Hi I just purchased a 69 olds cutlass HT and I thought it was the original 350, but I had a mechanic over at the shop where she is being stripped and he said it looked like a 403. Is there a way to tell just by looking, or do I have to get a block number? The vin tells me it is an original 350 car so I am going with that.

Here is the only pic I have of it right now.



Thanks for any input guys

 

As far as I know there is no external difference between any of the SBO engines. You will have to check the casting numbers on the block to be sure. There are plenty of guys on the website that can let you know what you have.

 

i wouldnt be surprised if thats a 403, like olds64 said there is no external difference, however the entire engine looks to be painted black, which implies the whole engine has been pulled and either rebuilt, or repainted lol. so definently pick up a manual and check those numbers.

 

It should have 403 stamped on the block I cant remember what side it's on, but any 403 i've had it's been stamped on the block.

 

what's the number above the water pump next to the oil tube say???

 

307s were black from the factory. BTW, that is a nice looking engine.

 

Thanks for all the replies. I am heading over to the shop on Sunday, so I will get all the numbers I cn off the beast, I'll get the head numbers if I can too.

I'll try to get some pics of the progress of the car too, it is quite far along in the rebuild, but the guy doing it is making me a photo album as well

Thanks again,

A

 

69sAndrews,
The block casting # of a '69 Olds 350 is 395558 2. The '69 Olds 350 came with the highly sought after #5 head. In other words, the heads have a #5 casting #. There were 3-different Olds 350 configurations offered in '69. They're as follows:

2-Barrel '69 Olds 350 - 250 HP / 355 TQ

4-Barrel '69 Olds 350 - 310 HP / 390 TQ

W-31 '69 Olds 350 - 325 HP / 360 TQ

 

Ok here is what I found

Block nember is 395558 with a big 2 at the end
I saw this mean a 350 but not sure of anything else.

and the heads are 411829

Any info is appeciated.


Andrew

 

Check again, that head casting is probably 411929, which would be 1973-1976 #8 heads. I'm willing to bet the entire engine is a replacement from that vintage. Check the VIN derivative on the LH side of the block, just below the #1 spark plug. The second digit will be the year. 9=1969, 0=1970, 3=1973, etc.

 

Well I found this chart which made me think it is an orriginal motor. Wish I knew for sure what it is. Been searching forever with google.

1 '64-'66 330 381917 45° cam bank angle.
1A 330 381917 45° cam bank angle.
2 '68-'76 350 381917
2 '68-'70 350 395558
3 '66-'67 330 394417 39° cam bank angle.
4
5 '73,'74 350 395558
2A '75-'81 260 Solid main webs for 2A's only? At least for '76.
2B ??-'81 260 557751 Windowed main webs. Windowed main webs for 2B's only?
3A '79 350
3B '77-'80 350 557752
4A '77 403 557265 Solid main webs possibly
553990 for these three
554990 casting numbers.
4B '77-'79 403 557265 Windowed main webs always.
?? '85 307 556607
5A '81- 307 3161
D3 350 7582 Diesel

 

What Letter or number is stamped on the heads?

These are 7a Heads
Notice the big 7
and the little A

 

69sAndrew,
I think joe padavano's correct, they're probably #8 heads (smog heads / 79 cc). Get yourself a good set of #5, #7 or #7A heads. They're 64cc and flow alot better than the #8's. The block's fine though. It's a good high nickel block that'll make for a good build-up. It should be factory equipped with a nodular iron crankshaft.

 

If you got that from the FAQ at 442.com, it's wrong. The same casting number was used for 68-76 350 blocks. As I noted above, the only way to tell the year is to check the VIN derivative stamping.

 

Myth: There is no known documentation regarding nickel content in Olds engines.

Myth: All iron Olds cranks were nodular iron.

Norm

 

As were most automotive cranks since the forties. Some information from Wikipedia can be wrong but this is correct. I have read many blacksmithing books that verify this information to be true.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ductile_iron

 

I do know about ductile, I used to work in a foundry and we made the break parts for otis elevators. They were and I believe, all ductile.

I'd still like to know what heads I have. I'll see if I can find a head number next til I go visit her

Andrew

 

Didn't we cover this in Post #10 above?

 

FACT: NORM'S ANNOYING (AKA: "88 COUPE")

 

Hey Mr. Smarty-pants, ever heard of a "contraction"? Can not, can't, did not, didn't, he is, he's, she is, she's, Norm is, Norm's. Here is a link to help you understand, http://www.ielanguages.com/esl/Apostrophes.pdf

" We have already had a thread on the site about Norm's posts, and he was NOT voted off the island."

This site gets minimal traffic in the small block forum, and on the site he was asked to leave, membership and traffic grow daily. Coincidence? Your call. As long as Norm is allowed to post in his "unique" style, it will stifle membership and participation, plain and simple. Guys get tired of being berated, insulted, and demeaned.

 

Actually, that link DID help. Thanks for the clarification. I will delete my worthless post as to not waste anyone's time in the future.

You may very well be correct about this also. I do know of several people having left this site because of him.

In my own opinion, there is no perfect solution on the internet to acquiring accurate information. I personally don't mind sifting through the "diarrhea'' to find the diamonds, and Norm provides accurate information. I've (contraction) surmised that it comes with the territory. As long as a person contributes more accurate information than over opinionated garble, I am fine with their presence on here.

If Norm was a machine, perhaps some tinkering and fine tuning would be in order to improve his accurate help/garble ratio, but he is not. He's (contraction) just a man with freedom of speech on here. I'm sure we all could improve our posts and hopefully, we do.

I do not personally know or "hang out" with anyone on this board, and I have no family or childhood friendship loyalty to anyone on it. Only respect for those who help more people more than they hurt.
AND...with this being a brain and keyboard participation only forum, no one ever REALLY gets hurt at all.

 

Read the last post on the page.

http://www.oldspower.com/vb/showthre...417#post275417

Clearly it is my choice not to post on that site. Just as it is captjims choice to post inaccurate information, then to throw childish tantrums, when he gets his hand slapped.

I'm finished with the subject.

Norm

 

Agreed.

 

Hi, This post of mine is very knowledgable and may enhance the information of the viewers , however I would like some specific information for myself. If someone can help me then please send me a private message. Best Regards,

 

captjim,
Hey buddy, thanks for the lesson in english. You're cool dude! Now, can we move on to important stuff, like OLDSMOBILE STUFF....

PS - captjim, you're scaring me - try "WOOSA"

 

captjim, sorry bud my message was intended for j-(chicago), the "English teacher". Hey j-(chicago), I promise I'll study harder. In the meantime, let's discuss O-L-D-S-M-O-B-I-L-E-S

 

you have a basic responsibility when asking for help to at least attempt at doing so in a manner that makes your post clear and easy to read.

Good Example:

"What camshaft(s) do you guys recommend for a street driven 455 Olds?

*list specs of motor here*"



Bad Example:

"wat cansahft 4 olds?

i think it gots double punmper."

 

J-(Chicago) did not do any "teaching".

Here it is again:

captjim was.

Your personal attacks are just as immature as his.

Norm

 

[/quote]Bad Example:

"wat cansahft 4 olds?

i think it gots double punmper."[/]

Dar, you just had me LMFAO.

There's a guy that hangs around down at the tavern were I go sometimes, and he hates it when we use words that he doesnt' understand, so everyone goes WAY out of their way to use all the big ones they know.

You ever heard a 50 yr old construction worker (who is covered with dirt) use the word "onomatopoeia", just before he spits tobacco juice on the floor?
I have!
LMAO,

Jeff

 

The context of my "punctuation" post is lost because J-(Chicago) deleted the post he made in which he was making fun of 78 Cutlass, who correctly used "Norm's" in the correct manner. J made this smart-a** post deriding 78 Cutlass for his inaccurate use of that apostrophe. J was incorrect, not 78 Cutlass. Just more of the derisive and insulting posting that goes on here. I wonder where he picked it up from???

 

A simple fact of life. Get used to it.

Norm

 

It IS a fact of life here, but not everywhere. Of course, when a guy posts this;
"Political correctness/azz kissing, is an impediment to accurate communication."
it pretty much tells you his position on common courtesy. Go on over to v8buick, that site gets an absurd amount of traffic, yet they are the nicest, most polite and helpful fellas you will find. Imagine that, they are not rude, yet still manage to get their points across.

 

I love a good sarcastic quip. There are a couple of guys over at ROP that are freaking hysterical. But they aren't mean spirited or demeaning. Some of "J"s post are quite funny and clever. In "J"s post that he deleted, he was not being sarcastic, he was making fun of 78 for a perceived error, doing so in a condescending and patronizing manner.

"because of the way he systematically corrects ignorance."

The problem with that is it comes off sounding like his way is the only way. No one will say that Norm is not extremely accurate or knowledgeable. It is simply his unwillingness to be the least bit respectful other members. It is clear that the moderators would rather him continue in the present manner than to get involved. That's fine, it is their site. So, he goes on, and members leave here for other sites where they enjoy themselves more. That is the simple fact.

 

I think I have been sufficiently involved, that I did not ban Norm from the site I think you have incorrectly inferred that I have not been involved. This site is for everyone, I was hoping this animosity would have died out last week. Personally, I am relieved that our site isn't as large as some others, I wouldn't be able to keep up with all the posts.
A wise person has done this, he marked "ignore" on Norm's username. That way he doesn't have to read things that offend him. Seems to work so far as I haven't seen a thread where there has been any interaction between them since. (NO I won't say who).

 

Lol I hate to add to this, but I really dont see the point of all this arguing. We all have our individual style of posting, Norm's gets directly to the point, and I can see how sometimes it can be taken offensively, but I doubt he means it, he is a smart man after all. LOL and I too am very glad we have a nice small community here ! We all know eachother and help eachother. Just like a small town LOL. Knock on wood, I hope it stays this way, its easier.

 

There have been some distasteful presentations of subject matter discussed herein. I’d like to venture into presenting a definition and follow up with a relevant question pertaining to the subject of this thread (remember: 350 or 403).

The definition of onomatopoeia from my university studies in etymology - the truth of words (primarily from Greek and Latin).

onomatopoeia (noun) 1570–80; < Late Latin < Greek onomatopoiía the making of words = onomato- (combining form of ónoma name) + poi- (stem of poieîn to make; see poet) + -ia -ia

Defined as the making of a name or word by imitation a sound associated with the thing being named. Often by the formation of words whose sound is imitative of the sound of the noise or action designated, such as hiss, buzz, and/or bang. The use of this word is common place for poetic or rhetorical effect.

My question: Can anyone provide a visual diagram and/or photo of all connections (electrical and vacuum lines) found on a stock 1987 307 intake manifold (gasoline, not-diesel)? I’m very interested in the restoring my engine to EPA specifications. I built a 403 to replace this tired engine and do not have enough photos of the original setup.

I really like these threads, and share with others as best I can.

Thanks so much,
P.S. I know this is an old thread. I thought that the 403 was only produced from 1977 through 1979.