Good day,

I recently purchased a 65 Cutlass with a 455 but I am having the hardest time finding the repair manual for this engine. I have the engine number which is 396021FA but I dont know what car it came out of.

The car was sitting outside for 8-9 years never been started. I recently purchased a new starter, new plugs, oil & filter but before I changed the oil I had to pour some majestic magic oil in each cylinder because the engine has seized. Well the engine moved freely now but I cant seem to get it started. Not sure if there is a kill switch or something but I know there are some switches for the heater, fuel pump and another I am not sure of.

I am not a mechanic so everything is self tought and self done and the only help I really have is this forum. So any info would be highly appreciated and thanks in advance..

 

Ok....
Best thing you can do is STOP right there. If it was seized, it should not be run until it has been torn open, inspected, and honed at the very least.

You did the right thing oiling it down to get it moving again, but don't run it just yet.

an FA block is a 73-76 455. 8:1-8.5:1 compression.

How stuck was it?

 

Thanks for the reply.

Is this engine worth tearing down or is it worth investing in another engine, maybe the stock engine or a 442?
Also know this is a 73-76 455 engine, where would I find the repair manual for this? I tried hitting the local auto parts store and I cant find anything. When I google the block number I cant find a repair manaual just people like me asking questions about the engine..

 

Not sure where you are located but im sure someone near you would sell old shop manuals for about 20 bucks...check the local restoration parts shop...theres lot of guys selling them...craigslist?

 

Do you think the engine I have is worth rebuilding or should I look for a small block or a different big block?

 

It probably is worth rebuilding, but it needs to be taken apart to see. If it turns over and doesn't knock I would sure investigate further. If mine I would try and rebuild it or ship it to me.

 

It's worth rebuilding for sure. They're not making any more of them.
Unfortunately, those pistons suck for making horsepower.
Are you building a cruiser, or a racer?

 

I never rebuilt a motor nor have the knowledge to do so. I want a car with power (American Muscle Car) but the car would mostly be like a low rider with power.
So what is th cost of rebuilding this motor? Do I have to replace everything and do I need special tools and take to a machine shop?

 

Okay,
I have been trying to start this motor and its just not starting. It turns fine but its just not starting. I used carb cleaner, engine starter fluid, new plugs but I just cant get it to turn on all the way.
How do I know if my fuel pump is good or if my spark plugs are firing? I have two fuel pumps, electric and stock but I have to turn on the electric manaually.
Any ideas??

 

Caliboricua, I know as little about cars as you purport to but if these guys say that you risk damage to the engine I believe you should heed the advice .
If you wish to persist , do you have new /clean fuel,? points ?
EBAY should be good for a manual
mike

 

I guess I am not really worried about damaging the engine since I found out the it has J heads and and FA block and it just gives me an excuse to tear it apart or swap it with another. I seen someone on CL selling a 455 Rocket so I may lean toward that or just put in the stock 350 engine.
One thing I did noticed is when I replaced my spark plugs I gapped them at .60 and I have an HEI, I hear it should be around .35 - .45 so could this be a reason why its not fully starting?

 

How about.... not starting it.
Or giving it to someone else who wants to learn about engines.

 

checking for sparks is easy, find a good used or new plug.
remove only the plugwire one by one plug it on and hold it to a metal part (ground)

 

I found out the reason I am not getting spark was my electronic ignition module was bad, the thing that sits below the distributor cap. I had it tested for free at the Napa Auto Store near my house.
So here is the big question...
If I rebuild the engine myself do I need to replace everything besides the gaskets of corse. I know I need to take it to the heads to a machine shop and I dont have all the tools to check or adjust pistons, rods, etc but I have the tools to remove the engine and take piece by piece off.
I also notice they sell rebuild kits on ebay but I am not sure if its good quility parts.
I started to have a change of heart on rebuilding the engine after seeing what the motor mounts looked like. I have a co woring who has a cherry picker and he said he would let me borrow it and he also said he has one of the engine holders he would sell to me for like $20 bucks.
Since times are tough I would have to buy and do things in moderations. Of course I want power but I dont want to break the budget so if I am able to get away with keeping some parts that are good that would be great, if not then thats fine as well.

 

No, but

buy your selve a manual that maches the engine.

in the manual you can vind clearences, partsnr, etc and most importante How To's

they explain it, and so it is easier to work on.

saved me several times for mistakes

 

If you need some one with knowledge in YOUR area, contact Gene (aka 64 rocket).
If he is interested in helping you, I would listen to his every word.
Get a manual, anyway, 72-76 Olds 455 powered big car (except Toronado), and 65 Cutlass chassis manual.
Jim

 

I have the 65 Cutlass manual and I wasnt sure what car the engine came out of so I bite the bullet and bought a book off of ebay called Chilton's Repair & Tune-Up Guide Cutlass 1970 to 1987.
I look forward to the tear down but not everything else after that. I think I might find rust in the engine..
Just curious, does this seem like a good deal http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Oldsm...Q5fAccessories