Power ratings on a 72 olds 455 rocket?

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Old April 14th, 2011, 07:41 AM
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Power ratings on a 72 olds 455 rocket?

Guys all around the web I find conflicting power ratings can you pro's help me out, I found a totally intact stock 1972 olds delta 88 with 455 Rocket 4 barrel engine and seriously am considering this as an upgrade to put into my 1979 TA.
My car came stock with a paltry 185 horse 300 ft pounds of torque, so picking up 100 horses and 100 lbs of torque or so would be a hell of a deal for the 600 bucks this cream puff car would cost me

Can you guys give me the REAL numbers or steer me in the right direction?
Thanks
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Old April 14th, 2011, 01:11 PM
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  • 1972 L75 455 CID 4-barrel V8, (250 hp w/ TH400 and 370 lb·ft (502 N·m) in 1972) [U in VIN]
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Old April 15th, 2011, 04:27 AM
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It doesn't matter too much.That engine is 39yrs old,so it won't be making that exact amount anyway,but you will still notice the difference from your original TA engine.If it runs good,then maybe you can run it awhile before rebuilding it.
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Old January 22nd, 2023, 09:18 PM
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Originally Posted by TripDeuces
  • 1972 L75 455 CID 4-barrel V8, (250 hp w/ TH400 and 370 lb·ft (502 N·m) in 1972) [U in VIN]
From Oldsmobile Wiki
I had a 1972 88 and it definitely did not have dual exhaust which that engine had so could not produce that 250 HP which I think was an optional upgrade. Even with less than that on hand, the best I can find is what I had produced 225 HP with similar torque, it could still do 0 - 60 in right around 10 seconds with its locomotive like torque which while slow by current standards was quick in the 1960's and early 1970's.
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Old January 23rd, 2023, 06:08 AM
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From the factory SPECS booklet for 1972



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Old January 23rd, 2023, 12:44 PM
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Thanks, I had seen that chart before but my Google Fu failed me. I knew that mine was not the 470 HP because that was dual exhaust. I think many people simply got the bottom 455 because that extra 45 HP probably cost $100 extra which was quite a bit back then and really only noticeable if you were towing.
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Old January 23rd, 2023, 01:45 PM
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Originally Posted by ThomasB
Thanks, I had seen that chart before but my Google Fu failed me. I knew that mine was not the 470 HP because that was dual exhaust. I think many people simply got the bottom 455 because that extra 45 HP probably cost $100 extra which was quite a bit back then and really only noticeable if you were towing.
The only way you got 270 net hp in 1972 was with the M20 4 speed in a Cutlass/442. That wasn't an option on the full size cars.
Terry
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Old September 22nd, 2023, 08:07 AM
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Hi Joe , i was just wondering do you have the same specifications like you have here ,but for a 1973 olds 455? If so could you post it ?I have a 1973 455 and am curious to see what the chart says about it. Thank you in advance !
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Old September 22nd, 2023, 08:36 AM
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Originally Posted by kevin .ew
Hi Joe , i was just wondering do you have the same specifications like you have here ,but for a 1973 olds 455? If so could you post it ?I have a 1973 455 and am curious to see what the chart says about it. Thank you in advance !
Unfortunately my copy of the 1973 SPECS booklet is not easy to read. I've annotated the engines page. Note that the L77 motor is not shown in the SPECS booklet but is described in the 1973 H/O literature.





Note also this page from the parts book that shows the V-code engine as the L75 with M20 (manual trans). The V-code engine used a different cam from the U-code engine.



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Old September 22nd, 2023, 08:56 AM
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To the OP. The information Joe provided (below) is fantastic. You won't find this type of information & detail provided on ANY other forum. Welcome to CO.

Originally Posted by joe_padavano
Unfortunately my copy of the 1973 SPECS booklet is not easy to read. I've annotated the engines page. Note that the L77 motor is not shown in the SPECS booklet but is described in the 1973 H/O literature.





Note also this page from the parts book that shows the V-code engine as the L75 with M20 (manual trans). The V-code engine used a different cam from the U-code engine.


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Old September 22nd, 2023, 09:17 AM
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I find it interesting (error?) that the '72 specs have the Toro with small intake valves and all the A body 455s, including the U code, with big valves?
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