1972 Cutlass S rebuild Suggestions

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August 12th, 2018, 06:36 PM

Juice182

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1972 Cutlass S rebuild Suggestions

I have a 72 Cutlass that I’m having trouble deciding what to do with. I’ve thought about cloning it to a 442 and if I did that I would like it to have a 455. Trouble is that I find it extremely difficult to find a 455 that isn’t in another car and I don’t want/need 2 projects. My car currently has the original 350 it came with, and I’m leaning towards just having that rebuilt. I’m curious what you all think?

August 12th, 2018, 07:09 PM

truckman5000

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455
there out there

August 12th, 2018, 07:31 PM

Fun71

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What's your budget for the engine?

August 12th, 2018, 07:52 PM

Juice182

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Fun71

What's your budget for the engine?

With a buy and rebuild maybe around $4K, the big thing I’m looking for if I buy though is that the 455 be out of a cutlass and not a different model

August 12th, 2018, 08:57 PM

4speed455

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Spend a little extra now and get a 455. No replacement for displacement. Any 455 would be good does't matter what model it came from originally if your going to rebuild it. I would look for something with C E G or Ga heads and avoid the J. D F and H would be nice too but seeing as they are w30 heads probably not likely.

August 12th, 2018, 10:04 PM

Fun71

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Juice182

With a buy and rebuild maybe around $4K, the big thing I’m looking for if I buy though is that the 455 be out of a cutlass and not a different model

Not sure why you think a 455 out of a Cutlass is different than any other 455. If you're set on a 455, don't be overly picky, get any one you can find.

August 13th, 2018, 05:55 AM

Juice182

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Fun71

Not sure why you think a 455 out of a Cutlass is different than any other 455. If you're set on a 455, don't be overly picky, get any one you can find.

Not all engines are created equal. Just because they are all 455s doesn’t mean they all produce the same hp/torque. The cylinder walls may be thinner on some, and parts/mounts will be in different locations.

August 13th, 2018, 10:35 AM

droptopron

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Juice182

In that regard, Olds made it easy. All 455's had the same bones, Whether its from a Cutlass, 442 or F/S they all have the same basic block. Like a previous poster opined, J heads are considered worse for a performance build but they can be worked with depending on your goals. Plenty of guys run them on healthy street engines. Re brackets/pulleys/pumps etc all that stuff transfers from your current 350 to a 455,

August 13th, 2018, 11:45 AM

Allan R

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Juice182

Whuuuut?? That's just not true. The 455 is block 396021 F. That's the same casting from 68-76 so I hardly think they're any different. Kenneth is spot on, you can build a 455 out of any Olds. If you're concerned about making it look period correct, then look for a GA block. It can come from any Cutlass (good luck with that because they didn't make more than around 1200 of them in 72), or from a B/C car or even an E platform.
From our Tech editor and VERY knowledgeable Olds expert who has addressed this issue so many times in the past I'm sure he's sick of it....

Quote:

Every single Olds V8 from 1964-1990 is dimensionally identical externally except for the deck height differences from small block to big block. Motor mount holes, crank centerline, and bellhousing bolt pattern are all exactly the same on every single one.
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Joe Padavano

So as far as HP and torque? Yes, you're correct that some produced more, some less. That depends on the heads and cam that was used among other things. If you get a long or short block, you have the option to build it to your own specs. If you do build a torque monster though, I would suggest you either bullet proof your TH350 or simply get a TH400 with the engine you buy. Both will likely need a rebuild anyway.