We can rebuild it, we have the technology......(hum theme to six million dollar man).

Well when we last left off, I had just dropped the Pineapple off in Orlando to get some work done.  Well......it's still there.  Turns out the driveability issues were that the engine was in it's death throes :(  Less than 100 PSI compression on 3 cylinders and the others well below the prescribed 150 PSI.  Basically the engine runs but makes no power to move it along.   I had hoped to get 10K miles out of the old tired girl, but only got 3K.....    Unfortunately since they quit making Oldsmobile 455s in the 1976, it's getting pretty tough to find one and to rebuild one is now about $7500 to get it done the right way.   Well folks, that is WAY over this working boys budget so a scheme was hatched.......

The 455 was replaced with a 403 for the last 2 years of production (well early 77 models got left over 455s until they ran out).  The 403 is a stout motor with really big pistons, but the same stroke length as a 350.  Hmmm, what if we built up a 350?   Short version of the story is that is what we did and for about 2/3 the cost of the 455 rebuild.    Was hoping to get it on a dyno, but that isn't going to happen right now as we are pressed for time to get it back together before the big road trip in August.

There she is on the run in stand.  Hopefully fired up tomorrow.  Once dialed in that quadrajet carb is coming off and a FI Tech fuel injection system will be taking up residence.  

More details to follow.    Oh and my wagon didn't make it to wagon fest.  We got OH SO CLOSE but it didn't happen.   It's home now, but has some issues that are keeping it from daily use status.  It likes to pop out of first gear which is really annoying.  That and few other issues like no reverse lights etc.
I lays rubber like a raped ape though..