The following car is for sale locally:

1974 hurst olds (ex. carb.) 455 HO, t-400 trans., 12-bplt posi. 4:11, interior in great shape, car has sit for 15yrs, was running when parked, body rusted

The dealer did a warranty engine swap in my 84 H/O for the previous owner (My uncle who bought new) so really not worried about modding it much.

This is very tempted if I could buy it right. Keeping it all H/O! I hate to part rare cars out but I doubt this one would be worth a total restore anyway.

thinking sub $2K??????? What do you guys think.

Dega

 

I think it's a pain to put a big block in a G body. Ha. I think the AC has to come out and only Hooker makes long tubes for them. One of those tubes goes outside the frame, too.

 

There is almost zero chance that the 74 HO has a 12 bolt posi in it. If it does it is aftermarket or someone flanged it up to fit. Those cars only came with 8.5" 10 bolts.

 

Would a 403 be an easier swap?

 

Yes... 403 is your best option.
You'd be a fool to buy that car just to take the weak smog headed engine out to put into your H/O. Find a 455 from a 72 and earlier year vehicle if all you want to do is drop in a worn out 455...
Plus, they only made 380 1974 Hurst Olds W30's, leave that car be...

 

The 403 (or 350) is a direct bolt-in. The 455 is only marginally more work. It does NOT require removing the A/C. Many folks have done this swap. This is about the best site for a description of the swap, including photos of the required mods to the 307 accessory brackets. Just scroll down to the part about a big block swap.

 

One man's pain, another man's pleasure.... No major mods were required when I installed a 455 into my 85 Cutlass... A/C did not have to be removed, and A/C compressor brackets/mods depended upon which type compressor is chosen to be used.... Used W-Z exhaust manifolds in lieu of headers.... Really not a bad swap IMO.....

 

88's right about leaving the 74 intact but it sounds like it may have already been modded since the seller claims it has a 12 bolt rear end.

There are probably better 455 options out there.

Thanks for the links, I got some reading to do!

Mike