I'm looking at a good running 455 OLDS with a turbo 400, it's still in the car, which the seller says is a 1976 ninety eight. I'm interested in putting this engine into my 1965 lemans 4 speed car. Are all 455's drilled for pilot bushings or should I check before I buy it? Thanks, Dave

 

Dave,
Not all of the 455's are drilled for the pilot bearing.However,there were a lot more of them that were drilled in the later years,like that 76 455,so you have a better chance.
Not sure if you can get a good look before you buy it,but if you can get the car on a lift,unbolt the converter from that flaxplate,and push it back into the trans at all,you "might" be able to see in there,but I don't think the converter will go back enough.All of the cranks have the large hole,for the converter hub,but the 4-spd cranks have a second,smaller hole,inside from that.

 

Dave, very few are drilled. You should expect this one to need drilled or better, cut on a lathe for the pilot bearing hole.


John

 

Wow! Wasn't expecting a response that quick! It sounds as though I better separate the engine and trans before I buy. The guy is asking $450 for the compete turn key engine and turbo 400, says it runs great with no blow by or smoke. I appreciate the help. Thanks, Dave

 

Like 507Olds said, late 455s have a much better chance of being drilled already. 2Blu is thinking about 455s in general, because in earlier years usually the crank was drilled for a pilot bearing only if the engine was going into a stick car.
I'd guess you have a much better than 50-50 chance with a 1976. On the negative side, the crank probably won't have the big N meaning nodular, so some say they are weaker cast iron. It will of course be low compression with the smaller port J heads.

 

I would check the block, to see if the block drilled to put the ball for the Z bar, or at least have a boss. I thought that a lot of the last 455, did not have that on the block.

 

My lemans has been sitting since 1981 and since I can't locate a decent pontiac engine, I thought this OLDS would be OK. My car has a wide ratio muncie with 3:31 open 12 bolt rear, just going to be a cruiser. Thanks, Dave

 

Good point! I didn't even think about the Z bar boss. I'll be lucky if the engine has what it takes for a manual swap.

 

If the crank is not drilled, no big deal. I drill the crank to give room for the input shaft and use the adapter pilot bushing. I done several and have no problem.
You main problem, is to make sure the block has the boss for the "Z"bar.
You also know '76 is low compression , with "J" heads. Not a big deal, will make a nice cruiser, much improved for what is in there now. If it has not moved since '81, it will now cruse with style.

Gene

 

SDparts sells a bracket to add a Z bar mount. It bolts to the trans mounting bolts.

 

Hi Gary,

Good find and only $59.95.

Have you used this on a olds 455?
Did you have to modify it?


Link: https://sdparts.com/details/scoggin-...ts-center/sdcb

Thanks,
Tony K.

 

I saw one installed on a 72 455, but he had to modify it and/or the frame Z bar mount to clear headers. I have seen them used on Chevelles without mods though. Anyone know if the z bar frame mount is the same in all A bodies?
Just looked, Year One has the same z bar frame mount for chevelles and Olds, so should work.