outlawspeeder

About to buy a motor came from a toro 455 numbers are 396021F but the code on the back is F8???

I thought the hightest is F6 If the motor worth any thing?

One more hint there is a tube coming up for the choke I think and a large vacuum sw on the driver side. Poor photo.

Number from the block puts it as:

F '70 - '72 455 396021 Common big block. Serif type F. Two vertical and a base serif.

Any HELP PLEASE?

oldsmobiledave

F1-6 or other numbers have NOTHING to do with nickel content. That is a an urban myth.

If this is truely a Toro engine the intake manifold will be dished. If it is from a 1969 it will have large valve C heads & an N crank. This engine is a fine core for a performance build.

joe_padavano

As noted, the "F" number on the back of the block is meaningless. It does NOT indicate anything about nickel content or any other properties of the block. What matters is the VIN derivative, which will tell you the exact model year of the block.

outlawspeeder

THANK YOU thought I was lossing my little mind.

My source "was" http://www.442.com/oldsfaq/ofhed.htm

After reading a lot of this page it sounded real enough to believe. Is there a site, book, a scroll of what the boys did when they built these wonderful machines??
.

outlawspeeder

The motor is 33M33732 the heads 411783 J heads

So is it still a good starting point?

MDchanic

33M is a 1973 motor, so the "large vacuum sw on the driver side" is an EGR vacuum diaphragm with an extender.

It's a low compression smog motor, but may suit your needs, depending on what they are.

- Eric

outlawspeeder

I have a set of G heads but I don't know if they are good.


He wants 250 for it so as long as it doesn’t have bottom end damage….

Anyone want to but a set of J heads. Or I can start grinding???

joe_padavano

As Eric noted, this is a 1973 motor, and given this statement, you now know why we say not to believe everything you read in the FAQ:

outlawspeeder

Looks like I am picking it this Sunday.
Anything I should look at before I hand the cash?

Normal story... was running when his friend pulled it... loossen the rockers to save the springs...

Plan on pulling the pan for a quick look.
but again anything I should look for???

MDchanic

If you're planning to run it as-is, tightening the rockers, running the starter, and doing a compression test may give you some peace of mind.

- Eric

outlawspeeder

I was thinking valve job for the G heads, hang the Js on the wall.
The block I am hoping for ring job, pop a cam??

OH as always with an OLDS new oil pump.

outlawspeeder

I now have a 73 unmolested 455. It looks as it has never been opened. Next week end I’ll get it opened up and see how the cylinders look. I am wishing to just hone, clean and build.

If the crank looks good, I’ll do std bearings. As far as cams, this is where I need a hand.

Cam questions:

I have a set of G heads with a set of roller rockers. Looking for a very street able cam. The Heads have the cross over closed.

Open to options.