redrubicon

Can anybody give opinion about what company to buy a crate engine from. I just bought a 72 cutlass and don't have time or knowledge to build one and my eyes are now glazed over from looking at all the options on the internet. Thanks for all the help. This is my first project like this I have spent the last few years with a jeep addiction and I thought that was expensive.

ziff396

Just find a (can hear running) Olds 350 or 455 maybe rebuilt recently or just a good running one to get you by until you are ready to move up from there. Old cars/jeeps/trucks you name it cost $. Been through all of them. I am happy with my 72 Cutlass now going on 4 years.

redrubicon

The engine in it runs its a 350. I'm doing the midlife hot rod thing.

70vert455

I am in the same spot. I am looking at buying a 71 supreme that the owner is keeping the built motor from. The car is mint from Arizona and he has a 350 that he will include. It needs heads and would need to be freshened up. I hope to get this thing running and sell it to help fund a future 442 vert purchase. I'm in Grand Rapids and don't know a good olds builder. Any like insight/advice would be helpful. Thanks

arodenhiser

Welcome! If your a jeep guy you could still drive with something Jeep.

https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...ap-w-pics.html

As the url says, 93-97 Jeep Grand Cherokee steering box is close to a bolt on coversion in A Body cars. This will give a tighter steering ratio.

Adam

Fakser

It all depends on how much you want to spend on the motor. Not many people here like to speak of Mondello's these days but I live locally and purchase from them when the shipping cost offsets ordering online from other vendors. I'll grant that they can be pricey but they are a business and business is business. I have seen their motor assembly room and know their builders and they are legit. I teach motor rebuilding for the Army's 91B (Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic) school at Camp Roberts CA and they do a good job I have even brought a couple soldiers by to drool over the 455's they have in the works there. Incorporate my humble opinion and the fact that they come with a lifetime warranty and it may just be worth the cost if you have the wallet because they are by no means cheap. There are a couple of other organizations like Dick Miller Racing and I'm sure Fusicks can sell you a motor or you can have a local machine shop build you one that you take to them. Hell a lot of the members on this site will build you a motor for the right price myself included and warranty the labor.

Good luck and post pictures of what you get

oldcutlass

Whats your budget? What trans is in there now? DO you want a small block or a big block?

redrubicon

I am thinking im going to be in 6500 to 9000 range. The car has an automatic which I imagine will be replaced. I'm not sure big or small block more than likely I will go with small block. I have talked with Engine Factory has anybody had experience with them?

oldcutlass

If the motor that was in it was an olds, then the trans won't work on Chevy easily. It can be adapted but a PIA. Your budget would put together a strong Olds or Chevy sb or bb motor and a trans.

Fakser

6500-9000 will get you a good motor built I have never dealt with the Engine Factory but that budget will pay for parts, machine work, and leave your builder a profit so you are looking like you'll be able to find what you are looking for. Putting a chevy motor in requires modification (motor mounts) and replacing other parts so remember to factor that into the budget.

oldcutlass

These are things to consider:

Accessories and mounting brackets
Belts,
Carb?,
Relocating starter, alternator, gauge wiring, as required
Transmission and/ or torque converter, if your current one is not a BOP, or adapter plate, possibly a torque converter upgrade depending on cam if it is,
Driveshaft, trans xmember relocation, optional depending on trans
Motor mounts are a given with any change, but frame brackets will need replace if you go with Chevy.
Headers, and exhaust mods
Possibly a radiator if you convert to a BB

droptopron

JMO but if the car is a flip find a good running used engine clean it up & swing that in. There won't be ROI on doing a rebuilt engine in a car you are selling.

As discussed here there isn't an Olds crate engine available

http://72.22.90.30/phpBB2/viewtopic....=builder+crate

Rickman48

If we knew where you were at, there might be a member with a good used, rebuilt, or fresh small block close to you.

70vert455

Thanks, I am in Grand Rapids, Michigan and am newer to this site. I have owned many olds in the past and am trying to work my way to a 70 -72 convertible. Am very restricted by cost and have been reading all I can from this site. The car I'm looking at is 4500. supreme, 71, w/ram hood, mint Ariz body/frame. Needs new interior but The guy wants to keep the 400 in it to put in a 64 or 5 to continue racing. Also has built TH400 goes with it

oldcutlass

I'm sorry but imho, without a motor, and needing interior + what ever else, it's not a $4500 car. You can by a better car that runs, and needs less work for a little more than that. Do you have any pic's?

70vert455

I hope this works, I just copied and pasted the link.
The car also has an auburn posi unit. I do respect/appreciate your opinion. Excellent bodied cars are very hard to find around here in Mich, thanks to the county putting a million tons of salt on the roads every time we get 1/2 inch of snow.
http://s1254.photobucket.com/albums/hh614/Podunkccrs/Oldsmobile/

droptopron

That looks like a $4500 car to me or there abouts. Make sure they are recent pics. If you can't see it in person get someone to look at it for you & make sure the car is as in tact as it shows in the pics. Just because the interior isn't mint most people wouldn't call that needs an interior. It would be good to get piece of mind that the wiring isn't all hacked up, if the exhaust is all there, & how the brake system & front end looks.. Also confirm if the hood is a fiberglass repro or a factory unit with a steel frame. The difference in value of the part is prob $500 to $2,500. Good luck with it.

oldcutlass

With the pic's I stand corrected, it is in good condition. And your right an excellent bodied car is hard to find.

Eddie Hansen

There are a Number of engine builders BTR comes to mind, there are also replacement engines with warranty, depends on what you want, I have no idea about this guy but it looks reasonably priced for what it is

http://www.tuffdawgengines.com/oldsmobile_455.htm


just saying, you could also get a 455 core motor and have it rebuilt to your spec, that isn't chumpchange your talking about ...

70vert455

I have been able to look at it and it is as nice in person. True newer dual exhuast. The interior isn't to bad looking, but it smells original(40years old). The hood is an after market, but has ben done very nicely. The entire suspension has been gone through in the last two years also. It comes with a true OIA air cleaner also.
Thanks for the thoughts!

Eddie Hansen

Www.btrperformance.com. just in case

droptopron

JMO but if this isn't the car you want long term try to find a complete running engine & drop that in. Even a basic rebuild should set you back $4K and you won't recoup that when you sell.

Aceshigh

If your budget is $4,000-$5,000 for a crate engine,
Unless you're a diehard Olds enthusiast who just have to have an Olds engine in it......
I'd suggest a salvage low mileage GM Gen IV 6.0L Vortec engine or any LS1 or LS2 engine instead.

You'll spend around $4,000-$5,000 and you'll have a roller modern EFI engine with more power
and double the CFM flow out of the L92 heads if that's the route you go. Heads flow is where you make power.

Olds 350 180cfm heads are pretty close to 1/2 as efficient as todays L92 heads that flow 320cfm.
Burning nearly half the fuel to make the same power is a win / win.

Don't take my word for it alone.....
Go for a test drive in someone's LS swap hot rod, and I guarantee you it will draw you in.

Rickman48

If you're just gonna 'flip' it, I think Jasper still has a rebuilt, and the new owner will get a warantee.
Might be a selling point - -

panos

If you want to go chebby then i would rec this guys http://www.ebay.com/itm/CHEVY-383-ST...item519ed427f5

i have the stage1 350 with almost 3000miles without problems whatsoever and really happy with it

Aceshigh

Just keep in mind that crate engines ratings are GROSS rated, stripped, and on engine stand with headers in perfect conditions.
That's not what it's going to make in the engine bay which is SAE Net and how cars since 1972 have been rated.

Deduct about 60hp from whatever the crate engines rating is, that's approximately what they lose over 300-400+hp
after accessories are all put on it and it's in the bay.

Mikes65

I purchased a Blueprint Budget Stomper w aluminum heads from Jegs $4100 delivered for the mid level dressed engine. It was dyno-ed at 433hp 466tq. I matched it with a B and M Turbo 400 also from jegs--$1000 delivered. B and M torque converter and a Denny's drive shaft (highly recommended--they built me a nice custom shaft for a very resonable price) So for well under 6k I have a completely new drive line. (except the rear) The engine comes with a 30 month 50,000 mile warrantee. It will smoke the tires at a poke of the throttle yet is very streetable and well mannered at cruise. It sounds awesome and I am happy with my choices--not an easy task with all the choices out there. Ask questions and talk to people who have done this before to learn from thier mistakes--the biggest IMO is building too much car for the street--they you cant have any fun under 6000RPM.

chadman

No crate engines but he can build you a custom big or small block withinn your budget:

www.mjproformance.com