Wondering if there is a book out there that can aid me in building a street-rod 403. The whole process of choosing an engine to completing the build.

After a year of having mine sitting in the garage, i believe im ready. Got my budget set and from reading many posts from many forums, i know what i want to do just dont know how to get there. Thanks!

 

There's not really one book.
The old Mondello Tech Manual is very useful, but primarily for the reference areas. Some of Joe's commentary can be misleading or downright wrong. But he has all the basics covered, a bunch of pictures, and there are really nice reference tables right in the middle (all torque values, nominal measurements, etc). Just promise not to buy anything else from that Mondello shop.

For modern guidance on modifications and specs, Bill Trovato's book - How To Build Performance Oldsmobiles or something - (you can get it on Amazon) is very good.

And there's lots of folks here and on ROP. The engine build section of ROP is always good for an entertaining read.

While I'm a huge fan of the 403, it is a PITA and needs some extra work beyond the other olds engines to keep it healthy because of the block. Mark (cutlassefi) has a stroker small block crank that makes the 403 builds less interesting. Or makes a stroked 403 REALLY interesting.

 

Also note that bearing clearance preferences are like buttholes. I mean, opinions.
In general, on an Olds, looser is better. Beyond that gets really fuzzy.

 

No judgment here on your liking loose buttholes.

 

Lol. I have seen cutlassefi info about the new cranks, and i really wish i had got a 350 but i couldnt find an early one. And a friend on here sold me a 403 for a good price so i took it. Its going in a daily driver anyway so i dont need much power. Just something with a little torque. I was thinking about getting the heads done with roller rockers and roller camshaft. And through in the KB pistons. Really want the arias forged pistons but im not totally sure yet... And i bought that book today lol funny that ypu mentioned that

 

These two arent bad...thou the first one is a tad over priced!

 

I just ordered the 2nd one today lol

 

 

Err... Those are the same book, just different revisions.
The latest one is from '17 I think.

 

I know CO is a safe place for everyone!

 

Bill Travado (BTR) Racing has a series of putting together an Olds engine on YouTube also.