After thinking about what I want to do with my 85 442. I have decided to replace my stock 307 "9" engine with something that will get up a little more. I have tried searching salvage yards and ebay. no luck. Any info on possible engines for sale would be appreciated. like OLDS 350 or 403

 

I would suggest a 403....the saying goes there is no replacement for displacement......I have seen quite a few 403's on Ebay.....a lot of Pontiac trans am's had this engine in them if ya are hunting junkyards as well as 98's from 1977 to 1979......some trash the 403 as being weak.....mostly because it has so called widowed main bearing webs.....there are cutouts in the block area above the crankshaft bearing slots.....the 350 engines were solid there....for a warmed over street engine the 403 will hold up just fine.

 

It all comes down to how much you want to spend? the 403 is a good choice as well as a well built 350, I have always wanted to take the 350 Olds diesel block that has the same main journal size of the big blocks and build a stroker. The diesel block is alot stronger than the 403. and finding a high horsepower older 350 is getting harder to find. It all comes down to how much you want to spend?

 

Been told by a few Olds guys (you know, my friend's friend's ex-wife's brother's cousin's uncle with the 40 Oldsmobiles on thier farms) with that the money you would need to spend to machine and convert a Dx block is better spend on a 455. However, they DID say that if you are going all out circle track or 10 sec strip car then that block is a great choice. But not for every day street strip use.

Spend it, it's yours.

just my $.02.....

John

 

I like the 403's. I have a bracket 83 Regal, 403, nothing real special, STOCK #5 heads with the bumps ground off. 12:96@104.85. Very low dollar car! I do have a few engines 350/403/diesels/425/455. I sell one now and then. I do have a 1978, 403 from a Firebird. It is complete with carb, distribter, brackets,alt, ex mani., flex plate, yada. Ya, it was a running engine when pulled 2 years ago. I will sell it for $750. Some will say that is to much but it is complete and it did run plus I will ship. If it sells thats OK, if it doesn't then sooner or later I will put it on the "pile." Once on the "pile" they stay there unless I need one. By the way, I have 350's also and cheaper. #7 headed/$350. I am located at zip 44440, Ken

 

$750 for a full engine and shipping is a good price. I would guess it is close to $200 to ship anyway, am I wrong?

 

I have a 1987 olds 442 and it has a 1977 olds 403 in it it has pleant much power for me with a accel ignition, edlebrock 4 jet , and all other performance options for that year exept the engine it also has t tops

 

I own a 1979 Firebird Trans Am that currently has the pontiac 400 in it. However the vin calls for a 403 olds. So I am in the need for one as well. I saw someone post $700 range. Where is this and how can I contact them? The engine I have is fine other than the crank is bent right at the balancer. ANy info would be apprecaited. I would normally have this taken care of, but I just got back from Baghdad and spent the last year in a divorce and post deployment counseling, so I am waaaay out of the parts locator loop.

 

Do you mean the Poncho has a bent crank or do you have a 403 with a bent crank? What's your location?

And thank you for doing your duty and for all the sacrifices you've made.

C.J.
USAF, Ret.

 

79FirebirdTA,

I second C.J. thank you for your service to our country and the American people. I have a good running 1977 403 located in Medford Oregon, near the California border. Please post your location so any other guys who have a motor can see if they're close enough to help. John

 

I've got an Olds 350 engine and matching TH350 Tranny for sale out of a 72 Supreme. I've got pictures. Let me know if you're interested. email: bjdunham1@yahoo.com
Indpls, IN

Thanks