Stewzer55's 1992 Olds CC

Congrats on the new career move and new digs,Stew.

It's been a while since I've logged on, life has happened quite a bit. I did finish school and have been doing well in my not so new career. Not many updates on the Olds, I've just been enjoying it as a sometimes driver. Last summer I went out to a test and tune at National Trail Raceway and was deep in the 17's Tea Bee Eye. I had to replace the power window switch, put in a pair of speakers in the rear and a more modern headunit, nothing special. I even took it for a drive on Ohio State Route 555 last month and considered selling organs for full QA1 suspension after that.

Last Friday, I had taken the day off of work to finalize planning for a golf scramble I was organizing the next day and decided to take the Olds out for my errands. While on I670 in the Short North of Columbus, the engine developed a severe knocking sound, felt down on power and was no longer its smooth, nearly silent self. I drove it back home and parked it in the garage. Once I get the other car out after brakes and wheel bearings, I will be bringing some tools I have over at my moms over and pulling the L05 to see if I can keep the block and get away with new bearings and a reseal.

I'm also exploring other options, once the TBI comes out, it's probably not going to go back in stock. I have a low mileage TBI 350 in my Squarebody 1 ton that I have been thinking really should have a big block or a diesel if I just want to get the Olds back as a driver. Finding a big block for the Olds is still an option, or a heads, cam, stroker rebuild of the existing block. Going LS isn't out of the question either. Anything short of a stock rebuild, swap or going to a carburetor is going to require dropping the fuel tank, which currently has about 15 gallons in it. Big things are happening with this car soon, I love it too much to give up and look forward to driving it again.

How many miles did it make it before the knocking? I definitely understand the not giving it up part, there's nothing like it.

It's showing 129k on the odometer, so the engine doesn't appear to really have that many miles on it. I suppose it could have had substandard oil and too long intervals in the years before I had it, or there's a possibility that the elastomer wore out in the balancer and the crank failed. I won't know until it's pulled and opened up. One thing I did notice, 3.75 stroke cranks are sometimes priced better than a 3.48 stroke