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First off wow, so many amazing cars and knowledgeable. I'm new here and just picked this bad boy up, 72 sport. It needs a few things, but the previous owner didn't know anything about it. Leaving me a bit stuck. Thank god I found you guys! It runs and drives and is ok for small pleasure rides but I want to make it a daily (no snow or rain) driver.
It has a 455 rocket swapped in, but I have no idea which or from what so I can't really start anything with it. The engine has a code on the top drivers side 10486572, does anyone know where/what this is from? What do you guys suggest to make this a dependable runner, not looking to increase hp or anything, and not really looking to rebuild the entire thing, where would you start? I want to put new plugs and wires, and give it an oil change but have no idea which to search for with this mystery motor! What sites do you guys use to pick up stuff like side mirrors and small things like that?
Sorry for the noob questions and rant, I'd just like to get started asap!
The engine has a code on the top drivers side 10486572, does anyone know where/what this is from?
That is actually 18436572 and is the spark plug firing order.
If you look on the front of the engine, on the shelf above the water pump, there is a block casting number that will tell what engine it is. Then if you look on the machined pad near the #1 spark plug there is a stamped number that will have the year the engine was built and a partial VIN of the vehicle it was in originally.
That is actually 18436572 and is the spark plug firing order.
If you look on the front of the engine, on the shelf above the water pump, there is a block casting number that will tell what engine it is. Then if you look on the machined pad near the #1 spark plug there is a stamped number that will have the year the engine was built and a partial VIN of the vehicle it was in originally.
That is actually 18436572 and is the spark plug firing order.
Which it actually says right on the intake manifold runner directly above that number - you can see it in the photo...
That car isn't a "Sport". It's either a Cutlass Hardtop Coupe or a Cutlass S Hardtop Coupe. The VIN will tell you which. A base Cutlass will have a VIN that starts 3F87... A Cutlass S will have a VIN that starts 3G87... The only differences between the two are minor items like chrome trim, upholstery patterns, and what equipment was included in the base price vs optional. Good luck with it.
A couple of interesting things I noted:
This could easily be a 442 from 1972 since they came with a large number of available engines. Some things that I looked for and saw were the lack of rocker trim, and the correct W29 hood with the Oldsmobile script over the DS high beam. The headlight bezels are from 71 but that's just cosmetic. If the car was built at any other plant than Lansing (code M in the VIN, Code LAN on the cowl tag) you might be able to find some provenance like a build sheet somewhere in the car. Most often it's been found on top of the gas tank, so if you're feeling lucky.... drop the tank and have a look.
This was at one time an AC car, but that has been removed with the swap of the 455. I hope you don't need to use the heat or cooling because that's all been bypassed. Who knows, maybe the heater core leaked and that's why it's bypassed?
If all the pulleys were swapped onto this 455, I find it interesting that the fan shroud is missing as that's a significant part of the HD cooling package.
Kenneth and Joe have you covered on the firing order. BTW on Olds, the rotation of the rotor is CCW instead of CW. And on an HEI distributor the #1 cylinder position is 2 terminals to the left of the HEI connections. A stock 1972 air cleaner will not fit with an HEI distributor, don't ask how I found out this stuff...
drop the tank and have a look.
