warnej21

Hey guys new here. I just bought a 1978 olds delta 88 royal the other day and need some help figuring out the motor in it. It looks to be the factory motor and tranny. This is my first olds. Just wondering if you guys could tell me how i could figure it out. vin? motor tag? I do know it has a 4 barrel carb if that helps. Ill post a few pics of the car i didnt get any of the motor though still waiting for car to be delivered. Thanks

classicmuscle442

Engine from factory would be a Olds 350, the block number is behind the water pump if its an Olds motor. When you get a chance post pictures of trim tag located behind master cylinder and the VIN, can provide more info then. I think the last year that the 455 was offered was '76.

warnej21

i did some research and found that they could come with the 407 big block but the vin is 3N37R8M176136

classicmuscle442

Never heard of an Olds 407?

warnej21

I was told that some came with it but who knows haha. Is there any thing to learn from the vin number?

MDchanic

Helpful of you to post pictures of every part of the car but the engine.

Fortunately the VIN tells us that this is an R-code Olds 350 with a 4bbl carb.


You need to hone your research skills:

1. No 1978 GM car model was available with a big block (unless you count the Cadillac 425).
2. GM never made a 407, big block or otherwise.
3. The Oldsmobile 403 was a small block.

Welcome to ClassicOlds.

- Eric

66400

Available with your choice of 260,350 and 403 Olds engines also 350 Buick and 350 Olds diesel. V6 Buick also offered, odds are you have a 350 Olds.

Fifth character will be a letter code for engine type.

Henry

warnej21

I was to busy getting it running to think about pictures but thank you and it was an uncle who told me it was a big block and i meant 403. Some reason thought 407 dont know why haha. Do you know if a 350 chevy would bolt right up with the factory motor mounts by chance?

MDchanic

Yes I do, and No, it wouldn't.

- Eric

66400

[QUOTE Do you know if a 350 chevy would bolt right up with the factory motor mounts by chance?[/QUOTE]

No but you can use motor mount stands from a full size Chev.

Henry

warnej21

Thanks Henry

All this oldsmobile stuff is new to me. Im a chevy guy but i came across the car for $500 and it is almost rust free couldnt pass up the deal. Any good tips or tricks for these 350 olds then?

fdwheelman

If it fires and runs... Change timing chain and gears...

Give it a decent tune up.

Drive the hell outta it.

I do, and it does nothing but love me back! Almost 5 years now as a daily driver. There is a ton of things that can be done with this car. Don't let it's size be it's handicap. I've stuck close to 30K on her since I got her, and those aren't fluffy old car miles either. As you can see in my signature.

Two notes to add:

1. If the motor is factory original, and it turns out to be a 350 or 403, not a bad deal at all... Olds, to the best of my knowledge doesn't have "Big Block/Small Block" designations... They are more like Small black and slightly bigger. The 403 is part of the 260/307/350/403 OLDS family. It would be the "biggest" small block, much like Chevy's 400.

2. Tread lightly when you mention swapping our beloved Olds motors for a Chevy. You'd get less nose turning if you wanted to put a Ford or a Mopar under that hood. Those 350/403's can benefit from a couple quick upgrades. Heads being the biggest snag. Remember it's from 78, and it's build and made for the smogger age. Although the "aura" of anything but Chevy motors is that it will be expensive, any machining costs will be identical. Hop up parts might be "less prevalent" or "more expensive" but that is because they are much more honed for their purpose. Long of the short, the parts listed for an Olds work, period. Why have 12 options for something when you really only need 2. Take your time, do your homework... They are worth it, and will pay you back 10x over!

warnej21

Putting 403 heads on it be worth it or just a waste of money and time? Also where can i find myself a set of cheap headers for small block or even the header flange to have custom headers made

MDchanic

Putting 403 heads on it would reduce the compression to about 6.5:1, probably (I haven't done the math).
Do you need to run on kerosene?

- Eric

Greg Rogers

I don't mean to butt in.... you can do whatever you want with your car, but... I really like that car as it is. You can put a chevy in it or headers............ Where are you located? I may be interested in buying it.

warnej21

No im not going to run on kerosene. I figured bigger motor bigger heads.
Thanks greg and i live in Big Rapids, MI

MDchanic

Bigger motor, bigger combustion chambers.

403 heads can be used on smaller engines, but not with the dished pistons standard on the late '70s cars.

- Eric