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Hi. I just purchased a '64 Dynamic 88 with a Police Apprehender package. Here it is. I bought it without looking at it first. (I know, please no comments) How can I positively identify if the vehicle has the original engine? I know it's supposed to be a 394 High Compression 4bbl, Starfire engine. But I would love to know for sure based on engine castings, etc. Thanks for having me!
Oldsmobile did not start "numbers matching" the engine and drivetrain to the car's VIN until the 1968 model year. The best you can do for any model year prior to that is verify that the engine is date correct. Is it really a 394, and, if so, was it built a few days or weeks prior to the car's build date? That's the best you can do. If the engine was built shortly before the car was assembled, it's probably the original engine, but there is no way to definitively prove that a particular engine was original to a particular car in a pre-1968 Oldsmobile.
On the top of the left head , just above the center exhaust ports there should be a number stamped .
If it is a Starfire engine the number should start with a " J " and the last character should be an " S " .
Look underneath also . If it is a BO7 (police apprehender) there will be a rear sway bar attached to the rear axle and frame .
It has the correct , optional , 15 inch wheels and hubcaps .
Last edited by Charlie Jones; October 11th, 2018 at 02:46 PM.
Welcome aboard, that is an interesting big Olds. I would also like to see more photos and details of exactly what was included in the apprehender package.
October 10th, 2018, 02:51 PM
