Mondello Parts

I am rebuilding a 1969 Olds 350 and I was wondering if anyone out there has used some parts. I'm looking at a good cam, lifters, pushrods, valves, valve springs and probably rockers too. If anyone has bought anyone of these can you give me information on what you bought and how it performed.

There are a number of good performance parts available for the small block Olds. How far do you want to take it?

Edfelbrock makes a good intake (Performer). Comp makes the cam, lifters and rocker asssembly of choice. I would suggest something in the XE Series. Answer the above questiuon about "how much?" and I can make a specific recommendation.
Comp also has a cool rocker system for Olds. It eliminates that POS "bridge" system with real rockers. The kit comes with the rockers, studs, guideplates and pushrods. They sell it under the "Magnum" line. We've installed many. Good stuff. FWIW, they also have the same kit for "big block" (425,455).
Pistons are out there, but it depends on your purpose which ones are best. Same is true of valves. SI Valves in California has just about something for everything, including Olds.

Try to describe the performance level you're after and I can be of further assistance.

Ed Mondello was great in his "day". He's in his 80s now. Edelbrock commissioned him to "help" develope the Olds head because of both his head working expertise (Mondello Head Service, legendary in SoCal in the '60s and early '70s) and his affinity for Oldsmobiles. I know of a couple guys running these heads unmodified. They aren't much better than a good pair of early 455 heads. Once "worked", they are completely out of reach for an iron casting.

Jim

I want the 350 to have a good amount of hp around 500 maybe. I already have the parts I want in mind I was just wondering what set-ups people have used and how they are working for them. I already have an edlebrock manifold with a 750cfm double pumper. I just want to rebuild the heads and get a nice cam to top it off. At the Mondello website they sell some that you can get in a recommended kit. http://www.mondellotwister.com/Camshafts.htm Part # MP-20-22. You don't have to buy them in a kit but you can and I want to. I was just wondering if anyone else has done or seen it done. And how it performed in the car.

I'm afraid the lack of a brand name would hinder my interest. As I said, Comp has a ton of good stuff for the Olds. Comp is a "tried and true" company with among the most advanced valve train designs out there today. The prices are on a par with what you're looking at. Perhaps you could ask them WHO is grinding the cams for them. If they say they're grinding their own, RUN AWAY!
I cannot emphasize the Comp rocker kits enough. I have not seen ANYTHING besides high-dollar shaft systems that can compare.

Jim

So are you saying that you don't think Mondello's products are as good as comp's?Mondello specializes in the oldsmobile engine department. I don't know what I'm going to get yet, I need some more info on who likes what.

The parts that Modello markets for the valve train are not made by Mondello. For the most part, in our industry, there are "specialty" manufacturers and "generic" manufacturers. Smaller guys like Joe Modello buy from the generic manufacturers. Sometimes, they WILL have "propietery" pieces made just for them. They will rebox and market under their own names, with permission of their vendor. It doesn't mean the parts are no good. Edelbrock is a good case-in-point. Edelbrock could hardly be considered "small", but they too, buy their cams from a generic supplier (Camshaft Machine in Illinois is the largest generic cam grinder). You'll find grinds with identical or very similar "numbers" from Edelbrock, Melling, Summit, etc. It's rumored that Crane is now grinding the generi-grinds, too. I suppose I could investigate to find out, but no reason. We have tremendous success (not luck) with Comp.
Companies like Comp, Crower, Lunati, etc. will do their own research and developement. In general, they offer more specific grinds for specific purposes.
In short, yes, I believe Comp's cams would offer better performance across the board. Be sure to pick one that's designed for the type of engine you are building. No "one size fits all" applies here.

Comp Cams, Edelbrock heads and intakes, MSD ignition, JE, Ross and WiseCo pistons, Eagle or Crower rods, etc. These are premium parts with a premium price. You get what you pay for... These are the names you'll find on WINNING cars at all levels of racing. Most of them apply the same technology to their street stuff. In today's market, it's pretty hard to beat Comp Xtreme Energy cams.
FWIW

Jim

I'll call Mondello tomorrow and ask about their cams. Thanks for all the info man. I'll get some answers and let you know how they do business. But thanks again for the help.