theoldsmobilekid

How much power did the 2 and 4 bbl versions put out and their torque. I know the Ultra High Compression I think was 345 hp but I do not know the torque. Seems like a neat engine and I know the 330's were quick so I can imagine a 394! Also, in 1965 did the 442 use a 400 or was it a 394 or some other engine? If it was a 400, then is the 394 the same block? I wanted to know where the 394 came from and where it went after the 400 came out. Thanks for the help

59-59-59

For the short answer on horsepower...The cheap 394's started with 280. Moving up to Super 88 and 98 was 330 horsepower . And the ultra high compressions were 345 horses.

88 coupe

Yes. It was based the 425, that replaced the 394, in '65.

No. 394 evolved from the 303, that was introduced in '49.

Norm

59-59-59

So here is the torque number....440 ft lbs of torque for the ultra high compression

theoldsmobilekid

Thanks for the help. I found one and wanted to know if it was high compression or not. The original air cleaner is gone replaced with a different GM one so I had him look up the number on the rear of the bell housing. Found that article about engine ID on here so that helped! Thanks again and I will post the numbers when I get them and maybe someone can help me out.

theoldsmobilekid

I got the block numbers and they are the "585786 4 1/8" I have done some research and on the 442.com site, I found a page that mentioned the 'Ultra High Compression' engine ended in 4 1/8 after the 585786. Is this correct??? Thanks a lot and I know how internet information can be mixed up and incorrect so I just wanted to know for sure. If this is correct, then the car has the regular air cleaner on it for some reason or the engine was swapped, but there is no history on that. Also, I read that the valve covers were green or gold for the 394 and 330? These are red, but I have seen it all in photos...green, chrome, red, gold....who knows. Thanks a lot.

59-59-59

The 4 1/8 after the number has nothing to do weather its it is a high compression or not.. That 4 1/8 refers to the bore size which comes out to being a 394. To answer the question of colors of the valve covers....'59 - '60 394 was a turquoise or green ( I'm colorblind slightly ) and '61 thru '64 394 was red. Now the 'chrome' valve covers designate a Starfire or 98 high compression block

59-59-59

I have also read from some of the Cutlass / 442 guys that there are a few inaccuracies on this site.

theoldsmobilekid

Thanks, shortly after posting that I read some more and found out what you just told me. Its funny how stuff makes it in the books and is totally wrong. I did research on my Ford 460 and the stuff posted about those is way off and hard to get straight.

Is there any way to find out if its high compression or not? Maybe a number on the heads might have something...I even spotted an air cleaner like the one on this car that had the high compression stickers and its not the fancy, large chrome one. Thanks for the valve color info. Take care

Oldsguy

Gee, Nice of them to mention us..............

theoldsmobilekid

Thanks a lot...here is the numbers he gave me on the head. 7343581

theoldsmobilekid

Thanks for the pointer. The owner took another look and he forgot the letter before it and it was an 'H' but he says he cannot find the numbers except for the ones he already gave me but these numbers he gave me this time were H7343581 Its 7 numbers but has a letter. Thanks a lot

88 coupe

From the '63 Service Manual:

H prefix with no suffix.

3200 (88) Series = Std. Comp.
Engine color = red.
Carb = 2 bbl.
Head gasket thickness = .020"
Compression ratio = 10.25:1

Norm

Texascarnut

The specs on the 394 remained virtually unchanged between 1961 and 1964 production. Some confusion may exist on whether these year's production had the "Ultra High Compression" variation placed in 98's and Starfires as standard equipment were 10.5:1 compression or 11:1 compression.

The 394 and its predecessors were and still are fantastic engines. When they first came out in 1949 they were so far ahead of everything else design wise it's a wonder the basic design was not used by other GM Divisions at the time. Made the Caddy OHV introduced in the same year look as if it had been designed by a drunken blacksmith. In the early 1950's the "Rocket V8" ruled the drag strips and was an engine of choice for a lot of hot rod builders. Many a '32 Ford and a lot of Model A's found themselves having a "Rocket V8" stuffed into them along with a late 1930's LaSalle transmission.

theoldsmobilekid

Thanks for all the information! 10.25:1 is still a lot of compression and should definitely haul some behind. I am looking forward to owning a 394 Olds if I can only sell my old truck.

I have a '67 Continental with a 462 MEL engine and that was a popular late 50's early 60's engine to race as well but usually it was the predecessor 430 engine (bored out for '66-67 to 462) so I found a guy who makes custom parts for it so I was able to keep the original engine without swapping to my 460. I bought his last roller cam for it! Only a dozen ever made and he kept 4 of them for himself. I wonder if there is anyone like that for the 394 engines since they were good race motors and its impossible to find performance parts for them now??? I am a big fan of nostalgia and keeping the original engine in a mild custom is what I strive for...if I can find the parts. Thanks again guys. I am sure I will be posting a lot more if I pick that 394 Olds up real soon.

J-(Chicago)

www.EGGE.com

88 coupe

Not much different than the Cad, except, the Cad engine was lighter and more powerful.

Chev, Pontiac, and Buick engines were appropriate for their places in the GM hierarchy. Cad went to the new V8 in order to maintain its “place” in relation to Buick.

Likewise, Olds used theirs to widen the “distance” from Pontiac without getting too close to Buick.

I could learn a lot from that “drunken blacksmith”.

Norm

Texascarnut

I agree!

theoldsmobilekid

Thanks you guys. Its a neat engine either way. If I can buy it..the next task will be getting dual exhaust. I know you need the exhaust manifold off of a Starfire since they were the only ones with dual exhaust and the left manifold is different. That will be fun to hunt down. Thanks for the help on the 394 and anything extra is always appreciated! Take care

88 coupe

Not needed.

Any competent muffler shop can build the left side, using your existing manifold. Same way as it would have been done, when the car was new, and the way it was done before "factory duals" even existed.

But, don't take my word for it, because I am not old enough to know about such things.

Norm

62oldstarfire