Hello everyone, I'm new to this forum. Have been a member for a total of 2 minutes now. I have a 1972 F85 that I bought that has been cosmetically converted to a W30. Before anyone ask, yes I bought it knowing that and it is running and driving with a 2 barrel 350... the car is pretty cherry but I don't feel right with that 350 rocket on the hood. You guys probably understand.

Now to my question. I have been given the opportunity to purchase a 455 olds + th400 for a pretty sweet deal! It came out of a 1975 car, don't know what car tho. I've been researching and read articles and tech manuals to find an anwser but can't find anything... I know that in that year they started cramming all the emissions stuff and reducing the compression and killed power. But is the block and internals the same as the previous years? I'm planing on going with aftermarket top half.

 

Welcome. The only difference in the blocks is the presence or absence of the provision for the clutch Z-bar pivot on the newer blocks. If you are running an automatic, there are no other meaningful differences. Note that Olds varied compression ratio with the piston dish, not the chamber size in the heads.

 

 

Interesting.. So I would be focusing more on the internals. If I got it together with flat top piston and a forged crank and everything else stock (for now) would the flat tops agree with the stock cam and heads? Or should I atleast get good valve lift in there with the pistons replaced with flat tops?

 

 

My train of thought was to build it with good internals and put it back together with the stock everything else due to budget.. But now that I think of it I don' know if I would want to put in all the old cam, push rods, etc.. Might have to consult with an engine builder..

 

Internals first then top half later was what I was thinking.

 

Just for clarity....you want to take it apart twice? Do it once, enjoy it...you'll be glad you did. Most of us have been through the "oh I'll just do it later" and our cars are still in pieces years later... If the car runs and drives now, run it and build the motor on the side.

 

I do know how ridiculous that sounds.. I was just explaining what my thoughts where. My only problem is that I have a deadline before I move overseas and would like to have that big block in and running for the move (military, they won't ship a dead car for my one free car shipping) since they are pretty hard to come by.. Still planning things out.

 

If the car is currently running with the 350, Then ship it that way. Are you doing the rebuild yourself or paying to get it done?

 

how much "time" do you have?

there are long & short tailshaft TH400s, a '72 Cutlass should have "short" most '75 vehicles that came with a 455 would have been "long"

 

SY2455: I still have a a couple of months. Lucky I'm stationed where my attire family lives so if I didn't get it running I could at least leave the 455 here cut my losses and sell ...which I'm pretty sure I can make money from. But your absolutely right! It would be a safer idea to run it with the 350.

hurst68Olds: I'm aware of the drive shaft issue. I will have to adjust to length once if I decide to put it in the car. I have done my research and know what is tangible and what is not. There is a lot of ideas I want to do the my Cutlass but I'm still really just in thinking phase... and that's also why I joined this forum so I can chat with experienced wrenchers like you all and get some good insight.

Thank you all for the replies btw.

 

When I was in the service, we had a guy get permission from the Captain to bring his car on board and do a complete overhaul on the engine while deploy and passing Ammunition all over the place. The rest of us left our cars with love ones or friends. Maybe you can do that if you plan on keeping the car, that way you will have a fresh engine when you get back.

 

That's pretty damn cool! Don't think its gonna fly on a small boy tho... Haha.