i picked up this 455 today seems to be pretty complete casting number is 396021Fa number on the block reads 36m702936 , the guy i got it from said it came out of a 1974 tornado, running when pulled.over the next few weeks ill be disassembling it to check out the internals .have no use for the turbo 425 and differential so will post that in the for sale section later on .has the j heads and im assuming low compression pistons.can anyone help me out on the numbers posted?

 

The "6" in the second position of the VIN derivative indicates that it is actually a 1976 block, not 1974. The 702936 serial number does verify that it came from a Toro, since Toros started with serial number 700001 that year. Of course, the TH425 gave that away also.

Not much else to tell. Small valve J heads, low compression, mild cam smog motor. The FA block does not have the provision for a clutch linkage pivot ball, so AT only.

 

thanks joe. the guy had this thing for 25 years or so, and i guess he was mistaken on the year or perhaps the motor was swapped .said he bought the toro for body parts for an eldorado he had,in any case still a smog motor so will need some work .

 

The motor must have been swapped, since the trans says it's a 1974. I'd be surprised if many Toro body panels fit an Eldo.

 

The FA block does not have the provision for a clutch linkage pivot ball, so AT only.

I was curios so I went out and checked the one I have. I guess mine was an early build?

 

I did weigh the automatic only option and ok with it . Heck I don’t even have a car to put it in. I’ll be happy when it looks like yours tru-blue

 

Get rid of those heavy dished pistons, crappy heads and cam and you'll be good to go.

 

Yes that’s the plan it’s gotta be over time on this one tho the old lady Is putting the clamp down on my wallet

 

Ha ha, I hear ya. Say, I have a used auto cam out of my 70 442 455 project
that's in good shape if you want it. Pay for shipping and it's yours.

 

 

couple qusetions if you you guys are still with me . the intake manifold on this motor scoops down a bit compared to my other 455 manifold ,im assuming they were built differently. was this due to a clearance issue?is there any advantage to this design ?and whats the reason for the deeper oil pan on this motor?dosent seem necessary on a low compression run of the mill 455.maybe cause they always did it that way!just curious

 

The intake is for clearance and the oil pan is because the right axle passes very close to the pan.

Johnny

 

^^^This. Plus, the oil pan it deeper and narrower than on a RWD Olds motor due to clearance to the trans and differential housing on the left side of the motor.

 

There's no real impact to the oil pan, but I believe the Toro manifold is considered a performance hit due to restricted breathing. Aftermarket would be best performance, normal F-85 stock manifold would be best cost upgrade. It will certainly work fine as is, however.

 

not necessarily.i pulled a 76 toro engine years ago and it had a 4 spd crank.whether it came as original or the engine had a warranty issue i do not know.but ya never know.

 

So in conclusion the additional capacity of the oil pan is simply due to the design? I do plan on upgrading the intake .thank you

 

If you get a G-body you might want to keep the Toro intake to solve hood clearance issues. Jmo.

 

Thanks I’ll keep that in mind .

 

i put my 70 toro gt engine in a crew cab chevy pickup and just left the toro pan on it.