
The dx version was the last iteration of those 350 diesels. Wasn't a terrible engine by then but they had such a bad rep by then noone would by them.
Interesting build will watch it , Think the 425 crank is limit The engine counterweights has to be cut down to fit and lot of heavy plugs put into it
Make 1600 HP with that block.
Don't know if I will make that much with it, but that is good to know!
Could the factory roller lifters be used in the conversion to a gas motor?
I wonder if the 307 roller lifters are the same diameter
Should be
Depends on the lifter size. The DX blocks had two different size lifters, this one is the same as the other Olds blocks but apparently is rare on this block.
20-1 compression in a 350. those things would explode driving across the lot.
Nice!
Those blocks were junk. Scrap that engine, pick up an LS.
you sure you know what's being said here?
Tell us you dont know shit without telling us you dont know sbit......