I found an engine with the casting number of 390925 and it has B heads. It is also has a 4 speed behind it. What is this motor and what is it worth?

 

66 400 cid as installed in the 442 series.

Henry

 

I that's the correct block number, congrats.

http://www.442.com/oldsfaq/ofblk.htm#Big Block Blocks 1965 - 1976

Check to see if it has the E stamped on the back of the block behind the flywheel.

Looks like it's the drivetrain out of a '66 442

If you don't own it already, get it ASAP.

-Jeff

 

If it's an original 442 motor, it should have "V1xxxxx" stamped into the front of the right head (or the back of the left head if they've been switched), with the "x"s standing for any digit from 0 to 9.

- Eric

 

Is it a good motor to have? I don't know if it would bt a strong runner for one of my cars or not. I have only had 455's up to this point. I was told that the 400 for my 68 cutlass are not very powerful motors. Are the older motors any better?

 

I would not use it in anything other the original application. You could always get it and use it as a barter tool. Someone with a 66 442 will want it.

 

The 65 to 67 Olds 400's are great engines. If done right can keep up with a 455
If I do one I use 350 Olds pistons. Std 350 pistons make a nice 410 cid, .030 350 pistons make a 416 cid. A great combo, and run strong.
'68/69 Olds 400's are not great, to small a bore compared to the stroke. They run good , just not great.
Gene

 

There will be a big E after 390925 near the oil filler, and a big E on the side about 3/4 of the way back, outside of #8 cylinder area, just in front of the oil filter pad. It is basically an underbored 425, with 4" bore instead of 4.125".

 

I have picked this motor up and still don't know what I am going to do with it yet. I was thinking about putting it in my 65 F85 with a 4 speed as a play toy.

 

The consensus here (and my view point as well) is to buy it and either re-sell it or use it to trade with an Olds enthusiest. You'll be able to get some awesome stuff out of that trade, not only is it a rare 400 that someone will undoubtedly want for a numbers matching resto, but its a 4-speed, and the 4-speed cranks are rare enough let alone having the transmission and all there and ready to go

If youre trying to build a 70-72 Cutlass id try to trade it for an OAI hood :-) just my opinion

 

I Dont know about that one vega. and engine is worth more to me than an oai hood specially when there are re pops and cheap. I would build it and run it with a four speed . I know one of the guys from rocket racing running a 400 in his supreme running mid 11's on iorn heads and pump gas . It's an engine with potential

 

True, i was just pointing out how valuable the motor combo may be, with how Thornton hoods are going for $2500 thats saying something haha. For me though, itd be worth more in money than motor, id use it to fund a few very well built 455s ^_^ haha

 

The fiberglass repops from glasstek are 700 and they are the latch style . Im not a numbers match guy so originality aint my thing. If that engine is worth 2500 the price to buy a core and build a good running 455 would surpass 2500. I spent 2800 and some change on my sbo and that was with zero machining and polishing my own cranck and honing my own block and buying used cast flast tops. I would keep the 400 build and run it with the 4 speed and it would be a fun car on the street or strip.

 

i agree, use it in your f85. should be a good runner...

 

That would make a cool Day 2 project.

 

Just for reference, the change in the '68/'69 400 is that they went to a longer stroke & a smaller bore. The reason being either a) emmissions or b/ cost cutting so they'd only have one crank for the 400 & the 455. I don't know if anyone can say for sure.
That generation 400 gets a bad rap. They aren't great for building but if you want a street engine with a close to stock cam & good low end torque they are fine.

 

I was also thinking of putting it into my 67 Cutlass convertible. I found a guy with the factory 3 2 barrel intake also. If I could get it from him, I would for sure put it into the 67 then.