Howdy Fellas,

I am back into my 1966 Holiday Coupe and am about to undergo a "frame on" driver restoration. 10 years ago it made no monitary sense to have my original 10.25:1 330 rebuilt. Today I am wondering if that is still the case.

My thoughts WERE at the time to find a core 455 and T400 and have them rebuilt. Today I am definayely considering 700r4 and a 403/400 or 455.
There is NO WAY i'll use a GM corporate motor or a Chevy. My gearhead'ness wont let me do that so, what would you think my options are in 2014 for a Olds motor and 700r4? I want a driver but gotta have some *****. I always thought a 455 with low compression, a dual pattern cam (that has that loping sound..a must) and a carb vs. EFI. I dont need a $13,000 Mondello motor or want some cheap *** noname.com **** motor. I was wondering if,,,,if I am going to have to drop some coin on a crate, non core www motor IF I can have the 330 stroked, rebuilt to my likes, use the big heads that are on the 330 just modernized etc. and cost about the same money.

Thanks for reading,

Robert

 

Rob, posted on your other thread.
I had a 67 330 with #4 heads and
a 320hp 330 with a 4 speed that
I really enjoyed.

They say the 200 4R is the OD tranny
to go with for the Olds. I'm not sure but
I procured one from a 87 Buick G/N for my
69 442 resto, if I ever get back to it.

I may have a 70 455 E head core that I
might let go. I haven't decided yet, Adam.

 

That is the same motor...320hp 333 w/#4 heads. I would definatley be interested in that 70 455 core. We'll talk soon.

I was sorta thinking maybe I could find a '79 403 Trans Am motor somewhere. I think it might be harder than I thought.

I am pretty sure I can find a 700r.

 

I gonna catch flack for this one,
but WHY a 403? I never liked 'em.

Henry might have one of the elusive
66-67 400 E blocks. Those are really
becoming harder to find.

 

It's Olds....it should be around. Maybe it can be built into a 375hp driver motor?
I was wondering if.....now for Pontiac guys it's a NoNoNo but it is a 400cid Olds motor right?

 

The 403 is, yes.
They stuffed a lot of them
in Pontiacs back in the day.
The larger pass. cars as well.
I think all 77 Deltas had them.

 

So I was thinking maybe I could get some info here about whether or not they are out there and/or worth a damn...see

 

So you're right dude...I have been seeing a lot of 200 R4 OD trans threads. So this must be the Olds OD trans to use vs. the 700 R4. Cool, way cool

 

A 455 would be the easiest route (plentiful) with 200r4 that was freshened up. It's an easy swap that would not require a drive shaft mod.

 

Some 200r4s will bolt up, but the 700r4 will not unless you have an adapter plate. Some transmission builders sell "universal" bellhousings, you'd have to investigate those and see if they have the BOP bolt pattern. Depending on the tail shaft length of the trans, you may have to get a new driveshaft whether you choose a th400 or a 700r4 when going from your original set-up.


If you want a Mondello built engine, get it built at the Tech Center in Crossville, TN or at Bernard Mondello's shop in Corona, CA

 

I dont want a Mondello but thanks for the imput.

 

Pretty much ALL 200-4Rs will bolt up. The early ones came with a BOP-only case. Most came with the unisex case. Rumor on the street is that GM built Chevy-only case 200-4Rs, but no one has ever seen one. I think Chris Witt needs to offer a cash award for proof.

 

Well my gearhead wants taller (shorter..I screwed this up..TY guys) gear, like 3:73's and an OD.....woot

So, enlighten me on where one might look for a plentyful 455? Please

 

"Taller gear" usually means "higher", as in lower numerically. Tall gears are for highway driving and Bonneville. Shorter gears are for acceleration. You can go shorter than 3.73. The 0.68 OD on the 200-4R turns 4.10s into 2.78s. 4.33s become 2.94s - which is about 2300 RPM at 60 MPH with 27" dia tires.

 

There are 2 cores that need to be rebuilt on craigslist and I know of 1 here local to me that supposedly ran when pulled with a T400 trans.

 

Yeah I screwed that up....Shorter gears.....not taller...my bad. (FAIL)

 

I like your combo. I'm doing similar with a 64 Jetstar. 403 with #7 heads, cam, 4.10's and either a 200-4R or 700-R4. Speedway has an adapter for the 700.

 

Back to your original post about your 330. Yes it can be stroked and bored. To the tune of roughly 360 to 370 cubes. Just takes a set of aftermarket rods and a custom piston along with properly regrinding the crank. Even with a set of unported factory heads it'll have an impressive gain in performance. Feel free to contact me for more info.

 

Buy my rusty 85 and drive it back home

Rebuilt Toronado 403 [factory historically used the best of the best for the Toronado]
#6 higher compression heads
forged pistons
forged 330 crank
OD trans
3.73:1 open final drive
buckets & console, it's a 442
gold & chrome 15" wheels

Rusty beyond belief to a TX man

Use the drivetrain and sell off the rest for '85 442 parts

 

Tempting Octania but I am just in the initial stages of this restodriver deal.

My wife would be very pissy if I had another car to sit around. I like on a 110 acre ranch and the house is on 1.25 acres and I have a 27' RV, a busted 1997 Chevy Dualie, my 1995 Mercury Marquis (Marauder clone), a 2005 Nissa Sentra, a 2000 LE2500 Silverado, a 2008 Sonata, 2 ATV 4 wheeler s and a busted 100cc pit bike LOL.

In the garage a 2007 VT750 Shadow Spirit....and soon a 1966 Holiday. LOL See my dilemma? Now mind you I keep it very tidy, a beautiful place, 2400 sq ft home that was built by my grand daddy and hie Jedi buddy....I am a lucky man to the last man standing to inherit the place.

To bad the 85 is a rust bucket...They were cool in the day....see I was 21 in 85.

Smitty I am not ready to jump on the motor thing just yet. More in due diligence mode but I would be very interested to know more about the 330 rebuild. I'll be in touch Sir..ty

 

Hey Rob,

I am at a similar crossroads with the 455 paring to a 4 speed automatic trans. Maybe we could ask the forum to provide their experience with the pros, cons, & costs of the 200R4 vs. 700R4 in their projects.

For me, I have a rebuilt TH350 but with the 330 engine out, and the car in the air, this is a good time to work out the details before Spring.

For me, building a classic weekend cruiser with the grunt of a 455 and the OD option during a highway jaunt is a pleasant, reoccurring daydream.

Thanks for any tips guys...

Larry

 

That is my #1 road too Larry,

A 455 with a lot of torque, a great lope and a OD trans and some gear.
Oh and vintage air. That would be it....I am under the mindset that nothing beats cubic inches and torque, not 7500 rpm LOL. Which is great but I want brutal power and drivability. It is going to be an exciting path we are on....looking forward to it.

 

That is my #1 road too Larry,

A 455 with a lot of torque, a great lope, an OD trans and some gear.
Oh and vintage air. That would be it....I am under the mindset that nothing beats cubic inches and torque, not 7500 rpm LOL, which is great but I want brutal power/pull and drivability. It is going to be an exciting path we are on....looking forward to it.

 

I did a Vintage Air kit in my 67 last year. I did a custom kit using Olds and Chevrolet parts. Turned out great. I put a thread here about it, glad to help with details if you need them.
Tim

 

Here's a tip: GM overdrive transmissions are weak junk.
I'd go with a gear vendors unit on the back of a th400, but that's just me.
You can drive the car 200 miles to the track, click off an 11 second pass with your 455, and then comfortably drive home with your overdrive.
200 and 700 transmissions will just break.

 

tick tock tick tock......... waiting for the "not if you build it right for 2200 dollars" guy to show up....

 

What about a conversion to a 5 speed?
Seems like that would require more fab that I am capable of....
in stalling pedals, clutch linkage, locating the shifter/linkage too,,,,making the right hole? but dang that would be interesting.