4BRL69

New member here. I have a 69 cutlass convertable with a 400 small block chevy /turbo 350. Runs like a champ, but I have always wanted to drop a 455 in it. I found one local that is in excellent shape for $350.00. It is an F series block. The only thing is, it is in a boat. Is there any plus' or minus' to this? Is there an actual "marine" engine?

Thanks
Sage

citcapp

It is the same engine used in cars. Might have the marine KA heads if it started life as a marine engine which is a plus. Depending on how it is set up you might have to change out the oil pan and oil pump pickup and add a water pump. The marine engines came with a 4 speed crank and flywheel which is a plus if you going with a standard transmission. An automatic will work as well all you have to do is change the flywheel to a flexplate. Hope this helps

2blu442

I have purchased a couple boat motors, and you may be able to sell the boat only parts such as the oil pan, motor mounts, exhaust manifolds and recover a couple hundred dollars of your investment. That will more than make up for the car parts you'll need to replace them with. I agree with Pat, the Ka heads have the large intake valves and the standard transmission flywheel is only used to spin the starter, the face where the clutch disc attaches is in like new condition. Nice score! John

4BRL69

Thanks guys. I believe it has the C heads. I had been told the oil galleys had been opened up to allow for faster oil drain back. Apparently in a boat running 4000 rpm plus for extended time, there was an issue with the drain back. Is there any truth to this?

Thanks again

Oh, and I sure this is just the beginning of the questions. This forum seems to be full of knowledge people willing to help. Glad to be a member, and your time is much appreciated!

2blu442

I'm not familiar with opening up the oil galleys, someone else will have to comment on that. The C heads were used in cars for big block engines in 1967-69, they are good heads too. Post some pictures when you get it home. John

4BRL69

will do!

4BRL69

How will the turbo 350 hold up to the 455? Assuming the engine is stock, what kind of torque numbers am I looking at?

citcapp

Opening up the oil drain holes in the heads is normal thing to do on the 455. I did this on my 455 because the holes did not line up well with the holes in the block so drilling them out corrected that problem. The C heads are good heads. The 350 trans is ok if built up to stand the additional torque of the 455. Best bet is to go with a turbo 400. Not knowing what year the Boat engine is and if it has been modified at all its hard to guess at the hp and torque numbers. Try asking the present owner if he knows what year the engine is and if any mods where done.

joe_padavano

A boat may have a galley, but oil passageways in the block (marine or automotive) are called galleries (as in a long, narrow passageway). At least, that's what Olds (and Chevy, and Cadillac) call them in the Chassis Service Manual.

And I doubt you'd open the galleries, however as Pat correctly points out, opening the drain back holes is a good thing and not uncommon in performance motors.

troya

455 f block with a Ka &Ga heads nice engine i want to sell because looking for small block engine

2blu442

troya
Engines are expensive to ship. Please post your city and state to help potential buyers. As soon as you get out of newbie status you can also post in the parts for sale section. As always, pictures are nice