Jamie's Vista Cruiser and G-Body Olds site.
My Vista Cruiser
Home
My 1964 442
Angie's 1986 442
Vista facts
My Vista Cruiser
Favorite Links
Contact Me
Vista Pictures

Joe and I racing against each other in the summer of '99 at Great Lakes Dragaway in Union Grove WI

Vista@greatlakes

She ain't much to look at and isn't very fast but the mystery mileage 350 is comin' out and the 455 is going in.
I am hoping for low 14's which isn't too bad for 4500lbs, 3.08 and a mild cam

The Vista Diary from 12-01 to .....

12-11-01 .. The roof glass that runs side to side has been removed. It had the corner crack syndrome and it leaked. On the bright side since it was cracked already I didn't have to be nice with the removal. :-) I have a replacement from a Sportwagon that I got for $15

The driver front floor pan will need to be replaced as a result of the window leak. But now my baby is a garage at least. The cargo area has a hole that needs attention as well. Mostly minor stuff little welding here and there . I will put up pictures when I can (mostly to make others feel better about their cars,I guess)

roof.jpg
Glass removed

2-2-02... I picked up the 461 Olds today. I scored a awesome deal from my uncle/godfather on a freshly rebuilt .030 over 455. So the one I was building is getting sold off piece by piece. One decision to make is whether or not to put on the O4B intake I have in placce of the stock intake. Rumor has it that it won't work with H.E.I.. I'll have to see if it will work with a little clearance grinding, otherwise I'll either have to put in a smaller diam. dist. OR trade off the manifold for a torker or performer.

manifoldtop.jpg
My O4B manifold

2-17-02... Wow! You would almost think I was actually working on my car. I drained the coolant in preparation of the engine swap. Still don't know if the O4B will work (can you say lazy?). But at least I've done SOMETHING to it. I DID have to clean my one car garage up just to see my car (One Vista, 3 motorcycles, 455 on wheels, engine hoist, toolbox, etc. - talk about 10lbs of stuff in a 2lb bag !!)

350invista.jpg
This is the 350 that's coming out

garage2.jpg
10 lbs of stuff in a 2lb bag :)

rearview.jpg

2-19-02... Well the O4B will DEFINATLY not fit with H.E.I.. I may leave the stock intake on for a little while unless some one would want to trade me for a Performer or Torker

03-08-02...I am 8 bolts away from the old engine coming out. The torque conv. is unbolted and all that's left is the 6 bellhousing bolts and the 2 motor mounts through bolts. Then comes the painting of the engine compartment. I still am not sure where I'm putting the old engine,refer to pic of garage :) 

4-11-02.....FINALLY THE OLD ENGINE IS OUT !!!!!!!!!!

engineout.jpg
Here it is on it's way out

emptyengcomp.jpg
EMPTY !!!!!!

4-22-02 ....The new engine is in !!! I still need to finish bolting up accessories and tranny and rebuild the Q-jet that's going on.

4-27-02.... Scored a set of 3.73 gears at the Jefferson swapmeet for $50. When the car is drivable I'll take it to Rocket Racing and have them installed

3-15-03 --- THE VISTA IS ALIVE !!!! The motor was broke in today and soon the Vista will be reassembled to prowl the streets and Great Lakes Dragaway once again .

New motor specs.... 461ci., 9 to 1 comp, roller tip rockers, mild cam-472/496, Hedman 1 3/4 headers, C Heads 2.07/1.68, stock manifold for now but I have an Edelbrock O4B , balanced, hi vol oil pump w/bolt-on pick up.

engine1.jpg
Old valves covers used for transport

valvecovers.jpg
These are the valve covers that are going on the motor

Enter a City or US Zip: