scrappie

Did these cars come with 455s and 350s as an option?

ent72olds

Yes, I believe the 350 was the standard engine, although the 455 was optional.

jaunty75

The base engine in the Delta 88 line was the 350 putting out 250 hp. Three different versions of the 455 were offered, putting out 310 hp (option L30), 370 hp (option L31), and 390 hp (option W33), respectively.

The base engine in the Delta 88 Custom line was the lowest-end 455, the 310 hp version.

88custom455

How do I know which option my car has? All I really know is that mines a 4 bbl.

MDchanic

Well, first, is it a big block or a small block?

Second, did it come originally with dual or single exhaust?

- Eric

jaunty75

Base 350:

250 hp, 9-to-1 compression ratio, single exhaust, 2-bbl carb


455 versions:

310 hp version: 9-to-1 compression ratio, single exhaust, 2-bbl carb
370 hp version: 10.25-to-1 compression ratio, single exhaust, 4-bbl carb
390 hp version: 10.25-to-1 compression ratio, dual exhaust, 4-bbl carb (option W33)


If your car's 4-bbl is original, then you have one of the latter two versions of the 455, and whether or not the car originally had dual exhaust would tell you which of those latter two versions.

88custom455

It's got factory single exhaust from the look of the manifold which now has a plug and dual exhaust but I'm thinking about headers if I can find a way to fit them between the frame and pass the steering box. Anyone have experience with it?

Allan R

Depends on which model you ordered.
1. Delta 88 - 350 2bbl 250 hp regular fuel standard engine - upgradable to L31 455 4bbl 365hp or W33 390hp 455 4bbl
2. Delta 88 Custom - 455 2bbl 310hp regular fuel standard engine - upgradable to L31 455 4bbl 365hp or W33 390hp 455 4bbl
3. Delta Royale - 455 2bbl 310hp regular fuel standard engine - upgradable to L31 455 4bbl 365hp or W33 390hp 455 4bbl

copper128

Very difficult.
One guy I know of from ROP had one-off custom headers built for big money.
There is also a CO member in Italy who cut & modified a pair of Cutlass headers to fit. Not an easy job, but the did it himself.

The left side "S" manifold is always the simplest, cleanest way to dual exhausts in the '65-70 B/C chassis with a big-block Olds.

BTW, even with factory duals the right side manifold had a block-off cap on the cross-over inlet. There never was a dedicated dual-exhaust manifold for the right side in this chassis. Only the left manifold was different for factory duals.

russell7088

Um according to what is stated here my 88 must be special because it was all original delta 88 CUSTOM with a 350 two barrel still have motor been thinkng real hard about a rebuild on it and sticking it back in the car so i can drive her more

MDchanic

I wouldn't say "special," exactly.
Maybe unusual.

I would imagine that it was possible to downrate the engine, possibly resulting in a small credit.

- Eric

copper128

SPECS book for '70 models shows no 350 availability on Delta Custom, even as an option.

Not sure what exactly russell7088 has, but I guess it could be a Delta 88 model with the Y71 interior option - which is the Delta Custom interior. This was pretty common back then. My base-model '67 Delmont 88 has the optional interior which is exactly the same as a Delta 88 gut.

EDIT: I looked at russell's photo album, but from the pics it's impossible to tell what model his car is because it's been largely de-chromed. The only exterior differences between Delta and Delta Custom models were in the moldings. I guess the cowl tag info would clear it up.

russell7088

well bought my car from original owner and it is also black with blue interior, no a/c, power windows, manual locks, disc brake front end. I have never seen a trunk lid like mine either but then again i have only seen three of these cars since i bought mine 21 years ago. it has oldsmobile spelled out across the deck lid, each its own letter. all the others i have seen have the olds script on the right side of the deck lid

MDchanic

Hmmmm... Good point. We could tell from a photo or from the VIN.

If the first three digits of the VIN are 335, it's a regular Delta (with the 350 standard).

If the first three digits of the VIN are 336, it' a Custom or a Royale (with the 455 standard).

- Eric

Octania

335 and 336 models are Cutlass, no?

I am used to seeing 354, 356 for D88 VINs

copper128

That is consistent with a Delta Custom. Delta 88 had the script at the right corner. Delta Royale had a Royale script in the right corner. So far as I know, only Delta Custom had the individual letters spelling Oldsmobile across the decklid.
Hmmm.

russell7088

vin number is 354370E174813

MDchanic

Yeah - I read it wrong.
354 for Delta and 364 for Custom or Royale.

I added an extra Oldsmobile 3 at the beginning, though I didn't need to.



- Eric

copper128

354xx = Base Delta 88

MDchanic

So you don't have a Delta Custom, you have a regular Delta, and the 350 was the standard motor.

- Eric

russell7088

ok well i thought i had something that stated this was a custom but vin dont lie. the car was all original when i bought it in 92 with 6x,xxx miles on it from an older gentleman

Allan R

Interesting the OP has never posted back on this thread. Must have got the answer from all the 'discussion'.