My1st olds69"S"

I have a 69 Cutlass S that needs an Engine. I bought the car a little over a year ago from a young guy who didn't know much about the car, so I had to do alot of research. This is my fisrt cutlass. I think the person this guy bought the car from 10 yrs ago was tryin to clone it to a 442, he even went as far as putting 442 stickers on the car. Anyways I'm also a little green at this myself. There has been several changes to this car, like bucket seats, B&M floor shift instead of column etc..
The engine in it now is a 403 I drove the car 3 times and then on the hwy and it ran hot and now its knocking. I would like to put the/an original 350 olds back in the car. Not sure the best route to take, I'm on a slim budget but in need of an Engine. Should I find one in rebuildable condition and have it rebuilt or new crate? Which is cheaper, what makes more since? I want to keep in all olds power inside and out. I would love to find a Engine at a affordable price that I can just slap in and drive and bulit as i go. NEED HELP!!!

My1st olds69"S"

I have a 69 Cutlass S that needs an Engine. I bought the car a little over a year ago from a young guy who didn't know much about the car, so I had to do alot of research. This is my fisrt cutlass. I think the person this guy bought the car from 10 yrs ago was tryin to clone it to a 442, he even went as far as putting 442 stickers on the car. Anyways I'm also a little green at this myself. There has been several changes to this car, like bucket seats, B&M floor shift instead of column etc..
The engine in it now is a 403 I drove the car 3 times and then on the hwy and it ran hot and now its knocking. I would like to put the/an original 350 olds back in the car. Not sure the best route to take, I'm on a slim budget but in need of an Engine. Should I find one in rebuildable condition and have it rebuilt or new crate? Which is cheaper, what makes more since? I want to keep in all olds power inside and out. I would love to find a Engine at a affordable price that I can just slap in and drive and bulit as i go. NEED HELP!!!

Octania

Cheapest is an old runner that you can seal, do timing set, and run with. We have dozens here in MI. I had to quit buying 350's. Seriously.

I have a '71-2 all but the carb, $400. Ran when pulled. Sitting here and there since. Figure probably $2-300 shipping via truck. Fastenal store near you?

captjim

First, Define "slim budget" as that will dictate some responses. There are no crate 350 olds engines. A quality rebuild is in the $4500 +/- range.

m371961

Rock auto has a remanufactured 350 long block, auto tran only for @1700.00
You could check other parts stores. Understand this is a basic rebuild, but does have a warrenty for parts only. Date codes would be wrong, Don't know what parts, if any, you could use from your current engine. Long block is engine with heads. You would need oil pan, intake,carb, exhaust manifolds, water pump, dampner, distributor, all pulleys and accesories.

MDchanic

Also remember that any production short block or crate motor will have the later big-dish low compression pistons, not the high-compression pistons that came with your car if it came with a 4-bbl.

- Eric

citcapp

Why not rebuild the 403. Nothing wrong with it if you just want a cruiser

captjim

Those production engines are complete garbage. I would not waste my money on one.

Octania

Hell, I wouldn't even waste YOUR money on one of them!

Most likely a smogger motor with 3A heads... at best.

ziff396

I have the same thoughts. For a cruiser, yes, the 403 would be fine rebuilt. You could also look for a running 350 that can be heard for alot less and may fit into your budget better.

tru-blue 442

Check you local Craigslist.
If you know some about the way
an engine works and fires, they can
be started on the garage floor very
easily. Check the tranny, it may be
a 400 turbohydramatic, then you could
go big block if you wanted.
Once you go 455, it's hard to go back...

tru-blue 442

I'm with Octania on this.
$400 is a nice price.
What's with Fastenal Chris?
They ship bulky items resonable?
I had no idea...

m371961

I would not go with a production engine either. But, I can rebuild one myself. I only suggested it as a cheap way to be able to get out and use the car. Be fine for an occasional driver, going to cruise-ins etc. and allow one to be able to enjoy driving the car. Sure, it would be great to have the funds to build, or have built, a performance engine, but not everyone can do that. That should not prevent someone from wanting to enjoy an older vehicle.

captjim

I was a tech for years and in my experience those engines have about a 50% failure rate, not worth the trouble or money. IMHO, better a used "runner" than one of those.

captjim

I really hope that you are not serious.

My1st olds69"S"

Right now only about $1,600 is all i can spend. It would take a while to come up with 4500

krooser

Started many engines on the shop floor... you'd be surprised how docile they can be...

krooser

Sit tight and watch Cl for a runner... maybe an engine or a beater with a good heartbeat. That budget should get you going...

tru-blue 442

What makes you say that Capt?
I have done it many times.

Olds64

I agree with Pat. Look into rebuilding the 403. At least find out what is wrong with it before you buy another engine.

J-(Chicago)

I have a 69 350 here, but You're a bit far.
Just a gas sippin' cruiser. .030" overbore with 24cc dished pistons that are .055 in the hole, and 307 heads on it. Probably around 7.8:1

captjim

Good advice, IMO. $1600 won't get you much. Find a running 350/403, swap it in and drive it and rebuild the 403 or another 350.

captjim

I don't think his budget allows for a rebuild, but I do agree some further diagnostics on the engine that is in there is worth the effort. It may be something repairable.

m371961

I agree with the captn. For less then 1600 find a runner, learn how to check its oil pressure and compression before you buy, pull a valve cover to see how clean it is. Stick it in then decide which engine you want to rebuild and how far you want to go with it. With a lower compression engine at least it will run better on this crap we have for fuel!

jfb

hey this might be a long shot but how about high octane gas first you said it has a knock but did not specify that clearly is it run on or detonation? I would say if your problem is from the heat you probably at least lunched a head gasket or 2. by the way run on is after you shut the car off and detonation happens at loadspeeds usaully. load speeds mean heavy acceleration passing racing or high speeds etc. go with high octane 91 to 93 first, if not over heating, and check and if needed and the gas helps but not completely back down your timing.

My1st olds69"S"

I would like to thank everyone for their replies, it really helped, I believe I may find out what the heck is wrong with the 403 first and go from there. Hopefully who ever looks at it doesn't try to charge me an arm and a leg..

Rickman48

Just a little tip - if he says 'rare Oldsmobile', at any time, say thank you, and get out of there - find someplace else!

blueRAYwhale

this $1,600.00 budget is totally doable, i responded to some guy asking for an estimate on redoing a 330. my estimate was $1,500.00, in the car and running. if you can do a lot of the labor yourself, you're not under a time crunch deadline and you actually have the money saved to pay the machine shop when they call with the estimate on the short block. make the right selection of 350 motor you source from a donor car, reuse as much as you're 403 will allow you, which is quite a bit. hit up the 'zone for new parts, i think you could have it in and running in five or six weeks and less than $1,600.00.