Location of engine Identification Numbers

airjester2000 · July 28th, 2004, 01:26 PM

Hey everyone, I own a 1978 Olds Delta 88 Royale, I really love the car.

I need some help in locating the engine ID #'s, I called Olds because I was having a problem picking up a v-belt, I kept getting one that was 2" so short. Olds informed me that it sounds as if my engine has been replaced. Due to the fact that my alternator is on the drivers side of the engine compartment. I've looked everywhere and can't seem to find them. I've had a number of friends look at my engine and I'm confused, I've been told a 350 Rocket, 301 and 307. As you can see my friends haven't been much help.

If I can find these numbers it would be great help in getting parts for my engine. Thanks in advance.

Sincerely,
Jeff

jdorour · July 28th, 2004, 02:28 PM

Jeff,
If your car has air-conditioning the alt should be on the drivers side of the car if it has an Olds engine.

If it is an Olds engine the oil fill should be a tube with the oil cap on the right / front of the engine just to the left of the A/C Compressor. In the flat spot that this tube is located in (on the front top of the engine block) there will be a series of numbers cast into the metal. Give me those numbers and I will be able to tell you what engine is in your car. If it has a Chevy or Pontiac Engine I will tell you where the casting numbers are located later.

FYI Olds engines for 1978 88's are 260cid, 307cid, 350cid and 403cid. All of the Olds engines look the same. GM also installed the Chevy 305cid and Pontiac 301cid engines that year. The Chevy engine will have the oil filler cap in one of the valve covers and the exhaust manifolds curve down under the spark plugs on each side. The Pontiac engine will have the intake manifold raised up off the engine block. There will be a space under the intake and a cover over the lifter valley. It is possible that some one has replaced your engine with a big block Olds engine (400cid, 425cid or 455cid). These engines are about two inches wider/taller than the small block Olds engines listed above. They look just like a small block except they take up a lot more room in the engine bay. There where also some cars with the Buick 231 and 252cid V6 engines.

texasred · July 28th, 2004, 04:19 PM

Try http://www.ucalgary.ca/~csimpson/TheOldsZone.html in the tech section he has some great pictures on the where and what of head and block ID.

Good luck!

C.J.

jdorour · July 28th, 2004, 05:49 PM

texasred,
Nice site. I have not seen this site before.
Thanks for the link.
John

Oldsguy · July 29th, 2004, 05:43 AM

Jeff, I owned a '77 Delta 88 once for about three years in the early to mid 80's. My family loved it, it had the 350 engine which was more than enough for the car. Those cars are very nicely appointed and well laid out. Good luck in your search.

texasred · July 31st, 2004, 01:45 PM

jd

I spend my nights off either working on my Cutlass or Googling anything Oldsmobile...I think I'm better at Googling...

July 28th, 2004, 02:28 PM	#2 (permalink)
jdorour Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Atlanta, GA. Posts: 122	Jeff, If your car has air-conditioning the alt should be on the drivers side of the car if it has an Olds engine. If it is an Olds engine the oil fill should be a tube with the oil cap on the right / front of the engine just to the left of the A/C Compressor. In the flat spot that this tube is located in (on the front top of the engine block) there will be a series of numbers cast into the metal. Give me those numbers and I will be able to tell you what engine is in your car. If it has a Chevy or Pontiac Engine I will tell you where the casting numbers are located later. FYI Olds engines for 1978 88's are 260cid, 307cid, 350cid and 403cid. All of the Olds engines look the same. GM also installed the Chevy 305cid and Pontiac 301cid engines that year. The Chevy engine will have the oil filler cap in one of the valve covers and the exhaust manifolds curve down under the spark plugs on each side. The Pontiac engine will have the intake manifold raised up off the engine block. There will be a space under the intake and a cover over the lifter valley. It is possible that some one has replaced your engine with a big block Olds engine (400cid, 425cid or 455cid). These engines are about two inches wider/taller than the small block Olds engines listed above. They look just like a small block except they take up a lot more room in the engine bay. There where also some cars with the Buick 231 and 252cid V6 engines. __________________ 1966 Ninety Eight Convertible - 425 Tri-Carb, Factory Dual Exh, Switch-Pitch THM400, 3.54 Posi. 1966 Catalina Wagon - 421 Tri-Power, M21, 4.11 Saf-T-Trac, 8 Bolt Wheels 1989 IROC-Z - 5.7TPI

July 28th, 2004, 04:19 PM	#3 (permalink)
texasred Tom Servo's Stunt Double Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 824	Try http://www.ucalgary.ca/~csimpson/TheOldsZone.html in the tech section he has some great pictures on the where and what of head and block ID. Good luck! C.J. __________________ Dad said, "Sometimes you read Job...sometimes you ARE Job!"

July 28th, 2004, 05:49 PM	#4 (permalink)
jdorour Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Atlanta, GA. Posts: 122	texasred, Nice site. I have not seen this site before. Thanks for the link. John __________________ 1966 Ninety Eight Convertible - 425 Tri-Carb, Factory Dual Exh, Switch-Pitch THM400, 3.54 Posi. 1966 Catalina Wagon - 421 Tri-Power, M21, 4.11 Saf-T-Trac, 8 Bolt Wheels 1989 IROC-Z - 5.7TPI

July 29th, 2004, 05:43 AM	#5 (permalink)
Oldsguy Hot Rodder at heart Administrator Join Date: May 2004 Location: Lees Summit MO Posts: 5,360	Jeff, I owned a '77 Delta 88 once for about three years in the early to mid 80's. My family loved it, it had the 350 engine which was more than enough for the car. Those cars are very nicely appointed and well laid out. Good luck in your search. __________________ Dan '77 Cutlass Supreme '46 2 door "The rocket 455.....it's a sledgehammer approach to a thumbtack world" LuxBlue of HAMB.

July 31st, 2004, 01:45 PM	#6 (permalink)
texasred Tom Servo's Stunt Double Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 824	jd I spend my nights off either working on my Cutlass or Googling anything Oldsmobile...I think I'm better at Googling... __________________ Dad said, "Sometimes you read Job...sometimes you ARE Job!"

July 28th, 2004, 01:26 PM	#1 (permalink)
airjester2000 Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Cortland, New York Posts: 1	Hey everyone, I own a 1978 Olds Delta 88 Royale, I really love the car. I need some help in locating the engine ID #'s, I called Olds because I was having a problem picking up a v-belt, I kept getting one that was 2" so short. Olds informed me that it sounds as if my engine has been replaced. Due to the fact that my alternator is on the drivers side of the engine compartment. I've looked everywhere and can't seem to find them. I've had a number of friends look at my engine and I'm confused, I've been told a 350 Rocket, 301 and 307. As you can see my friends haven't been much help. If I can find these numbers it would be great help in getting parts for my engine. Thanks in advance. Sincerely, Jeff

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
1979 Hurst Olds	RATT	Cars For Sale	4	March 24th, 2007 11:28 AM
Electric fan Help	Redog	Small Blocks	10	December 29th, 2006 01:38 PM
68 Cutlass wont start	68oldsrocket	Cutlass	24	December 19th, 2006 08:20 PM
carbs	SuperSickBoy	Other	12	May 18th, 2006 01:23 PM