I have recently bought a 72 cutlass that has a 350 in it now, I like more power than it has and since it has 98k on it I am planning on storing it in garage and buying a 455 to rebuild. I use the car as my daily driver so I dont need a radical build on it but would like to have all the power I need...Is there a particular yr of block to look for? How do I tell what yr the block was made? And could you give me a ball park idea on what the average build costs for a 455?

thanks for the help in advance,
Dave

 

Any off the 455 blocks are OK, 68-72 are 396021 F and 72-76 are 396021Fa. I get around $200 for bare STD block

 

if you can help it, avoid 1975 & later motors, because you have to desmog (or should I say resmog?) them, and it's a pain and unnecessary extra work. Also, those blocks generally have crappy heads on them.

Late 60s early 70s is the cream of the crop.

 

"Desmog"??? First, the 73-76 big blocks are all configured the same. The only thing these cars have is EGR and (for 75-76) a catalyst. The cat stays in the donor car anyway. The cam will likely be changed. The intake will also likely be changed. The J heads are fine for a low-RPM street driver.

 

I have also heard that the J heads will do ok on a rebuild for a street engine. I drove a stock 76 98 with a 455 and J heads and it was one of the best cruisers I have ever driven.

 

yeah Im not planning on racing it...just dont like to feel like I cant pass a honda. Thanks for the tips so far guys, helping out alot.

 

If you can't pass a Honda with any Oldsmobile with a stock 455 the engine needs at least a good tune.

 

well it has the 160hp version of the 350 right now...and I can pass but well Im sure you know what I mean

 

yeah

 

the 76 455 has 160 horsepower also

 

That 76 98 Regency was an AWSOME car! I would buy one in a heart beat if there was one near me for the right price and in the right condition. Actually, Oldsguy owned it when I was in college. He would agree with me. It was a super comfortable luxury car that could pass anything but a gas station.