Wyocutlass71

I have been looking around for a BBO for my 1971 Cutlass. I have found these two engines for sale locally.

One is a 425 that has been rebuilt. The seller is very descriptive of what he has done and seems to know his stuff.
https://www.ksl.com/classifieds/listing/52056953

The other is a 455 that came out of a boat. The guy builds boat motors professionally, and in theory, should know a 455 pretty well and know how to get power out of it.
https://www.ksl.com/classifieds/listing/51014224

For a daily driver that wants to be fun (without spending a ton of money) which would you choose? Thanks for the help!

joe_padavano

Unless you can get more detail on the boat motor, I'd go with the 425. Boat camshafts are probably not what you want to run on the street. Of course, the 425 only says "stock camshaft" - which one? There were several. I'd also plan on replacing that goofy Offy intake. You'll be a lot happier with a dual plane.

Wyocutlass71

Do you have a recommendation for a change of intakes? I also have a quadrajet carb that I just rebuilt, would that be a good match?

joe_padavano

Unless you plan to run an O.A.I. hood, I'd use a Performer. I'm a big Qjet fan.

Wyocutlass71

Thanks for the help! I am pretty new to this, and I want to stay with Olds as much as possible.

oldcutlass

I'd stay away from the boat engine, they are easily over rev'd which could lead to bearing failure.

Wyocutlass71

Does that come from the boat cam?

oldcutlass

No, it comes from a loose nut behind the throttle and possibly influenced by alcohol.

Wyocutlass71

Thanks oldcutlass! Like I said before, I am still really new. I am wanting to learn as much as possible and I hope I don't come across... well dumb haha.

oldcutlass

Nope, your doing great my friend.

Fun71

Years ago I had a QuadraJet that was a boat application. The metering rods were very unusual, with no taper. I figured this was due to jet boats essentially having two operational modes: idle and WOT.