I just bought a 1966 Cutlass with a SB olds
My question is...
Is it a 330 or 400.The prefix on the S/N is a W and the suffix a G from what I have researched Olds used the W in 65 for the 400 and in 67 for the 350
I am asuuming fromwhat I have read the G means high compression !0:1
I am however very confused about the prefix on the engine S/N
Any helpn this would be appreciated
Thanks Al

 

Hi Al,
I'd highly recommend you to join wildaboutcars.com and get the free chassis service manual for your car!
You have the 330 4bbl high compression engine!

 

I'm not sure where you're getting your information, but in 1966 a W[xxxxxx]G engine number on the front of the right-hand head signified a 10¼:1 4bbl 330, which was the optional higher-performance engine (not the 4-4-2 engine).



- Eric

 

Ok thanks guys
The 350 was a typo I knew it was either a 330 or a 400
I got my info off a 1967 Motors Manual and apparently that is a bit misleading
My only other experience with Olds was with a 1966 Dynamic 88 I had back in 70 and that had a 425 with a 2bbl carb
I traded a 64 GTO for that.blame it on 2 kids GTO just didnt have the room
I think I got a pretty good deal on this Cutlass for 600 bucks
Thanks again!!!! Al


1991 vette
1999 2 door Tahoe
1967 Camaro 496 power
1990 C1500 383 SBC
1966 Cutlass
1988 Harley bagger
2008 Harley ultra classic
2008 883 Sportser
2010 Malibu(wifes car)

 

If it's a small block Olds, it CAN'T be a 400. In any case, this is quite simple. Look at the block casting number on the small shelf above the water pump, next to the oil fill tube. That will tell you EXACTLY what motor you have.

 

Ok thanks Joe already determined it is a 330
By the way I thought 330s and 400 looked the same
I need to do some research on the following
1 Stock piston dome volume
2 Cyl head combustion chamber volume
3 Size and metallurgy of valves
4 Cam lift,duration @.050,LSA of cam
The stock stroke and bore I got
This engine has never been touched since new!
Runs really well xept for carb(spreadbore Q jet) Im assming this is a 600 cfm or so carb,Ive got a spread bore Holley coming
Took the Q apart and way too many things wrong with it down to the type of needle nd seat (really a valve and not the normal Q jet needle and seat
So thanks again for your input and anty help on these oyher topics will certainly be much appreciated
About 99percent of my experience has been with SBC and BBC

 

The 330 is a small block, the 400 is a big block.

All of this will be in the Chassis Service Manual. The CCs should be about 60cc and the piston dishes about 4.7cc -- the pistons aren't domed - they're dished.

You've got a rare original series QuadraJet there - they changed the needle and seat arrangement in '66 - the early style had a bad habit of failing, spraying gas, and starting fires.
With an update kit, that carb should be fine, and will probably work better than anything on the aftermarket (the 330 is NOT a high-performance motor).

Then be careful not to make unwitting assumptions about Olds motors, because a lot of the minor rebuild details are different, and you'll have problems if you build it like "those" motors. The guys on here can help guide you.

Sounds like a great find!

- Eric

 

BTW, the Quadrajet is 750 cfm. NHRA stockers with it run 10 second quarters, so they can be made to perform.

 

I want to thank all you guys again for all your help and will be asking many more times,so thanks for all your help
Right now Im trying to find a hood for the Cutlass,seems almost impossible.
The lip on my hood is rusted through the rest is good , just the lip,I can fabricate the sheet metal but just dont hve the time
This motor is runnin so good im just gonna paint it n detail it when I take the front clip off and just make a nice cruiser out of it
Im also unfmiliar with the "Jetaway" trans but I think I can handle that with no problem,just dont know the internals....Bands or Clutches....
Guess Ill find out someday for now its shifting good after a fluid change