Oldskool84

Im told there are a sequence of numbers on the block that are supposed to match up but have no idea where they are.

Lars

theres a shelf on the block right behind the water pump, infront of the intake, should say 395558, I believe all olds motors are rockets, the term got droped in the late 70's

2blu442

Here's a thread with pictures showing some of the different locations for numbers.

John


https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...s-engines.html

Olds442redberet

This is good information to know, I recently bought a car with a much newer motor in the engine bay, something I wish I would have known before buying it. Oh well, you live and you learn. I now look for the numbers and research them using my smart phone prior to making an offer.
A big thanks to all the CO members for the information they provide to all of us novices.

Octania

Popular legend, however, has it that there are
- Std Olds engine,
- Rocket Olds engine,
- "GOLDEN" Rocket Olds engine.

It's never clear what the defining differences are, so let's just run with "all Olds engines are 'Rocket' engines" and if they are a Gold painted 64-76 350 [and/or some 1950's models??] then it's a Golden Rocket.

:-)

Oldskool84

Mine is a 72' , its definitely gold , & it has a sequence of numbers(which i dont remember off hand) right above the water pump. Is there some kinda registry that you can input that number into in order to verify its a 350 rocket? I find difficult to believe that olds would put the exact same number on every single 350 that rolled off the line.

Oldskool84

After looking at the other thread , i think its safe to say that i have an original block but not the original heads. Thx again guys!

joe_padavano

The number above the water pump is simply the casting number for the block, and yes, Olds did use the same block casting for all 350 motors from 1968-1976. The 350 casting was changed in 1977 to lighten it, so the casting number was also changed then. You need to locate the VIN derivative on the block to tell the exact year of manufacture, not the casting number.

Oldskool84

Ok

Oldskool84

My block has 39558 2
Heads have a big 7

Allan R

395558 2 is 68-76 Olds 350 block
#7 heads are from 1971
From Oldspower.com

Oldskool84

K

Octania

6 digits

395558 - 2 is the common '68-'76 350 block.

7 heads are 1971 issue
look for a teensy "A" subscript to the 7, "7a" heads are 1972 issue. I use a lower case "A" to represent in text a teensy "A" in real life.

Number on oil fill tube- 1st digit is year of issue
1xxxxxx = 1971
2zzzzzz = 1972
etc.
not all years have this feature.

VIN stamp on the block just below the LH head's "7" or "7a"
31M100123 for example
3 = Olds
_1 = 1971; 2=1972, etc.
__M Michigan built, Z- CA built, etc.
___100123 = the serial # of the original car, last 6.
This started in 1968.

Carb number also has the year of issue incorporated. LH side, aft end, looks like
7041250
7042250 etc.
"42" = 1972 issue; "41" = 1971
God forbid they just use "71" for 1971, ya know.

Google numbers like that with a keyword for all manner of fascinating [mis]information.

joe_padavano

On this site you can actually change font size.

The 1972 heads would be 7A

The undesirable 1985-90 heads would be 7A

Oldsguy1941

Hi great info in here guys. I found a 1972 olds 350engine & Trans ol guy asking $400 for complete engine and all brackets + alt + power steering etc.. Dont know much about it yet but gonna try and get him to 300 .

However, I found these interesting articles online and thought you all would enjoy it the 2nd one tells you how to identify all olds motors page 13.

https://www.gmheritagecenter.com/doc...2_Info_kit.pdf


Engine Modification and Tuning Guide Oldsmobile
http://wildaboutcarsonline.com/membe...1-2_V_11.1.pdf
go to page 13.

Everyone have an awesome days..

joe_padavano

I'm skeptical of any document that includes this line: