Hi,

There is a 455 Engine with trans from a 1974 Olds near me for sale. Asking $280. Seems low to me especially considering it looks complete, has trans, alternator, carb, pretty much everything. I am waiting to get more details but short of have a huge hole in the block where a piston made its escape or something like that would this be a good purchase for a rebuild?

It would be replacing the 350 in my 1971 Cutlass. I was hoping for one in the 1968 to 1972 range but from what I understand this would be basically the same.

Thanks!

 

How much power are you looking to make?

 

A '74 will have the less desirable 'J' heads - poor exhaust port. If it came out of a big Olds then the Turbo 400 will have a longer tailshaft than
was usually used in a Cutlass so you will have to get a short tailshaft and swap it. Other year cylinder heads can easily be swapped over or you can get aluminum heads.

 

Nothing crazy. I'm not really sure what you could expect from this engine, but I think something in the 375-450 range for horsepower would be fine. There is a deal pending on this engine, but if it doesn't work out I will try to get it. It is out of a 1974 88. Mileage unknown...

 

Thanks android. That's good to know about the cylinder heads. I think the plan would be for some type of after market heads so that should be fine

 

If you’re only looking for 375-400hp then why a big block? My iron headed 350 Dyno mule made 405 on 91 pump. It can be done if you have a solid plan.

 

I'm in a similar situation to the OP. How much HP is a reasonable expectation for both the 350 and the 455 if you want the engine to look mostly stock (Q-jet and stock exhaust manifolds)?

 

For me it's more just wanting the big block with a mild build. I don't really have a horsepower or torque number target in mind. I wanted a bit of a lumpy cam with some after market heads and whatever crank/pistons people have used with good results. Just a mild build that runs well on pump gas and the numbers fall where they fall. But am curious as well about what those numbers end up being. I know I could probably get the same numbers for my purposes out of a well built 350, but have never had a big block.