Djcoak

Hello,
I am restoring a 79 Trans Am and it came with a Olds 455 in it. The pad on the drivers side right below the heads has the number as a 38DXXXX so I know it's an 68 Olds but the "D" for the build location is throwing me. I think the D is for Doraville GA but not suree what car was built there.

I am trying see what this came out of so I can get some baseline numbers before I rebuild it. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Dave

svnt442

Are you sure it's a D?

panos

Hi and welcome The easiest way is to look for the number on the block just above the water pump,and for the heads in front of the first cylinder on drivers side it should be a letter like "C" "E" etc.
Hope that helps a little.
Panos

Djcoak

Here is what is next to the oil spout:

396021F

Heads

E 403 686

Rear face (Behind Flywheel)
68
F2

The Pad I am 99.9% sure says 38DXXXX The X's are numbers from the original car I suppose. It seems like a far stretch that it is something other than a D.

Thanks Guys!!!!

joe_padavano

Unfortunately, the info in the Year One catalog is not complete and really only covers A-body cars. D=Doraville, GA, which built full size Oldsmobiles.

Djcoak

Ok, Well that would make sense since it is an Olds motor. So what cars did Doraville make? I am not sure what an "A" body is. I think it is safe to say it's not a 442 or a Toronado motor.

joe_padavano

This might help:

https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums/92893-post1.html

Djcoak

So what I am seeing is that the 68 455 in my TA probably came out of a Cutlass at some point in it's life?

joe_padavano

Uh, no.

That would be the Olds Eighty Eight and Ninety Eight series.

The source of the block is somewhat irrelevant anyway, since the motor has obviously been cobbled together. It's a 1968 block with 1970 heads, for example. Without tearing it down, you have no way of knowing what's inside.

Djcoak

Oh I know just thought it would be interesting to have an idea of what I have is all

Are the heads any good?

Djcoak

Also what color were these motors originally?

Thanks so much for the help!

joe_padavano

All 68-69 455s used in RWD applications were painted red. The E heads you have were from 1970 and those 455s would have been painted metallic blue.

Djcoak

Yeah it's Pontiac blue now but looks like it was a lighter blue at some point in it's life. The valve covers look like they were gold then painted black.

507OLDS

You have a nice engine,or core.A 68 block with 70 heads.Nothing wrong with that.It sounds like the engine was pieced together with parts from different engines.It sounds like the block came out of a Delta,but the heads could be from anything from 1970.

Djcoak

Thanks! I hear the exhaust manifords are special or rare? I could be wrong just want to see. I really am not too excited about headers and if these manifolds flow well, would just keep them.

joe_padavano

Post the casting numbers/letters and we'll let you know.

Djcoak

Looks like more odd pieces

RH
389268 RH
D1AZ
W 187

LH
GMY
411961
1 D2111

joe_padavano

Sounds like you may have already looked these up, but just for completeness...

Run of the mill 1965-1968 RH BBO exhaust manifold in an A-body. Open log manifold (not divided runners).

This is a SMALL BLOCK manifold. Also run of the mill. Not recommended for a BBO due to flow restriction.

Djcoak

I am guessing the small block manifold probably came from the original 403, so maybe I have at least one part from the original engine!

I know there were some different options but any ideas on what the HP and Torque ratings were for a 68 Delta with the 455?

Thanks!

Djcoak

Got the motor mostly apart and found that the connecting rod caps go 1,2,3,4,5,8,7,6. I am guessing thats a bad thing. Also what is this thing and what is it made of?:

joe_padavano

The order of the caps only matters if they don't match the rod. Otherwise, the rods are all the same. The tube in question is a phenolic guide for the starter cable.

Djcoak

OK thanks again!

Djcoak

So since I am not a motor guy, can you tell me what these pistons are and how do I know if I need/want new ones?

olds425

They look like low compression pistons to me. Have the bore measured by the machine shop and if they are within clearance you can reuse them unless you are going for alot more power. If you are wanting more compression you will want to replace them, because I think those will be pretty low compression.

MX442

Speed Pro 2323 .030" over. I'm guessing cast, not forged. Dished, lower compression. It depends on other variables, could be anywhere from 8.5-9.5:1. Nothing wrong with these pistons for a typical pump gas mild cam street motor stock type rebuild.

What are your goals for this engine?

Djcoak

I was afraid the motor has already been done .030 over. Street motor, something about 400hp that I can drive without it being crazt radical but has alot of umph when I get on it. According to Dick Miller Racing I should replace them with a forged flat top Piston I believe he said.

joe_padavano

The 455 block can go 0.060" over without even thinking twice. Not sure why you want flattops for a street motor. The factory high compression pistons had a 6 cc dish.

svnt442

The L2323 pistons are listed as being 10.25:1 from speed pro, but actual compression may vary.

Djcoak

Good morning. Reviving an old thread here. Lots has changed since my last post. I sold the original trans am that had this 455 in it and bought a newer one with a poncho 400. It ended up spinning a main bearing so...so much for that. My 68 455 has been at the machine shop for a year and I figure I may as well build it now since it is already in work. It needs to go .040 over to clean it up, needs some head work, and the crank is shot. Looks like it has a lot of miles and more harder miles on it. Not gone but needs some tlc. My goal is a streetable cruiser that will be driven a lot in the warm weather. Good weekend day trip car in the 400 hp range. I would guess torque won't be an issue. Any IDE on where this motor was stock in the hp range? I was thinking it would be about 350 or so. Also the car appears to have 3.73 gears in it which I want to change. I am coupling it to a od trans and obviously for highway use want the rims as long as practical for mpg stuff.

67Olds442X2

Lots of info here:

http://www.442.com/oldsfaq/oldsfaq.htm

svnt442

If you are ging with an OD trans then by all means keep the 3.73 gears. It will be just about like cruising on the hwy with 2.56 - 2.73 in OD. You can't beat that.

Djcoak

That's what I was thinking, I was just afraid with the high torque it wouldn't have very good street manners in wet conditions.