OLDS 455 Boat (marine) motor.

Old August 4th, 2011, 12:24 PM
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Question OLDS 455 Boat (marine) motor.

I've been looking for a Olds 455 to replace my big block for about a month now and can't find a local one in Phoenix AZ. All I can find is 455 boat motors. What's the difference? What mods or parts will I have to buy to make it work with my 72 Cutlass S w 3 speed auto trans. i have a 350 in there now. The only 455 I can find locally is at http://www.fivestarengines.com/replacement.html. Without a core they will sell me a rebuilt one built to 1970 cutlass stock specs, C heads, double roller timing chain, high volume oil pump, upgraded cam for $2100 and I install myself 6month warranty. Too me that sounds expensive what do you guys think on both issues? You guys have been a great help on this website and I thank you all...
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Old August 4th, 2011, 01:49 PM
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Never mind, read your thread wrong.

Last edited by LoganMiller68; August 4th, 2011 at 02:27 PM.
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Old August 4th, 2011, 02:05 PM
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That's way too cheap and they're cutting a lot of corners to give you a C head long block without a core for $2100
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Old August 4th, 2011, 05:42 PM
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You will never build one for that amount of money, if you do it correct. Not in Cal anyway.
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Old August 4th, 2011, 06:09 PM
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Recon they even know the true values of the engines, esp with C heads?
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Old August 5th, 2011, 07:04 AM
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Hmm the prices one their site are extremely cheep. I would stay away. Rebuilding my 400 with being able to keep the original C heads and a some of the original parts that weren't damaged still cost me over 2100.
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Old August 5th, 2011, 08:59 AM
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If your not looking to drag race just cruise and enjoy, I would go for it! With a 6month warranty, if they are reputable, what do you have to lose!! Just make sure you have great oil pressure with it warmed up!

Now, if you want to travel, there is always this one!


http://dallas.craigslist.org/sdf/pts/2522281501.html

Last edited by oldcutlass; August 5th, 2011 at 09:06 AM.
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Old August 5th, 2011, 09:47 AM
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There is no differance between a boat 455 and a car 455. except maybe head gaskets. alot of old jet boats came with F heads u might become lucky.
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Old August 5th, 2011, 10:32 AM
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No they came with K or KA heads.
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Old August 5th, 2011, 11:52 AM
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Not all of them. i have had 6 455 powered jet boats and only one of them had Ka heads. i have had two with F three with E. so everytime i see a olds jet boat for sale i always find out what the heads are.

The boat i have now is a 1970 wrieght mavrick bought with E heads. my uncle is the original owner.
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Old August 5th, 2011, 12:15 PM
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Well if you're coming to cali anytime soon you might want to take a look at this listing it's a 455 for 1750 obo http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/pts/2522655304.html

Last edited by 1968Cutlassfallbrook; August 5th, 2011 at 12:17 PM. Reason: added some wrong info
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Old August 5th, 2011, 05:16 PM
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Originally Posted by allyolds68
that's way too cheap and they're cutting a lot of corners to give you a c head long block without a core for $2100
x2!!!
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Old August 5th, 2011, 05:20 PM
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https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...gine-sale.html

This is in your back yard. Go make a reasonable offer and I bet they take it.
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Old August 5th, 2011, 09:34 PM
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Hah! Considering the city of Glendale...

...That price is about right, A STEAL!
*Ba-dump-CHING*

...That engine will be HOT, and it won't even be RUNNING!
*Ba-dump-CHING*

...No need to drive it like you STOLE IT, the real owner HAS TO WALK!
*Ba-dump-CHING*

...Forget about cutting corners, I just hope they didn't cut any THROATS!
*Ba-dump-CHING*

...The guy that does the crankshafts, also is likely to have done a few shafts for CRANK!
*Ba-dump-CHING*

...What it lacks in OIL PRESSURE, it will make up for in LEGAL PRESSURE!
*Ba-dump-CHING*

...Buy one Engine, and they'll throw in the four CINDER BLOCKS your truck will be sitting on when you go to leave, FOR FREE!
*Ba-dump-CHING*



I kid... I kid... I'm sure Glendale is-you know, niiiiice... in some places... probably.
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Old August 6th, 2011, 06:12 AM
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Originally Posted by gearheads78
https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...gine-sale.html

This is in your back yard. Go make a reasonable offer and I bet they take it.
I looked at that, I thought perhaps a bit pricey for his budget! But the one I suggested from around here was prettynice for the money!
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Old August 8th, 2012, 10:12 AM
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Originally Posted by alek72us
There is no differance between a boat 455 and a car 455. except maybe head gaskets. alot of old jet boats came with F heads u might become lucky.

No differences at all ? I may have a line on a marine motor

cam ?

I would guess exhaust manifolds ?

any thing else ??
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Old August 8th, 2012, 02:28 PM
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Going with a marine motor, I would only buy one that has been used with either fresh water cooling or only used in fresh water. The oil pan may have to be changed. Most used in boats that I have looked at have flat bottoms, are large capacity and will not clear steering. Some do not even have drains. A plus is if you going with a stick can they usually come with a new flywheel
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Old August 8th, 2012, 05:28 PM
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Originally Posted by RetroRanger
No differences at all ? I may have a line on a marine motor

cam ?

I would guess exhaust manifolds ?

any thing else ??
Externally no the engines are identicle. it might have a differant cam in it but thats a plus going in a car. i just rebuilt a marine 455 took the E-heads off for my 70 and thru on C-heads left the cam in and i'm happy with it. some do have bigger oil pans. my last one didn't it just had the 5-quart. look at water passages good like he said^.
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Old August 8th, 2012, 07:28 PM
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Only Olds boat motor I worked on ran BACKWARDS!
Was a real PIA to order a cam for.
In a car, bet the trans wouldn't like it!
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Old August 9th, 2012, 08:44 AM
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Originally Posted by Rickman48
Only Olds boat motor I worked on ran BACKWARDS!
Was a real PIA to order a cam for.
In a car, bet the trans wouldn't like it!
I have heard of that before w a 351 ford in a boat, but the thing was it was backwards in relation to (most) other inboards so when we brought it into the dock it was easier to park on one side than the more common side other boaters liked....I have no boat experience other than my buddies boats.

So has anyone put a boat engine in their car ? I want a running driving 455 OLDS and if I can definitivly cross boats off the list OK
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Old August 9th, 2012, 10:10 AM
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The main difference you have to worry about between cars an boats is reversion. If you're running a wet exhaust make sure you have a wide LSA, otherwise you'll be sucking water in the engine.
Reverse rotation Olds are very rare. I cant think of any strait inboard manufacturers that supplied Olds motors.
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Old August 9th, 2012, 10:24 AM
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Yep i'm with gary. never seen an inboard reverse olds. i have a full marine 455 jet boat engine with the marine camshaft in my 72 olds. runs really good. its just like throwing a rv cam in something. its a benefit over stock. i always look for marine 455s they dont only have K-heads (which are good) i have had E C and found 2 that have F still have them and i have never ended up with one that had low compression pistons.
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Old August 9th, 2012, 11:20 AM
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I have a marine 455 in my 72 Cutlass. It was in a jet boat. It had KA heads on it when I purchased it. It currently has letter E heads that were on another 455 boat engine. It has standard bore factory high compression pistons. Something you have to watch with boat motors is rust on the deck of the block and the matching surface of the heads. Mine had both. Since I had both decked the compression is now beyond running pump gas.
I used a new camshaft so I knew what grind #'s and rotation I would have. I have not seen a reverse rotation Olds engine.
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Old August 9th, 2012, 12:26 PM
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OK thanks guys good info
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