Looking to purchase a 455 crate motor for my 72 442. Any idea's or links please send along. I'm in Massachusetts so nothing from the west coast, shipping would kill the purchase. Thanks.

 

Just curious since I'm West Coast and not in your target area, but what do you consider a "Crate motor 455?"

I always thought a crate motor was 100% brand new including the block. I learn something every day but never thought there might be a brand new 455 Olds sitting in a crate. I guess anything is possible.

 

No one makes one find a core and have a reputable machine shop/engine builder build a turn key engine for you.

 

There are many places in MA that have a good reputation with Olds motors. I used Custom Automotive Machine in Weymouth. Dana did a great job. I've got over 4000 miles with zero problems

 

I know rock auto sells long blocks no core needed not sure of quality, just a FYI

 

The only 2 I know of is Proformance and Tuff dawg. I don't know how good they are by you can do an internet search of 455 olds crate engines. Your other option is to find a machine shop to build you one, as stated above. I would not use a jobber shop.

 

http://btrperformance.com/

Bill Trovato is close enough that the freight to ship to Mass. shouldn't kill that bad.
He doesn't do crate motors, but is one of the best in the Olds world and will build you what you want.

 

Let's get some definitions straight first. "Crate motor" has become about as misused as "numbers matching". The term originally was used to refer to BRAND NEW motors built from brand new castings being sold by the factories IN CRATES (hence the term). Today the term is pretty much used to refer to any rebuilt engine, so it's meaningless.

As for true Olds crate motors, obviously GM isn't selling any. Very rarely an NOS Olds long block in the crate will show up on ebay (there's a V6 diesel on there now ). Anything else will be a rebuild, no matter what someone calls it, since there are no new Olds castings. Many people sell rebuilt Olds motors in various states from stock to modified.

 

Here is a place in NY maybe it will not be a long drive

http://www.oldsperformanceproducts.com/aboutus.asp

 

Whats your budget and how much power are you looking for. I have a friend who builds wicked motors and just got done building a bad *** street motor. 526HP and 589 TQ Im sure this motor could be bought, he doesnt have a use for it, just built it to build it. http://realoldspower.prophpbb.com/topic830.html

 

OPP? I wouldn't buy a spark plug from him!

 

My interpretation of a "Crate Olds" Motor is a stock factory block with all new internal parts, with much more horse power of coarse. Thanks for the info, I'll keep looking around. Brian

 

Pm'd you. Thanks

 

Why bad products?

 

I travel every few months for work and have brought a number of motors to BTR and back for people in the Boston area. Mostly I take the motors to BTR. Bill likes to dyno the motors he does and usually the client wants to be there for the dyno session so they pick them up themselves. If you're interested let me know

 

Andy is a first class liar. Had a friend have him do a factory steel crank to put in a 496. Who ever he farmed it out to couldn't even cut it straight. Throw one crank away. All the good shops in that area won't work for him. Repackages & sells parts as his own manufactured. Need any more?

 

I had purchased parts from OPP /Andy , the parts were OK however Andy is a total jerk .

 

Good to know, I was thinking of having my motor rebuild by them back to searching.

 

http://www.cdpautomachine.com/engine...longblock.html

Found this guy in Groton, CT. Not vouching for him because I don't know them at all. Just one of a few that do make so called 'crate engines' for Olds.

There are also many who make engine kits (internals) if you have a block. Just need a good machine shop.

I will vouch for Michael at ABT Machine in Holliston, MA. http://abtmachine.com/ Great work and experience.

 

called those guys once(cdpauto), they don't have any 455 cores, they said that unless you bring/send them your own core, they can't do one...

 

http://www.precisionengine.com/

Another option

Good luck

 

You can easily find a good local 455 core. There are a bunch of Olds guys in the Boston area.


I think this is probably Joe Mc-something (I've got his contact info somewhere). He says he has 455 cores for $300. Probably J heads but I'm sure for a little more you can get decent heads

http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/pts/3873048785.html

Here's one for $600.

http://boston.craigslist.org/sob/pts/3873342042.html

I pretty sure this is John De-something (I've got his contact info somewhere too)

http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/pts/3881297081.html

BTW did you happen to get that 72 W30 in Hyannis?

 

ABT Machine.

I have had 5 motors done there.

They have a dyno too.

 

Where is ABT machine? Thanks for info guys. Yeah, I know Joe..... Not on great terms with him right now.

 

You're not the only one........

I've never personally dealt with him. I'm not sure if that's him in the Pawtucket ad. There's a post from the person selling that stuff on the Facebook OCA page and the person's name isn't Joe. I figured that being in Pawtucket he had to have something to do with it though

So did your car come from the Cape? The reason I ask is the owner of a certain marina had one identical to yours in his yard for years. Or are you that person?

 

Yeah, that's the correct Joe. His warehouse is in Pawtucket, he lives in Norton, Ma. My 442 came from Minnesota appx. 5 years ago. I drove out & trailered it back to Mass. No I'm not that person. I'm poor LOL.

 

I have an opportunity to purchase a set of "C" heads off a 1968 Cutlass. What are some thoughts on doing this? What would need to be done to them before bolting on? Supposedly they are all set & I can just bolt them on & go. Please share your thoughts if you've had experience dealing with these heads.

Are stock "C" heads the best to use?

Thanks

 

Well, the first question is, what did they really come off of? The largest engine offered in the 68 Cutlass was a 350. Obviously, 442s came with BBOs, but not Cutlii that year. If they really are 442 heads, they will be big valve heads. Other applications (Vista Cruisers, Delta 88s) could have come with small valve heads. The other question is, how much are they? As pointed out many times on this forum, if you're buying iron heads for something north of $750 or so, you'd be money ahead to just get a set of Bernard Mondello ProComps (unless you want the application-correct iron heads).

 

Hi Joe - I'm glad you're asking the questions, I know from reading some of your post that I can be sure you know what your talking about. The person will take $300. for them. Supposedly they are off a 1968.

Here's a quote from the seller/ "big valve C heads off a 1968 455. There 79cc , have brand new Lunati valve springs good to .550 lift cams. Lunati retainers and locks."

So what am I to think, Joe - What's your suggestion here? Thanks

 

Sounds like a decent deal if the heads are ready to bolt on. If they need cleanup and work, then not so much.

 

Joe - I have sourced a different set of "C" heads. These are off a 455. They are used heads that will need a valve job done on by my builder & will also be ported & polished. Are "C" Heads the most desired "Stock" heads? I can't remember if it's C's or E's. My motor is going to be rebuilt again, this time by someone who has a lot of experience with Oldsmobile's & 455's. You may have heard of him? "Steve Lapointe". He's from Rehoboth, Ma. Anyway, I want to put the best Stock heads on I can, I can't afford to go Aluminum considering this is the second time in less than 2500 miles I'm rebuilding this motor. Thanks for any info you can provide.

 

C-heads are the best-flowing commonly available BBO heads (I would argue that D, F, and H heads are more "desired"). The reality is that the flow differences between any two BBO castings except for Js are pretty minor. I understand the finance issue, but if the ready-to-bolt-on iron heads start getting close to $1000, you should really think about Bernard Mondello's ProComps.

 

x2

 

I have just rebuilt a 455 and i am in Mass.
The motor is for sale.
I built it to sell, and I just enjoy building motors.
some spec's
.030 over 9to1 comp.
crank was ground .010/.010
GA heads -Big valves were installed as were hardened exhaust seats.
Roller rockers w/guide plates
Comp cams Mild thumper cam specs to follow
High volume oil pump
Milodon oil pan
Pro comp Distributor
Edelbrock Torker manifold
Holley 750 vac. seconderies.
The motor is on a stand and you can hear it run.
P.M. me if your interested

 

Here is a quick pic of the 455 for sale
I still have to install water pump, plug wires etc.
But I plan on firing it off this weekend.

 

What piston did you use?

 

PM sent First 442.

 

Joe - I have Ga heads on my motor now. Do they flow as well as C's or is there no comparison? I mean, if the Ga heads are as good as the C's, then I'll save the money & just use what I already have. Thanks

 

Again, with the exception of J heads, all BBO heads flow about the same. You won't really feel a difference on a street car.

 

Hi First 442
I sent you a PM a few last week when you made your post. I have not heard back from you. Where are you from? What internal parts did you use? Pistons? Rods? Ect.......

Dropping my motor off today..... Looks like you may have missed a sale.