77 Cutlass 455 swap

curvewrecker · 01-19-2007, 10:45 PM

I have a 1977 Cutlass supreme with a 403 and a TH350. After deciding to rebuild the 403, I came upon a newly rebuilt 455 at a price I couldn't refuse.

Its a 72-76 "Fa" block, has E heads, a 1975 iron intake (412753) .040 over pistons, a 204/214 280/290 cam, and probably 8.6:1 compression.

I have no exhaust manifolds, flywheel, water or fuel pump, or carb.

Can I swap these parts form the 403? It has a new edelbrock 600 carb on it, would this be too small, or would it do until I can afford a bigger one?

I'm looking at Blackjack 85029 headers, has anyone used these and do they fit well?

I just bought the car and engine this month, and am new to the Olds V8s.

texasred · 01-20-2007, 06:53 AM

Curve,

Small block exhaust manifolds will physically fit, but they'll be too small to flow well. I think you'll find the Hooker Comp (not Super Comp) headers fit well.

Small block and large block intakes will not swap. You hould be fine on the fuel pump. Flywheel, too.

600cfm is too small...plus I don't think you can beat a QJet. I've run Ebrocks squarebores and not been happy with their low/part throttle response after a LOT of tuning.

I'm having a street/strip 455 built right now. I'm having my TH-350 freshened and slightly beefed to run behind it. It's got better gears than a TH-400, leaches a lot less power, and I don't have to change my drivehaft.

JMHO.

C.J.

2blu442 · 01-20-2007, 07:23 AM

Curve, where are you located? Posting the city and state may provide the parts you need from right across town! John

curvewrecker · 01-20-2007, 09:31 PM

I'm South of Green Bay, Wi.

2blu442 · 01-24-2007, 06:26 PM

Years ago I bought a 1977 Cutlass that had a 455 TH400 transplanted in. It had the 442 dual exhaust manifolds, the W and Z and they fit fine. It also had a Toronado intake which allowed the hood to close without any clearance problems. I've heard that the Toro intakes arn't good for performance, but this car had 1970 W30 heads on it with a 2.41 posi rear end. Not impressive off the line, but once up to 30-40mph it went to 100 really quick! So... if you had good heads and better gears it might be fine for a street car. I really don't know if other intakes would have clearance problems, I just know this was the setup I had. John

01-19-2007, 10:45 PM	#1 (permalink)
curvewrecker Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 4	77 Cutlass 455 swap I have a 1977 Cutlass supreme with a 403 and a TH350. After deciding to rebuild the 403, I came upon a newly rebuilt 455 at a price I couldn't refuse. Its a 72-76 "Fa" block, has E heads, a 1975 iron intake (412753) .040 over pistons, a 204/214 280/290 cam, and probably 8.6:1 compression. I have no exhaust manifolds, flywheel, water or fuel pump, or carb. Can I swap these parts form the 403? It has a new edelbrock 600 carb on it, would this be too small, or would it do until I can afford a bigger one? I'm looking at Blackjack 85029 headers, has anyone used these and do they fit well? I just bought the car and engine this month, and am new to the Olds V8s.

01-20-2007, 06:53 AM	#2 (permalink)
texasred Super Moderator Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 805	Curve, Small block exhaust manifolds will physically fit, but they'll be too small to flow well. I think you'll find the Hooker Comp (not Super Comp) headers fit well. Small block and large block intakes will not swap. You hould be fine on the fuel pump. Flywheel, too. 600cfm is too small...plus I don't think you can beat a QJet. I've run Ebrocks squarebores and not been happy with their low/part throttle response after a LOT of tuning. I'm having a street/strip 455 built right now. I'm having my TH-350 freshened and slightly beefed to run behind it. It's got better gears than a TH-400, leaches a lot less power, and I don't have to change my drivehaft. JMHO. C.J. __________________ Home of the 1971 Cutlass Supreme convertible Super Karate Monkey Death Car.

01-20-2007, 07:23 AM	#3 (permalink)
2blu442 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Medford, Oregon Posts: 775	Curve, where are you located? Posting the city and state may provide the parts you need from right across town! John __________________ 1964 Cutlass Factory 4spd 1965 442 4spd 1967 442 Auto 1967 Cutlass Convertible 1968 442 Auto 1969 442 W30 Auto 1970 442 4spd 1971 Cutlass Flat Top Wagon 1973 Che*vy 3/4 Ton 454/TH400 Tow Vehicle Only the tow vehicle is finished!

01-24-2007, 06:26 PM	#5 (permalink)
2blu442 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Medford, Oregon Posts: 775	Years ago I bought a 1977 Cutlass that had a 455 TH400 transplanted in. It had the 442 dual exhaust manifolds, the W and Z and they fit fine. It also had a Toronado intake which allowed the hood to close without any clearance problems. I've heard that the Toro intakes arn't good for performance, but this car had 1970 W30 heads on it with a 2.41 posi rear end. Not impressive off the line, but once up to 30-40mph it went to 100 really quick! So... if you had good heads and better gears it might be fine for a street car. I really don't know if other intakes would have clearance problems, I just know this was the setup I had. John __________________ 1964 Cutlass Factory 4spd 1965 442 4spd 1967 442 Auto 1967 Cutlass Convertible 1968 442 Auto 1969 442 W30 Auto 1970 442 4spd 1971 Cutlass Flat Top Wagon 1973 Che*vy 3/4 Ton 454/TH400 Tow Vehicle Only the tow vehicle is finished!

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01-20-2007, 09:31 PM	#4 (permalink)
curvewrecker Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 4	I'm South of Green Bay, Wi.