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Looking at a car that has had a replacement engine installed. the engine VIN (probably the wrong nomenclature) is 31 M 523524. I would like to know what type of car this engine came from. 31M I think means Oldsmobile 1971 Lansing. 523524 is the production number I believe, but what model is it? It is a 455 CI. Yup you guessed it I'm a new guy but trying to become more educated.
Gentlemen
Thank you for a quick response. It is much appreciated. By full size I assume that means the block came out of an 88/98 or Vista cruiser not an A body vehicle? Slowly educating myself Thank you.
Gentlemen
Thank you for a quick response. It is much appreciated. By full size I assume that means the block came out of an 88/98 or Vista cruiser not an A body vehicle? Slowly educating myself Thank you.
The Vista is an A-body. The Custom Cruiser is a B-body.
What publication are these numbers available in for 1970?
Chassis Service Manual, Chapter 0, General Information.
Also in the front matter in the Parts Book, General Info section of the PIM, and everywhere else Olds published the key to the VIN for a specific year.
OK Now I approach the PITA area. I understand the intermediate and full size designation. Are the differences in the 455 then delegated to heads and intact manifold with the rotating assembly being basically the same? Guessing the cam is certainly different along with carbs but is the block and crank common? Thank you in advance for your patience as I certainly don't know as much as you have forgotten.
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It depends on the year and model the engine was installed in. The pistons could be different, the valve sizes could be different, the cam could be different, etc, etc. In the 1971 model year, all had the same 8.5:1 cast pistons. Also, all big car 455s got the same cam and same valves, but 442s would have been different.
Joe
i would hope it goes without saying but THANK YOU. To all of the contributors I am indebted to your superb knowledge and particularly your patience In answering my sometime seemingly inane questions. This is a superb site because of your patience, expertise and willingness to share the knowledge you have acquired over the years.
Officially now an Olds guy. Pulled the trigger on a 70 442 convertible. Now in the process of educating my poor underworked brain on things 442. Would you please suggest a source for specifications and various hard copy books/manuals I should have for my reference and education. I realize it’s a big ask but I have to start somewhere to become somewhat more educated
Officially now an Olds guy. Pulled the trigger on a 70 442 convertible. Now in the process of educating my poor underworked brain on things 442. Would you please suggest a source for specifications and various hard copy books/manuals I should have for my reference and education. I realize it’s a big ask but I have to start somewhere to become somewhat more educated
We have free downloads of the 1975 Oldsmobile Parts books . These cover 1964 thru 1975 .
Just FYI, the further you get from the model year you're looking for, the less useful these parts books become. The book is only a snapshot of the parts still available in the parts network as of the printing date of the book. By 1975, most of the 1960s vintage parts were purged from the parts network and no longer listed in that book. There's also a Jan 1972 printing of the parts and illustrations books available online here:
