sammy

Anyone have any idea what motor this is? A guy wants me to buy it - but he doesn't know what it is - and neither do I. A few pics he sent me...

Thanks

Ted

svnt442

It's a 350. My hunch is it's a 73 because of the valve covers and the EGR on the intake, but those both could have been changed at some point. Check the stamping on the block below #1 spark plug to be sure. You will probably have to scrape it clean due to the rust.

MDchanic

It's a '68 to '70 350 block with unknown heads (can't see the numbers) a '73 or later intake manifold, a Holley carb, an HEI distributor, and a whole lotta rust.

You have NO idea what's inside.

Hope he's not asking much for it.

- Eric

J-(Chicago)

It's a 73 or 74 350 motor.

395558-2 is 1968-76 350 block

The big OLDSMOBILE on the intake is hinting 1973 They only did that for 73-74 year if I remember correctly.

AND those valve covers are 73-74 only.

People pay 50-100 bucks for the vlve covers on epay.

I say BUY IT! It has an old 68-72 passenger side alternator bracket setup as well, which is odd. That's probably worth another 50 spot.

The scrap iron weight alone is 50 bucks+The holley is probably worth a 50+valve covers50+alt bracket50
Even if you buy that thing for 200 bucks and everything else is junk, you won't get hurt too badly.

MDchanic

Not in that shape .

I paid $50 last year for a 350 that looked MUCH better than that one (and was fine inside).

- Eric

Allan R

X2 on 73. But the EGR was also in exactly the same spot on 72 production.

Ted, just be careful cleaning the stamping pad area, the numbers are not punched in all that deep. I'm betting its a 73.

Joe, the pass side alt bracket is like that on non AC cars.

svnt442

I thought EGR didn't show up until 1973? Also....




Guys J got it right. That casting number was used from 1968 until 1976. They didn't change it until they completely revamped the casting with the windowed main block in 1977.

MDchanic

Yup. I figured that out .

- Eric

joe_padavano

Read the VIN derivative on the block and it will tell you the exact year of the block.

Allan R

Randy, I mentioned that because when I looked at my 72, it has an EGR port blocked off on the DS. I just went to the CSM and can find no evidence of EGR on 72's so you are very likely bang on with your assessment. My apologies and I learned something new about the car. thx

FWIW I got the manifold from a buddy down in Airdrie who claimed he took it off a wrecked 72 and the motor was in 'cherry' condition. So it was prolly already swapped out then and I just didn't realize it. There is no OLDSMOBILE lettering on the intake casting though, so it might be an even later production intake? I have a working EGR I can put on it, so the question is whether it's worth doing or just leave the block off plate on, or look for a 'correct' intake.

sammy

Thanks for all the help!
The numbers on the stamping plate are virtually non-existent.I can just mke out a 3 and 8.
But, thanks to you guys, I am not walking into this totally blind


Ted