So i have a chance to buy a 1977 olds 442. The car has a 260 4bl engine with a 4 speed trans. The gentleman also has a 1969 455 olds to go with it. Question is will the 455 bolt into the car and onto the factory 4speed with major modifications? If there are modifications that needs addressing, what other concerns may come forth? I feel this would be an ideal setup. Thanks

 

Welcome. The 455 is nearly a direct bolt-in, but there are some things to be aware of. First and most important is that Olds did not drill the cranks for the pilot bearing if an engine came from the factory with an automatic. If the 455 isn't drilled, you'll need to do that.

The other issue is the fact that the 455 has about a 1" taller deck height than the small blocks. This means you'll need the correct exhaust manifolds (or headers) for a 455 in the 1973-76 cars. Since the 455 was dropped in 1977, the accessory brackets on your 260 may or may not have the correct holes for the taller 455. If not, you'll need some mid-70s accessory brackets.

One thing to be aware of is that later 455 blocks did not have the provision for the clutch z-bar pivot ball. If this one really is a 1969 block, no problem, but if it's really a later one (1973-76), it may not.

Of course you'll need a larger radiator for the 455, and a double hump crossmember from a 1973-74 car to run dual exhausts. Use the motor mounts from the 260 (they are the same ones used on the 455 in prior years).

 

From looking at the block the #s 396021F with "C" heads tell me its a 68-70 so i believe i should be ok as far as clutch z-bar pivot ball. I guess my concerns were with the trans/bell housing working, and of course the gearing, considering ithe car was set up with the 260 motor...your thoughts...
Thanks much for your time, i really appreciate it!

 

That casting number was used for 1968-1972 (and actually later than that in isolated cases) but the C heads, if original, are 68-69. The VIN derivative stamp will tell you the exact year of the block. All Olds V8s from 1964-1990 use the BOP bellhousing. Since that car was built in the deepest, darkest days of the 1970s gas crunches, I'm sure it has mid-2 rear gears. Fortunately, it's a corporate 8.5" ten bolt, so parts pretty much grow on trees.

 

i was wondering if the stock manual transmission would be strong enough for some heavy footed driving with the 455?

 

Yes Mike...i am a bit concerned about it...i was planning a upgrade to the tourqe converter, clutch,, pressure plate, anf fork....would possibly help.....just jnot sure what 4-spped is in it without pulling it

 

Only the 5spd manual trans was offered in the 77 442 so if there is a 4spd there the trans and shifter was swapped. The 5spd was so weak
it could only be had with the 260 engine nothing larger.

 

Good score on the 1977 442!

I have heard from many, that the 4 speed transmission available 76/77 w/ olds engines was a poor transmission. Ok behind the smogger 260 v8, but anything more and ya have troubles.

On your acessory brackets, when I went from the olds 350 to 455, the alternator bracket worked, the power steering pump was fun, but the a/c bracket didn't work.

Another thing to think about is having matching pulleys for the water pump and crank for belt alignment.

 

The only manual transmissions offered in the Cutlass line in 1977 were the three speed and the five speed, no four speed. As noted, the five speed was the T-50, possibly the only five speed manual that is WEAKER than the T-5.

 

I thought maybe the 4-speed comments was just an error. As i have learned from all you guy a 5 speed was the M.T. for the 260cuin. and quite weak. 3 speed i am assuming was a comb shift. I should have looked it up a have a copy of the Olds booklet that Joe image shows.
Mike