805cut

Okay so its time to start thinking about getting a motor build going for my 70 cutlass 350.

The motors been around the block a few times and id rather go big and swap out to something bigger then rebuild whats already there. The cars tranny was rebuilt a while back but is starting to slip a bit the cars beautiful but its time to give her some new kick!

Questions to you guys,

I want to build the motor myself, and id love to build a 455. Preferably piece by piece, can i just start by getting ahold of a 455 block and building up from that? I dont care about original parts or matching numbers, just want to build a good engine.

Ive been having a hard time finding just a 455 olds block or even a older 455 motor for that matter. Are there any chevy motors i can put into my car without having to do some crazy fabb?

Car needs a new tranny either way.

Oldsmaniac

Well you could put a chevy engine in there but then guys like me will say "man someone created a turd with that Chevy engine in there" And others will say "dude its his car he can do whatever he wants with it. I am in NJ and have a 1970 455 for sale.

Redog

I say keep it all Olds.

I would buy all new parts for the bottom end. Take apart the bottom end and take it to a machine shop and have it cleaned, decked, and bored out a bit as well as having the crank turned.

To have it done right, I would take it somewhere and have all this done then put the bottom end together for you. Then bring it home and throw the heads, mani, etc on and drop it in the car.

Everything have to be done right and if I don't have the tools to do it right and they are too expensive, I'll pay somebody to do it. Bottom ends have to be perfect. If not, your throwing money away

805cut

i agree id like to keep it all olds, the only reson i ask about chevy is because there seems to be more out there.. Most of the work would be done out of my buddys shop but its up to me to find the parts
How much are you asking for your 455?
What kind of shape is it in?

Jaybird

Keep your car all Olds. I am staying all Oldsmobile, but I have to tell you that I'm going to a 455. I have had a very hard time to find low compression pistons for my '67 425 Delta 88. I have decided, since the engine is not the original, I might as well go for a 455. Those engines seem to grow on trees! And! The internals seem to be available almost everywhere!

I just picked up a 455 from Brian Trick and it is now at my engine builder's place.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but 425's were manufactured from 1965-67 and 455's were manufactured from 1968-79. 3 years vs 11 years!

The piston guys, Badger, Egge and Kanter have pistons for 425's sometimes. You can get pistons for a 455 from many other places all the time.

As far as blocks go... I know for a fact that the 425 block and the 455 block are the same. The crank, connecting rods, pistons and flex plate are different for a 455.

805cut

Lets just say i have the olds 350 and tranny removed from the car..

And could get a chevy 454 (CHEAP) off a friend, would it fit as far as motor mounts or would some have to be made?

What tranny would work with it and my car?

just curious cause ive heard people say dont even try it

And if i got a 455 what tranny should i look at?

sorry guys im just trying to find all options

thanks!

805cut

i want to stay olds.. i just cant find a motor!

what tranny would you guys run with a 455?

Jaybird

Don't get dragged to the dark side!

This thread is getting scary! It might get bumped to the non-olds powered section!

I'd run and Turbo 400. That's what my care came with. I have two of them. I don't have the knowledge about interchanging.

805cut

HAHA no worries friend.
I just got to do some digging, ill keep it olds!

Redog

Try your local Craigslist.

I bought my 350 off a guy in Scranton, PA and my 330 off a guy in Central NJ. I couldn't find either place again if I tried

Rickman48

Going 'darkside' is a tremendous PIA!!
Not only the mounts, all the electric must be switched side to side, and the small block fuel line can't handle a 454!
Then there's the radiator and transmission differences.
Need I say more??

Oldsmaniac

The 455 I have is disassembled and just the block, crank, heads, oil pan, 7 piston rod assemblys. Must pick up in NJ $200 for it all. History unknown and some rust on block.

bigD

personally i'd build what you've got... flat top's from cp, get a set of procomp heads thru Bernard Mondello and have them planed and cc'd @70cc's ($150 extra), have cutlassefi set you up with an appropriate cam then add a performer rpm & 750 carb and a good set of headers... those smallblock will pull hard and wind tight!

as to the tranny, the 350 can be made very durable but a better route to go would be a 2004R with a set of 3.90 gears. that will give you kickass bottom end and the overdrive will be great out on the open road...

805cut

Im pretty much caught between rebuilding what i have (meaning id be riding the harley for a while cause id have NO car) or driving the **** out of the 350 while working on building up a 455 to drop in it when my 350 checks out..

My 350 runs good, it just has a few issues and would need to be rebuilt NOW if i really wanted to keep it around.

Im just trying to keep the car driveable for as long as i can. Which is why id like to rebuild something other then whats already in the car, and if im going to get a whole new motor for my cutlass it better be a 455!

the cars tranny slips as well so i plan on swapping motor and trans either way

oldcutlass

Here's my .02! It was easy! DO NOT SHOOT THE MESSENGER!

https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...i-did-why.html

805cut

Im gunna go look around some junk yards in my area.. See if maybe i can get lucky, like i said id like to find a 455 and trans and work on having all of that built while the original 350 and tranny are still kicking.. I just got to get out there and find it!

csouth

I didn't see your location, unless I missed it? Its good to post it because it would be easier for people to help you out with finding parts.

805cut

ventura county, california

csouth

Check this guy out in Oxnard, its a whole car for $350 and still available. I was bored at work today and called...lol May be a good core for rebuild. Its a great deal if the motor and trans ar good cores. You could pull them then run the car across the scale and make some money back.

http://ventura.craigslist.org/pts/2965935168.html

Fakser

805cut I'm just north of you in Paso Robles there are two olds blocks 455 with some heads and rotating assemblies for sale in Nipomo also a complete 455 I think in Sant Maria on Craigslist but that guy wants 950.
http://slo.craigslist.org/pts/2967749308.html
http://santamaria.craigslist.org/pts/2994034233.html

ah64pilot

Hey, there are a couple of guys there in Paso Robles that I'd love to slap...would you mind going over there and doing it for me? lol!

805cut

Brother did work!

thank you i think i will give larry a call haha

805cut

Thanks everyone for your replys.. I have really started to dig since i was last on here and ive been finding some stuff but all hail csouth for finding the guy in oxnard, im for sure going to see what thats all about, if the core is buildable this is a done deal! Id part the rest of that sucker out and put the whatever money right into the rebuild and scrap the rest! That and ive found a couple motors in some junkyards so i think ill be alright

ill keep you posted

csouth

Np, thats what forums should be used for...