pitfield1

Hi I sent my son to look at a motor for me today. It has "G" heads and a non EGR intake manifold that is stamped 455. The seller said it was a 71. When he got home he said the block looked like it was a faded gold color. OhOh 350. Any way I need help cause I can't pick it up until Sunday.

Will Big block heads fit on a small block?

Will a big block intake fit on a small block?

Thanks PIT 1969 442 convert

frankr442

The easiest way to ID an Olds big block is to look at the casting number between the oil fill tube and oil pressure switch/sender. 400 reads 396026 G , and 455 reads 396021 F. Heads will fit, intake will not (big block is wider).

Oldsmaniac

G heads are 71 455 heads block color is meaningless as a lot of time hass passed since it was new. There should be an F on the casting inback of the water pump top on the block to the right of the oil fill tube.....that will be the sure 455 ID.

pitfield1

Correct .The thing is I won't be able to check the casting until Sunday.That is why I asked about the heads and intake being interchangable. My curiosity is driving me crazy. Thanks Pit 442 convert

Troys Toy 70

Unfortunately paint is not a tell all. 455's are about 1 1/2 inches wider than the 350's at the intake. Look to the right of base of the oil fill tube, behind the timing cover, the block should have a casting number There should be a "F" in the casting numbers for a 70-72. Some 72's and then throught 76 had a "Fa" and "L" were marine or motorhome motors. 350's were 2, 3a, 3b, and 5s

alek72us

The 455 heads will fit on the 350 the intake will not. and if the intake says 455 then its probably a 455 someone probably painted it gold to trick people into thinking its a small block.

pitfield1

Picked it up today Well boys it"s a 1968 455 with 71 heads for $100 a good day


Pit 69 442 convert

J-(Chicago)

That IS a good day.

pitfield1

First 3 numbers stamped on the block are 38E Any idea what they built in Linden NJ during 1968?

Thanks Pit 69 442 convert

Vega

Ha, nice catch, had to post on this cause i also got my 455 for $100. Ga headed 72', and another $30 later a nice set of used 69' pistons/rods to go with it. Looking forward to the rebuild ^_^ What are your plans with this one?

pitfield1

Still building my 69 442 . However the only motor I had at that time was a 72-76 Fa block, low compression and J heads. I did manage to find a set of nice C heads a couple of years ago so I'll use those on the 68 motor. That should wake up the neighborhood.
Pit 69 442 convert

pitfield1

First 3 numbers stamped on the block are 38E Any idea what they built in Linden NJ during 1968? That 'll wake up that neighborhood


PIT 69 442 convert

Allan R

38E
Probably the julian date of production
3 - Oldsmobile
8 - model year 68
E - May

pitfield1

Well I finally started to dismantle some of the 455. They are Ga heads not G. Also the motor is froze up. Number 1 cylinder has some rust ,it looks like the rings only but not sure. I filled all the cylinders with transmission fluid, now I wait. Here's a question though, on the rod caps they are all stamped accordingly #1 to 8. Did Oldsmobile do this during production or has somebody opened up this engine previous. Happy new year Pit

Rickman48

It's no virgin!!

pitfield1

Also it looks like aluminum pistons, did olds use these in 68?

MDchanic

Yup.

Adding acetone to that ATF, 50:50, will help it penetrate better.

Let us know what else you find inside.

Happy New Year!

- Eric

pitfield1

Thanks, I will use some , it doesn't look bad really. as of today. I measured the depth of the dish and it's .150. I'll take some pics and post. This will be interesting if not anything else. Pit

joe_padavano

No, he said it was the first three characters of the VIN derivative. The E signifies Linden NJ, as noted above.

pitfield1

Well here's some pics. The first is #1 cylinder .I think this is the culprit. The other piston is what the rest look like. It doesn't look bad but I still can't move it.
olds 013.jpg olds 014.jpg olds 015.jpg olds 016.jpg olds 017.jpg

Any suggestions?

pitfield1

Here's a couple more. I'm going to the Detroit swap meet tomorrow so I'll get back to work on it tomorrow night . PIT

olds 018.jpg

olds 019.jpg

pitfield1

Got er free today looks pretty good . Also did some measuring, bored .060 over. Makes ya wonder what this engine was used for. PIT

pitfield1

Well I put all the numbers through the computer an got 11.00.1 compression. Am I going to have trouble with pump gas? PIT

MDchanic

Which numbers?

Did you cc the heads?

That sounds high for dished pistons.

- Eric

pitfield1

This is what I have , It does seem to high.
Bore 4.180
Stroke 4.250
Cylinder head volume 80cc
Effective dome volume +.150
deck clearance .030
compressed gasket thickness .039

Any help is appreciated PIT

pitfield1

I found out that the heads are probably closer to 84cc , that's around 10.50.1. That seems more like it. input is appreciated PIT

MDchanic

Pit, did you mean to type "+.150" "+15.0" or "+0.150"?
And is that in cc's?

15cc's would be a reasonable dish for a big block (40, 37, and 15 are standard big block dish volumes), but 0.15cc's would be essentially a flat top, which you don't have.

If you made an error, then I'd bet your compression is a lot less than that first calculation showed.

- Eric

pitfield1

Now I get 9.66.1 Much better . Thanks MDchanic

MDchanic

You're welcome.

allyolds68

Most off the shelf pistons stop at .060. I think you're going to have to go to at least .080 if the pistons were seized. Plus the cylinder wall thickness should be checked

pitfield1

It turns out only one piston was froze and it looks as if the rings did no cylinder wall damage. Until I tear the whole engine down I really won't know for sure. Also there will be no more boring. .060 is enough. I'll have to use my Fa block instead. Sure would be nice to have a casting correct block though. I'll post pics as I go . Thanks again for all your help boys PIT

PGH Cutlass

hello everyone, not trying to high jack your thread. i just wanted to ask a question about my block's Id and didn't want to start i new thread, i found the vin derivative.I can only make out a few numbers and don't know what they mean anyway,here is a pic thanks for any help

pitfield1

Can't really see the numbers but

3-OLDS second number is the year , third letter is build plant,The rest are the vin to the car. Hope this helps.
PIT 69 442 convert

PGH Cutlass

Thanks

pitfield1

What is the letter? It looks like "M" if it is it's Lansing Mich

PIT 69 442 convert

PGH Cutlass

yeah i think it is a M, i took another pic. lol its funny how the most important numbers where grind a little to much.

Allan R

I cropped the image and played with it a bit. Looks like you have an Olds 455 from 75 production. Definitely Lansing motor as designated by the M. Your VIN derivative is mostly in shadows. Looks like it might be 394479?
blockid.jpg?t=1328902473

PGH Cutlass

thanks