Hello,

I have a 72 Cutlass Supreme (442/w-30) clone. Car is in great shape, engine runs great, but not too much torque/HP. I would like to eventually rebuild/detail the current engine. But for the short term I would like to get a new engine to toy with and install in the car, an engine with more torque/HP.

I am a newbie to engines, not much experience, but need to start somewhere on taking one apart/installing.

I have a line on (2) different engines, wondering what one to go with, any opinions would be appreciated, similar price.

1974 350 with (1970) #6 heads, Olds owner reports 70K on engine.

1970 350 with (1970) #6 heads, reports ran great when pulled, owner went to big block in his cutlass.

I would be looking at restoring the engine to regular parts/specs to attempt to make it easier than building it up. My current goal is more hp/torque with new engine to temporary replace my existing numbers matching engine as I rebuild that one.

Thanks

 

The 74 engine will have gotten different head gaskets when the #6 heads were put on. Depending on the thickness of these, the compression might be lower on the 74 engine compared to the 70 engine. Of course, if the 70 engine was rebuilt with new head gaskets, we're back to square one, since the pistons are similar, if not identical. At that point you'll have to start looking at how well the individual engines run, and all those small details.

In essence, both the bottom and top end of those two engines will perform similarly, from what you've told us (no mention of custom work on either). It's a toss-up, and I'd go with the one that seems least likely to break down until you've rebuilt your original engine. The only joker is the cam, and possibly the carb, if the 74 has emissions crap.

 

IMHO, your just swapping one 350 for another. You not gaining anything for the trouble and expense. Find a 455.

 

I don't see how are you going to gain anything if all three engines are stock and about same. Save your money pull yours out and rebuild with little performance in mind or like oldcutlass said get a 455. no point in replacing your 350 with identical 350.

 

Thanks for the input guys, appreciate it. My logic is the 1970 350 has much more HP than my existing 1972 350, at least according to the Olds rebuild book you guys turned me on to, 180 HP vs 280 HP, rough numbers. Not looking for big increase, but approx 100 HP increase would be nice.

It will take me quite some time to pull and rebuild my existing 1972 and don't want to have too much downtime as I do that. Thanks again.

 

The 70 engine was rated in gross hp, the 72 was rated in net hp. Two totally different ways of measuring hp. The 70 might be a little higher but nowhere near 100hp.

Larry