looking at buying a 455 toronado engine for a 71 cutlass convertible. The 455 has G-heads and the casting number behind the waterpump is 396021F. From what I can see this would be correct for a 71 model. I will end up with the full front clip and transmission. Was wondering if the 71 model toronado has a big following. I might end up with parts to sell.

 

G heads are 1971 specific, but that block casting number was used for all years of 455 engines. To determine the block year of manufacture, look at the VIN pad near the #1 cylinder.

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Head_ID.jpg

 

1971 is the last year for the Toro 455 to be equipped with big valve heads. That is a great core to build.

 

The big valves in later Toro engines is a untrue myth. I have a 70 Toro 455 that I had to put big valves in when it was rebuilt. I pulled the engine. It had E heads like all 70's. Still a very worthy engine. Tom

 

It has been generally known that all Toros had big valve B C E or G heads from 1966-1971.


If your car did not have big valve heads then it was an exception or had a head swap.

 

Thanks, for the information. There is a lot of knowledge on this forum. Once I get engine home I can start the tear down process and see exactly what I have. I might need a regular intake since the one on the car is a low profile for the toronado. I have a set of raised letter OLDSMOBILE valve covers, should I use them. or does the 71 455 normally have standard valve covers?

 

You can use what ever valve cover you like...it's your car. Those covers came on 1973 Oldsmobile 455s.


If you do not want to put a stock iron intake on the engine a used Performer 455 is a very cheap upgrade.

 

Thanks, the valve covers are from a 74 350 that I was going to build ( until I tore it apart and the #7 cylinder was busted ). So now I have them as spares if needed. I am trying to keep the car looking close to original.

 

I think I know the answer, but here it goes. On the toronado the starter is on the left side? ( passenger side ) is the 455 drilled to mount the starter on the right ( driver side ). have looked for the answer and haven't found it yet. After the engine swap it will be time to find a 10 bolt posi and maybe 3.42 gears

 

The Toro block is drilled for starter on either side.

 

Thanks, I was hoping it would be drilled correctly for my Cutlass. I might need to hold a lot of my silly questions until I have the motor and then maybe I wouldn't have so many.

 

Only if you have a right hand drive vehicle. Most of us here in the states have left hand drive vehicles.

 

Mine would be a left hand drive, can't remember when referring to side of the car if it should be as you sit in the driver seat or as you look at it from the front.

 

The car's left side and your left side are the same when you are sitting in it looking forward. US market cars are left hand drive.

 

Just pulled the motor today. It was actually in a REVCON RV. Motor has 76,000 miles. And the starter bolted to the transmission bellhousing. Was not able to get full driveline. But did pull the transmission. Let the fun begin. tried to find the vin number, but the pad below the # 1 cylinder has no number or letters. Is it because it was in an RV and not a Car? pulled the valves and the top of the healook extremely clean. Not sure if the motor has been overhauled already or what. Will try to put on a test stand and see what kind of compression i have in each cylinder. Will try to get some photos uploaded in the next few days.

 

That is how Toro transmissions are designed. The Toro FWD trans is basically a TH400 bent in half, with the planetary gear section alongside the LH side of the motor. This conflicts with the normal Olds starter location, thus the starter on the RH side on the bellhousing. The block is the same as every Olds RWD block and still has the starter mounting pad on the LH side.

 

Thanks for the information, haven't started tearing into the motor too deep yet. As of now I don't see a ID number on the the pad on the #1 cylinder. Not sure if it's because it was in a REVCON RV. The intake has a " S " on it. Does anyone know what year the intake would be?

 

70-72 Toro

 

Thanks

 

Can anyone tell me what year this block was cast? From what I can find, The 5 is for 1971 which would be the fifth year of the 455. It would make since with it having G heads.

 

The only definitive indication of the year of the motor is the VIN derivative stamp. The second character will be the model year of the block. "1" = 1971.