My father is in poor health, so as a gift, my family and I are secretly restoring his 72 Olds Cutlass Supreme Convertible. So, I can't ask him too many questions to keep it a surprise.

The problem I am having is that I am not sure what engine he has in it. I know in the mid 80's he swapped a 350 Rocket (long lost) for a T/A motor. If I recall he said it was a 403. The issue I am having is that it was painted gold from the factory. I am 99% sure he did not repaint it. Everything I read is that the engine should be blue. Is it possible this came out of a "K" code T/A? That seems to be the only possible solution. Oh, and the car only has single exhaust. Thanks in advance.

 

Welcome to the site... You are correct, factory 403's were blue... If your engine is gold and doesn't appear to have ever been repainted, it is most likely an Olds engine, I don't know of any Pontiac engines that were gold from the factory (But I do have senior moments)... List the casting numbers located near the oil fill tube, that will help identify the actual engine...

 

Good for you guys

http://www.jsmachineoldsmobile.com/403full2.jpg

 

I moved your thread because both the 350 and 403 are small block motors.

As noted, the block casting number will tell you exactly what you have. 403s could have had casting numbers 557265 4A, 553990 4A, or 554990 4A. Here is a 403 casting number example, located above the water pump.

 

Thank you. I found on the T/A forums that K code was gold accent package from 77-79, I think, and it was possible that the engine block was painted to match. It's supposed to be a "California" motor with 185hp and 315 torque. It would make sense, because my uncle had a mechanical shop w/ a bone yard and I am pretty sure he was one that did the swap.

The car is at the body shop now and it will be a bit before I can check the codes.

Thanks again for all of the info.

 

No, it wasn't.

Every single 403 made was painted corporate blue from the factory. Whoever put that motor in the 71 painted it gold to look like the original 350 when the swap was done.

I would have done the same.

 

Joe,

Thanks. So my casting number is 557265 4B, but the heads had a 4A on it. Also, it was painted "Pontiac" / light blue. I found the original valve covers, and there was some flaking I was able to peel off and inspect on the block. I'm to go ahead and repaint it gold anyways. It must have been what my dad originally wanted, otherwise he wouldn't have painted it.

Looking at one of the T/A sites, I guess from 77-79 it was not uncommon to have a 4B block with 4A heads.

 

In addition to all of them being Corporate blue, every single 403 ever built by Olds came with a 4B block and 4A heads. It would be uncommon (actually, impossible) for it to be any other way. Of course, any 1964-1990 Olds V8 head will bolt to a 403, but the 4A was the only one the factory used.