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Hi everyone, We have a 1971 Oldsmobile Delta Royale convertible and are trying to determine exactly what engine it has. The number on the header is 366 6711488948. As far as I know, if the header ID starts with a letter, it's the bigger version of the eight, and if it starts with a number, it's the smaller version of the eight. I would really appreciate learning more about this car since it's my wife's car that was given to her by her late grandfather. Thank you for creating such a fantastic resource
. Best regards,Chris
3= Oldsmobile
66= Delta Royale
67= convertible
1= 1971
M= assembly plant code, Lansing MI
488948= car sequential serial number which sounds like a late production car.
All 1971 full-size Olds convertibles were Royales and your car is one of 2883 built. In 1971, Royale was still a pretty exclusive car, same as it was in its 1969 introduction. Available only as a convertible or a two-door hardtop.
There's a body data plate underhood that tells more about how the car was originally built. It includes paint and interior trim codes and the week the car was built.
I can't remember for sure but I think all 1971 Royales were 455 cars. The engine casting code in area Kenneth pointed out should be F or Fa for 455. If there's a number it's a 350. Engine codes didn't appear in the VIN until 1972.
Last edited by rocketraider; Jul 8, 2024 at 05:21 AM.
Yes, my 72 convertible Royale is a 455, F block.
Check your gas tank, mine had some serious rot, tanks are not available. 72 D88 Royale convertible 455 engine bay, non AC, missing shrouding? Side of tank rots from dirt setting in upward bent flange.
Hi everyone, We have a 1971 Oldsmobile Delta Royale convertible and are trying to determine exactly what engine it has.
If it has its original engine, it's a 455. As noted by several others, a 455 was the only engine offered in the 1971 Delta 88 Royale, and all of that generation (1971-1975) Delta 88 convertibles were Royales. Starting the following year, 1972, the base engine in the Royale became the 350 with 2-bbl carb. A 455 with 4-bbl and dual exhaust were options.
Here's the Delta 88 Royale page from the 1971 Dealer Specs book. Note the items circled in blue.
The engine casting code in area Kenneth pointed out should be F or Fa for 455. If there's a number it's a 350.
This is a little bit confusing. For clarification, both 455s and 350s use a string of numbers for the block casting number, followed by either a letter (455) or a number (350).
455 = 396021 F (or 396021 FA)
350 = 395558 2
Well. I guess the gentleman wasn't as interested in his Royale's engine as he made out he was.
Originally Posted by jaunty75
Or he got his question answered another way.
Yes and yes, but either way closure on this end would be nice...
Definitely one of the irksome qualities of blogs like this. Open ended questions with potential answers/solutions provided but never verified as to if help was truly provided. Drove me nuts for years before I joined while looking through the archives. Only difference now instead of feeling it 2nd hand its 1st hand.
