I have a 1968 big block 455 engine for sale. Includes block with internal original parts as well as matching C heads, intake manifold, exhaust manifolds, flywheel. Julian date 66 with #2 on the back of the block by the distributor. Vin is 38MXXXXXX - price $1000.00

Letter on front of block is 396021F

 

Hi cdoering. I was looking at this #s decoding post and also this Olds Junction casting #s page, is it possible that this motor is a 1965 casting from the 66th day of that year and that it is a 400ci with C heads on it?

 

The vin 38M represent 1968, 68 also on the back of the block and font on the front represents a motor from 1967-69

 

Where are you located?

 

If it comes back as a true 455 and your close to Michigan that would be great...any pictures would be great as well!

 

I’m in ST. Louis MO

 

 

I believe that's a Toronado intake. If its original to the engine the heads should have the 2.07 intake valves. Good Luck with the sale!

 

Looks like low compression pistons
Flipp the heads over and check or pictures the valves
On 442 / Toro much closer together

 

An Olds guy over on facebook was telling me the big valve heads had an X stamped on the pad under the rockers for the #1 or #8 cylinders. I'd never heard that before, but here's a head I recently pulled from a 1968 Toronado engine.

 

That is interestng. Here is a shot of one of my 68 Toro Heads. I never noticed, but it has the "X" as well on the pad the whole way to the right.


Pic of under side:

 

38M600001 thru 38M626454 +/- a few are 1968 Toronado Engines

 

Didn't all 'C' heads have 2.07 intake valves?

 

I thought all Toro intakes had a "T" cast into them (maybe that's the later model versions?), but hey, it does look like a Toro intake. Now here's the question of the hour - what does the rear flange / bolt pattern area of the crank look like? Can you post a few pics up? If it happens to be an EARLY '68 build, it may have the highly sought after forged steel crank, which would be a bonus for you. Here is a pic of a forged rear crank hub:



See the funky notch? That's the "tell" as to whether you have the forged crank or not. I wouldn't get all excited just yet though until you check it out, as only the earliest '68 builds had the forged crank, so the odds are against it with the build date codes I believe I saw. Quick way to determine it though.

Paul

 

No, I've had small valve C heads as well as large. I understand the Toronado and 442 got big valves. But I don't know what other applications got the big intake valves.