What is this?

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/1339165.jpg

Besides being a grimy, dirty old engine, what size engine is this?

I've had it since fall, someone told me it is a poncho...

Any comments are welcome:)

That's an Oldsmobile small block (not a 400 or 455)
As it looks as if its in a second generation Firebird, my guess is an Olds 403 (6.6Litre) from the late '70's.
The 403 is the largest displacement of the small block (307, 350) Olds engine.
They are fine engines, but performance parts are a bit more difficult to find than a Pontiac.

Actually, right now it's sitting in a '79 Camaro(avatar)
If it is an Olds engine, where would I find the casting #'s on the block?
Thanks for the response Magicrat...

Wel, I crawled all over the engine, found some #'s, and ran them on the web. It turns out that this is indeed an Oldsmobile 350. Thanks again, M

That's an interesting combination. I have known of a couple of Olds 350's that ran really strong.
Any plans for this?

No immediate plans... I was actually a little disappointed when I found out what it was...
It's a 3B block wth 3A heads. The only mods that I can see on it are the full length race headers, and maybe the air cleaner. That's about it. I don't even want to tear it down anymore. I'm just wondering what I can put in there that'll mate-up with the tranny and the engine mounts. I'll leave it as is for now... I still have to finish restoring my GMC Jimmy. (I bought that first) Then I'll worry a little more about the Camaro. Who knows? Maybe I'll swap in the decrepid 502 I have collecting dust in the corner of the garage. I've always been a small block guy, but if I'm going to open up a can of worms.....:)

I know what you mean....its a bit of a disappointment to find an Olds 350. just because a 400 or 455 will drop right in its place. I believe the 455 has the same trans and engine mounts, but the deck is an inch or so higher, so the intake is different.
However, the olds 350 is a big bore short stroke engine (4.057x3,385), more so than a Chevy 350.
It can build revs faster, much faster than a 455, and rev higher. It can also accept the 455 cylinder heads, which should bolt right on.
You could build a nice, lightweight high winding motor, blow the door off the rice rockets, and then let them wonder what the hell it is when you open the hood......

I did some checking into your theory of putting 455 heads and intake on it... the heads will bolt right up, but, I would have to work over the water jackets. They won't line up. The intake won't fit either bacause of the width. 12in vs. 14in . If anything this engine has more torque than hp. Apparently the biggest difference between a bb and a sb Olds is the deck height. The internals are interchangable, but not recommended(don't have the foggiest why).

So, this leaves me with some big decisions to make...If a bb Olds will fit, why not find a 455? I know next to nothing about Olds engines, and would be doing the work by myself. But, it sounds like fun...I've never seen one in a Camaro.

Again, if a bb Olds will fit, why not try to shoehorn the 502 in there? I've never seen one of those in a Camaro either. It would be a monster!! I don't think the ass would stay in one place with that in there. I already have a 12 bolt rear- so I'm not worried about blowing that up. Do you think I'd have to move the motor mounts? I think the tranny won't work with it either(bolt pattern).

I've got some time to think about this, but it's going to rack my brain......

I am not sure about a 502.....likely the trans must be changed and built to accomodate the power.
The Olds 455 is a good choice, although it is a bit of a compromise. A BB Chevy can be made to go faster but, of course, costs more to buy and build. The Olds is a great way to produce lots of big block power and torque for modest money.
All the Olds 455 blocks are much the same, although the 71-76 engines were thought to have slightly lighter and weaker castings. Use the 68-70 heads, (cast with a big B or C in the top.) '71 and later heads were not so good.
The 455 has only two modest weaknesses. They are slightly undersquare (4.125 x 4.250) so the ports and valves are slightly smaller than, say a decent Pontiac 400. So you must build them to produce maximum mid range power. They will not do too much above 5000 rpm with stock heads.
The other problem is that, while you can find all common performance parts for them, they are relatively uncommon. Its tough to find swap meet parts, so the good stuff will require a bit of hunting or you'll have to buy new. Edelbrock just come out with some great aluminum heads, although Mondello is the best place for everything Oldsmobile.
I have a built Olds 455 and it doesn't build revs as fast as a sb Chev, but it produces more power and torque than any sb for the money I spent on it.

I am currently building a 68' 455 and you can build some serious power but because the parts are so rare you need the green. But starting out with 310 hp with a tiny 2bbl and no headers. I figure thats not bad to start out with and you could get 500 hp easy. So it's up to what you want... But Mondello has all the parts you need for whatever you want to build..