dfire25

Hello everyone,

I received a 455 (in pieces) with the 442 I bought and I need some help decoding the numbers and finding the specs. The block has a number of 396021Fa. The heads are "J" heads 2791091. It's in pretty good shape so I would like to have it rebuilt. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks guys,
Dave

dfire25

Why is it so damn hard to add more the one picture?

61reoldsman

Most guys on here will tell you not to use the J heads ,the block code is the same for all 455's from 68-76 ,the little "a" beside the F states that it has no provision for a Z bar for a std transmission.Now for the pics ,when you go to post click on the ADVANCED button and go to MANAGE ATTACHMENTS and then a window will pop up and then you can click to add up to 5 pics all at the same time once you have chosen the pics off your computer .Try it

dfire25

Thanks for the engine info.

[QUOTE=61reoldsman;when you go to post click on the ADVANCED button and go to MANAGE ATTACHMENTS and then a window will pop up and then you can click to add up to 5 pics all at the same time once you have chosen the pics off your computer .Try it [/QUOTE]

I've tried that several times and it will only let me load one pic. I'll have to keep on trying I guess.

Thanks,
Dave

oldstata

the j heads are smog heads. if you look on the block on driver side just below were the head would sit there should be a tab with numbers stamped. it will give you the year and the last few numbers of the vin from witch it came from
http://www.442.com/oldsfaq/ofeng.htm#Engines here is a good site to do some research

oldsmobiledave

Your information above is incorrect with regards to the Fa blocks not having a 4 speed stud boss. This has been discussed on this forum numerous times. Although many of the Fa blocks can not be used for a 4 speed application many of them can. How else could the 1973 455 4 speed cars been assembled?. I have a 1973 455 Fa block from a 73 442 4 speed car under the hood of my 1965 442. I have also pulled 455s from 1974 Delta 88s that had the 4 speed stud boss. My own experience has been that the later 1975 & 1976 455 blocks do not have the boss but I am not aware of a dead fast production date after which the blocks are no loger 4 speed compliant. Keep in mind that the M-20 option was dropped from the A body line after 1973. Simply look at your block to see if it is machined for the 4 speed stud boss.

61reoldsman

Ok thanks Dave for the correction ,so what your saying is that while the boss for the stud may be there it's possible that it isn't drilled and tapped to mount the stud ?

507OLDS

It's a 73-77 455.They are all about the same from those years.The shortblock is a good foundation to build from.If you wanted to get the correct heads to match your car,you could get some G-heads.Are you wanting a stock or mild rebuild?

61reoldsman

Hey Brian how deep of a dish in the pistons did those 73-77 motors come with ?Much difference to the earlier years ?Would those G heads push the compression ratio up any more than the heads the 73-77 motors came with? Could a mild rebuild with a little bigger camshaft profile achieve 1 hp per cubic inch ?I think Dave might be looking to do want I want to do in the near future although he has the motor already and I don't.Thanks

507OLDS

The pistons in the 73-76 455's were deep enough to put your cereal in.If you wanted to make a difference with a stock,factory piston,you would want to find a set of 68-70 455 pistons.Even the 68-70 2bbl pistons had a much smaller dish.I have a few of these from a 70 455,but not a full set.
The G-heads will not change the compression,compared to the J-heads.The only way to boost compression is to cut a decent amount from the head,which I wouldn't recommend,or getting a piston with a much smaller dish.

dfire25

Lol he's right! The pistons are really deep!

dfire25

So pretty much the only thing worth using fom the engine is the block and crank I guess?

61reoldsman

I guess it depends on what direction you want to go in ,stock or modified .You could probably reuse the rods in a stock rebuild .Lots of guys on here like 507olds,cutlassfi ,etc. can guide you through the direction you want to go in.There is sooo.. many choices that you need to make it's important to have someone with experience to help with making the right choices for your build,and a good reputable machine shop.Just my .02 ,I know for me that when I go to the 455 engine that I want I'll be asking these guys tons of questions.

dfire25

Yes 507olds has been helping me with this. He's a wealth of information. I'm glade we have people like him on here to help out the newbie's