Kyle's 77 Cutlass

Hey guys and gals. Many of you can help me. I am not a much fan of a big block,like my sbo but I wouldn't mind a 455 or a 442 engine if I could find on by fluke. What are the casting numbers of the block and head letters I should watch for. I have looked at other pages but I just get lost. Thanks

oldstata

Any Bbo is a good builder depends on condition and plans ?

Heads really depends on what you want out of it I would pass on J heads unless they were on the block for a good price. Any other heads are okay. Keep in mind if rebuilding a set of heads if you start to reach 800+ you can get pro comp heads for around 1k must likely a few more bucks for brackets and rockers ect
I would look between 67-70 Bbo so you can have higher compression motors if not planning to rebuild

Kyle's 77 Cutlass

So a couple of hundred for an engine is a fair price?

oldstata

Carb -oil pan is a great deal see if it turns over freely
455? Or 400

I got two 455 with th400 attached one I paid 500 for but is locked up the other I paid 200

Kyle's 77 Cutlass

Okay. I was looking online and they say if you can find a tornado 455,this is the cream of 455's.442 455 and the tornado 455 are the same. True?

oldstata

From my understanding 68 toro 455 stock is the best.
I think the 442 just had big valve heads and 71 up have low compression so if you can find a pre 70 ready to run go for it, but if you plan to rebuild any cheap core is good
Just my 2 cents

Kyle's 77 Cutlass

Thanks very much for your help

Octania

200 is practically scrap metal price.

All the bits and pieces add up, and are no longer just a quick boneyard run away for most of us.

200 would be cheap for an engine with an unusable block, but good
Carb 7028251 or better
Intake
Heads other than A or J
oil pan and all the covers
oil filter adapter
crank, balancer, flexplate, set of rods
air cleaner
Distributor HEI era or wildly rare number points type
BB exhaust manifolds like W-Z pair or at least one.

Kyle's 77 Cutlass

So the parts you mentioned would add up to ?

Kyle's 77 Cutlass

so 200 is a steal then I take it. Does it matter what year?

Olds_71_442

Yeah.....$200 is a very good deal. I've seen guys want that much for one that is seized.

The higher the year, the lower the compression. The highest would be around 69 or 70. Also, you'll find more raw performance if the engine comes from a 442 than if it came from a big car like the Olds 98.

Kyle's 77 Cutlass

Okay. Thanks