Hello guys. I just picked up a small block OLDS which is all torn apart.I would like if possiable to ID the year and if it is fact a 350. The numbers on front flange are 395558 2. the #'s on rear of block where the tranny bolts up to is 3 36 cfo and a clock stamp of 5. The heads have 4A stamped on them. Also what engines came in blue paint. Any help is greatly appreciated.Thanks,Tom.

 

The 395558 2 tells us that you have an Olds 350 small block. They started using this casting in 1968 and it ended in ???? there are different opinions. Some say until 1970, others 1974. I have a 350 with this casting that has a 1976 engine unit number stamped on it. If you look at the ~inch long pad under the #1 cylinder and post it it will show the year of the block.

4A heads are listed as 1977 - 1977 Olds 403 small block heads. They will bolt on and work, they are just not the original heads.

Iknow in 1968 the 350 was gold. When that stopped I am not certain. I think they may have switched to blue in 1970, but that may be a big block year, I am not sure.

Adam

 

My '71 350 is gold, so is my '72.

 

Adam already gave you the info on the heads. The 336 cfo are foundry castings and IIRC they are based on an ordinal calendar date system. Nothing significant in this case. The block will have a stamping pad on the front left side, just below and to the left of the #1 cylinder. It faces down to the manifold. Look there. The stampings may be faint so DONT use sandpaper to reveal them. Use a rag and degreaser. This one is from a 1972 production. 3-Oldsmobile 2 - model year 1972 M-Lansing 546747 VIN derivative of car. (last 6 numbers on cars VIN plate)


Good guess Adam, but nope. I know for sure the gold Olds block was around till 73 maybe later. Most blue engines were the 70 -76 455. After that the 403's were blue, but a different shade than 455s. Not sure what year they went generically to black - somewhere around ???80??

 

The #2 block was used, and was gold, 1968 thru 1976.

The 4A heads are probably not the best choice for assembling a 350 due to the large combustion chambers.

set some goals such as premium or regular fuel, which will dictate the maximum compression you can tolerate, and then you can decide if the 4A's will work for you or you need to procure earlier 350 castings.