Hi

i have a few project cars (not all Olds) but my latest and the one I want to start with is a 65 Cutlass F85 that I recently purchased. It has a 330 that is seized from sitting, and I’m just wondering how hard it would be to rebuild this? Is it something that I can tackle myself in my garage?

(it’s been a long time since I rebuilt an engine, but I’m not an idiot, I’m good at research, and I’m pretty mechanically inclined and handy. I do have a mechanical engineering degree and background as well.)

 

If you have already rebuilt an engine, nothing has changed so you should be comfortable doing it again, if you have parts left over, try it again

 

Yes you can rebuild it as long as it isn't cracked and has enough room left to bore as needed. Don't order parts until you know exactly what is needed. '65 330's used a one year only rocker setup, 330's had steel cranks. Flexpate to crank bolt pattern is 64-67 only.

Is it a factory four barrel high compression motor? Have you tried soaking the cylinders to find out if can be un-seized?

 

That was my thought too… it’s a pretty basic process, and it should be doable. Not that it’s not complicated but it’s not impossible.

I’ve not yet tried to soak the cylinders to see how bad it is. I’ve not even picked it up yet lol

Im just starting to research it out. My thoughts are that there should be enough information out there that I can follow some basic rebuild tutorials, and adapt them to this engine specifically. I already know from threads on here that the olds engines are different than the chevys and such, so I’m learning.

 

I thought 64 was one year only rocker assembly.

 

If you've been reading posts here you may already know that it would be easy to swap in a 350 or 455. The 330 is a good engine, but unless you're wanting to keep the car original many folks will opt for something with more common internal parts.

 

1964 had the rockers on a rail. In 1965 the rockers used studs and the bridges were different. It wasn't until 1966 that they went to the common style.

 

If you take the plunge when pulling it apart note the location of each threaded oil galley plug, they aren't the same. Many an Olds build have gone south due to this.