First time build of 455

[69455/71cutlass]

OK so what I have is 69 455, 2bbl, C head engine, and I was wondering what it would take to make it a tire smoking, g-force pulling engine for about $700? Can it be done? I was told that the engine already has around 9:1 CR, and I would like to keep it in that area. Should I focus on heads and cam? Any thoughts? Great site and I love all the useful info you guys have here!

[The_Jeremiah]

Im not familiar with the big blocks, from what i have heard you will definently need to do work to the heads, cam is always a must, but the rebuild kit is probably around that much by itself, good luck. I recently rebuilt my 350 olds, cost me around 1500. Thats doing all the machine work myself.

[69455/71cutlass]

Hey thanks for the info. I have a friend of mine that I work with at a local repair shop that will do the work for a very small fee, I guess what i really need to know is 1) do I need to get new pistons for the rebuild 2)if it's just going to be driven around town and occasionally to work will i still need to do head work to make perform well and 3) What size cam should I look for to get in the 350 horse range with good street manners? Thanks again for your help. Bob.

[Oldsguy]

Forget the heads, they are good as they are. $700 will get you a good carburetor and manifold. Go for a nice quadrajet and something like an O4B if you can find one or a newer Performer from Edelbrock. Then, if you have money left you can look into a camshaft but remember, you should also get new lifters and pushrods too then. Finally, a good tune-up to finish it off. 455's are torque monsters as they came stock, I really like them.

[69455/71cutlass]

OK so it sounds like the bottom end should be pretty reliable, so I should just worry about making it breath better? What about headers? Any recommendations as to which ones to use? I will have more than $700 to spend but wanted to save some for the interior work, If the engine needs it so be it. Oldsguy, thanks for your help, from reading other posts here you seem to really know your stuff!

[Olds64]

Headers are always a good purchase. If the 455 is going into a Cutlass then there are a number of headers available. I would ask around and do some research on the site. I have heard of some people having to modify headers to fit them in their car. That seems like a bummer to me.

[Oldsguy]

Originally Posted by 69455/71cutlass

...Oldsguy, thanks for your help, from reading other posts here you seem to really know your stuff!

Well, I don't know about that. It is all relative (and I know relatively little!). At any rate, you might look into one of those perfomer packages, I know they make them for the Olds 350 but not sure about the 455. They include a intake/camshaft combo maybe a carburetor too. If not, and you are still looking for a camshaft check out Ultradyne cams. They have a good reputation and Harold (the motivating force behind them) is well known in the Olds performance community, he really understands what the Oldsmobile needs to perform well.

[69455/71cutlass]

I had thought of going with a performer package. I was also wondering, to boost my CR, could it be possible to place the heads off the 71 350 that I have onto the 455? What are the disadvantages/advantages to doing this?

[Olds64]

I have never heard of putting small block heads on a big block. The "C" heads you have are really good factory heads. IF you aren't going to race your car then you should probably just use the stock heads, especially if you are on a budget.

[69455/71cutlass]

OK I just checked out northern auto parts master rebuild kit for the olds 455. Price is in range, but I am concerned about the quality of parts listed. Anyone ever use them before? I would love to be able to get all the parts from one place. Also, was thinking about going with the 280-.496 cam, is that to big for a basically stock rebiuld?

[Olds64]

I have never used Northern Auto Parts before. I don't know if they are high quality or chinesium. I know you can't go wrong with Summit. I have ordered alot of parts from them. Jegs and PAW are additional high quality internet vendors.

[Oldsguy]

Usually a master rebuild kit includes bottom end gaskets and parts you wouldn't need if you are only changing intake, cam and carb, and maybe heads so I am not sure what you are getting. I went over to the Northern Auto parts website but had some difficulty finding gasket sets or rebuild kits. About the heads, I do not think you would gain an advantage by using small block heads. Just keep the heads you have would be my recommendation. I am not familiar with that cam you referred to.

[69455/71cutlass]

Well I think I've decided to just use the C heads, refresh the bottom end(rod & main bearings, & rings) and get a cam and lifter kit and intake from summit. I have a Quadrajet that has been gone through and deemed acceptable. Oh and hedders, probably some blackjacks or hedmans. Thanks for all your help guys and I will post the results from the build when finished. Love This Site!!!

[The_Jeremiah]

Yup, I used northern for the rebuild kit on my 350 olds. We have ordered numerous kits from there for chubbys. They use top name brands for every part, and you can still updrade the package. They come with a complete gasket set, you can upgrade to fel-pro. All your bearings, freeze plugs, lifters, piston heads and pins, rings, and camshaft, which you can upgrade. I have had nothing but success with them, and i highly recommend. I dont know what your choices of piston head will be. I didnt check before I ordered, and got the standard dished 350 pistons. If I would have known ahead of time, I would have swapped em out for something...flatter. Since they are an auto parts wharehouse, you can add parts to the kit. I got a new set of pushrods, and some other stuff with the kit to save on shipping. I ordered it COD, and it only cost 11 extra bucks !!! Good luck

[Warhead]

Tire smoker?

What gears are in the car right now???
You need a 3.23 or 3.42 at least.

If you rebuild, DO A VALVE JOB ALSO.
Most rebuilder pistons are shorter than factory pistons, another .020 lower in the hole, creating more detonation with less compression.
JMO.
Jim

[Warhead]

I had thought of going with a performer package. I was also wondering, to boost my CR, could it be possible to place the heads off the 71 350 that I have onto the 455? What are the disadvantages/advantages to doing this?

I have done it, but it takes A LOT of port grinding to match the runners CORRECTLY. You must also put the larger valves into the SB heads (of course).
Just get the right pistons...

[Olds64]

The TRW L2323F pistons are good pistons to use in a 455 rebuild. Those are the ones I am using in my engine and Oldsguy used them in his. They aren't too expensive and they are forged.

[69455/71cutlass]

Thanks for all the input, I thought I had made up my mind but now I'm thinking about going with the N.A.P. rebuild kit with an upgraded cam and if available Flatter pistons. That should get me descent power and still be within my price range, roughly. One more Q: today I tore down the top of the engine and when I removed the valve covers the valve train on the left side of engine was covered in sludge where as the other side looked fairly clean. Any ideas what would cause this? Took heads off and there was no sign of head gasket failure as was my first guess. I am looking forward to your guidance, thanks again.

[The_Jeremiah]

Breather in top of one valve cover clogged ? Thats odd. Dont know for sure

[Oldsguy]

I agree, a combination of age and positive crankcase ventilation system getting clogged. It may have occured twenty years ago and been building up since then. No worries since you are rebuilding anyway it will all come out "in the wash".

[Olds64]

it will all come out "in the wash"

I dunno. Look what happened in the Aliens movies. They found stuff covered in sludge and everyone ended up dieing. Might want to be careful!

[Oldsguy]

Yeah but everyone knows that's just in the movies....

[Olds64]

I thought the movies were for real.

[Warhead]

Originally Posted by Olds64

I dunno. Look what happened in the Aliens movies. They found stuff covered in sludge and everyone ended up dieing. Might want to be careful!

I don't think he's gonna die from it...I hope.