Ready to scream!

[GlitterSno]

Hi. I was not sure where to post this, so I hope that this is the right spot. We have a 1983 Olds Delta 88. The engine is not the one that came with the car. We found this out the hard way...attempting to replace some parts. Anyway, I know it is a 307 5.0, 7A heads. We are wanting to know if there is anyway to figure out what the engine came out of and what year so we can get parts for it a lot easier! I know there are some numbers on the engine, but not sure exactly where to look and then once we have the numbers, how to find out from there. Any help is appreciated. Thanks in advance!

[Olds64]

If you already know it is a 307 then there isn't anything else to know. Whenever you purchase parts at O'Reilly or Auto Zone just tell them you have an 83 Olds Delta 88 with a 307. Delta 88s originally came with the 307 in 1983. I believe 81 was the last year of the 350.

[joe_padavano]

Originally Posted by Olds64

If you already know it is a 307 then there isn't anything else to know.

Unfortunately, there is. Recall that 1980-84 307s with 5A heads came with flat tappet cam and lifters, while the 85-90 307s with 7A heads used roller cams and lifters. The 7A heads have smaller ports that require specific gaskets if you have the stock tubular exhaust manifolds - I also found this out the hard way. The good news is that there were virtually no changes from 1985 - 1990 (except for the addition of a knock sensor on the 1990 cars) so you simply need to tell them that you have a 1986 (or 87, or 88) 307 in a Custom Cruiser wagon. The Delta 88 in those later years was FWD with a V6 - that will really give the parts guy fits!

I assume this is a VIN Y motor (run-of-the-mill 307) and not a VIN 9 motor out of a 442. The differences aren't material and except for the cam profile they are all external (carb calibration, vacuum vs. solenoid idle control, etc). It depends on whether this replacement engine used your original intake and carb or the newer one.

[GlitterSno]

I appreciate the posts! Thanks so much!
My husband was out there pulling some numbers off the engine, not sure what they mean (if anything) but here they are:

22521883

4790GM5.0L

Again, not sure if that will help, but if someone has an ideas, I welcome them!

[74olds88conv]

To help you with identifying the motor you should goto the Olds FAQ http://www.442.com/oldsfaq/oldsfaq.htm its probably one of the most thorogh indexes of Olds knowledge. As far as what numbers to look at, check out the numbers by the oil fill between the intake manifold and the timing cover, then on the drivers side front just below the head you may have to pull the alternator and brakets off to see them. Those are your best bet after that decode them at the site.

[Redog]

Originally Posted by GlitterSno

4790GM5.0L

1985-1990 Roller cam 307 motor

Where did he pull the 22522883 number from? Sounds like a manifold number.

Yes this motor was defentally replaced at some point, an 83 307 motor would bare the casting number 3161 and have the 5A heads. All Olds small blocks from 1968 to 1990 where exteranlly the same.

The motors that were in the Delta 88's were all "Y" motors. The "9" motors where in the 442's and such. Also 9 motors could be found in some of the larger Caddies of the day. The 9 was rated at 180 HP instead of 140 HP like the Y. The cam was different.

On the 307, parts are parts. Since the car's an 83 I wonder if the computer could be the problem? Does the car have an eletronic carb and disturbor? Should be easy to spot. Is there a vacuum can on the side of the disturbor and a plug on the top front left corner of the carb?

BTW if you want to give up the car, I'll gladly take it. I miss my Delta bad

[joe_padavano]

Originally Posted by Redog

...All Olds small blocks from 1968 to 1990 where exteranlly the same...

Actually, it's 64-90.

...Also 9 motors could be found in some of the larger Caddies of the day...

Good point. I had forgotten about that.

On the 307, parts are parts.

Yeah, except for the lifters, cam, heads, intake, exhaust, and associated gaskets. These are different between the non-roller and roller 307s.

Since the car's an 83 I wonder if the computer could be the problem?

The original post never mentioned a problem, just that they wanted to buy parts.

[Olds64]

Yeah, except for the lifters, cam, heads, intake, exhaust, and associated gaskets.

Not too many differences.

[GlitterSno]

Can you believe of all things we are having trouble with is the alternator??? No one can give us the right one for the car. We have been through 5... yes, 5 of them over a 2 week period and NONE of them are right. The last two were from an auto parts store, new off the shelf. One guy said the original was 63 amps, another guys said he was wrong, it was 55amps. Another guy said 66, then another said 78. HELP! I am ready for a strong drink at this point. I wished I knew more about cars so I would not so confused. We are taking the one that is on the car off and back to the parts store for try number 6. We had other issues, like this motor has a map sensor, but the 1983 307 didn't, the plugs are different, on the 83 they are longer than the one on this motor.
We did pull another number off the engine, but the first two numbers/letters were a bit difficult to read. It is 4np414665. It was under the first cylinder, driver side.
You never know, if we get fed up enough with the car, it may be posted for sale! We DO love the car, but we are not fond of all the headache of getting parts for it.

[gearheads78]

Alternator is already sold but if you need anything else body or mechanical let me know. I have a 4 door 84 Delta 88 going to the crusher first chance I get.