kellsbells

Hi, i am from Australia and i have added a 71 Cutlass Supreme to the family. There are not to many Cutlass 's down under .
It was imported by the guy who moved here,I have started a frame off resto
and already found this site a great place to find information
and was wondering if anyone could ID my Engine Number it is 47X140098 .
Will post photo's as the rebuild progresses

hurst68olds

Welcome to CO!!

if the 47X140098 is a partial VIN# stamped on the block:

4 = Buick
7 = 1977
X = Fairfax, KS GM plant
140098 = VIN sequence

Is it a 403? What's the casting number between the water pump & intake?

kellsbells

Casting number is 557265 4B ,i believe this is a 403

jaunty75

According to this page:

http://tech.classicoldsmobile.com/39.shtml

that casting number indicates a '77 to '79 403.

70W-32

Hey guys, first post, nice site.

doesnt the 77 and up motors have the size cast into the side of the block?

To the original poster.

Is your car converted to right hand drive?

OLD SKL 69

Welcome to CO! Look forward to seeing pictures of your new ride restoration.

Allan R

So you know the original engine is missing. Is your car by any chance a Cutlass Supreme SX? If it is it would have had a 455 2bbl. If not the standard engine was a 350 4bbl. Are you planning to keep the 403 or search for an Olds engine?

Welcome to the site. No the engines don't have the displacement cast onto the engine block. They do have the engine casting number which identifies the block (and that is associated with CID and production years)

BTW, you should hop over to the newbies section and post a hello to introduce yourself to the larger CO audience than just the ones viewing this thread.

kellsbells

its still lefthand drive cars over 30 years old dont need to be converted in my state

kellsbells

Yeh the original motor was replaced and no SX,still deciding on keeping the 403 or sourcing a 350,there are a lot of different opinions on the 403

joe_padavano

For a street driven car, why would you want to give up the extra 53 cu in? The alleged shortcomings of the 403 are only an issue in extreme driving (i.e., making the car a dedicated drag racer).

QMaster

Welcome to the Forum! You will learn a lot and people are always willing to help.

70W-32

jaunty75

That can't be the displacement. It's upside down!

Allan R

First time I've seen that. I stand corrected. Prior to the 403 though I'd suggest you won't find that casting. They might as well have just cast "SBO" on the side instead of 403. That would have been less confusing to some folks who argue that the 403 is a BBO.

Shouldn't your 403 be blue instead of gold?

citcapp

Interesting having the cu stamped on the engine block.

Allan R

Decided to look for more web images of this casting. Well apparently it's on both sides of the block to avoid confusion.
Olds403FirebirdenginemountsLH.jpg

Olds403FirebirdenginemountsRH.jpg

70W-32

The casting of the motor size on the side was probably for quick reference at the machining and assembly plants. You wouldnt want someone to load a 350 gas block on to the machining line meant for the 403's, that'd be a quick way to ruin a block and the tooling. Diesel blocks have D or DX cast in the same area.