Just aquired a 1969 delta 88 custom 455 engine
January 24th, 2012, 06:13 PM
#1
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Location: Kirkland Wa.
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Just aquired a 1969 delta 88 custom 455 engine
I just got a 1969 Delta 88 custom 455 engine with a 4oo trans attached. Im looking to rebuild it but not sure which way to go. Looking for a low buck solution & its my understanding that these motors ran about 390hp or so. So should i just regasket it with some cleaning? Or have it punched out for some more hp? i dont need alot oh go & 390ish is good with me. Honestly never did a rebuild so kinda lost as to which way to go. I appreciate all input which gives me alot to think about. Thanks all.
Last edited by 62radarlove; January 24th, 2012 at 06:17 PM.
January 24th, 2012, 07:05 PM
#2
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I just got a 1969 Delta 88 custom 455 engine with a 4oo trans attached. Im looking to rebuild it but not sure which way to go. Looking for a low buck solution & its my understanding that these motors ran about 390hp or so. So should i just regasket it with some cleaning? Or have it punched out for some more hp? i dont need alot oh go & 390ish is good with me. Honestly never did a rebuild so kinda lost as to which way to go. I appreciate all input which gives me alot to think about. Thanks all.
January 24th, 2012, 07:15 PM
#3
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Hers where i got my info from. The seller stated the same & i disagreed until i found these facts. the site http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oldsmobile_88
The paragraphs.
The 1969 88 series dropped the Delmont name, leaving the Delta 88 as the base model of the series. The Royale trim appeared on a top-line Holiday coupe and came standard with a more luxurious interior featuring a notchback vinyl upholstered bench seat with armrest or Strato bucket seats with optional center console. For safety, a ceiling mounted shoulder belt was offered in the front seats for both the driver and right passenger. This arrangement provided five belt buckles in the front bench seat. The standard engine in the base Delta 88 was a 350 cubic-inch 9.0 to 1 low compression ratio Rocket V8 with a Rochester two-barrel carburetor that was rated at 250 bhp (186 kW) @ 4600 rpm and 355 ft·lbf (481 N·m) of torque ran on leaded regular 94 RON gasoline. Standard on the Delta 88 Custom and Royale models and optional on the base series was a low compression two-barrel version of the 455 cubic-inch Rocket V8 rated at 310 hp (231 kW) designed to use regular fuel. Optional on all Delta 88s was the four-barrel Ultra High Compression 455 cubic-inch Super Rocket V8 rated at 365 hp (272 kW). Top option was the 390 hp (291 kW) version of the four-barrel 455 V8 designed to run on 98 RON octane fuel available in all Delta 88 models as the W-33 option.
The paragraphs.
The 1969 88 series dropped the Delmont name, leaving the Delta 88 as the base model of the series. The Royale trim appeared on a top-line Holiday coupe and came standard with a more luxurious interior featuring a notchback vinyl upholstered bench seat with armrest or Strato bucket seats with optional center console. For safety, a ceiling mounted shoulder belt was offered in the front seats for both the driver and right passenger. This arrangement provided five belt buckles in the front bench seat. The standard engine in the base Delta 88 was a 350 cubic-inch 9.0 to 1 low compression ratio Rocket V8 with a Rochester two-barrel carburetor that was rated at 250 bhp (186 kW) @ 4600 rpm and 355 ft·lbf (481 N·m) of torque ran on leaded regular 94 RON gasoline. Standard on the Delta 88 Custom and Royale models and optional on the base series was a low compression two-barrel version of the 455 cubic-inch Rocket V8 rated at 310 hp (231 kW) designed to use regular fuel. Optional on all Delta 88s was the four-barrel Ultra High Compression 455 cubic-inch Super Rocket V8 rated at 365 hp (272 kW). Top option was the 390 hp (291 kW) version of the four-barrel 455 V8 designed to run on 98 RON octane fuel available in all Delta 88 models as the W-33 option.
January 24th, 2012, 07:21 PM
#4
The 390 HP was the police option engine. This was achieved with a hotter cam and dual exhaust. The HP numbers were sort of a game back then. You could rebuild that 455 to W33 specs and dual exhaust and you will have a nice runner.
January 24th, 2012, 07:34 PM
#5
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Location: Windsor, Ontario
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62radarlove: Dude!
Get your 455 engine tested by me.
Don't do anything special. Just make sure it runs good, then you can blow it up!
I will get the bugs out for you!
I'm now on my second rebuild of my '67 425 (not counting the new valve seals & gaskets on my first engine).
You can trust me to test it correctly!
Get your 455 engine tested by me.
Don't do anything special. Just make sure it runs good, then you can blow it up!
I will get the bugs out for you!I'm now on my second rebuild of my '67 425 (not counting the new valve seals & gaskets on my first engine).
You can trust me to test it correctly!
Last edited by Jaybird; January 24th, 2012 at 07:52 PM.
January 24th, 2012, 07:36 PM
#6
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There was a listed Hi-Po 390HP 455 for the Delta, but they are extremely rare, and it is highly unlikely that you've got one.
You've probably got the 365HP "standard" 4bbl high-compression 455.
- Eric
You've probably got the 365HP "standard" 4bbl high-compression 455.
- Eric
January 25th, 2012, 05:33 AM
#9
Connoisseur d'Junque
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Location: The Hudson Valley
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Aftermarket doesn't count.
If the original factory sticker around the top of the oil filler tube is intact, it will be "UL" for the L32.
- Eric
July 26th, 2012, 03:35 PM
#11
Sammy70 455 Supreme
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Port Perry, Ontario
Posts: 3,069
Thanx, Ted
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