Looking to rebuild a 455, but have a few questions.

72Cutlass · 10-20-2007, 11:18 PM

I have recently bought a 72 cutlass that has a 350 in it now, I like more power than it has and since it has 98k on it I am planning on storing it in garage and buying a 455 to rebuild. I use the car as my daily driver so I dont need a radical build on it but would like to have all the power I need...Is there a particular yr of block to look for? How do I tell what yr the block was made? And could you give me a ball park idea on what the average build costs for a 455?

thanks for the help in advance,
Dave

442Harv · 10-21-2007, 04:35 PM

Any off the 455 blocks are OK, 68-72 are 396021 F and 72-76 are 396021Fa. I get around $200 for bare STD block

dar83501 · 10-22-2007, 12:09 AM

if you can help it, avoid 1975 & later motors, because you have to desmog (or should I say resmog?) them, and it's a pain and unnecessary extra work. Also, those blocks generally have crappy heads on them.

Late 60s early 70s is the cream of the crop.

joe_padavano · 10-22-2007, 07:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dar83501

if you can help it, avoid 1975 & later motors, because you have to desmog (or should I say resmog?) them, and it's a pain and unnecessary extra work. Also, those blocks generally have crappy heads on them.

Late 60s early 70s is the cream of the crop.

"Desmog"??? First, the 73-76 big blocks are all configured the same. The only thing these cars have is EGR and (for 75-76) a catalyst. The cat stays in the donor car anyway. The cam will likely be changed. The intake will also likely be changed. The J heads are fine for a low-RPM street driver.

Olds64 · 10-22-2007, 12:17 PM

I have also heard that the J heads will do ok on a rebuild for a street engine. I drove a stock 76 98 with a 455 and J heads and it was one of the best cruisers I have ever driven.

72Cutlass · 10-22-2007, 12:21 PM

yeah Im not planning on racing it...just dont like to feel like I cant pass a honda. Thanks for the tips so far guys, helping out alot.

Oldsguy · 10-22-2007, 01:55 PM

If you can't pass a Honda with any Oldsmobile with a stock 455 the engine needs at least a good tune.

72Cutlass · 10-22-2007, 04:53 PM

well it has the 160hp version of the 350 right now...and I can pass but well Im sure you know what I mean

Oldsguy · 10-23-2007, 04:51 AM

yeah

kmangsxr · 10-26-2007, 01:47 PM

the 76 455 has 160 horsepower also

Olds64 · 10-26-2007, 05:45 PM

That 76 98 Regency was an AWSOME car! I would buy one in a heart beat if there was one near me for the right price and in the right condition. Actually, Oldsguy owned it when I was in college. He would agree with me. It was a super comfortable luxury car that could pass anything but a gas station.

10-20-2007, 11:18 PM	#1 (permalink)
72Cutlass Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Vancouver,WA Posts: 47	Looking to rebuild a 455, but have a few questions. I have recently bought a 72 cutlass that has a 350 in it now, I like more power than it has and since it has 98k on it I am planning on storing it in garage and buying a 455 to rebuild. I use the car as my daily driver so I dont need a radical build on it but would like to have all the power I need...Is there a particular yr of block to look for? How do I tell what yr the block was made? And could you give me a ball park idea on what the average build costs for a 455? thanks for the help in advance, Dave

10-22-2007, 01:55 PM	#7 (permalink)
Oldsguy Administrator Join Date: May 2004 Location: Lees Summit MO Posts: 2,859	If you can't pass a Honda with any Oldsmobile with a stock 455 the engine needs at least a good tune. __________________ Dan '46 2 door

10-23-2007, 04:51 AM	#9 (permalink)
Oldsguy Administrator Join Date: May 2004 Location: Lees Summit MO Posts: 2,859	yeah __________________ Dan '46 2 door

10-26-2007, 01:47 PM	#10 (permalink)
kmangsxr Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: connecticut Posts: 15	the 76 455 has 160 horsepower also __________________ 69 cutlass ''s''

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10-21-2007, 04:35 PM	#2 (permalink)
442Harv Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 62	Any off the 455 blocks are OK, 68-72 are 396021 F and 72-76 are 396021Fa. I get around $200 for bare STD block

10-22-2007, 12:09 AM	#3 (permalink)
dar83501 Brewsmobile > Bluesmobile Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Lewiston, Idaho Posts: 272	if you can help it, avoid 1975 & later motors, because you have to desmog (or should I say resmog?) them, and it's a pain and unnecessary extra work. Also, those blocks generally have crappy heads on them. Late 60s early 70s is the cream of the crop.

10-22-2007, 12:17 PM	#5 (permalink)
Olds64 Landyacht Club President Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Lawton, OK Posts: 1,342	I have also heard that the J heads will do ok on a rebuild for a street engine. I drove a stock 76 98 with a 455 and J heads and it was one of the best cruisers I have ever driven.

10-22-2007, 12:21 PM	#6 (permalink)
72Cutlass Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Vancouver,WA Posts: 47	yeah Im not planning on racing it...just dont like to feel like I cant pass a honda. Thanks for the tips so far guys, helping out alot.

10-22-2007, 04:53 PM	#8 (permalink)
72Cutlass Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Vancouver,WA Posts: 47	well it has the 160hp version of the 350 right now...and I can pass but well Im sure you know what I mean

10-26-2007, 05:45 PM	#11 (permalink)
Olds64 Landyacht Club President Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Lawton, OK Posts: 1,342	That 76 98 Regency was an AWSOME car! I would buy one in a heart beat if there was one near me for the right price and in the right condition. Actually, Oldsguy owned it when I was in college. He would agree with me. It was a super comfortable luxury car that could pass anything but a gas station.

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